In this guide I will explain what the life expectancy of an American Bulldog is, what factors dictate the living to old age, and how you can help them life a longer and healthier life. But first, here’s how long American Bulldogs live on average.

American Bulldog life expectancy on average means they could live between 10 and 16 years of age. This means the average lifespan of an American Bulldog is 13 years old. However, as with any dog breed, heath issues, luck, and genetics can reduce or extend their lifespan.

In terms of good news, of all the bulldog breeds, the American Bulldog is considered healthiest, with the longest life span in comparison. Below I will explain the American Bulldog’s lifespan in more detail with tips on how you can extend it… plus the potential life expectancy differences between a male and female in this breed.

American Bulldogs’ life expectancy (and how to prolong it)

Anyone who owns an American Bulldog appreciates how well this gentle-spirited breed fits into the family setting. They take the guard role seriously and show love to their human family without holding back.

When an American Bulldog finally becomes part of your family, their life expectancy might be the last thing on your mind. You’d want to live in the moment and not think that someday you’ll say goodbye to your cherished canine friend.

That’s understandable. We all wish our four-legged could keep us company for several years. But knowing how long your American Bulldog lives and you will have together is a good thing, even though it doesn’t sound like it.

It will make you want to do everything you can to ensure they experience the best years of their life and even increase their chances of living past the estimated lifespan of an American Bulldog.

According to various online sources, the American Bulldog’s expectancy ranges from 10 to 16 years. What’s also interesting is that American Bulldogs are the longest-living and healthiest bulldog breeds.

So, it’s possible for an American Bulldog to live beyond 16 years.

One main factor that gives the American Bulldog such a long life span is how physically active this breed is. And their athletic appearance says it all.

American Bulldogs are known to be highly energetic and are always ready to participate in high-energy exercises. As they maintain a healthy body weight through regular physical activity, their risk of premature death lowers.

Another key factor in the life expectancy of American Bulldogs are predisposed to only a few genetic health issues. Compare this to French Bulldogs who are prone to lots of health issues and will live a shorter life.

This explains why they are generally considered a healthy breed. While they suffer from various health problems, most of these conditions are avoidable and manageable and help American Bulldogs live longer.

Health issues that affect how long American Bulldog’s live

Similar to other dog breeds, illness can decrease an American Bulldog’s lifespan. This breed is prone to the following medical conditions during its lifetime:

• Hypothyroidism: A condition that causes an American Bulldog’s throat to shrink or get inflamed, leading to thyroid imbalances that interfere with the dog’s metabolic state.
• Brachycephalic syndrome: This disease is characterized by respiratory problems in American Bulldogs.
• Hip Dysplasia: A genetic disease that causes deformities in an American Bulldog’s joints and hips
• Dental Diseases: American Bulldogs are vulnerable to serious gingivitis and gum disease. If left untreated, the bacteria-triggered dental issues will damage an American Bulldog’s heart, kidneys, brain, and liver.
• Obesity: American Bulldogs can never get enough food. Given a chance, they’ll overeat, making them prone to obesity.
• Eye abnormalities: Like other brachycephalic breeds, American Bulldogs are at risk of painful eye conditions such as entropion, corneal ulcers, and dry eye.

Without timely diagnosis and eye surgery, these eye diseases can significantly lower an American Bulldog’s quality of life (check if your dog is going blind).

• Viral and bacterial infections: These infections compromise an American Bulldog’s immune system, causing frequent sicknesses that may result in an untimely death
• Kidney stones: American Bulldogs are susceptible to kidney stones, a life-threatening condition that obstructs the ureter.

5 tips to help prolong your American Bulldog’s life expectancy

Like every American Bulldog parent, you’d want the best for your four-legged best friend. And with your help, they can live a longer, happier life free from agonizing health problems.

Here are a few ways to make a positive difference in your American Bulldog’s life expectancy:

1. Prioritize regular vet checkups

While American Bulldogs get afflicted by different health problems, modern medicine can effectively prevent and manage most of these conditions.

When you make it the norm to take your America Bulldog to the vet regularly, you’ll save them from avoidable medical problems.

Your vet will be able to identify any potentially deadly health issue when it’s still at the treatable stage and get your dog started on early treatment.

That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to bring up any concerns you might have about your canine pal’s health – no matter how minor the symptom may seem to you.

Plus, seeing the vet often is a good step to take if you wouldn’t want your dog to miss any vital vaccinations that keep infections at bay. Frequent checkups will greatly improve your American Bulldog’s well-being as years go by.

2. Watch your dog’s waistline

How long your American Bulldog lives can depend on how much excess body weight they carry. If you don’t keep this in check, obesity and other weight-related health issues will catch up with them sooner than you think.

A healthy body weight will also increase your dog’s chances of remaining physically active for a long while.

That said, you must carefully manage their calorie intake by limiting how much human food scraps you feed them. Even better, do away with the food scraps and don’t let them scrounge from the counter tops.

