has been turned into more recently. Also, in reading the two standards on the next few pages, take careful note of fundamental differences between them, such as coat color, bite, size, etc.
NABA STANDARD FOR THE AMERICAN BULLDOG
Head: Medium length, box-like when viewed from the front. Rectangular when viewed from the side. Skull flat and widest at the ears. Prominent cheeks with little to no wrinkles. Head should be prominent, but not overly so. Should look powerful and quick.
Muzzle: Square, wide and deep. Large jaws, should display great strength. Bite should be scissors to one-quarter-inch undershot. Muzzle should be 35% to 42% of the total length of the head. Should have a noticeable stop at the forehead. Muzzle should be wider at the base and taper slightly to the nose.
Eyes: Round to almond shaped, any color except blue.
Nose: Wide open nostrils, black.
Neck: Muscular, slightly arched. Tapering from shoulder to head.
Shoulders: Very muscular, side sloping shoulder blades.
Back: Medium in length, sloping from rump to withers. Slightly arched at loins, which should be slightly tucked.
Hips: Very muscular, pronounced muscularity.
Stifles: Should be well angled.
The breed originally had a working scissors bite, although an undershot bite is not uncommon today and even acceptable in breed standards.
Chest: Deep brisket, wide but not too wide.
Coat color: Any color except flat black or any blue.
Weight: Not important as long as structure is sound. Any weight between 85 lb. to 105 lb. for males, 65 lb. to 90 lb. for females.
Height: 19 to 27 inches.
Working dogs will not be penalized for broken teeth, cropped ears or docked tails.
The breed is known for its wide head, conveying a look of power.
UKC STANDARD FOR THE AMERICAN BULLDOG
HISTORY
Bulldogs in England were originally working dogs who drove and caught cattle and guarded their masters’ property. The breed’s strength, courage and familiarity with livestock led to its popularity in the brutal sport of bullbaiting. When this sport was outlawed in England, the original type of Bulldog disappeared from Britain and was replaced with the shorter, stockier, less athletic dog we now know as the English Bulldog.
An impressive head on a Dutch-bred American Bulldog.
The original Bulldog, however, was preserved by working class immigrants who brought their working dogs with them to the American South. Small farmers and ranchers used this all-around working dog for many tasks. By the end of World War II, however, the breed was almost extinct. Mr. John D. Johnson, a returning war veteran, decided to resurrect this breed. Along with Alan Scott and several other breeders, Johnson began carefully to breed American Bulldogs, keeping careful records and always with an eye for maintaining the breed’s health and working abilities.
Because of the many different types of work this breed can do, several distinct lines evolved, each emphasizing the traits needed to do a specific job. The best known lines are usually referred to as the Johnson and Scott types. The Johnson dogs are more massive, with a larger, broader head and shorter muzzle, and a definite undershot bite. The Scott dogs were somewhat lighter in musculature and bone than the Johnson dogs, with a less Mastiff-like head. Today, however, most American Bulldogs have crosses to two or more of these lines and are not as easily distinguishable.
The modern American Bulldog continues to serve as an all-purpose working dog; a fearless and steady guard dog; and a loyal family companion.
The American Bulldog was recognized by the United Kennel Club on January 1, 1999.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The American Bulldog is a powerful, athletic short-coated dog, strongly muscled and well boned. The body is just slightly longer than tall. The head is large and broad with a wide muzzle. Ears are small to medium in size, high set, and may be drop, semi-prick, rose or cropped. The tail may be docked or natural. The American Bulldog comes in solid colors, white with colored patches and brindle. Gender differences are well expressed in this breed, with males typically larger and more muscular than females. Honorable scars resulting from field work are not to be penalized. The American Bulldog should be evaluated as a working dog and exaggerations or faults should be penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with the dog’s ability to work.
CHARACTERISTICS
The essential characteristics of the American Bulldog are those which enable it to work as a hog and cattle catching dog, and a protector of personal property. These tasks require a powerful, agile, confident dog with a large head and powerful jaws. The American Bulldog is a gentle, loving family companion who is fearless enough to face an angry bull or a human intruder. Note: It is common for young American Bulldogs to be somewhat standoffish with strangers and judges should not penalize this. By the time the dog is around 18 months of age, however, the breed’s normal confidence asserts itself. Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness; cowardice.
HEAD
The head is large and broad, giving the impression of great power. When viewed from the side, the skull and muzzle are parallel to one another and joined by a well-defined stop. The stop is very deep and abrupt, almost at a right angle with the muzzle. Despite the depth of the stop, the forehead is wider than it is high.
The broad head, relatively short muzzle, muscular cheeks and large jaws contribute to the overall expression so distinct in the breed.
An American Bulldog should appear confident and self-assured, like the Bulldog shown here.
Skull:
