A descendant of the old English bulldog brought over to the states by working-class immigrants in the deep south, the breed was nearly extinct after WWII.
Nowadays, they are considered great pets that also function as excellent deterrents to trespassers and would-be criminals.
Since this canine was initially bred to drive cattle, it still has a strong herding instinct and requires proper behavioral training at an early age.
In the 17th century, bulldogs were bred to be vicious dogs used in "bull-baiting," a sport in which bulldogs fight one another in a ring.
Despite their undeserved reputation for being overly aggressive, the American bulldog is quite gentle and friendly if socialized at a young age.