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The American Bulldog is ONE breed with two written standards. |
Old Southern Whites, Old-Fashioned Whites, Old English Whites, Georgia Giants, Old-time Bulldogs, and Working Bulldogs.
Purpose:
Protection,
companionship, hunting, working livestock, catching cattle and hogs, etc.
General Appearance:
Being
that of a grand and powerful dog showing strength and alertness. Powerfully
built, having an amazing endurance.
Size:
Males
should measure between 23 to 26 inches (58 cm. to 66 cm.) at the withers;
1 inch (2.54 cm.) variation in height allowed. Weighing between 90 to 130
pounds (41 kg. to 59 kg.). Plus or minus 5 to 10 pounds (2.2 kg. to 4.5
kg.) is acceptable.
Size:
Females
should measure between 20 to 23 inches (51 cm. to 58 cm.) at the withers;
1 inch (2.54 cm.) variation in height allowed. Weighing between 70 to 120
pounds (32 kg. to 54 kg.). Plus or minus 5 to 10 pounds (2.2 kg.
to 4.5 kg.) is acceptable.
Head:
The
face of the dog should indicate intelligence, with discerning alertness.
The “stop” should be deep and abrupt.
CLASSIC
AMERICAN BULLDOG:
The
shape of the skull should be square or have a round “melon” look that is
well muscled.
Faults:
FACE & MUZZLE: Full black mask.
STANDARD
AMERICAN BULLDOG:
The
shape of the skull can be either square or wedge shaped that is well
muscled.
Faults:
FACE & MUZZLE: Full black mask.
Muzzle:
The
“muzzle” should be broad, not long and narrow. The length of the
“muzzle” should be 1-1/2 to 3 inches (3.81 cm. to 7.62 cm.). The ideal
“muzzle” length is 2 to 2-1/2 inches (5.08 cm. to 6.35 cm.). One-half
inch (1.27) variation is acceptable.
Faults:
FACE & MUZZLE: Full black mask.
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Color of “nose”: Black; however, Red, Brown or Gray colors will occur.
Faults: Pink or Flesh-colored [Dudley]
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Open Nostriles |
CLASSIC AMERICAN BULLDOG:
3/8 to 3/4 inch (.95 cm. to 1.90 cm.) “Undershot”, depending on size of dog and shape of skull. Plus or minus 1/8 (.31 cm.) inch is acceptable. Faults: Even & Scissor bite.
STANDARD AMERICAN BULLDOG:
Depending on size of dog and shape of skull. Reverse scissor bite preferred; undershot up to 1/4 inch (.62 cm.). Plus or minus 1/8 (.31 cm.) inch is acceptable. Faults: Small teeth or uneven incisors
Eyes:
Almond-shaped
to round, medium-sized. Color: Brown is the ideal color; however,
Blue, Gray and Green eyes will occur. Black eye rims are ideal; the haw
should not be visible.
Faults:
Crossed [or non-symmetrical], both eyes not of the same color, pink
eye rims, and excessive haw visible (A third eyelid in the inside corner
of the eye; the most common are ectropion [eyelids that turn out], entroprion
[eyelids that turn in], distichiasis [lashes that project towards the surface
of the eye from abnormal locations], and prolapsed gland of the nictians
[referred to “cherry eye” by breeders].) and Blind dogs.
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“Rose Ears”, small-to-medium, carried close to the head.
Faults: Cropped or hound-type ears, Deaf.
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Very muscular, almost equal to the skull in size; slightly arched and of moderate length.
Faults: Too short, thick, thin, or weak.
Body:
Wide,
deep chest, fairly compact. The “loin” is wide, very muscular and slightly
arched.
Tail:
Strong
at the root and tapering to the hocks (in the rest position). The tail
is carried over the back when excited or walking.
Faults:
Corkscrew, crooked [kinked], curled over the back.
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Curled over back Fault |
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Short and smooth.
Faults: Long and / or feathered coats.
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“Solid White”: all shades of “Brindle” (white, red, yellow, blue, brown, black or gray): “Red & White”: “Fawn & White”: “Beige & White”: “Buckskin & White”: “Black & White”: “Brown & White”: “Mahogany & White”: “Cream & White”.
Faults: Flat Black or Blue color.
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The combined front assembly from its uppermost component, the shoulder blades, down to the feet, should be muscular and slightly sloping. The “forelegs” are to be straight.
Faults: Elbows turned outward, front legs bowed, wrists knuckled over, toeing in or out.
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Medium-to-heavy, to be able to carry a large dog.
Hindquarters:
Broad
with muscles tapering well down the leg to manifest speed and strength,
but not quite as large as at the shoulders.
Faults:
Narrow or weak, straight or over angulated knee [stifle].
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TEMPERAMENT: Excessively shy; overly aggressive.
BACK: Too narrow, swayed, or excessively long.
LEGS: Bow-legged, cow-hocked, weak pasterns.
FEET: Splayfoot [crooked toes].
SHOW RING DISQUALIFICATION:
Full
“Black Mask”: “Cow-Hocked”: “Splayfooted”: “Even & Scissor bite”: “Docked
tail” not for show ring: “Glass Eye(s)” or Crossed: Spayed or Neutered;
males who are unilaterally or bilaterally cryptorchid [testicles that are
abnormally retained in the abdominal cavity]: Long &/or feathered coats:
Blind: Deaf: Vicious; Shy: Flat Black or Blue color.
NOTE:
All
“Classic” [Johnson bloodline] American Bulldogs are prefixed with a “C”
in front of their ARF registration number.
All “Standard” [Scott-Painter bloodline] American Bulldogs are prefixed with an “S” in front of their ARF registration number. [For the “Standard” American Bulldog Breed Standard, see our “ARF BREED STANDARD FOR STANDARD AMERICAN BULLDOGS”.]
All “Classic” and “Standard” American Bulldog crosses are prefixed with a “JT” in front of their ARF registration number (Johnson-type). [Note: The “Johnson-type American Bulldog will fall under either the “CLASSIC” (Bully) or “STANDARD” American Bulldog breed standards.]
History
Health Concerns
