Earlier this year, I was pleased to introduce the Club’s Board of Directors, as well as, talk to you briefly about changes that have occurred within the club, and about the positive outlook we have going into the 2001 Show Season. Well, show season for our club is just around the corner, and with it brings the introduction of our new club name – the “International American Bulldog Club”, or “IABC” for short. This change became effective after a Board of Directors meeting that was recently held in Newark, Delaware. It was decided that the Club’s name should be changed in order to promote our great breed, and our club, in a more positive manner. Changing the name of the club is not a new idea – during a 1999 club meeting, there was a discussion about changing the name to the “ABC”, or the “American Bulldog Confederation”. The Board agreed that it was a good idea to acknowledge the “American Bulldog” as our breed by maintaining its name in full as part of the organization’s name. The word “confederation”, however, was replaced with “club” to more properly reflect what our organization is, and what we are about – we are “a group of people organized for a common purpose” – that being, the betterment of the American Bulldog as a breed, and the promotion of its great versatility. The word “International” was kept for a very important reason – we are a club that is not exclusive to a particular area or region, but rather, one that is open to all individuals with proper interest of the American Bulldog in their hearts. So, I am very pleased to introduce to you for the first time that, “With Interest in the Betterment of the Bulldog Community, the IBBC (International Backwoods Bulldog Confederation) is now proudly known as the IABC, International American Bulldog Club.”

Remember, the IABC is not a new club, just a new name that comes with the club’s experience and continued promise of improvement. In order to tap into the talents and knowledge of club members, the Board decided to open a contest to the members for creation of our new club logo! (See contest rules for details.) The contest rules follow this article or they can also be found at our new website, www.oocities.org/iabcbulldogs/. The winner will receive a free one-year membership for 2002.

There are many exciting changes happening within the IABC this year and it will be very exciting for us to introduce these at the IABC-hosted “NKC American Bulldog National Specialty Show” in Fort Payne, Alabama, hosted by Alan and Betty Scott on May 26 & 27. We will be adding some new events to the shows, such as, a “Parade of Champions Exhibition Class” and a “Best of Breed” class. The Parade of Champions will take place at the start of each show as a way of showcasing NKC American Bulldog conformation Champions in a non-competitive and free-form atmosphere for two reasons - to give recognition to these well-deserving dogs, and to provide examples of great conformation to spectators and any newcomers to the breed. This is an exhibition class only and will not be judged. We will also be adding a new “Best of Breed” class to our shows where the “Standard”, or “Scott” type Best in Show Winner competes with the “Classic”, or “Johnson” type Best in Show Winner. These dogs will not be judged against each other, but rather, on the basis of which dog best represents its “type”. Although this is not an NKC-recognized class, and the winner will not receive any NKC-approved points, the winner will receive a beautiful IABC trophy!

Speaking of awards and trophies, the IABC has outdone itself this year and will be awarding exceptional ribbons, trophies, plaques, and cups. Be sure to visit our “trophy table” at each show! We will also issue certificates to the winners of fun events that are not sanctioned by a particular organization that issues their own means of recognition. Such events include the sprint races and agility contests. Additionally, the IABC will award a very large trophy to the 2001 NKC American Bulldog Specialty National Champion. Other changes to the show agenda include the new NKC Show Rule of selecting a “Reserve Winner” in the “Best Male” and “Best Female” categories. As usual, the winners of these classes will receive 10 additional points, but the runner-up will receive an additional 5 points. The IABC will be presenting ribbons to both the winners and runners-up of these classes. (By the way, the IABC will be issuing Official NKC Show Receipts to the winners of each class.) The IABC will also be presenting an award to a Reserve Winner in each of the Champion’s Classes this year. Again, this will not result in an NKC-recognized win, but the club decided that it is important to recognize a runner-up in this class as it is highly competitive with superb dogs, and it is a great honor to win or place in this category.

Well, as you can see, 2001 is destined to be a great show season and it will start off with a bang at the NKC American Bulldog Nationals! IABC Club memberships are now being accepted, so take advantage of its benefits and join now!! A membership application can be found on our new website, or use the form printed in this publication. So, lets get ready to have fun, and don’t forget to tap into your talents and get to the drawing board for our new logo contest!

“IBBC…The Dawn of a New Era”

It is with my great pleasure to provide you with an update on the IBBC, the first American Bulldog Club sanctioned by the NKC. The International Backwoods Bulldog Confederation (IBBC) has been in existence for approximately 7 years and has been key in promoting the greatness of our breed within the National Kennel Club organization. The club started out with one show per year and has grown to four highly competitive shows in the past few years, drawing both top name competitors and newcomers to the breed.

