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Yankee American Bulldogs
The American Bulldog was first registered with the National Kennel Club and then the American Research Foundation in 1976. It was initially termed the American Pit Bulldog, but in 1977-78 the name was changed to differentiate it from its media bedraggled pit bull cousin. American Bulldog breeders and owners are inherently breed ambassadors. The mission: to overcome the negative public image of bull breeds and draconian breed specific legislation levied against “pit-bull type” dogs.
American Bulldogs lack the terrier blood associated with the American Pit Bull Terrier. White is a dominant instead of a recessive color in American Bulldogs which are sometimes referred to as “White Bulldogs.” The NKC standard allows males to be 23 to 27 inches at the withers and weigh anywhere from 75 to 125 pounds. Female American Bulldog allowances are 21 to 26 inches and 60 to 105 pounds. Structurally the American Bulldog is a bigger boned and larger all around dog than its pit bull relative. American Bulldogs generally sport a box shaped head that can be flat on top or very round as opposed to the terrier wedge head and medium brow. The signature pump handle tail is a little longer than that of a pit bull.
The American Bulldog evolved in the Southeastern United States. English settlers brought their “Old English Whites, White English” or “Old Time Bulldogs” with them to America. In England bulldogs were a common site in butcher shops where bull-baiting was thought to produce better beef. After bull-baiting was outlawed, the English Bulldog was created for dog shows, pit bulls for fighting and American southerners used the imported breed for farm work. Catching ornery cattle and wild and feral hogs was and is a way of life in the American south.
The acknowledged patriarchs of the American Bulldog are both southern gentlemen. John D. Johnson is known for the Johnson or bully “type” dog. Alan D. Scott’s name is attached to the Scott or standard “type” dog. The American Bulldog National Alliance standard allows for a bully dog to be undershot from 1/8 to ¼ inch. For a Scott dog the ABNA standard prefers a reverse scissor bite, but allows for a moderate under bite. The two types are sometimes combined and labeled a “hybrid” bulldog. The breed fathers will refute this misnomer and say a good bulldog is a good bulldog.
Successful American Bulldog breeders aren’t limited to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Scott. Joe Painter has had a tremendous impact on the breed as have current breeders like Florida’s Lemuel Miller and Painter line practitioner Fred Hatcher. “Hybrid” breeder Kyle Symmes is well known among bulldoggers. However, his dog “Sure-Grip’s Rattler” has a nationwide fan base as “Chance,” co-star in the Disney film “Homeward Bound.” Successful American Bulldog breeders can be found in Canada, Germany, Holland, Australia and other countries where the breed is beginning to make a foothold.
Shows and events for this versatile breed are held in the United States and around the globe by organizations such as the NKC, ABNA and the American Bulldog Association. The American Bulldog community believes it has the most versatile dog in the world. It is used as a house pet, in weight pulling events, agility competitions, protection tournaments, Schutzhund sport, French Ring sport and many other disciplines including good old fashioned hill bulldog work like catching hogs and cattle.
Adam Shadd Douglas
Yankee American Bulldogs
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