With certain dog breeds, everyone is generally in agreement on whether the breed is dangerous or not. Beagles—not dangerous. Rottweilers—dangerous. Collies—not dangerous. Pitbulls—dangerous. However, if you google “least aggressive dog breeds,” the American Bulldog shows up in the results. On the other hand, reports indicate that the American Bulldog is the fourth most dangerous dog breed. Which is it?
Regardless of the inherent risks of the breed, if you are injured by an American Bulldog, consult a New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer immediately about your options.
American Bulldog Basics
The American Bulldog, a descendant of the English Bulldog but in the mastiff family, arrived in the US just two centuries ago. They were brought over from England as pets by immigrants. The breed’s numbers got very low during the first 40 years of the last century. Both the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club have not officially recognized this breed until recently.
This breed is athletic, strong, muscular, and capable of both great agility and impressive stamina. They have an imposing, somewhat intimidating frame, typically weighing 75-125 pounds, with the males generally a few pounds heavier. They live 10-15 years, have a barrel chest, are generally white with a few brown patches, and stand right around two feet tall. Heavy drooling is common among this breed due to their loose cheeks that don’t perfectly seal the mouth.
Most bulldog breeds are not good at swimming due to their shorter/wider stature than the American Bulldog. Because this breed has longer legs, swimming can be something else it does for work (Hunting dogs often need to retrieve dead ducks who were shot over the duck pond and are floating out in the pond, for example).
The American Bulldog is known for being loyal to its owners and typically only acting friendly with its owners’ families. They can sense threats to their “territory.” This comes from their ranch/farm upbringing—it was the dog’s job to keep the property, livestock, and children safe while the master was off-site.
Some health problems American Bulldogs can face include:
Ectropion
Bone cancer
Hip dysplasia
Cherry eye
Elbow dysplasia
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL)
Kidney disorders
Ichthyosis
ACL tears
Thyroid problems
Entropion
Overall, the American Bulldog tends to be a well-balanced, healthy breed, but remember, dogs that have developed any of these conditions can be more likely to bite and show signs of aggression.
What Does the Name “Bulldog” Mean?
“American Bulldog” is not the name this breed was known by when it first arrived in the US. This dog became very popular in the Southeast because of its working abilities (pulling a cart, guarding, helping hunters, killing feral pigs).
In the South, this breed was called the “White English Southern Bulldog.” Some feel the term bulldog originates from having a bull-ish physique. Others feel it refers more to “working hard” like a bull. Some say it’s because the dogs are bullies when it comes to personality and temperament. Still, others say the name stems from their believed background with bull-baiting.
Bull-baiting would be a likely explanation for why bulldogs have such a strong bite force (305 pounds per square inch, which is 70 psi stronger than a Pitbull or German Shepherd). Bull-baiting was popular in the 1400s. A dog would “bait” a bull into kneeling down to check it out, then bite the bull’s nose. If the dog let go of the bull’s nose, it would get trampled, stabbed by the bull’s horn, and die.
When Do American Bulldogs Bite?
While there is some debate about this, there is evidence to suggest that American Bulldogs were bred for dog fighting. It makes sense, considering how popular dog fighting was in the southeastern United States before and after the Civil War and considering where the breed originated. Regardless of whether John D. Johnson, who rounded up all the American bulldogs in the South between World War I and World War II to save them from extinction, trained them to fight or not, it’s reasonable to assume that they were indeed used for this purpose throughout the region. Nevertheless, dogs bred for or used to fight tend to bite people more often—that’s just the bottom line.
As mentioned above, this breed will attack when they are provoked, threatened, or perceive a threat to their owners. They are highly suspicious of perceived threats. Likewise, these dogs have a well-established need to assert dominance, which is done via bullying, biting, and other aggressive displays (growling, chasing). The American Bulldog feels a need to establish dominance over virtually anyone—other dogs, other pets, even people. Is this loyal breed capable of attacking its owner? Sadly, yes, especially if the owner does not have a commanding presence.
Dominance-establishing behavior can mostly be controlled through obedience training. However, only about 25% of dogs in general have any kind of training, according to Dogster. When combined with the fact that 40% of dogs never get walked and that a large breed like this one needs one hour of vigorous exercise every single day (not 3x 20-minute daily potty walks but one full hour of jogging or hiking on unbalanced terrain), this would indicate that a dog like this is indeed more likely to bite. When this dog is at home, it can not be cooped up inside a small house or apartment—it needs room to run around. The American Bulldog is highly energetic and requires a high degree of stimulation and activity.
