This
web site is owned & maintained by: Dwayne & Julie Pengilley of
Tooele, Utah Phone: (435) 882-7296
Email:[email protected]
.
This
written review is the property of P.S.I. American Bulldogs. We spent alot
of time researching this information to help educate the public about our
breed.
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The American Bulldog is
ONE breed with two written standards.
The FIRST American
Bulldog to be registered with the NKC was in 1968 by Mr. John D. Johnson.
American
Bulldog NKC Written Standard
Illustrated
By: Julie Pengilley
The
NKC has two show rings for the American Bulldog.
One
show ring is for the "Standard" type dog and the other is for the "Bully"
type.
How
to tell if your dog belongs in the Bully ring or Standard Ring? Click Here
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The
basic breed standard for the American Bulldog changed very little, there
was several disqualifications in the standards that we felt should not
have been disqualifications. After reviewing the standards, changes
were made to the disqualifications making most of them either a cosmetic
fault or serious fault. Now the only disqualifications in the American
breed standards for conformation are: extreme viciousness or shyness,
in the dogs bite (both types) parrot mouth or closed mouth with visible
teeth, color - blue, any dog that has been spayed or neutered, male dogs
that do not have 2 visible testicles, and blindness or deafness.
The changes that were made was in the allow weights for both types of dogs,
the size of the bite of the dog. Clarification was made for the allowable
color of dogs, fault for the muzzle being full continues black mask, any
eye color other than brown is a cosmetic fault, males that do not have
2 visible testicles, and females in heat are not to be shown or allowed
in the proximity. We hope by eliminating most of the disqualifications
and by clarifying some of the questions that have come from the standards,
more dogs will be able to participate successfully in the Conformation
Shows with out the question that their dog wasn't judged properly.
There was a lot of time and consideration put into these changes to better
the current standard we have for American Bulldogs.
Historically
the American Bulldog was bred to be a “farm utility dog” that was used
for farm work. They were also very much a part of the family, and
were instrumental in personal and property protection as well.
General Appearance:
The
American Bulldog is a well balanced, short-coated, muscular and athletic
animal. American Bulldogs display great strength, endurance, and agility.
Males are characteristically larger, heavier boned and more masculine than
the females.
Temperament:
American
Bulldogs should be alert, outgoing and confident. Aloofness with strangers
is acceptable.
Some
assertiveness toward other dogs is not considered a fault, however; dogs
may be dismissed at the judge’s discretion for disrupting their class.
Faults:
Overly aggressive or excessively shy. All dogs must be physically
examined by the judge, any dog refusing to allow physical inspection by
either shying away or becoming vicious may be disqualified depending on
the severity.
Disqualifications:
Extreme
viciousness or shyness:
Shyness
- A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy iff, refusing to stand for examination,
it shrinks away from the judge; if it fears an approach from the rear;
if it shies at sudden and unusual noises to a marked degree. Note: Puppies
should not be faulted severely here. With maturity and socialization confidence
should increase.
Viciousness
- A dog that attacks, or attempts to attack either the judge or its handler
unprovoked, is definitely vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude
towards other dogs shall not be deemed vicious.
Size:
Standard
Type: Ideal standard males should measure
between 23 to 27 inches at the withers and weigh from 75 to 115 pounds.
Females; 21 to 25 inches, 60 to 85 pounds.
Bully
Type: Ideal bully males should measure
between 23 to 27 inches at the withers and weigh 80 to 125 pounds. Females;
22-26 inches 60 to 105 pounds.
Note:
The overall proportion of the dog is of utmost importance when evaluating
weight.
Head:
The
head should be broad, flat on top squared appearance with a well defined
stop. It should also be medium in length with pronounced muscular cheeks.
Standard
Type: A box or wedge shape is preferred.
Bully
Type: A larger rounder shape is ideal.
Muzzle:
The
muzzle should be broad with wide-open nostrils. The muzzle should be wider
at the base and taper to the nose. The lips should be full with black
pigmentation; some pink allowed. The chin is well defined and must not
overlap the upper lip nor covered it.
Standard
Type: Muzzle should be medium in length 2
to 4 inches. It should also be 35% to 45% of the overall length of the
head.
Bully
Type: Muzzle should be broad 2 to 3 inches
in length and should be 25% to 35% of the overall length of head.
Faults:
Pendulous Lips, Narrow muzzle, and Full continuous black mask.
Note:
The muzzle should be in proportion to head size & type.
Nose:
Preferred
nose color is Black.
Cosmetic
Faults: Any nose color other than black. Red, brown, pink, dudley,
or grizzle colors will occur but are considered cosmetic faults.
Black
Nose
Correct
Color
|
Black
Nose w/
Pink
Allowed
Color
|
Black
Nose w/
Too
Much Pink
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Grizzle/
Liver Nose
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Grizzle
Nose w/ Pink
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Pink
Nose
Cosmetic
Fault
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Dentition (Bite):
Teeth
should be medium to large and should not be visible when mouth is closed.
Lips are moderately thick; black pigment lining the lips is preferred;
with some pink allowed.
Standard
Type: A tight undershot (reverse scissors)
preferred. Undershot up to ½ inch acceptable, plus or minus
1/8 inch is acceptable with no visible teeth.
Bully
Type: ¼ - ½ inch “Undershot”
depending on size of dog and shape of skull. Plus or minus 1/8 inch
is acceptable with no visible teeth.
Faults:
Small teeth or uneven incisors.
Disqualification
(both types): Parrot mouth or closed mouth with visible teeth.
Bully
Type Serious Fault: Even, level, scissor bite,
overshot, or wry mouth.
Standard
Type Serious Fault: Undershot over ¾
inch, overshot, or wry mouth.