The turn of the millennium has brought much change to both the NKC and the IBBC, paving the way for a new era in 2001. The NKC changed owners, with Mr. Del Morgan proudly taking over as the new owner of the National Kennel Club. Mr. Morgan attended the 2000 NKC National American Bulldog Specialty Show in Fort Payne, AL hosted by Alan & Betty Scott during Memorial Day weekend this past year, and he was very enthusiastic about the American Bulldog specialty shows and in working together with the IBBC. At the show, Del presented for the first time, a diamond ring to the 2000 National Champion. The class consisted of the Best in Show Standard winner (Majec’s Torsade of Topline), the Best in Show Classic winner (Scarborough’s Warhorse), the Champion of Champions winner (Powerplay’s Alliyah) and the Grand Champion winner (now Super Grand Champion Topline’s Toro Blanco). No doubt, it was a tough class for top name veteran Judges Lem Miller and Bill Eckles, but after a superb showing by all four dogs, Topline’s Toro Blanco would earn the 2000 NKC National Championship title and take home the diamond ring. Without question, the NKC National American Bulldog Specialty Show was raised to a new level, and the IBBC was proud to host such an event.

I am also honored to announce the IBBC Board of Directors, which is comprised of individuals that were selected based on a number of credentials. Values that were considered included: dedication to the American Bulldog for its betterment as a breed, dedication to the IBBC as a club, support of IBBC/NKC shows, representation of working events, judges, owners of champion dogs, top name kennels, and IBBC show hosts. On that note, the following individuals make up the IBBC Board of Directors:
· Mr. Alan Scott
· Mr. Rick Quinn
· Mr. Matt Karasek
· Mr. Scott Tobin
· Ms. Becky Mazzaro
· Ms. Erin Eckles
At this time, I would like to mention a few words about each of these individuals.

Mr. Alan Scott – There’s probably nothing that I can say about Mr. Scott that isn’t already known by everyone reading this… He has been breeding American Bulldogs since 1967 with dedication and perseverance resulting with the Standard “Scott Type” bulldog honoring his name. Alan is considered one of the “founding fathers” in the bulldog world and was co-author, along with Mr. John D. Johnson, of the NKC Standard for the American Bulldog. He is a top veteran judge for the breed and is a certified catch dog inspector. Alan, along with his wife Betty, also hosted very successful American Bulldog Specialty shows, and I am pleased that they will be hosting the IBBC/NKC 2001 National American Bulldog Specialty Show.

Mr. Rick Quinn – Mr. Quinn was a very obvious choice during the selection process, meeting just about every one of the values considered. He is a very prominent figure in the protection world within organizations such as the WABA, Schutzhund USA, DVG, SV, and AWDF. Rick is an NKC all-breed conformation judge as well as an IBBC/NKC American Bulldog conformation judge. He, along with Eileen Jaworowski, run Topline American Bulldogs proudly owning the only Super Grand Champion ever in the history of the breed, Toro Blanco. Rick’s dedication to the breed and the club is without question.

Mr. Matt Karasek – Mr. Karasek, although young in years, is a very mature person when it comes to dealing with and handling American Bulldogs. He started showing bulldogs at a very early age and has handled some of the great dogs produced by Awesome Dog Kennels, such as CH. BC Grizzly of Powerplay (“Bear”) and his very own pride and joy, CH. LE Lexus of Powerplay (“Lexus”). Matt is also a very active person in the Weight Pull World, assisting in conducting the events as well as training dogs to achieve their weight pull titles. Matt is also an IBBC/NKC Conformation judge and recently did a great job at the PA 2000 Octoberfest. He is also the recipient of the “Bulldogger of the Year Award” presented by the ABNA Organization for his outstanding dedication to the breed, and for placing the most titles on a dog within a year’s time.

Mr. Scott Tobin – Mr. Tobin has been a member of the IBBC since just about the time it started and has remained dedicated to the club, dedicated to the breed, and supported shows since then. Scott, owner of True Grit Kennels, is also a protection helper with the WABA and has caught for the “Freight Train” competitions at IBBC shows in the past. I’m confident that Scott’s loyalty to, love for, and knowledge of the breed will be a benefit to the IBBC Board.

Ms. Becky Mazzaro – Ms. Mazzaro also has been a member of the IBBC for quite a few years and has performed the sometimes thankless, but nonetheless tedious and very important, job as IBBC Treasurer for the past 2 years. Becky has always been very willing to step forward and help out where the club and American Bulldog are concerned. Becky, along with Bob Latsha, have hosted two fun-filled and successful IBBC/NKC shows per year for the past few years. Becky is co-owner of Kinghaven Kennels, home of CH. Kinghaven’s General Lee and CH. Kinghaven’s Brickhouse.

Ms. Erin Eckles – Ms. Eckles took on responsibility and dedication to the breed at a very early age, following in the footsteps of her father, Mr. Bill Eckles. She has been IBBC Secretary for the past few years and was re-elected as Co-secretary. Erin is also an American Bulldog conformation judge. Erin, as part of Rock On Kennels, has handled champion dogs such as CH. Rock On’s Miss Ruby Doo.

I feel very lucky to have this great group of people to assist me in continuing to improve the IBBC as a club, in maintaining open communications and a strong relationship with the NKC, and in the betterment of our great American Bulldog. I am also confident that 2001 will prove itself to be another year filled with competitive events (both conformation and working events) at which bulldoggers can have fun showing their dogs in a fun-filled and sportsmanlike atmosphere.

Let’s get ready for a great year!

Mary MacNeal
President, IBBC

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