Heavy Duty Dogs

Madeline today

2010-04-11T18:09:46-10:00

She really loves that chair.

Flea allergies…..again!

2010-07-11T23:28:11-10:00

So I think the neighbors dog has fleas….

Over the past week I’ve killed about 2 on Gunner and 2 on Lennox. Over the past month, maybe a total of 10 or so. Gunner has an allergic reaction to bites and it manifests in hives and coat discoloration. I decided to take him to the vet tomorrow and get some meds for it. In the meantime…..Anyone heard of using Gold Bonds Powder for discoloration relief?

Read on the AB forums that this works pretty well.

OK…here are my dogs!!

2010-01-25T17:03:49-10:00

Here is Dailey’s Ring of Fire - he is almost 17 months old…this pic is from September of last year…he is a NKC Champion.

This is Dailey’s Pick Pocket…she just turned 1 year old…she is an ABRA Jr Champion

And last but not least…here is Dailey’s Red Headed Ruffian..she is about 15 months old..she is a dual NKC/ABRA Champion and she is 2009 Dog of the Year in the NKC!!!

Thanks for Looking!

One of my new faves…..

2010-02-15T22:36:42-10:00

Wow, would love to see what she would produce with Gunner…..

Bybees Barbie

Combat Barbie is owned by our daughter Justice Bybee who has been involved with bulldogs since the day she was born.
Barbie was born Feb 2005 and is turning out really exceptional..we are expecting her to do as well as both of her parents (BA CH G.W’s Mr Bruno of Bybee ph .3/.3 and ABA Grand CH Bybees Little Rip ofa , CD1) in the show ring…she has absolutely incredible structure and movement and is one of the nicest example’s of a standard/hybrid type AB that we have ever seen.

Her training is coming along great ...she learns very fast and our daughter has trained her to speak, crawl, sit, stay, play dead, roll over and jump through hoops and over just about anything….she is almost to smart and now jumps in and out of windows, opens doors and speaks every time she wants something!

Barbie has already won multiple BIS’s and 1st place ribbons and we are pretty confident will follow in her parents footsteps and be a champion very soon .....We have pretty high hopes for both Barbie and Justice and can’t wait to see how far they can go together in the bulldog world.
Barbie has already won multiple BIS’s and 1st place ribbons and we are pretty confident will follow in her parents footsteps and be a champion very soon.

ABA American Bulldog Standard

2010-02-15T22:07:33-10:00

Background:
The American Bulldog originated as a catchdog (mostly cattle) and property protection dog, in America’s Southeast. He was not bred to put on threat displays or to look a certain way. But, he did need the right equipment to take care of his real bulldog duties which were confrontational personal and property protection and as a catch dog. He needed to be strong enough to put unruly bulls on the ground and athletic enough to catch hogs that were allowed to free range in a semi-wild state.

General Appearance:
The American Bulldog should generate the impression of great strength, agility, endurance and exhibit a well-knit, sturdy, compact frame with the absence of excessive bulk. Males are characteristically larger, heavier boned and more masculine than the bitches. The AB is a white or white and patched (brindle or red) dog. When patched he can range from the traditional pied markings of a patch over one or both eyes or ears, or a patch on the base of the tail, to a large saddle patch and various other patches.
For judging purposes, distinctions between an ideal “Classic-type” and an ideal “Standard-type” are defined in brackets and in bold.

Size:
Males - 23 to 27 inches at the withers and weigh from 75 to 120 lbs. Females - 21 to 25 inches at the withers, 60 to 90 lbs. The weight should be proportional to size.
[Classic-type: an ideal male should be 22 to 26 inches at the withers and weigh from 80 to 120 lbs. Females 20 to 24 inches, 60 to 90 lbs.]
[Standard-type: an ideal male should be 23 to 27 inches at the withers and/ weigh from 75 to 110 lbs., females, 21 to 25 inches, 60 to 85 lbs. The weight should be proportional to size.]

Head:
Medium in length and broad across skull with pronounced muscular cheeks.

Eyes:
Medium in size. Any color. The haw should not be visible. Black eye rims preferred on white dogs. Pink eye rims to be considered a cosmetic fault.

Muzzle:
Medium length (2 to 4 in.), square and broad with a strong underjaw. Lips should be full but not pendulous - 42 to 44 teeth.
Classic-type: definite undershot, 1/8 to 1/4 inch preferred. Scissors or even bite is a disqualification. Structural faults are a muzzle under 2 inches or over 4 inches.]
[Standard-type: tight undershot (reverse scissors) preferred. Scissors and even bites are considered a cosmetic fault. Structural faults are a muzzle under 2 inches or longer than 4 inches, pendulous lips, less than 42 teeth, more than 1/4 inch undershot, small teeth or uneven incisors.]

