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National Kennel Club Breed 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 prominate 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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