Breed standard
Breed Standard for the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog
Written by: Koral Hamilton
Related Breeds: Olde Bulldogge, Bully American Bulldog, Old Southern Bulldog, Catahoula Bulldog, Standard Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
Purpose: Is for “Guardian”, “Protector”, “Family Companion”, and “Functional Working Dog.” The Alapaha Blue Blood bulldog is suited for work in personal protection, bite work and as catch dogs.
Overall Impression: Square, powerfully built, with wide shoulders and sturdy limbs. Males are larger, heavier boned and more masculine than females in both body and head type.
Temperament: Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs should be confident, alert and assertive, responsive to training and commands and distrustful of strangers. Some assertiveness toward other dogs is acceptable but it is up to the judge whether to dismiss the dog if he/she is disrupting the class.
FAULTS: Overly shy.
DISQUALIFICATIONS: A dog that is so shy it will not stand to be inspected (backs away or shrinks and cowers)
Head: Large, broad and flat across the skull squared in appearance heavily muscled in males giving the impression of great power. The skull is box-shaped to rounded, with a more definitive stop and more wrinkles than the standard type.
FAULTS: A narrow head or one that appears too small for the body
Muzzle: broad with heavily muscled jaw, deep and short 1 ½” to 3” ( + or – ½”) being roughly 20-30% of the head with moderate wrinkling.
FAULTS: Narrow muzzle, full continuous black mask
SERIOUS FAULTS: A muzzle shorter than 1” or longer than 3 1/2”
Bite: Teeth should be medium to large and should not be visible when the dog’s mouth is closed. Black pigment lining the lip is preferred, with some pink allowed. The bite is reverse scissor to undershot 1/8” to 1/2” with the bottom jaw turning up noticeably with no visible teeth.
FAULTS: small teeth, uneven teeth, scissor bite, overbite.
SERIOUS FAULTS: Undershot over ¾” or wry mouth
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Parrot mouth or closed mouth with visible teeth
*Note: As a working breed the Alapahas should not be faulted for broken or missing teeth
Nose: Preferred color is solid black or liver.
FAULTS: Any nose color other than black or liver. Pink or grey color will occur but are considered cosmetic faults.
SERIOUS FAULTS: A nose that is more 50% non-pigmented or a nose with completely closed nares.
Ears: Rose ears preferred. Half perked with forward roll are acceptable. Ears should be carried close to the head.
FAULTS: Hound ears
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Cropped ears
Eyes: Almond-shaped to round, medium sized. Color brown or marble is preferred. Glass or blue eyes will occur.
FAULTS: Black pigment is preferred any other color is a cosmetic fault. Pink eye rims, any visible haw.
Neck: Thick and of medium length. The neck is muscular and at its widest point is nearly as broad as the head.
FAULTS: Short neck, too thin or weak.
Shoulders: Shoulders are broad and well muscled with the forelegs situated slightly on the side of the dog.
Chest: Wide and deep with a well sprung rib cage.
FAULTS: Shallow chest
Back: Straight; length should be equal to height at the shoulders with a straight to slightly declined top line.
FAULTS: The back should not be narrow or excessively long
DISQUALIFICATION: Swayed back (back end is significantly higher than the withers)
Tail: Optimal length should reach the hocks in a relaxed position; come over the back when held erect. Final 1/3 of the tail to have a gradual upward curve.
SERIOUS FAULTS: Docked tails, kinked tails
DISQUALIFICATIONS: Crank tail, corkscrew tail
Forelegs: Straight and thick-boned. Despite the forelegs being slightly on the side of the dog the elbows should not bow out, the legs should still be straight. Toes well knuckled up with thick tight pads. Dewclaws not removed. The feet are round and medium in size.
FAULTS: bowed legs, weak pasterns, cow hocks, open hocks, splayed feet and crooked toes.
Hindquarters: Hips narrower than shoulders; well-muscled and in proportion to the forelegs.
FAULTS: Narrow or weak hindquarters, weak pasterns, cow hocks, open hocks, bowed legs in the rear. Rear dew claw present or removed.
Gait: The gait should be balanced and smooth driving off the rear with a good reach that allows the dog to cover ground with a sense of power.
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; paddling; sidewinding
SERIOUS FAULTS: Pacing or crabbing
Coat: Short to medium length; fairly stiff with a soft undercoat.
Color: Any color and white. High points 40 to 60% color and white. Medium points over 60% color and white. Low points under 40% color and white.
FAULTS: Solid colors and solid whites.
Size: Males 20 – 24” at the withers, weighing 75-100 lbs.
Females 18 – 22” at the withers weighing 60-85 lbs.
o 1-inch variation in height is allowed
o 5 lbs in variation of weight is allowed provided that the dog is not overweight and the weight is proportional. The dog should appear fit and muscles should be easily visible.
SERIOUS FAULTS: Dogs that vary from the allowed size and that are not proportional, obese dogs
