The American Bulldog remains higher on the leg, more agile and swifter than its English counterpart. Some individuals are reportedly able to leap six or more feet into the air. The American Bulldog is a very muscular, sturdy dog with a large, powerful head and jaws. He is very strong, but agile and light on his feet. The chest is wide and the muscular neck tapers from shoulders to head. The neck may have a slight dewlap. The head is square and broad with muscular cheeks and a furrow between the rounded eyes. The strong muzzle is shaped like a box. The stop is sharply defined and deep. The teeth should meet in a tight undershot, even or scissors bite. A variety of ear types are acceptable including rose, half-pricked and pendant. Though some people crop the ears, uncropped ears are preferred in the American Bulldog Breeders Association Standard. Any eye color is permitted, but black eye rims are preferred on white dogs. The nose is black or grizzle. In black-nosed dogs, the lips should also be black, though some pink is permitted. The lips should be loose. The heavy-boned front legs should be strong and very straight. The hindquarters should be very broad and muscular. The low-set tail begins thick at the base and then tapers to a point. The short, harsh coat comes in combinations of solid or varying degrees of white, all shades of brindle, brown, red, or tan. The sturdy and powerful, yet compact frame, is characteristically stockier and heavier boned in the males and more refined in the females.Early Bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bull bating. Some of these dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. Eventually the English Bulldog was bred down in size and his personality was softened, but the American version remained a larger, fiercer dog. The American version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show dog. Thanks to the efforts of John D. Johnson of Summerville, Georgia the American Bulldog exists today. After he returned from WW II he was disappointed to find that, like the English Mastiff, they were almost completely extinct. He then decided to gather the best he could find from all across the rural south and bring them back from the brink of extinction. He has been breeding these dogs longer than anyone else in the world and his father bred them before him. He is an old man now (in his 80's) and these dogs have always existed in his family. He is the sole reason why they exist today. If it were not for his efforts they surely would be gone. He has been breeding them non-stop since then. The American Bulldog has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock from predators. Farmers prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence and working abilities. Some of the American Bulldogs talents are hunting, watchdogging, tracking, weight pulling, and guarding.