The standard describes two types of American Bulldogs and these types are;
1. "Classic" type (Johnson is within this type)
2. "Standard" type (Scott is within this type)
Many of today's American Bulldogs are a combination of the Classic and Standard types. This has resulted in a third type referred to as "Hybrid" and they will fall under either Classic or Standard American Bulldog Breed Standards.
* JOHNSON vs SCOTT *
There is much confusion over the "type" of American Bulldog within Australia.
Most do not use the correct terminology and tend to say they own either
a "Johnson" or "Scott" American Bulldog.
Johnson and Scott are NOT types of American Bulldogs as they are bloodlines.
These bloodlines are named after the breeders who developed their own line/style of American Bulldog and they were
Mr. John D Johnson (Bully) and Mr. Allan Scott (Standard).
Johnson bloodlines are within the Classic type and Scott bloodlines
are within the Standard type.
Some American Bulldogs can have a certain look that resembles a "Johnson"
but the correct terminology is to say it has Johnson traits rather than say
it is a Johnson type.
There are NO pure Johnson bloodlines left within Australia.
There are only a handful of true to type Classic bulldogs in Australia
and these were imported.
If you do not know what type you own then chances are you have Hybrid type as most of the American Bulldogs in Australia are hybrids.
We breed Classic type.
1. "Classic" type (Johnson is within this type)
2. "Standard" type (Scott is within this type)
Many of today's American Bulldogs are a combination of the Classic and Standard types. This has resulted in a third type referred to as "Hybrid" and they will fall under either Classic or Standard American Bulldog Breed Standards.
* JOHNSON vs SCOTT *
There is much confusion over the "type" of American Bulldog within Australia.
Most do not use the correct terminology and tend to say they own either
a "Johnson" or "Scott" American Bulldog.
Johnson and Scott are NOT types of American Bulldogs as they are bloodlines.
These bloodlines are named after the breeders who developed their own line/style of American Bulldog and they were
Mr. John D Johnson (Bully) and Mr. Allan Scott (Standard).
Johnson bloodlines are within the Classic type and Scott bloodlines
are within the Standard type.
Some American Bulldogs can have a certain look that resembles a "Johnson"
but the correct terminology is to say it has Johnson traits rather than say
it is a Johnson type.
There are NO pure Johnson bloodlines left within Australia.
There are only a handful of true to type Classic bulldogs in Australia
and these were imported.
If you do not know what type you own then chances are you have Hybrid type as most of the American Bulldogs in Australia are hybrids.
We breed Classic type.
BREED STANDARD
PURPOSE
Protection, companionship, hunting, working livestock, catching cattle and hogs.
TEMPERAMENT
The American Bulldog should be alert, outgoing, and confident.
Aloofness with strangers is acceptable.
Faults: excessively shy or overly aggressive.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The American Bulldog is well a balanced, medium to large sized dog.
They give an impression of a grand and powerful dog showing strength and alertness. Powerfully built, having an amazing endurance.
MALE SIZE
Males should measure between 23 to 26 inches at the withers.
1 inch variation in height allowed.
CLASSIC: weighing between 90 to 130lbs (41 to 59kg). Plus or minus 5-10lbs
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
STANDARD: weighing between 85 to 110lbs (39 to 50kg). Plus or minus 5-10
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
FEMALE SIZE
Females should measure between 20 to 23 inches at the withers.
1 inch variation in height allowed.
CLASSIC: weighing between 70 to 120lbs (32 to 54kg). Plus or minus 5-10lbs
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
STANDARD: weighing between 70 to 95lbs (32 to 43kg). Plus or minus 5-10lbs
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
HEAD
The face of the dog should indicate intelligence, with discerning alertness.
The head should be broad, flat across the top giving a squared appearance,
with an abrupt "stop". It should also be medium length, well muscled throughout, and pronounced muscular cheeks.
CLASSIC: a square shape or have a round "melon" look, with a deep, abrupt stop.
STANDARD: generally a box or wedge shape.
MUZZLE
The muzzle should be broad.
The lips should be full and black pigment lining the lips is preferred.
The chin is well defined and must not overlap the upper lip nor cover it.
Faults: pendulous lips, long and narrow muzzle, full black mask.
CLASSIC: 2 to 3 inches long and should be 25% - 35% of overall head length.
STANDARD: 2 to 4 inches long and should be 35% - 40% of overall head length.
