Books About the American Bulldog
The complete verified reading list, and the breed-history book ABRA is bringing next.
The American Bulldog: Bloodlines and Living History
by Lesli Rose, ABRA registrar since 2005
The first documented, pedigree-grounded history of the breed in a quarter century, built from the ABRA archive and the voices of the breeders who shaped the American Bulldog around the world.
The chapters:
- Before the Name: the Old Southern White farm and catch dogs
- The Revival: Johnson, Scott, Bailey, and Williamson
- How to Read a Pedigree
- The Bloodlines, documented from the archive's records
- The Working Dog: hog catching, weight pull, protection, conformation
- The Greats, in their own words
- Type and Standard: Classic and Bully
- Health and the DNA Era
- The Breed Abroad
- The Permanent Record
Featuring the bloodlines and stories of John D. Johnson, Alan Scott, Don Matthews, Dave Putnam, Bill Hines and dozens more breeders across a dozen countries.
Pre-Order Now · $39 Founding Price
Signed paperback and ebook bundle, delivered at the October 2026 release. Regular price $49 at launch. Your name listed in the book as a founding supporter. Full refund any time before release.
Only a handful of serious books have ever been written about the American Bulldog, and the two best breed histories have been out of print for over twenty years. This is the complete verified reading list, from the working-breed reference every breeder points to, through the owner guides, to the hog-dog and molosser books that give the breed a full chapter. Where a title is out of print, used copies are usually easy to find.
As an Amazon Associate, ABRA earns from qualifying purchases. The Amazon links below are affiliate links, so buying through them supports the archive at no extra cost to you.
The Essential Breed Books
The Working American Bulldog, Dave Putnam, 1999. The book the breed community treats as its reference: a full history plus a bloodline-by-bloodline survey of the Johnson, Scott, Painter, Williamson, Tate, and Bailey lines. Out of print, buy used. View on Amazon
American Bulldog: Stories, Facts and Legends, Lemuel D. Miller, 2001. A breeder-written history crediting Johnson and Scott as the breed's architects. Scarce. View on Amazon
American Bulldog: A Comprehensive Owner's Guide, Abe Fishman, 2005 (reissued). The only traditionally published adult AB guide still in print, with a candid breed-history section. View on Amazon
Owner's Guides
American Bulldogs (KW-221), John Blackwell, 1997. The breed's first mass-market owner's guide. Used only. View on Amazon
American Bulldog (Pet Love), Abe Fishman, 2000. Fishman's earlier, shorter treatment. Used only. View on Amazon
American Bulldog (Bully Dog Breeds), Corinne Fickett, 2024. A children's and school-library breed profile. In print. View on Amazon
Working, Catch-Dog and Molosser Books
Not breed books, but each gives the American Bulldog a substantial chapter.
In Pursuit of Hog Dogs, Ed Barnes, 2020. The current standard hog-dog book, with explicit bulldog catch-dog chapters. In print. View on Amazon
The World of Fighting Dogs, Carl Semencic, 1984. Credited with introducing the breed to a mainstream book audience. Collector title. View on Amazon
Gladiator Dogs, Carl Semencic, 1998, reissued 2013. Updated AB chapter. 2013 paperback available new. View on Amazon
Hog Hunting With Dogs: The Hogdoggers Bible, Sean Kelley, 2009. A short beginner primer. In print. View on Amazon
Additional Modern Guides
Newer print-on-demand guides, useful for a first-time owner.
American Bulldog Bible, Mark Manfield, 2016. View on Amazon
American Bulldogs: The Complete Owners Guide, Joshua Brandon, 2014. View on Amazon
American Bulldog Complete Owners Manual, Hoppendale and Moore, 2015. View on Amazon