Nose color:
Black or grizzle. On black nosed dogs the lips should be black with some pink allowed. A pink nose is considered a cosmetic fault.

Ears:
Cropped or uncropped - uncropped preferred.

Neck:
Muscular, medium in length, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders to head, with a slight dewlap allowed.

Shoulders:
Very muscular with wide sloping blades, shoulders set so elbows are not angled out.

Chest, Back and Loin:
The chest should be deep and moderately wide without being excessively wide as to throw the shoulders out. The back should be of medium length, strong and broad. Loins should be slightly tucked which corresponds to a slight roach in the back which slopes to the stern. Faults: sway back, narrow or shallow chest, lack of tuck up.

Hindquarters:
Very broad and well muscled and in proportion to the shoulders. Narrow hips are a very serious fault.

Legs:
Strong and straight with heavy bone. Front legs should not set too close together or too far apart. Faults: in at the elbows or excessively bowlegged. Rear legs should have a visible angulation of the stifle joint.

Movement:
The gait is balanced and smooth, powerful and unhindered suggesting agility with easy, ground covering strides, showing strong driving action in the hind quarters with corresponding reach in front. As speed increases the feet move toward the center line of the body to maintain balance. Ideally the dog should single-track. The top line remains firm and level, parallel to the line of motion. Head and tail carriage should reflect that of a proud, confident and alert animal.

Movement faults:
Any suggestion of clumsiness, tossing and/or rolling of the body, crossing or interference of front or rear legs, short or stilted steps, twisting joints, pacing, paddling, or weaving. Similar movement faults are to be penalized according to the degree to which they interfere with the ability of the dog to work.

Feet:
Of moderate size, toes of medium length, well arched and close together, not splayed. Pasterns should be strong, straight and upright.

Tail:
Set low, thick at the root, tapering to a point. Tail should not curl over back. Docked or undocked.

Coat:
Short, close, stiff to the touch, not long and fuzzy.

Color:
All white, pied, or up to 85% color [brindle, red, or buckskin patches, if there is color on the head it should appear to be color on a white head.

Disposition:
Alert, outgoing and friendly with a self-assured attitude. Some aloofness with strangers and assertiveness toward other dogs is not considered a fault.

Disqualifications:
Both types:
Dogs that are deaf or males without two testicles clearly descended.
All one color with little or no white.
Black as the main color.
Buckskin to red dogs with black mask.
[Classic-type: an even or scissors bite.]

Fault Degrees:
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.
We have not included a line drawing of a Classic-type or Standard-type American Bulldog because the drawing could not take into account the variations acceptable within the realm of the working American Bulldog. The emphasis placed on specific types in other breed standards has led to the general disintegration of the breed concerned by eliminating individuals who might have contributed significantly to respective gene pool.
Attributes other than cosmetic listed in the standard all relate to working qualities which include but are not limited to agility, endurance, leverage, biting power and heat tolerance.

Point Breakdown for Judging
Overall: proportion 10 points
temperament 10 points
total of 20 points
Head: size and shape 10 point
muzzle 5 points
teeth 5 points
total of 20 points
Body: 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 of 60 points
Grand Total of 100 points

Note:
The distinctions made between the Classic-type and the Standard-type depict an ideal representative of their respective types for show purposes only.

A Summary of the Standard-type and Johnson-type distinctions:
In actuality, many American Bulldogs are hybrids between the Classic and Standard type. The distinctions between the two types were made to allow separate shows for Classic-types and Standard-types. Generally the Classic-type distinction allows for a slightly larger dog and requires a slightly (1/8 to 1/4 inch undershot lower jaw, but this distinction mandates separate shows for the two types.

White English Bulldog Standard

2010-02-15T21:24:35-10:00

Temperament
Stable and calm with an innate on and off switch. Fiercely loyal and protective of it’s master and their master’s family, property, and livestock. Wonderful with children, gentle, patient, and calm; a superb guardian, protector, and playmate. The CWE was and is kept on farms with free run of the property. The CWE can co-exist with all livestock kept on farms. This includes all types of fowl; chickens, geese, ducks, peacocks, etc. What sets the CWE apart is the header working characteristics. As well, an inherent, very specific working and guarding ability involving a unique thought process and fighting style. These dogs are and were the most serious bulldogs anywhere around. They do not threaten a potential threat, they act upon the threat, and unless called off of the attack by it’s master or even a family member of his master, including a child, the Carr dogs proceed upon the threat with a resoluteness and intensity that is frightening to behold. The agility, speed, and utter stealthy ness of the attack is comparable to the attack of a feline more than of any canine. Unless called off or told to release once the threat is caught, the threat is quickly killed, typically with little to no injury to the Carr dog. The Carr dogs are kill dogs when it comes to guarding and protection. Yet even moments after an affront by a threat, a child can wallow, ride, and pull all over the dog. The Carr dogs immediately turn off when the threat is eliminated; they do not stay excited or pumped up, ready for more action, looking for another fight. They simply return to their post and lay back down, being once again a child’s play toy. This is what sets them apart.