NOSE
Black is the preferred colour. However a red, brown, or grey nose will occur.
Faults: pink or dudley nose.
BITE
Teeth should be medium to large and not visible when mouth is closed. Working dogs should not be penalised for broken teeth.
Faults: overshot, wry mouth, visible teeth when mouth closed.
CLASSIC: 3/8 - 3/4 inch "undershot", depending on the size of the dog and shape of the skull. Plus or minus 1/8 inch is acceptable.
Faults: Even and scissor bite.
STANDARD: a tight undershot (reverse scissor) is preferred. Undershot up to 1/4 inch, depending on the size of the dog and the shape of the skull.
Plus or minus 1/8 inch is acceptable.
Faults: Small teeth or uneven incisors.
EYES
Almond shape to round and medium in size.
Brown eye colour, however blue, grey and green eyes will occur.
Black pigment is preferred.
Faults: Cross eyed or not symmetrical, both eyes not the same colour,
ectropian, entropian, distchiasis, and cherry eye.
EARS
Medium in size, set high, and carried close to head.
Ears may be forward flap or rose, with no preference.
Faults: Cropped or hound-type ears.
NECK
Very muscular, slightly arched, of moderate length,
taper from shoulders to head, and almost equal to the head in size.
Faults: Too short, 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.
The loin is wide, very muscular, and slightly arched.
Faults: Back excessively long, too narrow, or swayed.
FOREQUARTERS
The combined front assembly from its uppermost component,
the shoulder blades, down to the feet, should be muscular and slightly sloping.
The forelegs are to be straight and not set too close together or too far apart.
Faults: Loaded shoulders, elbows turned outward, front legs bowed,
wrists knuckled over, toeing in or out.
HINDQUARTERS
Broad with muscles tapering well down the leg to manifest speed
and strength, nut not quite as large as the shoulders.
The rear legs should be angled and parallel.
Faults: Narrow or weak hindquarters, bowed legs, cow hocks,
open hocks, and weak pasterns.
TAIL
The tail is set low and thick at the base.
Strong at the root and tapering to the hocks (in rest position).
The tail is carried over the back when excited or walking.
Faults: Corkscrew, crooked (kinked), curled over the back.
FEET
Toes are tight and well arched.
Faults: Splayed foot.
COAT
Short and smooth.
Faults: Long or fuzzy coats.
COLOUR
All white, pied or up to 85% colour (brindle, red, or buckskin patches).
If there is colour on the head it should appear to be colour on a white head.
Faults: Black mask, solid black, black and tan, or any degree of merle.
BONE STRUCTURE
Medium to heavy, to be able to carry a large dog.
GAIT
The gait should be "balanced and smooth", showing great speed, agility,
and power. All legs move parallel to the direction of travel,
with front legs clearly reaching, and the rear legs propelling the dog forward.
The legs should not travel excessively wide.
Faults: Front or rear legs crossing over, legs over reaching, front or rear legs moving too close or touching, side winding, pacing, or paddling.
CLASSIC: A rolling gait is acceptable.
STANDARD: A tighter, more athletic gait.
NOTE: The classic type will have a slight degree of less reach, flexibility, and spring than standard type.
This Breed Standard was extracted from;
1. ARF American Bulldog Breed Standard (Classic and Standard) 1996
2. NKC American Bulldog Breed Standard, revised in 2005
3. ABRA American Bulldog Breed Standard, last updated 2008
4. ABA American Bulldog Breed Standard, last updated 2003
Protection, companionship, hunting, working livestock, catching cattle and hogs.
TEMPERAMENT
The American Bulldog should be alert, outgoing, and confident.
Aloofness with strangers is acceptable.
Faults: excessively shy or overly aggressive.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The American Bulldog is well a balanced, medium to large sized dog.
They give an impression of a grand and powerful dog showing strength and alertness. Powerfully built, having an amazing endurance.
MALE SIZE
Males should measure between 23 to 26 inches at the withers.
1 inch variation in height allowed.
CLASSIC: weighing between 90 to 130lbs (41 to 59kg). Plus or minus 5-10lbs
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
STANDARD: weighing between 85 to 110lbs (39 to 50kg). Plus or minus 5-10
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
FEMALE SIZE
Females should measure between 20 to 23 inches at the withers.
1 inch variation in height allowed.
