Standard for the American Bulldog

General Appearance: The American Bulldog is a well-balanced, strong, muscular, and

athletic dog. It demonstrates great strength, endurance, and agility along with an alert,
outgoing, and friendly attitude. Males are characteristically larger and heavier boned than
the females. A medium, sturdy, and powerful frame enables this breed to chase, catch, and
bring down free-ranging livestock and feral hogs, as well as performing as a protector for
family and property. The American Bulldog should be judged as a working dog with faults
being penalized in proportion to how much they interfere with a dog’s ability to perform
its work. Some aloofness with strangers and assertiveness towards other dogs is accepted,
but not to the extent that the dog is excessively timid or aggressive which shall be deemed
a fault.
Size, Proportion, and Substance: Being lean and athletic, the preferable height range is
22 - 25 inches at the withers for the male, and 20 - 23 inches at the withers for the female.
Males under 22 inches and over 25 inches shall be disqualified. Females under 20 inches
and over 23 inches shall be disqualified. The length of the body measured from the withers
to croup may not exceed the height at the withers by more than five percent. The weight
shall be proportional to the size.
Head: Expression is intelligent, alert, and powerful. Eyes range from light brown to dark
brown, medium in size, almond to round shape and are set wide on the head. Black pigment
around the eyes is preferred, but lack of pigmentation is not considered a fault. Faults:
Visible haw and any eye color other than brown. Disqualifications: Eye colors that do not
match. Ears (natural) are medium in size and should sit high on the head. They may be
dropped, semi-prick or rose. Dropped ears are level with the upper line of the skull,
emphasizing the skulls width. At the base, the ear is slightly raised in front and should
hang along the muscular cheek with the tip slightly rounded. Semi-pricked ears are carried
erect with the rounded tips leaning forward. Rose ears are small and set high on the skull.
When the adult dog ear is pulled down toward the eye, it should not extend past the outside
corner of the eye. Skull is large, broad, flat on the top and medium in length with a of three
to five ratio to the muzzle, giving the impression of power. A box or wedge shape is
preferred with pronounced muscular cheeks. Stops can range from slightly defined to
distinct with the forehead being slightly wider than it is high. Muzzles are broad and are
typically 30% to 40% of the overall length of the head. The muzzle is wider at the stop and
tapers to the nose. Nose pigmentation is black with wide-open nostrils. Faults: Any other
color than black or a lack of pigmentation. Lips are full but should not be too pendulous.
Black pigmentation is preferred but some pink is allowed. The jaws are well muscled to
show strength and the chin is well defined, not overlapping or covering the upper lip. Bites
are preferred to a reverse scissor but a scissor bite to undershot up to quarter inch is allowed.
Disqualification: The upper jaw protrudes significantly above the lower jaw (Parrot
mouth) or closed mouth with visible teeth. Teeth are medium to large and should not be
visible when mouth is closed. Worn, missing or broken teeth should not be a fault as the
American Bulldog is a working breed.
Neck, Topline, and Body
Neck is muscular, medium in length, slightly arched, and should taper from shoulders to
head. A slight dewlap is allowed. The neck must be long enough to exert leverage, but
short enough to exert the power to catch animals from large bulls to feral boar hogs.
Topline is level from withers to the loin. Loins are short, broad and slightly arched to blend
into a slightly sloping croup. Chest is deep and broad, giving the appearance of power and
athletic ability without being excessively wide to throw the shoulders out. Ribs are well
sprung from the spine forming a deep body as they flatten and extend to the elbows. Back
is broad, muscular, and moderately short showing great strength. Tail is set low and is
thick at the root, tapering to a point at the hock in a relaxed position. A “Pump Handle”
tail is preferred, but any tail carried upright when the dog is excited and between the hocks
when relaxed is acceptable. Disqualification: Docked, completely curled over the back,
corkscrew, or kinked.
Forequarters: Shoulders are well-muscled with good definition and laid back with
significant angulation to allow for good movement. Legs are strong, straight, medium to
heavy-boned, and well-muscled. When the legs are viewed from the front, they are
perpendicular to the ground. Elbows are set on a plane parallel to the body and are neither
too close to the body, nor turned out. Pasterns are straight and upright. Dewclaws (front)
should not be removed because the dew claws aid in gripping when preforming catch work
on very large animals. Feet are round and medium in size. Toes are well arched and tight.
Fault: Splayed feet.
Hindquarters: Broad, well-muscled tapering on the leg to exhibit speed and strength.
The width and Angulation of the hindquarters should be balanced with the width and
angulation of the forequarters. Fault: Excess or lack of angulation. Upper Thigh is well
developed with thick muscles. Lower Thigh is muscular and short. Hocks, when viewed
from the side, are straight and parallel to one another. Dewclaws (rear) do not exist on the
American Bulldog.
Coat: Short, close, and ranges from soft to stiff to the touch. Faults: long, fuzzy, feathering
or wavy coats.
Color: The American Bulldog is traditionally white, but any color, color pattern, or
combination of colors on the white coat is acceptable. Color combinations can include
brown, black, brindle, red, or tan. Disqualification: Dogs that are solid black, any degree
of merle, tri-color, blue, and a full black mask.
Gait: The American Bulldog gait is balanced, smooth and powerful, showing speed and
agility. The gait should have a good reach in front and drive from behind. As speed
increases, the feet move toward the center line of the body to maintain balance. The dog
should not travel excessively wide, legs should not move on the same plane, and feet should
not cross or interfere with each other. Top line should remain level and parallel to the line
of motion with the head and tail held up in confidence. Faults: Movement faults are to be
penalized according to the degree to which they interfere with the dog’s ability to perform
working tasks.
Temperament: The American Bulldog is loyal, reliable, brave, determined, and self-
confident. It has strong protective instincts.