Novice dog owners beware, this may not be the breed for you.  The American Bulldog is a large, powerful, protective and stubborn, dog.  These are all the qualities that are necessary for the Bulldog to be a good Bulldog.  However, they often don't make for such a good first dog for someone.  If you are a novice or indecisive-type dog owner, the Bulldog will bowl you over with his considerably bigger-than-life personality and you'll never even know what hit you.  If this is to be your first experience living with a dog, be prepared for A LOT of obedience classes.  You'll need them.  You'll need the help and direction that only an experienced dog owner can give you.  

If you have owned a dog before, and I may add, were successful in the endeavor, then a Bulldog may be right for you.   Just expect your Bulldog to be twice as stubborn as whatever other breed you've owned.  (They have to be stubborn.  How else is a 90 pound dog going to change the mind of a 2000 pound charging bull?)  Expect your Bulldog to be totally and completely useless when surrounded by children.  Chores?  What chores?  I've got kids to play with!  Expect your bulldog to be tempted by the devil when it comes to getting into the garbage, raiding the cat food bowl, and drooling when company comes for dinner.  In other words, they are food-motivated.  This also makes them easy to train with treats, though.  They're ten times more cuddly than even your most cuddly of creatures.  If you're not careful, you'll have a 90 pound lap dog, bed hog, and couch potato.  Also, these dogs do not make for good "outside only" dogs.  They're too short-coated for most places and too people-oriented for all but those who spend their vast majority of time outdoors, such as ranchers.  Are they smart?   Well... I've had breeds that were smarter.  But, I've never felt safer, more adored, or more entertained by any of the other breeds I've lived with.  So, if you want a short-haired, impressive-looking, easily house-broken, cat-loving, kid-kissing, not drop-what-you're-doing obedient but, entertaining and incredibly loving dog, get an American Bulldog.