CLASSIC: weighing between 70 to 120lbs (32 to 54kg). Plus or minus 5-10lbs
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
STANDARD: weighing between 70 to 95lbs (32 to 43kg). Plus or minus 5-10lbs
(2.2 to 4.5kg) is acceptable.
HEAD
The face of the dog should indicate intelligence, with discerning alertness.
The head should be broad, flat across the top giving a squared appearance,
with an abrupt "stop". It should also be medium length, well muscled throughout, and pronounced muscular cheeks.
CLASSIC: a square shape or have a round "melon" look, with a deep, abrupt stop.
STANDARD: generally a box or wedge shape.
MUZZLE
The muzzle should be broad.
The lips should be full and black pigment lining the lips is preferred.
The chin is well defined and must not overlap the upper lip nor cover it.
Faults: pendulous lips, long and narrow muzzle, full black mask.
CLASSIC: 2 to 3 inches long and should be 25% - 35% of overall head length.
STANDARD: 2 to 4 inches long and should be 35% - 40% of overall head length.
NOSE
Black is the preferred colour. However a red, brown, or grey nose will occur.
Faults: pink or dudley nose.
BITE
Teeth should be medium to large and not visible when mouth is closed. Working dogs should not be penalised for broken teeth.
Faults: overshot, wry mouth, visible teeth when mouth closed.
CLASSIC: 3/8 - 3/4 inch "undershot", depending on the size of the dog and shape of the skull. Plus or minus 1/8 inch is acceptable.
Faults: Even and scissor bite.
STANDARD: a tight undershot (reverse scissor) is preferred. Undershot up to 1/4 inch, depending on the size of the dog and the shape of the skull.
Plus or minus 1/8 inch is acceptable.
Faults: Small teeth or uneven incisors.
EYES
Almond shape to round and medium in size.
Brown eye colour, however blue, grey and green eyes will occur.
Black pigment is preferred.
Faults: Cross eyed or not symmetrical, both eyes not the same colour,
ectropian, entropian, distchiasis, and cherry eye.
EARS
Medium in size, set high, and carried close to head.
Ears may be forward flap or rose, with no preference.
Faults: Cropped or hound-type ears.
NECK
Very muscular, slightly arched, of moderate length,
taper from shoulders to head, and almost equal to the head in size.
Faults: Too short, 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.
The loin is wide, very muscular, and slightly arched.
Faults: Back excessively long, too narrow, or swayed.
FOREQUARTERS
The combined front assembly from its uppermost component,
the shoulder blades, down to the feet, should be muscular and slightly sloping.
The forelegs are to be straight and not set too close together or too far apart.
Faults: Loaded shoulders, elbows turned outward, front legs bowed,
wrists knuckled over, toeing in or out.
HINDQUARTERS
Broad with muscles tapering well down the leg to manifest speed
and strength, nut not quite as large as the shoulders.
The rear legs should be angled and parallel.
Faults: Narrow or weak hindquarters, bowed legs, cow hocks,
open hocks, and weak pasterns.
TAIL
The tail is set low and thick at the base.
Strong at the root and tapering to the hocks (in rest position).
The tail is carried over the back when excited or walking.
Faults: Corkscrew, crooked (kinked), curled over the back.
FEET
Toes are tight and well arched.
Faults: Splayed foot.
COAT
Short and smooth.
Faults: Long or fuzzy coats.
COLOUR
All white, pied or up to 85% colour (brindle, red, or buckskin patches).
If there is colour on the head it should appear to be colour on a white head.
Faults: Black mask, solid black, black and tan, or any degree of merle.
BONE STRUCTURE
Medium to heavy, to be able to carry a large dog.
GAIT
The gait should be "balanced and smooth", showing great speed, agility,
and power. All legs move parallel to the direction of travel,
with front legs clearly reaching, and the rear legs propelling the dog forward.
The legs should not travel excessively wide.
Faults: Front or rear legs crossing over, legs over reaching, front or rear legs moving too close or touching, side winding, pacing, or paddling.
CLASSIC: A rolling gait is acceptable.
STANDARD: A tighter, more athletic gait.
NOTE: The classic type will have a slight degree of less reach, flexibility, and spring than standard type.
This Breed Standard was extracted from;
1. ARF American Bulldog Breed Standard (Classic and Standard) 1996
2. NKC American Bulldog Breed Standard, revised in 2005
3. ABRA American Bulldog Breed Standard, last updated 2008
4. ABA American Bulldog Breed Standard, last updated 2003