Body
A large bodied dog standing on muscular legs of medium bone. The neck should be solid and thick, medium to long. It is thick and extremely powerful. The shoulders are broad and powerful, should be well muscled and defined. The chest is broad and deep. The back is longer than or square to the height. Rear legs should be equal in width to the forelegs and well muscled, of good angulation and longer than the forelegs. The stifle is long and powerfully built. The hocks are medium in length. The elbows are in line with the shoulders, legs, and feet. Forelegs are straight, medium to short in length. The tail, when not docked, is thick at the base. Feet are medium to small with long, arched toes. The overall appearance of the dog should exude strength and confidence. Females average 60 - 80 lbs., 20-24” and males average 65-90 lbs., 22-24”.

The movement is fluid, efficient, and purposeful.

Head
The muzzle should be symmetrical, proportionate to the head, 3” - 4” muzzle, broad and angular with a shallow stop. Head is carried low unless the dog is excited. Head (skull) is broad, flat and rectangular in shape with the ears set towards the back of the skull. The Carr WE does not have a brachycephalic, (short round cranium), head type, rather and most often, a dolichocephalic, (long rectangular cranium), head type and rarely, a mesocephalic, (square cranium), head type. Ears are flop or rosette, (rosette more common and preferred), and medium to small in size. The jaw muscles are very pronounced and well defined, though not excessive or bulging. The lips are not floppy, over- exaggerated, or cumbersome. Scissor or reverse scissor bite with no more than 1/4 under-bite. Teeth are large. The nostrils are large, round and open for easy breathing. The eyes are small, round or almond, and set at the front corners of the skull. Eye color is any shade of brown or amber, (bird of prey eye), preferred.

Unacceptable eye colors include blue, yellow, green, glass or marble.

Color & markings
Color is solid white or majority white with small patches of color. Red, fallow, brown, and brindle, in that order of preference. Muzzle MUST be white trimmed in black skin pigment.

Unacceptable markings include black masks, body suits, tuxedos, or any markings covering more than 15% of the body. Unacceptable colors include blue, blue merle, red merle, flat black, or tri-color. Black muzzles are indicators of cross-breeding and are completely unacceptable.

Coat & skin
Short, thick and smooth. Slight feathering along the backs of the rear legs. Skin is thick and very pliable.

Pigmentation
Pigment is ALWAYS black. Complete pigment much preferred, though pied, (pink and black spotted) is allowed. Heavy “peppering” or speckling of the entire skin, especially on the genitalia, male and female. Black speckling or peppering on the skin is a must.

Use
Serious family and livestock protection. Controller and retriever of the roughest livestock, even in wetlands. Suffices as an all around hunter from treeing squirrels to bears.

“The CWE is often very misunderstood. Any threat to their pack, including the livestock and family, will be met with a pack of fierce fighters. Care must be taken with other dominant or aggressive dogs, including those in the pack. If pack order is not followed by a member of the pack, the pack will eventually cull it. This must be avoided. While they have long been a common gift to the elderly or a family for home protection, due to their ease of training and loving nature, the CWE is not a pet. A number of owners may think they are just a pet, due to their high stimulus threshold, but when the family is threatened, they quickly learn how fierce the CWE is. It is totally against their nature to ever challenge any member of the family. They are not stubborn or bull-headed like many other modern type bull breeds, as cattlemen and farmers would never put up with such a temperament. Unlike many bull breeds around the world, they do not require a dominate master. They are cordial with guests, but can also sense a person’s intentions. If your WE doesn’t like a stranger, then you should listen to it.” Ray Lane

DOH! Roundworms!

2010-02-05T15:03:31-10:00

Well a couple of nights ago Lennox threw up some bile and we thought it may be due to being on an empty stomach, but unfortunately (or not) today I noticed (2) 2-3” worms in his stool that look very much like roundworms. Looks like a vet visit is in order….Crap!

Black AB’s

2010-01-21T11:06:42-10:00

Well though not totally welcome to some in the breed, I happen to be a big fan of black AB’s. Here’s my new favorite!

CCB/Venn’s - Huggy

CCB/BH - Gracie

Michele Whelton on American Bulldogs

2010-02-06T02:16:16-10:00

I bought Michele Whelton’s books some time ago (I think the 100 Words one is excellent!) & I regularly refer to her reviews of various dog breeds for a straightforward, easy to read general breakdown of traits. I’m just wondering what other experienced American Bulldog owners think of her rundown on ABs.

This was actually one of the reviews I read when I was considering getting Madeline that convinced me to get her.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/americanbulldogs.html

So what do you guys think?