They may look fearsome and can often be mistaken for other more vicious breeds of dogs, but Australian bulldogs are just friendly bunches of fur.
Jason Nagle, his wife, Kristy, and their daughter, Bella, should know. Their dog Hank has been in the family since 2015.
He came to them via a breeder in Violet Town.
He is best described as a bundle of white and brown furry affection, with a large mouth. Hank is six years old — or 42 in human years.
Mr Nagle is no stranger to bulldogs — he has had an affection for the animals since childhood. Mr Nagle says they make good companions, are gentle in temperament and have a strong, elegant appearance.
They are also quite low maintenance in comparison to other breeds.
Mr Nagle takes Hank for regular walks, but says his pet is just as happy to snuggle up with him on the couch or out in the backyard.
“Hank loves nothing more than to doze out in the sun and will often move around the yard to find the optimal sunny position,” Mr Nagle said.
That’s not to say Hank doesn’t have bursts of activity. Rather, activity is done in short spells punctuated by long periods of relaxation.
“He isn’t hyperactive and won’t wreck the house when left alone,” Mr Nagle said.
Hank loves chasing bubbles, taking a lift in cars and bouncing on the trampoline with Bella. His favourite toys are a stuffed sloth, a plastic carton and a stuffed teddy bear.
Hank is a large dog, but can jump on to the trampoline with ease.
Hank’s favourite foods are chicken meatballs and dry dog food. He also likes to drink out of the puddle that accumulates around the basketball hoop in the backyard —despite having a full bowl of water next to his kennel.
Hank requires only a minimal amount of grooming and has a deep dislike of getting wet.
Indeed, bath time can sometimes turn into an epic battle of wills.
Like all dogs, Hank has his own personality quirks, with one of his being that he snores a lot. Sleeping locations will vary according to Hank’s whims, with an outdoor stretcher bed, an indoor stretcher bed and a kennel to choose from.
And although he is an intelligent dog, Hank can sometimes let his basic dog instincts get ahead of him.
Mr Nagle recalls a time that Hank saw a cat through the security screen door and tried to chase it by going through the door, which he broke.
He is also afraid of strong wind and rain.
As for having a bulldog around kids, Mr Nagle has never had any problems. To the contrary, he says Hank gets along with everyone and is a sweet, loyal and loving animal.
Bella, meanwhile, has a deep bond with her furry friend.
Though Hank may look ferocious he would make a poor guard dog.
Hank (and bulldogs in general) will make loud noises when someone approaches their area, but that’s about it.
“They aren’t overly aggressive by nature, but they will make a loud noise and alert you if someone is around,” Mr Nagle said.
And if there was one piece of advice Mr Nagle would give to potential Australian bulldog owners?
“Do your homework and find a reputable breeder,” he said.