BREED HISTORY
The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog's origin is somewhat undocumented and unverifiable
before 1979. Authorities differ so completely about the origin of the Alapaha
that the name itself is in dispute. However, the Alapaha is one of the few
breeds that are emblematic of this storied Nation and there is little doubt
that a breed resembling the Alapaha has existed for over two hundred years
in the Southern enclaves.
The Alapaha is believed to have its origin in a recently extinct breeds known
as the Mountain Bulldog, Old Southern White and Old Country (Big) Bulldog.
These dogs were first brought to America in the early 18th century. It, unlike
its English counterpart, was continuously bred for utility and stamina, whether
it be guard work, farm work, or as a family companion. Despite their proven
worth in many areas and ability to reproduce type with reliability these strains
of bulldogs survived mainly in small pockets of the south, never being accepted
into the show dog circles.
These Bulldogs
were extensively used in the development of many breeds like the American
Pit Bull Terrier, Black Mouth Cur and Catahoula Leopard Dog. It would be ignorant
of Alapaha breeders to think only the Catahoula and Pit Bull people used the
cross breeds they developed in their breeding programs. Remember, being mostly
a European dog the original bulldog was acclimated to a much cooler climate
than the rural southern United States. Because of this inherent lack of tolerance
to heat most stockmen and hunters found that the cur-type/bulldog crosses
made for a better all around dog. These cur-type dogs are mostly believed
to be results of crosses themselves between Spanish Mastiff-type War Dogs,
Danish Hounds (the Great Dane) and the generic-type Indian curs (the Catahoula
red-wolf) that roamed the American south. The southern United States was sparsely
populated with these cur-type/bulldog crosses that were used by local farmers,
ranchers and hunters. Wild cattle, feral hogs, bear and coons were among their
quarry. In short, a varied ancestry befits this multi-faceted working dog.
This established strain of dog has resulted from the generations old breeding
programs of several people namely Papa Buck Lane and William Chester of Georgia
and Cecil Evans and Kenny Houston of Florida. The breed has been known by
a series of names such as Otto, Cow Dog, Silver Dollar, and Catahoula Bulldog.
This type of dog was in danger of extinction until a small group of Southerners
in 1979 in an attempt to rescue the Old Tymey Plantation Bulldog of the South
founded the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog Association (r) giving it the aforementioned
name and dedicating them to preserving this exceptional type of dog. They
set about to perpetuate the breed and to establish a standard in which to
breed from.
Even though the Alapaha's job is harsh and their lives are sometimes shortened
by performing their duties, they remain extremely loving and loyal family
pets. They really love children and are sensitive to their owner's demands.
They are affectionate and loyal, and they thrive best when treated as members
of the family. The Alapaha is a very confident dog and has no fear of people.
They are very easy to train. If socialized and raised properly they will be
very protective of their home and master.
BREED STANDARD
Size:
The Alapaha was bred mainly for catching live-stock. A medium sized dog has
been proven to be most effective for this task. Height and weight should be
in proportion.
General: Males - 20 to 24 inches at the withers and weigh from 70 to
90 lbs. Females - 18 to 22 inches at the withers, 55 to 75 lbs.
Head: The overall head is box-shaped medium in length and broad across
the skull with pronounced muscular cheeks. The top of the skull is flat, but
covered with powerful muscles; there should be a distinct furrow between the
eyes. There should be an abrupt, deep stop.
Eyes: Medium in size and of 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
under jaw. Lips should be full but not pendulous, 36 to 42 teeth. [A 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, less than
36 teeth, more than 1/4 inch undershot, small teeth or uneven incisors.]
Nose color: black or liver. On black nosed dogs the lips should be black with
some pink allowed. 50% or more light pigment is considered a cosmetic fault.
Ears: V-shaped, or folded back, set on wide and high, level with the
occiput, giving a square appearance to the skull, which is most important.
They should be small and the point of the ear should be level with the eye
when alert. Rose ears to be penalized. Cropped ears are not permissible in
the show ring.
Neck: Muscular, medium in length, slightly arched, tapering from shoulders
to head, with a slight dewlap allowed. The neck is where the power of the
dog is put to use against its opponent (i.e. livestock, vermin or manly intruders).
It must be long enough to apply leverage, short enough to exert power and
strong enough to do the job.
Shoulders: Very muscular with wide sloping blades; set so elbows are
not bowed out.
Body: Square, robust and powerful. The Alapaha is a broad, wide dog,
but this width should not be exaggerated. The chest should be deep with a
good spring of ribs. The back should be of medium length, strong, broad and
powerful. Loins should be slightly tucked which corresponds to a slight roach
in the back which slopes to the stern. Faults: Swayed 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
close together nor far apart. Faults: Excessively bowed in or out at the elbows.
Rear legs should have visible angulations of the stifle.
Feet: Of moderate size, toes of medium length, well arched and close
together, not splayed. Pasterns should be strong, straight and upright.
Tail: The tail should be long enough to reach the hocks tapering to
a point. It should be moderately thick and as an extension of the spine, it
should be powerful. The tail will often be carried above the back when the
dog is moving or excited. The tail should not curl over the back. Docked tails
are not permissible in the show ring.
Coat: Short, close, glossy and stiff to the touch.
Color: The preferred color pattern is at least 50 percent white with
patches of color. A predominately colored dog with areas of white is next
in order of preference. The colored patches may be any shade of merle or brindle,
solid blue, black, chocolate, red or fawn. An all white dog is acceptable,
but care must be taken to ascertain that there is proper pigmentation of the
skin as to insure that there are no genetic defects (i.e. deafness, blindness
or problematic skin).
