|
|
|
|
ABNA Breed Standard
The American Bulldog is an athletic, temperamentally sound and medium to large sized dog that possesses great strength, agility and confidence. The expression should reflect intelligence and alertness. The sturdy and powerful yet compact frame is characteristically stockier and heavier boned in the males and more refined in the females. Some aloofness with strangers and assertiveness towards other dogs is accepted. However, an American Bulldog should not be excessively timid, shy or aggressive towards man and preferably not overly aggressive with other dogs. Due to its distinctive physical and mental characteristics along with its natural desire to be the total companion and working dog, an American Bulldog should never be confused with uniquely different breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier.
Note *** American Bulldog National Alliance judges are specifically charged with the responsibility of evaluating the temperamental stability as well as structural conformation on all dogs. Dogs demonstrating less than acceptable stable temperamental characteristics should be dismissed from competition.
In officially recognizing the two distinctive types of American Bulldogs, Standard and Classic, the ABNA requires that they be judged separately.
While the ABNA has
decided to identify the two types of American Bulldogs as Classic vice Johnson and
Standard vice Scott, in no way is this to suggest or infer any lack of respect or absence
of appreciation for these two men that have contributed so significantly to the breed and
its preservation. The pure motive for this change is simple. We want to move away from
individual personalities and on to promoting the fact that there have been numerous
great breeders of American Bulldogs.
Size-General: Males should range from 22 to 28
inches at the withers and weigh between 70 and 120 pounds. Females should range from 20 to
26 inches at the withers and weigh between 60 and 100 pounds. Weight should be
proportional to height and body type. A dog should be well conditioned and not
overweight or underweight.
Standard: A leaner and more athletic dog in appearance.
Classic: A larger and more powerful dog in appearance.
Color: Solid or varying degrees of white, all
shades of brindle, brown, red, or tan are acceptable. Solid black, black and tan,
and/or any degree of merle is unacceptable. A full black mask is not preferred.
**Merle is a dilution of overall body color (black or red) with splotches of darker
color giving the effect of "merling" or "marbling" not to be confused
with Brindle that gives the effect of "striping".
Coat: Short, less than one inch in length varying from soft to stiff. Long, feathering, or fuzzy coats are unacceptable.
Head: The head should be relatively large and
broad in proportion to the size and overall structure of the dog. It should be flat
on top giving a squared appearance. There is a defined furrow between the eyes with
a distinct, deep stop. The head is well-muscled throughout with prominent cheeks. An
excessively narrow head is unacceptable in both types.
Standard: Generally box shaped to wedge in appearance
with a slightly shallower
stop and less wrinkles.
Classic: Generally box shaped to round in appearance
with a more definitive stop
and heavier wrinkles.
Eyes: The eyes should be round or almond shape, medium sized, and wide set. Black or dark brown is the preferred color. Other colors are accepted. Black eye rim pigment preferred. Crossed and/or nonsymmetrical eyes are unacceptable.
Muzzle: The muzzle should be relatively broad and
square. The large jaws are well-muscled, displaying great strength. Lips are full but not
pendulous. Black pigment lining lips preferred. An excessively narrow muzzle
is unacceptable in both types.
Standard: muzzle should be 30% to 40% of the overall
length of head.
Classic: muzzle should be 25% to 35% of the
overall length of head.
Teeth: The teeth should number 42 to 44 and large in size is preferred. Working dogs should not be penalized for broken teeth. Should medical removal of teeth be needed, documentation and verification by a veterinarian is requested.
Bite:
Standard: Reverse scissors is preferred. Moderate
underbite, scissors or even
bite is acceptable.
Classic: Undershot 1/4 to ½ inch preferred. Even
bite is not preferred. Scissors
bite is unacceptable.
Both types: Teeth should not be visible when the mouth
is closed.
Nose: Black is the preferred color. A red, brown, or grizzle nose is acceptable. A pink or dudley nose is unacceptable.
Ears: The ears should be medium in size and may be either forward flap or rose, with no preference. Cropped ears are acceptable.
Neck: The neck should be very muscular and medium in length. The neck should taper from shoulder to head and be slightly arched.
Shoulders: The shoulders should be well-muscled with good definition and wide sloping blades giving the appearance of great strength.
Chest: The chest should be deep and moderately wide giving the appearance of power and athletic ability. The front, overall, should be straight and well balanced. The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide nor should the elbows be angled out or pulled in.
Body: The body should be compact and moderately short while powerful and athletic in appearance. Well balanced. There should be a good spring of ribs with the loin moderately tucked. The body should not be excessively long.
Back: The back should be broad and moderately short in
length showing great strength. Slight roach over loins. The back should not be
narrow or swayed.
Standard:
Straighter more level topline is preferred.
Classic:
Appearance of being slightly higher in the rear is preferred.
Legs: The legs should be strong and straight with moderate to heavy bone. Well-muscled front and back. The rear legs should be moderately angulated and parallel. There should not be an excess of or lack of angulation in the rear legs. Excessively bow-legged or cow hocked is unacceptable.
Hindquarters: The hindquarters should be thick with well-defined muscles. Not as wide as shoulders, but well-balanced. The hips should not be narrow or lacking in muscle definition.
Tail: The tail is set low, thick at base and tapering to a point. The tail should reach the hocks in a relaxed position. Docked tails are accepted. The tail should not end in a complete circle.
Feet: The feet should be of moderate size with toes well arched and close together. The feet should not be splayed.
Gait: The American Bulldog should move with speed,
agility, and power with a definite spring to the step. All legs move parallel to direction
of travel, with front legs clearly reaching and the rear legs propelling the
dog forward. The legs should not travel excessively wide. Front legs and/or rear
legs crossing is unacceptable.
Standard: A tighter, more athletic gait.
Classic: A rolling gait is acceptable.
*Note: Males without two testicles, dogs that are deaf, and dogs that have been spayed or neutered are not allowed to compete in the conformation ring. Females in estrus are not to be shown in the conformation classes and are not allowed in the proximity thereof.
bravenet.com