1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

The American Bullnese is a sweet little dog with a huge personality. Their faces almost wear a true smile, even when at rest. When they are excited, such as upon seeing you, those smiles spread across their faces and into the eyes, in a way that will warm hearts. The breed was created by the mating of the Pekignese and the French Bulldog. There is some argument about whether this is a true breed unto itself or if it is simply a hybrid mix of two true breeds. Regardless, for those who love these dogs, there is nothing like them in all the world. Robert Rice holds the responsibility for the breed as he mated the two dogs first in the search for his own "perfect breed".

Today, this breed is accepted for registry in the Dog Registry of America, or the DRA and the American Bullnese Association, or the ABA. They are classified under the "non-sporting" dog category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her. There are currently other registries that are working on getting these dogs accepted.

According to breed standards, the male American Bullnese should be between 9.5 and 12 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers, and the female should stand between 8.5 and 11 inches in height. The male's weight should be between 18 and 30 pounds, while the female should stay within 15 and 25 pounds. The American Bullnese hasa well-muscled body held atop short legs. The large head and the pushed back muzzle are both square-shaped. The soft ears are held in the folded over, slightly flopped position. The jaw has flews that overhang the bottom lip and the lips are pigmented black. The eyes are large and round, holding an expression of keen liveliness and a spirit of fun. The tail should be slightly curled, but not in the corkscrew. The front legs are slightly bowed and the back legs held straight.

The American Bullnese has a short, soft coat that is tight to the skin. The fur is thick. According to breed standards, any coat color is acceptable. There can be a mask on the face. Their grooming is quite easy. A weekly thorough brushing with a stiff, rubber-bristled brush and a shampoo when absolutely needed will suffice. The wrinkles in the skin of the face will need to be kept clean, as well, to prevent infections from developing. The breed are medium shedders.

They are highly intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, especially in areas they are instinctively adapted and used for. Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. As with almost every small dog breed, potty training can be challenging, but crating the dog should help. If you are firm, consistent and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly.

The American Bullnese is a dog that will do well with both people and other pets. They love being with their family, but should still be treated as pets and not humans, lest they develop the "small dog syndrome" and begin to become dominant. They are excellent watch dogs, being very loyal to their families and alerting them to any sign of trouble. They are affectionate and loving, as well as charming and playful. They do have a lot of energy and should not be allowed to become lazy and overweight, as this can lead to health problems. They should also have at least a brisk walk daily, as well as play time off the leash. The average life expectancy of the American Bullnese is between 10 and 15 years.

Learn more about this author, Victoria Tiegert.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Dog breed facts: American Bullnese?
We want to hear your view. Write now!