TIPS FOR RAISING A HAPPY, HEALTHY BULLDOG
EXERCISE AND BOUNDARIES…DO SOMETHING WITH YOUR DOG!!!
Please remember that all dogs need both exercise and boundaries. It is important that you not only provide your dog with daily interaction but to also set limits and boundaries that your dog must learn to follow. Dogs are pack animals and look up to leadership; they need to have a set order to things. One of the number one problems that most people face with their dog is behavioral issues that arise from not setting rules for the dog to follow. American Bulldogs are powerful both physically and mentally and MUST have rules to follow otherwise they will take over. Love your dog but do not spoil him! Train him in at least basic obedience so that you have some sort of control over him and that he learns to respect you as leader. We at Sandhill Kennels are always available to assist owners with any and all problems that the new owner may have. The well being of our dogs is key. Use exercise as a way to strengthen your bond with your dog. Laying around on the couch and getting hundreds of treats is all well and good but that alone will not produce a dog that is physically and mentally sound. Get out and DO something with your dog. Sandhill Kennel’s American Bulldogs is all about owners getting out and doing something with their dogs. We encourage everyone who gets a dog from us to become involved in your dog; be it showing in the ring or titling in obedience or some sort of sport, farm/catch work, or service. We would love to see the dogs that we have produced turning into social, stable, and athletic members of the dog world and #1 ambassadors for the American Bulldog breed.
HEALTH ISSUES & BREEDING
The American Bulldog breed is littered with health problems from joint problems, to skin and eyes, to temperament. There are many breeders now that are trying to better the breed in health and temperament; we are one of those breeders. By the same token, there are even more people who do not know anything about the breed other than they are big and powerful looking and are breeding just to turn a buck. We suggest everyone to hip test their dogs and to have them OFA or Pen-Hips certified and we require you to do so in order for our guarantee to stand. NCL is another issue facing our breed. NCL stands for; neuronal ceroid-lipofuscinoses and is a disease that effects the central nervous system and causes severe pain and death in young dogs. Some lines of American Bulldog have a high % of carriers of this disease and dogs coming out of those lines should be tested. Two carriers are needed in order for the offspring to have the disease so it is important that breeders know where their dogs stand. Skin allergies and demodectic mange are other problems that riddle bulldogs. Temperament issues are another area many people want to over look. While sever shyness and/or aggressive dogs should not be bred, one should know that different temperaments serve different purposes. For example, someone looking for a pet should not get a dog out of high performance lines which will have high drives, hard temperament, and a lot of energy. By the same token, if you are looking for a dog to work, it would serve you best to go for a dog that is coming off of lines that are known for intelligence, athletic ability, and high drive. Sandhill Kennels strive to produce and promote dogs that can be pets but are also intelligent, athletic and want a job to do. If you choose to breed your dog, PLEASE, look into any and all problems that can arise from the mating to any two dogs. Choose the sire and/or dam only after first having a goal in mind for the breeding (what look, temperament, health and abilities to the parents have??), then choose the best example that you can find that fit what you are looking for and only choose dogs that will produce sound puppies. Look for dogs that are doing something; such as sport work, hog catching, weight pull and that have been at least hip tested. There are already enough less than par dogs out there that are being bred. If you really care about the breed you will do everything you can in order to insure that you are not adding to the flood of inferior examples of our breed. Anyone who is interested in breeding should always be learning more and more about their breed and be willing to test their dogs in some venue. Also, study correct conformation and know what to look for in reguard to structure and movement. Being pretty or a “good pet” is NOT reason enough to breed the dog.
FEEDING
Please, please do not overfeed your American Bulldog! Like any large breed dog, AB puppies do not need to grow too big, too fast. Bulking up your puppies will only make it harder for him to grow and develop properly. A fat puppy is not cute or impressive; it only leads to the puppy having growing pains and heightens his chances of developing bone and joint problems. Choosing a good dog food is very important. Because of this breeds known issues with skin and digestive problems, it is best to find a dog food that does not have corn or gain as a first ingredient. Choose the best quality dog food that you can afford. Keep in mind that a quality dog food will save you money in the end as the better the ingredients the less volume you have to feed. Learn to read dog food labels and use a regular “cooking” measuring cup to judge what you are feeding. Also, we suggest that American Bulldog puppies be taken off of “puppy” food by 4-5 months of age. Puppy food, for the most part, is just a marketing ploy and you can do better by just switching to a quality adult food. Also, choose the protein and fat levels that match your dog’s age and activity. Quality ingredients are key. Also, you may want to consider a raw diet. It’s the best for your dog any way. If you choose to go this route please do research first so that you can provide the dog with the correct level to protein, fat, and calcium and other key things. Be mindful of giving treats. In our opinion, offering treats should only be used as rewards for good behavior and should not be given at leisure. There are other ways of showing your dog that you can proud of him that are much more rewarding and meaningful. Dogs don’t need treats! Milk Bones were created only to make us feel as if we are doing something nice for the dog. Honestly, most dogs would rather go on a jog with their owners, play ball or tug, or simply get a scratch behind the ears rather than being offered a treat for no reason at all. Use praise and play as a reward for training and good behavior. You’ll be surprised now much more your dog will come to respect and love you then if you just shoved cookies down his throat. Also, many dogs become dependent on getting a treat and will not work or do anything asked of him without getting one. Such dogs are NOT trained!
ONGOING EDUCATION
There is a different between being a mere pet owner and being a dog owner. Pet owners normally have dogs that have no training and no job to do. Many of these dogs have physical or mental issues because they have been spoiled by getting over treated and under stimulated. Not always the case of course as there are wonderful dogs that are simply pets. We feel that dogs are not “pets” as like a hamster or a bird would be. A dog should be thought of as a partner or friend, sometimes a co-worker, but never a “pet” to spoil and coddle. You will be surprised how all dogs love to be taught to do something be in fetching a ball, herding, hanging on a spring pole, catching a pig, pulling weight, biting a sleeve. They need something to do and are happier because of it. Even the smallest lap dog breed would love to be able to get out and do something to feel as if they are part of a pack. Anyone who truly loves their breed will always be willing to learn more about their dogs and always wanting to promote their dogs in the positive light.
THE PUBLIC AND BULL BREEDS
Let’s face it! The world at large hates and fears Bull Breeds. We bull breed owners have an obligation to our breeds to always promote our dogs in a positive light. Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs, Bull Terriers, and even Mastiffs such as the Presa Canario, Cane Corso, and Bullmastiff; must keep our dogs safe by going out of our way to produce and raise stable minded and well mannered dogs. The public at large and law markers who couldn’t pick out a Pit Bull from a line up of dogs; are out there looking to stamp out and kill our dogs. Most of the people throwing out this hatred have no real knowledge of these breeds (or dogs in general) and are only going on myths and hear-say in their judgment of our bull breeds. It’s nuts now many lies and uneducated claims that some of these people make. Anyone who truly loves bull breeds will do everything they can to show the world that they are wrong, VERY wrong about the breeds we love. Anyone getting a dog from Sandhill Kennels MUST have the well being of all bull breeds; American Bulldogs of particular, in their mind and hearts. This is why we require anyone of gets a dog from us to socialize, train, and become educated in BSL (Breed Specific Legislation), and dog behavior.
SANDHILL KENNELS * AMERICAN BULLDOGS
Stable –athletic – intelligent