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National
Kennel Club
American Bulldog Breed Standard
Varieties: Standard and Bully
Revised: January 1, 2002
Historically the American
Bulldog was bred to be a “farm utility dog”. They were used to farm work in
the South/Southeastern sections of the USA to work wild boar and cattle. 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.
Faults: Overly
aggressive or excessively shy.
Size
Ø Standard Type: Ideal standard males should measure between 23 to 27
inches at the withers and weigh from 75 to 95 pounds. Females; 21 to 25 inches,
60 to 85 pounds.
Ø Bully Type:
Ideal bully males should measure between 23 to 27 inches at the withers and
weigh 90 to 115 pounds. Females; 22-26 inches 80 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.
Ø Standard Type: A box or wedge shape is preferred.
Ø 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.
Ø 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.
Ø 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. Full black mask. v Note: The muzzle should be in proportion
to head size & type.
Nose
Preferred nose color is Black. Red, brown or grizzle colors will occur.
Cosmetic Faults:
Pink or Dudley nose. Any nose color other than black.
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.
Ø Standard Type: A tight undershot (reverse scissors) preferred.
Undershot up to '/4 inch acceptable.
Ø Bully Type: ¼ - ½ inch “Undershot” depending on size of dog and
shape of skull. Plus or minus 1/8 inch is acceptable.
Faults: Small teeth
or uneven incisors.
Disqualification: Overshot, Parrot mouth or wry mouth. Ø Bully Type:
Disqualification: Even, level or scissor bite.
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 is the ideal color; however,
Blue, Gray, and Green eyes will occur. The haw should not be visible. Black eye
rims preferred.
Cosmetic Faults:
Both eyes not matched in color. Pink eye rims. Excessive Haw visible
Serious faults: Crossed or non-symmetrical eyes.
Ears
The ears should be set high on the head, medium in size may be drop, semi-prick,
or rose.
Fault: Cropped
ears.
Neck
Slightly arched, very muscular, and of moderate length, tapering from shoulders
to head.
Ø Bully Type: Neck is almost equal to the head in size.
Fault: 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. v Note: The degree of fault
will depend on how it affects the dogs “working” ability and movement.
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.
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; straight or over angulated stifle joint; weak
pasterns; cow hocks or open hocks; sickle hocks; bowed 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. Straight or over angulated stifle joint;
weak pasterns; cow hocks or open hocks; sickle hocks; bowed legs.
Feet
The feet are round, medium in size; toes are well arched, and tight.
Faults: Splayed
feet or crooked toes. v The seriousness of this fault is based on the amount of
fault in the feet.
Tail
Strong at the root tapering to the hocks, in a relaxed position. The tail is
carried over the back when excited or walking. A "pump handle" tail is
preferred but any tail carriage 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. v Note: Natural tails
preferred, docked tails acceptable but will be considered a cosmetic fault.
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.
Ø The Bully type gait will have a slight degree of less reach, flexibility, and
spring than that of a Standard Type.
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. Coat
Short and smooth, coarse to the touch.
Disqualification:
Long and fuzzy coats.
Color
Solid white, any color or color pattern, including black, red, brown, fawn and
all shades of brindle.
Faults: Solid
Black, any degree of merle.
Disqualification: Flat Black or Blue Color.
v Disqualifications
Ø Dogs that have been spayed or neutered.
Ø Males that are unilaterally or bilaterally cryptorchid.
Ø Unilateral or bilateral blindness or deafness.
Ø Blue or flat black color; long and fuzzy coats.
Ø Overshot Bite.
Ø Extreme viciousness or shyness.
Ø Bully Type: Even or scissor bite.
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.
In a show or other evaluation, the dog is to be penalized in direct proportion
to the degree of the fault. Any fault which is extreme should be considered a
serious fault and should be penalized appropriately.
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”. The conformation ring is just that, it is not
meant to be a judgment for a dogs working abilities; however there is no excuse
for dogs with poor temperaments and these dogs should be kept away from N.K.C
show and working events.
Ø Females in estrus are
not to be shown in the conformation classes and are not allowed in the proximity
thereof.
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