15-25 lbs
8-11"
United States
Described as cheery little clowns, the American Bullnese dogs are sure to bring a smile to anyone's face. This hybrid is a mix between the French Bulldog and the Pekingese. In 1989, the American Bullnese was developed by a breeder in Florida named Robert E. Rice who wanted to create a loveable breed. Rice originally bred five different breeds together before ending up with the final mix between the French Bulldog and the Pekingese. The breed has a muscular body comprised of heavy bone and is set low to the ground with a coat of varying colors that is thick, but soft and short, allowing for an easy grooming routine. Its purpose is to provide companionship and joy to families with its friendly disposition and goofy outlook. The American Bullnese was bred for its genuine temperament and its cuddling abilities. This breed is of low energy and the exercise requirements are little.
The American Bullnese originated in Jacksonville, Florida in 1989 by Robert E. Rice. Rice founded a pedigree breeding program in order to increase consistency throughout the litters. Rice sought to develop a breed that contained all of the qualities he admired from various dog breeds into one breed. Rice was a fan of the short-nosed breeds and wanted to combine his love of bull breeds together. Originally, Rice bred a combination of five different breeds to create the American Bullnese. The American Bulldog is not one of the five breeds selected to develop the breed. While the rest of the five breeds has yet to be confirmed, one can gather some of the personality characteristics from both the French Bulldog and the Pekingese. The French Bulldog is known to be a clever and charming breed with a sense of humor. The Pekingese is an affectionate and independent breed who is bold and adventurous. Both breeds are small in stature but make wonderful companions. Rice developed a lovable breed, maintaining happy and cheerful temperaments across the litters. Two of the main breeds, the French Bulldog and the Pekingese, remain the central breeds utilized to maintain the American Bullnese breed. In 2006, the American Bullnese was recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club as an official hybrid. The American Bullnese is not officially recognized by the AKC due to crossbreed status. The breed is registered with the Dog Registry of America (DRA) and the American Bullnese Association (ABA).
The American Bullnese has a sturdy, muscular body which is low to the ground with a stance that radiates courage and boldness. The average weight for males is 18 to 30 lbs and 15 to 25 lbs for females. This hybrid’s eyes should be rounded and moderately large and brown in color. Typically, the head will be large and square. The neck often contains loose skin at the throat area. His ears should be velvet-like with a soft fold. The body of this strong dog should be built heavily in the front with a broad chest and the forelegs short and slightly bowed but muscular, taking on the traits of the Bulldog. The hindlegs of the American Bullnese are usually firm and well-developed and the tail contains a slight curl. His coat is thick, soft, dense, short and water repellent with colors that vary in different shades. His muzzle is broad, well-developed, and laid back. Its feet are oval to round with well-arched toes and tough pads.
The American Bullnese has a short-haired coat which is easy to maintain. Daily brushing with a rubber curry brush will remove any dead hairs from its coat. This breed should only be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks as needed in order to avoid skin irritation. This breed is an average shedder and is not considered a hypoallergenic breed. It is important to wipe and clean the ears weekly because bacteria and dirt may settle there otherwise. It is essential to trim your dog’s nails every 3 to 4 weeks to prevent injury or tears, commonly found when the nails are neglected. The cute face wrinkles should also be cleaned and wiped regularly to prevent bacteria from becoming trapped. The canine teeth should be brushed regularly to prevent tartar buildup and oral diseases from developing.
The American Bullnese was developed primarily as a loving companion pet. This attractive canine possesses a cheerful and upbeat temperament which has resulted in growing popularity. Families love this breed for being an adorable companion with a clever sense of humor. The American Bullnese is a playful breed with a mission to entertain. Sweet, willing to please, and energetic, the American Bullnese is friendly towards his family as well as with children. As with any breed, the American Bullnese should be trained in early stages to identify friendly strangers apart from intruders. The American Bullnese is capable of getting along well with other dogs and other animals as long as he is trained to do so. The American Bullnese does have a reputation for being difficult to train due to his stubbornness but he is possible to teach with ample patience and consistency. The American Bullnese’ energy level is relatively low compared to other breeds and he is quite content to be cuddling on the couch with his family. It should be noted that the American Bullnese is at risk for developing what is known as small dog syndrome whereby the dog believes he is the pack leader of the family. These behaviors are usually brought on by human behavior and can be avoided with knowledge of how to approach the problem in combination with consistent effort.
The American Bullnese is a breed with low energy levels, which makes it suitable for apartment life. Still, all dogs require mental and physical activity so your American Bullnese should be provided with daily walks and exercise to maintain its mental health and weight. The breed is relatively inactive and does not require a yard as part of its lifestyle. The American Bullnese are content with short walks or a stroll around the neighborhood. It can live in an apartment or a large home, either in an urban or rural area. The American Bullnese fares best in an average climate as it does not particularly enjoy extreme weather. The American Bullnese would prefer a life indoors and would not be happy or safe living solely outdoors.
Written by Kathleen Egger
Published: 11/14/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
More articles by Kathleen Egger
