Our Health Testing Protocol: What We Test and Why

A beautiful American Bulldog with health problems is not a well-bred dog. Full stop. At Rosebull, every breeding dog is tested before they ever produce a litter. Not after. Not sometimes. Every time.

Here is exactly what we test for, what each test tells us, and why it matters for your puppy.

DNA Health Panels

DNA testing has changed breeding. Twenty years ago, you bred two dogs and hoped for the best. Today, we can screen for genetic diseases before a breeding ever happens. There is no excuse for skipping this.

NCL (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis)

NCL is a fatal neurological disease that affects American Bulldogs. Dogs with two copies of the gene (NCL-affected) develop progressive neurological symptoms and do not survive. There is no treatment.

We test every breeding dog. A carrier (one copy) can be bred safely to a clear dog. An affected dog is never bred. This is non-negotiable.

ICH (Ichthyosis)

ICH causes chronic skin problems. Dry, flaky, thickened skin that requires lifelong management. It is not fatal, but it significantly impacts quality of life. We screen for it and breed accordingly.

HUU (Hyperuricosuria)

HUU causes the body to produce excessive uric acid, leading to kidney and bladder stones. Painful, expensive to treat, and entirely preventable through testing. We test for it.

Additional Panels

Depending on the breeding dog, we may run additional panels for conditions like DM (Degenerative Myelopathy), CMR1 (Canine Multifocal Retinopathy), and other breed-relevant conditions. The science keeps advancing, and we test for what is available.

For a deeper dive into genetic testing in American Bulldogs, the American Bulldog Archive has a comprehensive guide.

Hip and Elbow Evaluation

American Bulldogs are a large, powerful breed. Joint health matters. Every Rosebull breeding dog has their hips and elbows evaluated via X-ray.

We look for proper joint conformation, no signs of dysplasia, and overall structural soundness. A dog with poor hips produces puppies with poor hips. It is that simple.

Hip and elbow results are documented and available to puppy buyers. We do not hide results. If a dog does not pass, that dog does not breed.

Cardiac Screening

Heart health is something many breeders overlook in American Bulldogs. We have our breeding dogs evaluated by a veterinarian for any signs of cardiac abnormalities. A healthy heart means a longer, more active life.

General Veterinary Health

Beyond the specific tests, every breeding dog at Rosebull is current on vaccinations, parasite prevention, and has regular veterinary checkups. We work closely with our vet to make sure every dog in our program is in peak condition before breeding.

What This Means for Your Puppy

When both parents are health tested and cleared, your puppy starts life with the best possible genetic foundation. That does not guarantee a lifetime of perfect health. No breeder can promise that. But it dramatically reduces the risk of preventable genetic diseases.

It also means you have documentation. When you buy a Rosebull puppy, you receive copies of both parents' health testing results. You know exactly what was tested, what the results were, and what that means for your dog.

How to Verify a Breeder's Testing

If you are shopping for an American Bulldog puppy from any breeder, here are the questions to ask:

• What specific health tests have the parents had?
• Can I see the actual test results (not just "they passed")?
• Were hips and elbows X-rayed and evaluated?
• What is your breeding policy for carriers of genetic conditions?
• Are the parents' health results documented on their pedigree database profile?

A breeder who gets defensive about these questions is a breeder you should walk away from. Health testing is the bare minimum. If someone is breeding without it, they are gambling with your money and your future dog's quality of life.

Learn more about what responsible breeding looks like through the ABRA breed standard and the health testing guide on the American Bulldog Archive.