As puppies, the American Bulldog is slow to mature, nibbles hard, and chews on everything, including human feet. Puppies are unfortunately drawn to feet because they are in motion low to the ground, just like a feral pig would be. Owners of this breed can confirm they have a longer teething period than other dogs, which is a challenge.
While puppies are less confident than mature American Bulldogs, which can deter them from biting, a younger child is definitely going to be vulnerable, particularly if alone with this big, strong puppy looking for anything in motion it can chomp on. Neutering a male American Bulldog is extremely important when it comes to reducing the risk that this animal will bite. About 70% of dog attacks are carried out by the 20% of male dogs that are not neutered.
Furthermore, like virtually any animal, if you disturb this dog during a meal, expect an aggressive response. The American Bulldog will defend its food, toys, water dish, etc.
One positive, however, is that American Bulldogs have proven they are capable of herding or shepherding. This means with proper training and consistency, this breed can resist the temptation to bite the cattle, goats, or sheep they protect and only show aggression towards herd predators. Still, adding “predatory” to this breed’s loyal tendencies, strong bite force, and fighting history is a red flag.
How Dangerous Are American Bulldogs?
This breed kills about one person per year in the United States. How many people they maul, severely injure, and bite each year is unknown. As the American Bulldog has increased in popularity country-wide, attacks by them have increased as well, based on the anecdotal report of a dog bite expert named Richard Polsky. Well-socialized, properly-trained American Bulldogs that receive adequate exercise and are neutered are far less likely to ever attack.
American Bulldog Attacks
The best way to make your own conclusion as to whether the American Bulldog is dangerous or not is by looking at some real-world examples of aggression by this dog. Remember, the most dangerous dog is the one barking at you from behind a fence or while tied to a stake as you pass by on the sidewalk, pull up in the driveway, or walk up to the front door of the house. The likelihood of this dog attacking you if it gets loose is very, very high. Exercise extreme caution. Never turn your back to a vicious dog. Never run away from a potentially dangerous dog.
American Bulldog Attack #1 – Omaha Rescue Dog Attacks Young Woman
In August 2023, KETV News in Omaha reported that an American Bulldog adopted from the Nebraska Humane Society seriously injured a 22-year-old woman. The dog was still actively mauling the victim when police arrived after the woman’s fiance dialed 911.
American Bulldog Attack #2 – Pack of American Bulldogs Attack Winnipeg
In February of 2020, three people were attacked by American Bulldogs in a Winnipeg parking lot. All three victims required hospitalization. Two of the victims, both adult men, sustained injuries that will permanently alter their quality of life. Police were forced to issue a warning to local residents advising them to avoid the area. Eventually, two of the American Bulldogs were located nearby and shot. Two more of the involved dogs, a mother and puppy, were hit by a car and, at the time the story was reported, had not been located. Packs of dogs are far more dangerous than a single dog or a pair of dogs. Ironically, pit bulls, a fellow mastiff breed, have been banned since 1990 by the City of Winnipeg.
American Bulldog Attack #3 – Surveillance Camera Captures Violent Attack in Miami
In June 2023, Local News 10 reported that another pair of American Bulldogs attacked a female process server in the Little Havana neighborhood. The woman, who was serving a legal notice when she was attacked, sustained serious injuries to her back and ears from the dog bites. She was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Animal Control placed both dogs in quarantine. The entire attack happened in the street and was captured by a nearby security camera, including showing a passer-by unsuccessfully trying to stop the dogs.
American Bulldog Attack #4 – Dog Owner Faces Jail Time After Dog Kills Neighbor
In April 2023, an 85-year-old UK woman was brutally attacked and killed when her neighbor’s pair of American Bulldogs escaped through a hole in the fence leading into her backyard. The owner of the dogs pleaded guilty under England’s Dangerous Dog Act and was awaiting his sentence when The Independent reported the story.
American Bulldog Attack #5 – Young Dog Sends His Owner to the Hospital
The Billings Gazette reported in May of 2012 that a 27-year-old man was hospitalized when his own 2-year-old American Bulldog attacked him. The owner had raised the dog from a puppy and called him “happy-go-lucky” and “good with kids.” The man was with his dog visiting his girlfriend in Cody, WY, when the dog suddenly got hyper and bit the owner’s arm as the man was attempting to usher the dog outside.