Another thing. Be mindful of their feeding method and the type of treats you reward them. Calorie-packed treats and free-feeding will only lead your dog down the obesity path.

3. Diet is everything

Ensure your American Bulldog gets the right amount of nutrients from their usual diet. Quality dog food equals quality dog life. Your canine friend is what they eat.

A nutritious, well-balanced daily diet is what they need to strengthen their immunity, fight off infections and stay healthy for a long time. You can always speak to your vet for the best dietary guidance.

Handy Hint: Whilst it might be tempting to share a bit of your McDonalds with a dog, the calories and potential health impact is frightening.

4. The power of exercising (as obvious as it might sound)

When it comes to dog life expectancy, physical activity is as important as proper food. American Bulldogs are naturally high-energy dogs. You should ensure that you meet your canine friend’s exercise needs to help them stay in shape.

Regular (but moderate) physical activity is important in strengthening your American Bulldog’s joints and body muscles. It also boosts their heart health and protects them from obesity.

Not to mention, exercise sessions allow your American Bulldog to bond more with you. That’s good for their psychological well-being.

5. Don’t neglect dental care

Keeping your American Bulldog’s oral health in check can do wonders to their lifespan.

Get your furry friend plenty of rubber toys to chew on as part of their daily routine. This will strengthen their jaw muscles and improve their gum health over time.

Also, ask your vet about the ideal way to brush their teeth and the appropriate dog-friendly toothpaste to use.

Always inspect your furry friend’s mouth at least once a week to spot any discoloration or bleeding around their gum lining, and extremely unpleasant mouth odor. You may also notice chipped or loose teeth before things get worse.

You should also schedule regular dental appointments so your American Bulldog can undergo a thorough dental check-up and professional teeth cleaning. And finally, avoid sugary treats for your canine pal.

FAQs on American Bulldogs’ lifespan

What is the lifespan of a male American Bulldog?

The American Bulldog lifespan of a male is 10 to 16 years of age. This means you can expect their average age to reach 13 years old.

How long do female American Bulldogs live?

Female American Bulldogs have the same life expectancy as males, so you can expect a female to live between 10 and 16 years.

However, research has found that whilst there is no difference in life expectancy when it comes to gender, whether the dog is spayed or neutered can.

In a 2019 study published by Steven Austad and his associate Jessica Hoffman, “Do Female Dogs Age Differently Than Male Dogs?” they found that spayed and neutered dogs live longer than pets who had not had the procedures.

How long do American Bulldogs live in human years?

If we consider the American Bulldog life expectancy to be 13 years on average, and that one human year equals seven dog years, it means American Bulldogs live to 91 in human years.

However, before you go and congratulate your American Bulldog on living such a long life, consider this…

Dogs age much faster than humans. They have a different ‘epigenetic clock’ that causes their cells to age at a different rate. Genome researchers have devised several tables and charts to help dog owners to keep track of dog years, relative to human years.

It is often said that there is a standard ratio of seven dog years to one human year, but it has emerged that it is more complicated than that. The rate at which dogs age depends on their size and, oddly, their age.

They tend to ‘age’ rapidly, progressing from juvenile to adolescent, and on to maturity within two of our years. Thereafter their ageing curve flattens, and they ease on graciously into old age at the rate of four years per human year.

Do different categories of American Bulldog live longer?

There can be some subtle differences, for example, a pocket American Bulldog might live to 10 to 13 years of age. Here’s a quick comparison list.

• Pocket American Bulldog lifespan: 10 to 13 years old
• Scott American Bulldog lifespan: 10 to 16 years old
• Johnson American Bulldog lifespan: 10 to 16 years old
• White American Bulldog lifespan: 10 to 16 years old
• Purebred American Bulldog lifespan: 10 to 16 years old
• English American Bulldog lifespan: 10 to 16 years old

Is 10 old for an American Bulldog?

I would not say that 10 is old for an American Bulldog, as it’s not towards the oldest range of their average lifespan. Some can live for up to 5 years longer than this if they are lucky, fit, and healthy.

Is 11 old for an American Bulldog?

11 is considered to be on the lower side of old for an American Bulldog, and some might say this is 77 in human years, which according our context of time and aging would be considered old.

Do American Bulldogs have a lot of health problems?

They can do, but not as many as other bulldog breeds, such as English Bulldogs. As mentioned earlier, American Bulldogs are at risk of health problems such as dental issues, kidney stones, hypothyroidism, eye abnormalities, and hip dysplasia.

But most of these diseases are treatable.

Conclusion

Renowned for its protective instincts and strikingly confident look, the American bulldog is among the sweetest dogs out there.

How long you get to spend with this adorable breed will depend on many factors. Things that influence an American Bulldog’s lifespan include health, diet, and genetics.

But perhaps, with a little luck and care, yours will live a long life to 15 years old… or possibly even more!

