Breed Standard
The two (2) parts standard describes two types of Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldogs. These types are the;
1. Bully type,
2. Classic or "Standard" type
They are named primarily after their phenotypes. The primary influence on how they look usually run along the lines of which major Alapaha group they came from in the course of their development. Although way back in their history, these two divisions came from the same foundation dogs in Lana Lou Lane's yard, through selective breeding over the years, the Alapaha Blue-Blood developed into two major types.
PURPOSE
Protection, companionship, hunting, working livestock, catching cattle and hogs etc
TEMPERAMENT
The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog is strong in character, confident, with a strong nerve base and high pain tolerance. They are known to be very intelligent, highly trainable and fiercely loyal. They have a moderate to high prey drive and are dutiful, They should excel as livestock guardian dogs (LGD's), home protection dogs and catchdogs (CDs) or in any sport from agility to protection training and beyond. The versatility and adaptable nature of these dogs is boundless in any type of weather. These temperament traits make them excellent companions for children and active families. The Alapaha should be alert with a self-assured confident attitude, courageous and outgoing, with some aloofness towards strangers, and some assertiveness towards dogs
Faults: excessively shy or skittish.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog is powerful built, giving the impression of great strength and amazing endurance. It is a well balanced, medium to large sized dog that gives the appearance of power and alertness while being athletic.
SIZE:
A variation of 1 inch in height and 5 lbs in weight are acceptable.
BULLY: Males should be between 20 to 23 inches at the withers and weighing between 70 to 90 lbs. Females should be between 18 to 22 inches at the withers and weighing between 55 to 75 lbs.
CLASSIC: Males should be 23 to 26 inches at the withers and weigh 80 to 105 lbs. Females should be 21 to 24 inches at the withers and weight 65 to 85 lbs.
HEAD
The face of the dog should indicate intelligence, with discerning alertness. The head should be large or broad, flat across the skull, giving a squared appearance. It should also be medium length, well muscled throughout, and pronounced muscular cheeks.
BULLY: The face should indicate intelligence and alertness skull should be square or have a round melon type look but well-muscled.
STANDARD: Generally box shaped to wedge in appearance with a slightly shallower stop and less wrinkles than the bully ABB.
MUZZLE
The muzzle should be broad, square with heavily muscled jaws. 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. The length should not exceed 40% of the length of the head.
Faults: pendulous lips, long and narrow muzzle, full black mask
BULLY: Should be broad, not long and narrow .The length should be 1 1/2 to 3 inches at least be 25% of the over all length of the head.
CLASSIC: Muzzle should be 30% to 40% of the over all length of the head, and should be 2 to 3 3/4 inches in length, plus or minus 1/4 inch.
NOSE
Any pigment (i.e. black, grey, brown) will occur depending on the color of the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog.Black pigment on the nose, is however, preferred. A minor lack of pigment on the nose is acceptable.
Faults: pink or dudley nose.
BITE
Bite should have a 3/8 to 3/4 under bite, depending on size of skull. Teeth should not be visible when mouth are closed and should be medium to large in size. As working dogs, broken teeth in the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog is acceptable and should not be penalized. A scissor bite is also acceptable.
BULLY: 3/8 to 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: Overshot, wry mouth, visible teeth when mouth closed. Small teeth.
CLASSIC: a tight undershot (reverse scissor) 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: Overshot, wry mouth, visible teeth when mouth closed. Small teeth.
EYES
The eyes should be round or almond shaped and medium in size to wide set. All colors, including marbling are acceptable. Asymmetrical coloring of the eyes will also occur and should not be penalized although brown is the ideal color. Black eye rim pigment on both eyes is preferred.
Faults: Crossed eyes, ectropian , entropian, distichiasis, and cherry eye. No pigmentation on either or both eyes are also considered a fault.
EARS
Ears should be full drop to rose, with no preference, and preferrably medium in size, set high, and carried close to head. Cropping is acceptable but natural is highly preferred.
Faults: Hound-type ears.
NECK
The neck should be muscular .The neck should taper from shoulder to head, slightly arched, of moderate length, and almost equal to the head in size.
Faults: too short, overly thick, thin, or weak neck.
CHEST
The chest should be deep and moderately wide giving the appearance of power and athletic ability The front should be straight and well balanced. The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide.
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.
BULLY: The body should be compact and moderately short with straight top line while giving and athletic appearance.
CLASSIC: Should be fairly wide, very muscular and lean.
Faults: Sway back, excessively long or too narrow, disproportionate to the overall body length.
HINDQUARTERS
Muscular, thick, strong, but not as wide as the front nor as large as the shoulders but well balanced and moderately angulated and parallel in proportion to the forequarters.
Faults: narrow or weak hindquarters, bowed legs, cow hocks, open hocks, and weak pasterns.
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. Toes should be knuckled up with thick pads.
Faults: loaded shoulders, elbows turned outward, front legs bowed, wrists knuckled over, toeing in or out.
SHOULDERS:
Should be very muscular with good definition and wide blades, shoulders should be set so elbows are not angled out giving the appearance of great strength.
TAIL
The tail should be strong and thick at the root, tapering to a point at the hocks. Dogs whose tail don’t meet the hocks by 1 inch to an inch 1 ½ are still acceptable in the show ring. The tail is carried over the back when excited or walking.
Faults: corkscrew, crooked (kinked), curled over the back.
FEET
Of moderate size, well arched and close together. Pasterns should be strong, straight and upright.
Faults: Splayfoot (crooked toes).
COAT
Short, close, stiff to the touch. Should not be wavy with a soft undercoat.
Faults: long or fuzzy coats.
COLOUR
Any color and white. "Solid colors" and "solid whites" are not preferred in the "Show" ring.
High points: 40 to 60 percent "color", and white.
Medium points: Over 60 percent "color", and white.
Low points: Under 40 percent "color", and white.
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.
BULLY: a rolling gait is acceptable.
CLASSIC: a tighter, more athletic gait.
NOTE: the Bully type will have a slight degree of less reach, flexibility, and spring than Classic type.
SHOW RING FAULTS
Male dogs that do not have 2 visible testicles, any spayed or neutered dogs, blindness or deafness, skittish or shy dogs, Cow hocked, dogs with kinked, screwed, or knotted tails and eyelids that are turned out. Splay-footed, crossed eyes, long and/or feathered coats.
Points Breakdown
overall conformation - 10 points
temperament - 10 points
Head and shape - 10 points
muzzle - 5 points
teeth - 5 points
neck - 5 points
shoulders - 5 points
chest - 10 points
back - 10 points
hindquarters - 10 points
legs - 10 points
feet - 5 points
tail and coat - 5 points
Total points: 100