The dog pulled him to the floor while mauling his arm. The owner tried yelling firmly, talking calmly, pushing him away—nothing worked. Eventually, the “man’s best friend“ broke his finger as well. Meanwhile, the girlfriend called 911 and, once the attack subsided, put a tourniquet on the man’s arm, which was bleeding profusely. When police arrived, the dog acted aggressively and had to be subdued with a taser. The man underwent two surgeries and needed over 60 stitches. The dog was eventually shot.
American Bulldog Attack #6 – Family Dog Mauls Grandmother for an Hour
In August of 2021, the Daily Mail reported that a 72-year-old UK woman who was babysitting her grandchildren miraculously survived being mauled by her daughter’s American Bulldog for an hour. The dog had already attacked family members twice in the last few months yet was allowed to remain in the home with children present. The grandmother’s injuries were so severe that she was placed in a coma by medical staff. The woman had to have her arm amputated and will likely also lose both of her legs.
The attack occurred while her 8-year-old granddaughter was outside playing. One of the family’s five dogs cornered the grandmother in the kitchen and then attacked her when she tried to escape by running into the backyard. The attack continued until her son-in-law came home an hour later. The woman was airlifted to a nearby hospital. Neighbors told police that it was an accident waiting to happen, that they were all terrified of the dog, and that the dog did not receive any exercise and was always locked inside the house or small backyard. At the family’s request, the dog was put down by a local vet.
American Bulldog Attack #7 – 11-Year-Old Attacked by Family Dog
In August of 2023, in Manhattan, ABC 7 reported that an 11-year-old boy with ADHD was bitten on his arms and face so severely that he required surgery. The American Bulldog was inside the family’s apartment when the attack occurred. It took two relatives, one of whom was injured in the process, to disengage the family pet, who was jumping on top of the screaming boy. The boy’s aunt said that her nephew often played too rough with the dog, which is common in children diagnosed with ADHD.
Sadly, the reason the boy was living in the apartment with such a dog was because his mother had just recently died, and his aunt took him in. The family ended up locking the dog inside the apartment as they waited outside for authorities to arrive. The dog had to be sedated in order to be removed from the premises and taken to the humane society.
After reading these real-world accounts of American Bulldog attacks, the fact that so many involve the dogs turning on their own families is concerning. That definitely matches up with what we know to be true about the breed’s history and temperament. Too many people bring “red flag” dogs into homes with children and the elderly, thinking, “It can’t happen to me.” Even more tragic, people observe aggressive behavior in their family dogs, and instead of taking the threat seriously, they look the other way and wish the danger away.
What To Do If Your American Bulldog Is Aggressive
According to experts from benevolent groups like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), “Most problematic are the dogs who are aggressive toward children, especially children in the family. Not only is aggression toward children exceedingly difficult to treat, but the likelihood that a dog with this problem will ever become trustworthy is slim.” This is the opinion of canine professionals who work to protect animals from harm—even these bonafide dog lovers are making the risk very clear.
To prevent a tragedy like any of the ones above, you need to understand that all of the dog owners above no doubt also thought, “Not my dog. That won’t happen.” The American Kennel Club agrees, saying, “Any dog is capable of biting given the right circumstances.”
The average dog bite lawsuit will cost the dog’s owner over $50,000 to settle, not counting legal fees. Normally, in the case of a dog bite, you are covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. However, if you had previous knowledge that your dog bites or could potentially attack someone, it’s entirely possible you could end up footing the bill for that attack on your own.
The conundrum is that canine experts ask if your dog’s aggressive behavior is predictable. Let’s say your American Bulldog was an inch away from biting a Girl Scout coming to your house to sell cookies until you intervened. Should you wait until the next child comes by to determine if it was the stranger or the child that triggered your dog’s aggression? That seems like a bad plan.
Likewise, many canine experts advise vicious dog owners to simply control the factors that trigger their dog’s aggression. Yes, you can certainly limit your dog’s exposure to people in wheelchairs or using canes/walkers, but you can not guarantee or control that. The National Institute of Health says about 1/3 of dog attacks are caused by dogs who have escaped or gotten loose (broke off a chain, broke through fencing, got away from the owner while on a walk, ran out of the house). Additionally, LostPetResearch.com says about 15% of dogs escape at least one time every five or so years. Unless you live out on several fenced acres and have no neighbors, you are assuming the risk of what your dog could do if it escapes.
