American Bulldog Standard
General Appearance:
Tall, Stands erect with head held high, with back straight neither swayed
nor ridged. The tail should be down approximately to the hocks, chest
wide and moderately deep.
Head: Broad,
flat on top squared appearance with muzzle short to medium in length,
with a prominent dish between eyes. Lower jaw should protrude slightly
more than the upper jaw, with wide apart eyes. Ears medium in size with
a roll backwards or a flop.
Temperament: Very friendly in daytime, but very aggressive at
night especially with the persons not known. This dog should be eager,
bold, and trusting with no signs of fear or timidity. Aggressive enough
to fight a mean bear or wild hog but gentle enough for a house pet.
Color: White to all brindle colors mixed with white to solid
brindle, solid black or black mixed with brindle or white.
Size: Males from 22 to 32 inches and weighing from 70 to over
100 pounds. Females from 18 to 28 inches and weighing from 50 to over
80 pounds. Body structure should be big and rugged showing strength
and endurance.
Showing Rules: Follow the above standards: Dogs must be untrimmed
and unaltered. Tails are held down at a normal stance. Exception-dogs
may show if altered by a vet and handler has statement from the vet.
It is hoped that these standards will help both the breeder and the
show judge in the selection of dogs that will better the breed and make
dogs more enjoyable to their owners. The American Bulldog was developed
in early years for the purpose of catching and holding wild pigs and
cattle. It was also used as a fighting dog that had no equal. The American
Bulldog is still used in many places to work with pigs and cattle, but
humane laws and common sense has stopped most of the fighting of dogs..
Today the American Bulldog is used for a family pet and a fearless guard
dog. Old people and ladies living alone have made the American Bulldog
the preferred family guard dog. It is said that anyone can sleep soundly
with the knowledge that the family American Bulldog is on sentry duty
all night. From the beginning in southern farm communities the love
of the American Bulldog has spread nation wide and to many other countries.
These breed standards
were established by John D. Johnson of Georgia and Alan Scott of Alabama,
and the Alabama-Georgia American Bulldog Club. These breed standards
were approved & the American Bulldog was approved for registration
by the National Kennel Club (N.K.C.) on July 7, 1970.
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