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.