If your dog has demonstrated aggressive behavior that the people around you find distressing (neighbors, houseguests, other family members), please first take your American Bulldog to the veterinarian for a check-up so you can rule out a medical problem causing your dog’s aggression.
A Few Final Thoughts
The decision to euthanize your pet is extremely difficult. Being put in a position to have to call Animal Control to report your neighbor’s dog’s vicious behavior is also very uncomfortable. Unfortunately, you need to act responsibly and put safety first. If the worst were to happen, imagine the guilt you’d feel. Here are a few other points to consider that are based on canine research we’ve come across and our own experience immersed in dog bite cases day in and day out:
While dogs with a history of aggression are a clear red flag, dogs that just snap one day are far more deadly. If you have not exposed your dog to children, the elderly, the handicapped, large crowds, loud noises, and so on, it is imperative that you do so. Learn your dog’s limits now before a “surprise attack” that could have been prevented with proper socialization occurs.
Is your dog easily motivated by a treat, praise, or something else? If so, that means the potential for any training your dog receives to stick is far greater. Even if your dog has demonstrated aggressive tendencies, if it can be easily motivated, there is a far greater chance that your dog’s behavior can be controlled. The real questions then become: Can you be consistent? Do you have enough command presence (tall, big, deep voice, standing your ground, etc.)? Can you safely limit your dog’s exposure to children and strangers (without compromising its mental stimulation and exercise)? Finally, are you willing to muzzle your dog as needed? If the answer to any of these is no, then the risk is still going to be too great.
Call the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyer Today!
Dog bite cases are our entire law practice. With over 25 years of experience, we can give you excellent, skillful service and the highest possible settlement. We have offices in Newark and Egg Harbor Township. Call us, the New Jersey Dog Bite Lawyers, now at (866) 343-0264 or use our contact form.
Dave was awesome helping me through the nightmare world of insurance claims after my daughter was attacked by a neighbors dog. Dave is very friendly, always available and extremally knowledgeable and connected to this process. I highly recommend you call him about your case,
John L.
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J S
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My entire experience with Dave and his team was 5 stars. They specialize in one thing, and this experience taught me why you want an attorney who specializes.
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Seth K G
My experience with Dave and his law firm was wonderful. While I was nervous to start the process of something that I knew nothing about, he was extremely helpful and explained everything clearly and concisely. He answered all of my questions - day or night, weekday or weekend, and made sure I was comfortable at each step. I would highly recommend Dave and his firm!
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Dave was extremely responsive and guided me thru the process with compassion. His specialization in dog bites really helped facilitate the process. He knows all the insurance issues and, despite the backlog of cases due to Covid, was able to settle my claim for more than we anticipated as well as earlier. I would definitely recommend Dave as I felt comfortable that I was getting the best advice every step of the way!
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Dave did extremely well by me and my family. He was nothing short of professional and assisted us through the entire process. I called him the day of the dog bite, and I followed his instructions to the "T". Him, and his staff, were knowledgeable on every step of the process. From medical advise, to advise on setting up our structured settlement for our child. If you need help right away, don't wait.... call him asap!!!
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Neyia W.
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Courtney R.
My one year old dog and I were viciously attacked by a pit bull.
I didn’t want to file a law suit initially until I realized the severity of the injuries both mentally and physically. Most lawyers are all about the money not for the justice and compassion of the victim. I am blessed to have found David. He was our hero who understood our situation was efficient knowledgeable and above all sincerely compassionate
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Lilian P.
We contacted Dave when our 5 year old son was attacked by our neighbor's dog, resulting in deep wounds (and now scars) on his face and arm. Dave was extremely knowledgeable/helpful from the start, explaining how everything would work, and he was always available via phone/text if we had questions come up throughout the process. He always gave us all of the options/routes we could take and let us decide what was the best move for our family. He advocated for the best outcome for our son and always kept us in the loop. We were able to settle in a friendly hearing with the homeowner-insurance company, which was simple and straightforward, thanks to all of Dave's hard work behind-the-scenes. We definitely could not have navigated this process ourselves and we are very thankful for the help of Dave and his team!
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