American Bulldog Weight Chart – Size & Growth Chart

American Bulldogs are an athletic, agile, and muscular dog breed that originates from North America and is related to the English Bulldogs.

Having an American Bulldog weight chart is helpful for owners as it shows the weight changes a puppy undergoes throughout the different stages.

American Bulldogs are great at hunting stray cattle and farm work as well as making the perfect family companions because of their affectionate and intelligent nature.

However, they require more space and need to be kept busy through mental and physical stimulation to prevent them from developing mischievous behaviors.

Continue reading to understand the different stages of development that American Bulldogs go through, how big they are when fully grown, and many more!

When Do American Bulldogs Stop Growing?

Since they are a large breed, American Bulldogs take their time to grow. They reach their final size at the age of 18 to 24 months.

Females reach their adult weight and height sooner than males. They will take up to three years to develop mentally and emotionally where they exhibit behaviors of an adult dog, but in the meantime, you can enjoy them being a puppy.

You should note that some dogs grow slower while others grow faster, so do not be worried if your American Bulldog has not reached their adult size while your neighbor’s dog has.

To ensure that your puppy grows well, provide them with the best nutrition and a healthy environment to thrive.

American Bulldog Growth Chart

An American Bulldog weight chart shows the different weight ranges that your puppy will be in as they grow at different ages.

The weight ranges are just estimates, so you should not be worried if your puppy’s weight is not precisely the same as the numbers in the American Bulldog growth chart.

However, if the weight of your American Bulldog is too far from the range you should take them to the vet for a check-up because they could be underweight or overweight.

Serious weight changes can cause serious health problems to your puppy, therefore, ensure that your puppy is in a healthy weight category.

When your American Bulldog is three months old, it should weigh between 25.1 and 42.6 pounds, at 6 months it should weigh between 46.8 and 77.6 pounds, and at one year old it should weigh between 63.9 and 116.4 pounds.

American Bulldog Weight Chart

American Bulldog Puppy Development Stages

Birth – 2 Weeks 

This is the neonatal stage where the puppy is not fully developed. Their senses of smell, touch, and taste are working but they cannot see or hear yet because their sense of sight and hearing are not developed.

They depend on the mother for nutrition and warmth because the milk that the mother produces contains all the essential nutrients that the puppy needs and they cannot create their heat. Expect to see them sleeping and eating all day and they cannot walk as their muscles are not strong enough.

3 Weeks – 12 Weeks

During this time, your puppy will start opening their eyes and start listening to what is going on around them.

The muscles will become strong, and they will start standing up, running, barking, and playing with their littermates. Their teeth will also start developing and will be ready to be fed solid foods.

The puppy will gain control over the bladder and bowel movements and their coordination will also improve as they start exploring their surroundings. This is the stage to move them to their new home.

4 Months – 9 Months

This is the period where your puppy’s adult teeth start appearing and they will need to sharpen them. Therefore, you should buy them chewing toys otherwise they will be inclined to use your shoes and furniture.

This is also the stage when your puppy shows dominance and wants to be the leader of the pack.

This is why proper training is needed so that they know you are the one in charge. For them to develop social skills, they should interact with other dogs at the park and other people.

10 Months – 18 Months

At this stage, your Bulldog puppy reaches their sexual maturity and goes through radical hormonal changes which are different for female and male dogs. If you have not neutered or spayed your puppy, this is the right time to do so.

Some puppies will reach their adult height and weight towards the 18-month mark while others may still wait until the age of two years.

Adult

From the age of 18 months onwards, your American Bulldog will start filling out and reach their adult weight. They would have achieved most of their development but still need good nutrition for maintaining healthy bones and muscles.

During their development into adulthood, your dog will go through emotional and mental stages of maturity and will soon develop a concrete personality.

Continue feeding them a healthy diet and providing them with enough exercise for them to use their energy.

How Big Do American Bulldogs Get?

There are ways that you can use to estimate how big your American Bulldog will get.

First, if you bought your puppy from a breeder, ask them about their estimated adult size. Based on the information about the parents and previous litters, your breeder should be able to give you an estimate of the adult size of your American Bulldog.

If you can visit the breeder and look at the parents, you will have a clear picture of what your puppy will look like when fully grown.

Secondly, you can check the paws. If they seem oversized next to their body and legs, then they are still filling out and growing so that their whole body is proportional.

Checking the American Bulldog weight chart will also give you an idea of their final weight as an adult.

