The
American Bulldog´s origin is as a farm-dog from the South-Eastern
USA who worked with livestock and as home-protection and hunting
dog. He was not bred to have any extreme anatomic look. More
important was the capacity to do the work of a real farm dog. He
had to be strong enough to stand successful in confrontation to
cattle or hog and also fast and agile enough for hunting purposes.
As hunters, the bulldog had to be able to hunt in pairs. For this
reason the American Bulldog should be non-dog-aggressive. Also he
had to be social and friendly with anyone living in his family.
The American Bulldog is a medium to large-sized dog,
athletic and temperamentally sound. Shows a compact and powerful
frame, built for stamina and agility. A more solid and heavier dog
may be preferred but must be free of any exaggeration or
overweight. Males are heavier boned and more masculine than
females.
At
this time Bully/Classic and Standard-type are still judged in
separate classes.
But most of the modern dogs are already
hybrids of both types.
Size
and weight:
Males 57-67cm, 35-55kg
Females 53-65cm,
30-45kg
Weight should be proportional to size and type.
Bully/Classic-type, as show-type, more large and heavy,
Standard-type, as the authentic working type, more lean and
athletic.
Coat
and Color
Coat short, close and stiff
Color: white
or white with brindle/red/fawn markings. Up to 90% color
allowed
Always with white on the head.
Disqualification:
black mask, solid black, blue or merle markings.
Head
Medium
in length. Large in proportion to size and type. Well pronounced
cheek muscles. The top of the skull should be broad and flat. A
pronounced stop at base of muzzle. Stronger feature in males.
Eyes
Medium
sized, round or almond shape, wide set. Dark brown in color with
black eye rims preferred.
Blue eyes accepted but to be
considered a cosmetic fault.
Muzzle
and Teeth Muzzle is medium in length, (5-10cm) heavy in
bone, square and large. Jaw strong and broad. Lower jaw should be
broad enough so there is no crowding or overlap of the lowerwed
front teeth. Lips full but not pendulous. Black lip pigmentation
preferred. As a working dog an American Bulldog should have a
complete set of 42 teeth. Teeth are not visible while the mouth is
closed.
Standard type: reverse scissors
preferred. Undershot, even-bite or scissors-bite accepted.
Bully/Classic: undershot preferred. Reverse scissors, even bite or scissors accepted.
Disqualification: more than 4 premolars missing, extreme undershot or overshot. Canine’s standing inside. Other wrong placed teeth or anomalies in the structure of the jaw always in relation to the degree of the fault.
Nose
Black
preferred. Brown/liver or grey accepted, some pink spots allowed
Ears
Un-cropped
and medium size. Close to the head, fold or rose-ear.
Neck
Muscular,
medium length, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to head,
some dewlap allowed.
Shoulders
Very
muscular, with wide sloping blades, set so elbows do not turn out
Chest,
Back, Loin
Chest deep and wide, but not excessively
wide
Back of medium length, strong and broad.
The loin
short, broad and slightly arched corresponding to the
withers.
Sway back is a serious fault depending on its degree.
Hindquarters
Broad
and well muscled. Must be in proportion to the shoulders, not
larger.
Narrow hips are a serious fault.
Legs
Strong,
straight and heavy in bone. Clear angulation of the stifle joint
and femur head set.
Feet medium sized, closed and well arched.
The weight well balanced distributed evenly on four legs. Pasterns
strong, straight and upright preferred. Slightly arched pasterns
accepted. Weak or flattened pasterns are a serious fault.
Tail
Undocked.
Thick at the low tailset, tapering to a point. Reaches the hocks
in a relaxed position. Not ending in a circle.
Movement
The
gait shows agility with ground covering strides. Strong drive from
the hindquarters and corresponding reach in the front. Top line
firm and level while moving, parallel to the line of moving.
Faults
Dogs must be penalized in proportion to the degree of
the fault.
A cosmetic fault is always of minor nature.
Serious
faults are always in relation to the structure of a working dog.
Cosmetic
faults are
such as: nose and eye color, ears, tail, less than 4 premolars
missing,
any minor teeth fault in the teeth.
To
be penalized as a serious
fault :
excessively overweight, too short or too long muzzle,
teeth
and jaw anomalies, movement faults, lack of stamina,
aggressiveness or shyness,
especially shyness with gunfire.
Disqualifications:
-
deaf
dogs
- solid black, blue or merle markings through out
-
males without two testicles clearly visible
- pink nose
-
aggressive
or shy dogs
- cosmetic treatments
-
more than 4 premolars failing
- long hair
- wrong
positioned teeth or jaws anomalies
- neutered/ spayed
dogs
Females in heat may not be shown.