BREED
STANDARD FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BULLDOG
GENERAL
COMMENT:
The
Australian Bulldog is a healthy animal. Distinctly ‘bulldog’ in
type yet free of anatomical exaggeration. An Australian Bulldog should
breathe freely, whelp and breed naturally and be uninhibited in its
movement.
Smooth
coated, thickset, medium sized with powerful build showing strength
and agility, an Australian Bulldog is sound and active.
Bitches generally not so grand or well developed as dogs.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Conveys
impression of strength, activity and stamina and exhibits a
trustworthy and enduring disposition.
TEMPERAMENT:
Loyal,
fierce in appearance, but extremely outgoing and affectionate in
nature. Very stable and
predictable. Enjoys
activity, however a lot of exercise is not necessary for health and
mental stability. The
breed craves human attention. Some
may not tolerate aggressive overtures by other dogs.
HEAD
& SKULL:
The
head should be large, but not exaggerated out of proportion to the
body. Broad muzzled and
short faced, but the nose should be long enough for unhindered
breathing. Muzzle is
broad and turning up. Muzzle length from tip of nose to stop to be no
less than 25mm and no more than 50mm. Loose folds of skin across the
nose, but in no way excessively wrinkled.
Eyes are set low and wide, never bulging or sunken –
preferably without visible haw. Eyes
of any colour acceptable.
Head
circumference should be equal to body height or up to 15% larger for
males and equal or up to 10% larger for females.
EARS:
Small
to moderate size. Set
wide apart. Rose or
button preferred – never erect or cropped.
MOUTH:
Broad
jaw. Canines set wide
apart. Well occluded incisors. Undershot (but not to excess) to level
jaw. Flews are relatively
broad and hanging over lower jaw at each side. Teeth should not be
obviously protruding. Flews
should not be excessive in size and mouth should not be excessively
loose.
NECK:
Moderate
in length; thick, deep and strong with loose skin forming dewlap on
either side.
FOREQUARTERS:
Chest
wide and deep. Shoulders
broad, but not excessively so, rounded ribs.
Forelegs powerful and straight, not bandy or curved, well
boned, set wide apart presenting a straight front.
BODY:
Back
short and straight giving compact carriage, but not so short as to
interfere with activity and agility.
Bitches may have greater body length than males in order to
assist natural whelping. Body
shape in general is brick shaped with shoulders only slightly wider
than hips.
Body
length for males should be equal to height or up to 15% longer.
Body
length for females should be between 10% and 25% longer than height.
(Body
length measuring distance from shoulders to base of tail)
HINDQUARTERS:
Strong
and muscular. Hocks
slightly bent.
Hip
width should be no more than 15% narrower than the shoulders.
FEET:
Round
and compact. Excessively
splayed feet undesirable.
TAIL:
Thickset
at root. Straight (long
or short), crank, pump-handle tails all acceptable.
Screw tails acceptable, but tight screws undesirable.
GAIT/MOVEMENT:
Balanced,
vigorous and uninhibited. Should not have a rolling gait.
COAT:
Smooth,
short, tight to body.
COLOUR:
Any
colour acceptable.
SIZE:
Height:
Dogs: 17-21 inch(43-52.5cm),
Bitches: 17-20 inch(43-50cm)
Weight:
Dogs:
28-38 kg
Bitches: 24-30 kg
THE AUSTRALIAN
BULLDOG SOCIETY INCORPORATED