If you cannot get the parents’ information because you got your puppy from a shelter or rescue center, then a DNA test can be used to estimate how big they will get.

An American Bulldog stands at a height of between 20 and 27 inches with a weight of around 55 and 125 pounds.

American Bulldog Size Chart

American Bulldogs are categorized as large breeds and weigh between 55 and 125 pounds with a height of between 20 and 27 inches. Generally, females are smaller than males and they reach their adult size earlier.

Measuring your puppy’s height at home is easy as you only need a measuring tape and the floor. Locating the withers is the first step which is the highest point between the shoulder blades.

Then measure from the withers to the floor, and that is your puppy’s height.

Will Neutering/Spaying My American Bulldog Affect His Growth?

Spaying or neutering is connected to growth because sex hormones are necessary for the growth of the American Bulldog.

Neutering or spaying when young may be unnecessary, so you should wait until the puppy reaches the first heat cycle especially if you have no plans of breeding them.

Speak to your vet on when specifically, to spay or neuter your American Bulldog.

Pros

• Neutering or spaying prevents testicular and ovarian cancer respectively.
• Spaying prevents unwanted pregnancies and reduces UTIs.
• Neutering helps manage their behavior because they will not wander or develop aggressive behavior.

Cons

• Neutering or spaying can affect growth if done too early.

Pitbull vs American Bulldog Size

Pitbull and American Bulldog have size as their main difference. The American bulldogs are large and weigh about 55 to 125 pounds.

The male American Bulldog is larger and weighs between 66 and 125 pounds and the female American Bulldog weighs between 55 and 90 pounds.

The American Bulldogs grow tall about 20 to 27 inches at the shoulders. The male American Bulldogs are larger.

On the contrary, Pitbull is about half of the Bulldog’s weight. The males weigh between 30 and 60 pounds while the female Pitbull weighs about 30 to 50 pounds. Pitbull is also shorter than the American Bulldogs. Their height is between 17 and 20 inches.

Factors That Affect American Bulldog Growth 

Genetics & Gender 

The ancestors of your dog play a crucial role in the physical health of your Bulldog because they pass genes down to them and impact their ability to grow and their susceptibility to diseases.

Genetic traits greatly influence the development of the American Bulldog. The growth rate is regulated by these biological determinants and other important factors that help in their advancement.

Females are smaller than their male counterparts.

Nutrition 

As a responsible pet parent, your dog needs the most nutritious food available on the market. This is because there is a lot of low-quality food that does not have enough nutrients.

The food the American Bulldog will get from you determines his ability to grow. If you provide him with low-quality food, he will have stunted growth.

Low-quality food does not have sufficient vitamins as well as minerals needed for development. The diet you provide to your dog affects his growth and general life quality.

Physical Activity & Health 

The American bulldogs are great hunters hence they are very active. They love physical activities. Allow them to exercise enough so that they grow enough muscles and strong bones. Exercise will help your puppy to grow naturally and meet its developmental milestones.

American Bulldogs enjoy several activities. Therefore. you can help him play fetch or take him for a jog or a walk. American Bulldogs enjoy these activities, and they require enough time for this.

How Much to Feed a Growing American Bulldog Puppy?

A high-quality meal is an important aspect for every puppy. Without good nutrition, the puppy cannot grow to be a strong and healthy adult.

The growing American Bulldog has a big appetite and should be fed several meals per day:

Puppies under four months need four meals a day adding to a total of 3 cups

From 4 to 10 months give three meals a day and up to 5 cups.

After 10 months give 2 meals a day around 3-4 cups.

Feeding the puppy large meals increases the risk of bloating, a fatal stomach condition seen in large dogs. Dogs who lead a very active lifestyle will burn more calories.

How To Tell If Your American Bulldog Is Underweight or Overweight? 

The first way to determine if your American Bulldog is overweight or underweight is by weighing them.

You may also observe their behavioral habits, feel their bodies, and see the vet. When you look at your American Bulldog, you should see the tuck behind the chest cavity. It should also have a visible waist when you view it from above.

Your American Bulldog is overweight if you cannot feel the ribs and the spine. But if the ribs and the spine are visible, they are underweight.

When you look at your dog’s shape, if they are rounded or oval shape it shows that they are overweight. They may also have trouble breathing and get less active due to excess weight.

What Are the Most Common Conditions to Be Aware of In Growing American Bulldog Puppies?

When you are not familiar with this breed, you may be surprised to know that they are prone to certain health conditions. Understanding their health issues is crucial to get informed decisions about their health.