You might also like…

• Do dogs know when it’s their birthday?
• The bite force pressure of an American Bulldog

Image in header via https://pixabay.com/photos/american-bulldogs-3-dogs-1504599/

The post How Long Do American Bulldogs Live? (Average Lifespan) appeared first on DoggySaurus.

I decided to research into what the American Bulldog bite force strength was in PSI (pounds per square inch) and then compare to other dog breeds and how strong their bites are.

How strong is an American Bulldog’s bite?

What’s an American Bulldog’s bite pressure?

The bite force pressure of an American Bulldog has been estimated to be 305 PSI. This bite force strength in pounds per square inch should not be completely relied on, as it is not possible to accurately measure a dog’s bite force to an exact figure.

Do American Bulldogs have strong jaws?

American Bulldogs have very strong jaws and can grip very powerfully. For example, let’s say you are playing tug with this breed; you will find it very hard to pull the toys away from their jaws. Having said that, many owners can prise open their American Bulldog’s jaw to retrieve a toy or object they should not be eating.

American Bulldog bite pressure in pounds

Whilst many websites will list the figure of 305 PSI for an American Bulldog’s bite force in pounds, this should not be considered as being entirely accurate.

In fact, I’ve not been able to find any scientific study or piece of research where a controlled experiment was performed to get an accurate reading.

You can read more about why these bite force readings should not be considered accurate further down the page.

What an American Bulldog’s bite force feels like

So, whilst we have to err on the side of caution and not entirely believe the 305 PSI figure, you can get a good feel for an American Bulldog’s bite force when you play a game with this breed…. and that game is a good old-fashioned tug of war.

Did You Know? Humans have an average bite pressure of 120 PSI, with some adult males being able to bite down at a strength of 150 PSI.

Why dog bite force PSI is hard to accurately measure

Throughout this article I’ve been saying how you should not entirely rely on dog bite pressure statistics, and there’s a good reason why; the way in which it’s measured and the nature of a dog.

What do I mean by this?

Well, imagine asking a dog to bite down as hard as it can onto the pressure reader. It’s just not going to happen – unlike humans you won’t be able to get that commitment from a dog to get an accurate bite force number.

Think about the mentality of a dog for a moment and leading them into the test. How hard they bite down will have so many variables including:

• What the dog was biting down on.
• How the dog is feeling, for example is it aggressive at the time of the test.
• The character and personality of the dog.

Let’s be honest, the only time you will the hardest of the hardest bites from a dog is when you provoke them into a reaction.

And that’s not the case with the bite force pressure tests, because from what I’ve read, dogs are given an anaesthetic during the process, so there’s no way it’s going to be accurate.

Every time you try to record the bite pressure of a dog, it will be biting down at a different strength. Therefore, accuracy goes out of the window.

What does PSI mean in bite force?

PSI is the unit of measurement used for dog bite pressure. PSI is an acronym for “pounds per square inch” and means how much pressure the dog’s strong jaws can apply to one square inch of a pound.

Which breeds of dog have the strongest bite pressure in PSI?

And lastly, how does the bite pressure of an American Bulldog compare to other dog breeds? I would say that overall, it’s very strong, but not when you see the top 20 list as shown below.

1. Kangal: Bite force of 743 PSI
2. American Bandogge: Bite force of 730 PSI
3. Cane Corso: Bite force of 700 PSI
4. Dogue De Bordeaux: Bite force of 556 PSI
5. Tosa Inu: Bite force of 556 PSI
6. English Mastiff: Bite force of 556 PSI
7. Dogo Canario: Bite force of 540 PSI
8. Dogo Argentino: Bite force of 500 PSI
9. Wolfdog: Bite force of 406 PSI
10. Leonberger: Bite force of 399 PSI
11. Akita Inu: Bite force of 350 to 400 PSI
12. Rottweiler: Bite force of 328 PSI
13. Siberian Husky: Bite force of 320 PSI
14. African Wild Dog: Bite force of 317 PSI
15. American Bulldog: Bite force of 305 PSI
16. Doberman: Bite force of 245 PSI
17. German Shepherd: Bite force of 238 PSI
18. Great Dane: Bite force of 238 PSI
19. American Pitbull: Bite force of 235 PSI
20. Labrador Retriever: Bite force of 230 PSI

You can see the American Bulldog’s bite force pressure coming in at position 15 on the chart, in between the African Wild Dog and Doberman.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt about it, American Bulldogs do have quite strong jaws and could give a bad bite when provoked. But their bite pressure, however accurately you measure it, isn’t even in the top 10 breeds.

But don’t be fooled into thinking their bite won’t hurt you, it will, and if they grab onto you, you’ve will need to work hard to get them off.

To conclude, if you do manage to find any “real” science to explain what an American Bulldog’s bite force is in PSI pressure, then please do comment so I can update the references on this page.

You might also like…

• How long American Bulldogs live on average

Header image credit from Pixabay on https://pixabay.com/photos/american-bulldogs-3-dogs-1504599/

The post American Bulldog Bite Force Strength (PSI): How Strong is Their Bite? appeared first on DoggySaurus.