Note:
American Bulldogs are a working breed and should not be penalized for broken
or missing teeth.
Eyes:
Almond-shaped
to round, medium-sized.
Color:
Brown eye color is preferred.
The
haw should not be visible. Black pigment
is preferred; all other colors of pigmentation
are considered cosmetic faults.
Cosmetic
Faults: Any eye color other than brown, both eyes that do not matched
in color, pink eye rims, or excessive haw visible.
Serious
faults: Crossed or non-symmetrical eyes.
Good
Eye Color
&
Pigment
|
Poor
Eye Pigment
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Poor
Eye Pigment
(Liver
/Grizzle)
Green
Eye Color
Cosmetic
Fault
|
2
Color Eyes
Brown
& Blue
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Poor
Eye Pigment
&
Visible Haw
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Cross
Eyed
Serious
Fault
|
Ears:
The
ears should be set high on the head, medium in size may be drop, semi-prick,
or rose.
Faults:
Cropped ears. Hound Ears.
Correct Ear Set
and
length
|
Ear
Set Too High
Bat
like.
|
Ear
Set Too Low
Hound
Ears
|
Rose
Ear Set
Acceptable
|
Corpped
Ears
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Ear's
way too short. APBT like.
|
Ears,
Boston Terrier like.
|
Neck:
Slightly
arched, very muscular, and of moderate length, tapering from shoulders
to head.
Bully
Type: Neck is almost equal to the head in size.
Faults:
neck too short and thick; thin or weak neck.
Body:
Wide,
deep chest; fairly compact, straight and well balanced. The chest
should not be narrow or excessively wide, nor should the elbows be angled
out or pulled in. The back should be broad and moderately short,
showing great strength.
Faults:
The back should not be narrow, excessively long or swayed.
Note:
The degree of fault will depend on how it affects the dogs “working” ability
and movement.
Nice
Back, Good Angulation
|
Sway
Backed
Alittle
Straight Stifled
|
High
in the rear end or low in the front shoulder, how ever you want to look
at it.
|
Straight
Stifled
No
Angulation in Rear Legs.
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Forequarters:
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.
Faults:
Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at
the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.
Elbows
Straight ; Wide Chest
Good
Example
|
Elbows
turned Out
Feet
are turned in - Fault
|
Elbows
turned In
Feet
are Easty Westy - Fault
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Hindquarters:
Broad,
well muscled with muscles tapering well to the leg to manifest speed and
strength, but not quite as large as at the shoulders. There should
not be an excess or lack of angulation in the rear legs.
Serious
Faults: Narrow or weak hindquarters, weak pasterns, cow hocks, open hocks,
or bowed legs.
Narrow
Hips And Cow Hocked
|
Cow
Hocked in Rear Legs
|
Cow
Hocked in Rear Legs
|
Straight
Legs
|
Legs:
The
legs should be strong and straight with moderate to heavy bone. Front legs
should not set too close together or too far apart. Pasterns should be
strong, straight and upright. The rear legs should be moderately angulated
and parallel.
Serious
Faults: Excessively Bow-Legged in the front, weak pasterns, cow hocks,
open hocks, bowed legs in the rear.
Feet:
The
feet are round, medium in size; toes are well arched, and tight.
Faults:
Splayed feet or crooked toes.
Splay
Toes - Fault
|
Tight
Feet / Toes
|
Crooked
Toes - Fault
|
Knucking
Over
|
Tail:
Strong
at the root tapering to the hocks, in a relaxed position, the tail can
be carried back when excited. A "pump handle" tail is preferred but
any tail carried from upright, when the dog is excited, to relaxed between
the hocks is acceptable. The tail should not
end in a complete circle.
Faults:
Tail curled over the back; corkscrew tail, kinked or crooked tail.
Note:
Natural tails preferred,
docked tails acceptable but will be considered a cosmetic fault.
Correct
Tail Set
|
Docked
Tail
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Tail
Too Short
|
Tail
Too Long
|
Curled over back
|
Screw
Tail
Cosmetic
Fault
|
Rat
Tail ( too thin)
|
Gait:
The
gait should be “balanced and smooth”, showing great speed, agility and
power. The dog should not travel excessively wide, and as speed increases
the feet move toward the centerline of the body to maintain balance. The
top line remains firm and level, parallel to the line of motion.
Faults:
Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over
in front or rear; front or rear legs moving too close or touching; pacing;
paddling; side winding.
Note:
The Bully type gait will have a slight degree
of less reach, flexibility, and spring than that of a Standard Type.
Proud,
Confident and Alert
|
|
|
Crossing
of Legs
Fault
|
Coat:
Short
and smooth.
Serious
Fault: Long and fuzzy coats.
Long
Haired AB
|
Long
Haired AB with littermate, that is short hair.
|
Long
Fuzzy Tail
|
Color:
Solid
white, or any color pattern including black, red, brown, fawn and all shades
of brindle.
Faults:
Solid Black or any degree of merle.
Disqualification:
Blue Color.
Merle
Color
Fault
|
PICTURE
NEEDED
Blue
Color
|
Solid
Black AB
Fault
|
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Disqualifications:
Any
dog that has been spayed or neutered.
Male
dogs that do not have 2 visible testicles.
Blindness
or deafness.
Cosmetic Faults:
A cosmetic fault is one of a minor nature. A fault not specified as cosmetic
has to do with structure as it relates to a working dog.
Structural
Faults: These faults pertain to the dogs actual structure
and fundamental movement. These faults are weighted as to how they hinder
the dogs' ability to work.
Note:
Features that are disqualified or faulted in the show ring, are in no way
is meant to disqualify the dog from “working events”, or to take away any
credit the dog might have as a “working dog”.
Females
in heat are not to be shown in the conformation classes and are not allowed
in the proximity thereof. |