The American Bulldogs have short snouts hence making them difficult to withstand hot weather, especially during physical activity. Ensure that there is enough water and monitor to ensure they are not having any breathing difficulty.

The American Bulldogs undergo certain medical conditions: Hip Dysplasia is one of the most skeletal conditions in dogs.

Do American Bulldogs Experience Growing Pain?

Panosteitis or Growing pan is a medical condition that causes lameness and pain in young dogs. The causes of this condition are found to be infectious agents and genetics as well as nutrition.

The American Bulldog however can outgrow this disease as they get older. It also does not cause long-term effects. Every dog can get growing pains.

The symptoms include shifting legs lameness, pain, lethargy, fever, depression, and loss of appetite.

If the vet rules out any other underlying conditions, you may need to localize the pain to one of the long bones in the leg. Your vet may also recommend anti-inflammatory pain medication to give to your dog.

What To Do If My American Bulldog Is Not the Right Weight?

You can tell if your American Bulldog is an ideal weight when you can see the ribs during breathing. An overweight American Bulldog is naturally weighing more than the indicated range.

You can consider the dog’s age and level of physical activity because they will have more muscle mass when they perform daily exercise.

When in his calm state you should see his last two ribs. It also has a tuck where the stomach comes up higher than the ribcage. If the hip points show more of the vertebrae, then he is underweight.

The following are defined the way you can do to help your dog to lose weight:

• Change his diet by giving a healthy and balanced diet
• Remove treats from his meals
• Exercise your dog daily through hikes, games, and runs

When he is underweight:

• Provide meals with a lot of proteins
• Do not give your dog food with fillers like meat by-products, soy, or con
• Don’t give your dog kibble with fewer proteins and high carbohydrates.
• Reduce exercises.

How To Help Your American Bulldog Lose Weight If He Is Overweight?

The American Bulldogs need puppy food when they are young and can be moved to grown-up food after one year to help in their weight control.

When you stick to the feeding suggestion in the food, your dog will avoid avoiding obesity or other medical problems. It is good to avoid high-fat treats and provide a good choice of treats such as carrots. Treats made with proteins are also a good choice in helping them get in shape.

When your American Bulldog is overweight change the diet to low calories ad high protein and has no carbs because they function as pointless fillers.

Exercise your American Bulldog regularly but ensure you do not overdo it to prevent joint strains.

How To Properly Weight My American Bulldog?

You can determine your American Bulldog weight using two methods;

The most accurate method to use is using a dog weighing scale. Using the scale is important in monitoring the growth of your American Bulldog regularly to detect any early abnormal growth. The scale will help you to weigh your dog without any hassle.

The second method is using your bathroom scale. You weigh yourself when holding your American Bulldog and record the readings.

Then weigh yourself using the same scale without your American Bulldog. Then you subtract your weight when not holding the dog from the weight with the dog, and the difference is the weight of your American Bulldog.

American Bulldog Genetics and Common Health Problems

Hip and elbow dysplasia is an inherited disease that leads to joints developing improperly causing arthritis. Stiffness in the Bulldog’s elbow and hips becomes a problem especially as he grows.

The dog may begin to show lameness in the legs or difficulty when getting up from lying. Surgery is a good option in extreme cases.

Nerve disease is a progressive neurologic disease that can be found in the American Bulldog. The signs usually appear in younger dogs where there is a rear leg weakness and imbalance.

This disease has no effective treatment, but you can perform a genetic test. Dogs with this genetic condition should not be used for breeding.

A thyroid problem is a condition where the body does not make enough thyroid hormone. The signs of this condition include hair loss, dry coat, and skin, weight gain, susceptibility to other skin diseases, aggression, and fearfulness. Blood screening can help detect disease.

Ichthyosis is a common problem where there is dry, itchy, and flaky skin. The American Bulls are prone to severe sin flaking conditions.

It usually arises early in life with most affected puppies born with abnormal skin. A genetic test will help determine whether a puppy is clear of this condition.

Other conditions include cataracts, mange, and bladder or kidney stones.

Final Words

Understanding the different factors that can impact the growth of your American Bulldog will ensure that you are well equipped on how you can help them achieve their growth and development.

You should be aware of the different health conditions that this breed is susceptible to so that you can notice the early signs and provide them with the necessary treatment.

Your American Bulldog should maintain a healthy weight throughout for them to have a happy and healthy life.