We are the Thompson family. We live in a small town in southern NJ with our two children. We are striving for an stable tempered AB with excellent temperament, low civil/dog aggression, good health, workability and structure, one that can work hard and also be a great companion dog. Simply put, we see no need to breed for man or dog aggression in the American Bulldog, these are counter-productive traits. We truly love American Bulldogs, we can't imagine life without them...
SOME THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN BUYING AN AMERICAN BULLDOG:
DO NOT BUY AN AMERICAN BULLDOG FROM A PET SHOP! These dogs are from puppy mills and buying from pet shops keeps these mills in business! Only buy directly from a reputable breeder.
Read, research, talk to different breeders, gain knowledge about the American Bulldog.
The American Bulldog is NOT for everyone!!!
Here's a great article to help you decide
"The American Bulldog Culture, think you are ready???"
Here's another article that may help you understand some of the issues of these dominant American Bulldogs
The Alpha Owner
Ask to see the facility where the dogs are raised
Ask to see the parents of the litter. Sometimes the breeding was with a male or female from a different breeder and is not there for your inspection other than that. If either of the parents are uncontrolably aggressive, structurally defective, or the breeder won't allow you to see them, leave and don't look back
Make sure there is some kind of health contract and read it carefully
Make sure the pup is healthy, plump, active (not stiff),not excessivly crying, clean and have no discharge from eyes, ears, nose or hindquarters
Make sure the pups shots are up to date before you purchase the pup and request that the pup be vaccinated for Bordetella or "kennel cough", most breeders skip this vaccine and the pup and the buyer end up paying for it in the end, trust me it will save you in heartache and vet bills.
AB pups are probably the cutest puppys that God has created, don't let them fool you, choose your pup carefully, choose one that compliments your personality and lifestyle not one that has the best coloring or the cutest face. The breeder should help you choose a pup that is right for you, Laid back pups usually become laid back dogs, high energy fiesty pups become high energy fiesty adults, ect, ect. Easy enough, right?
When you finally bring your pup home, make a vet appointment right away for it. Some breeders only give you 48 hours to get your pup checked by a vet or the contract you signed is null and void. Check the laws on puppy sales in the state that you purchase your puppy from it varies greatly from state to state.
The breeder should have the pups registered with a registry and will give you the papers so you can transfer ownership. If the breeder has not registered the litter already but has the parents papers, you may do so. Register your AB with a good registry like the ABA,NKC and get a 5 or 6 generation pedigree, it costs more but it's worth it!
If you don't read anything else on our website please read this:
Story of a Pet Shop Puppy
I don't remember much from the place I was born. It was cramped and dark, and we were never played with by the humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.
I do remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made.
So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no human hands came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds, and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! some that meow! Some that Peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage, I hear other puppies here. I see humans look at me, I like the 'little humans', the kids. They look so sweet, and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are So cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any.
My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.
Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new humans! The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.
Today I went to the veterinarian. it was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be OK. So I relaxed. The Vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard Severe hip dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about, back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!
I am 6 months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about "it might now be the time". Several times I have went to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about Congenital Problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.
Last night was the worst, Pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving, what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain. The veterinarians table is so cold. I am so frightened. The humans all hug and love me, they cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand.
My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family, good-bye in the only way I know how, a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different.
(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed)
Copyright 1999 J. Ellis
