AN OFFICIAL NOTICE TO ALL ARF ALAPAHA BLUE BLOOD BULLDOG
CERTIFIED BREEDERS, BREEDERS & OWNERS

 May 2008

 

ARF ALAPAHA HISTORY
 &
ARF ALAPAHA BREEDERS’ DO’s & DON’T’s

 

 

I.         ARF ALAPAHA HISTORY:

 

In November of 1986, Ms. Lana Lou Lane asked Mr. Tom D. Stodghill, the Founder of the Animal Research Foundation, to register a rare breed of an old-timey plantation bulldog, that she referred to as an “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog”; so named after the Alapaha River Region that flowed near her home in Rebecca, Georgia.  Therefore, her having a rare breed of bulldog, that originally came from England, to America, in the 17th century, she desired to preserve this rare breed by choosing the Animal Research Foundation [ARF], a rare-breed registry, so that its bloodline would not become extinct. 

 

For more than twenty years, the ARF has promoted the “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog”, and, today, the ARF name has become synonymous with its preservationist, Ms. Lana Lou Lane .  Therefore, with the “Alapaha” being a rare breed of bulldog, her dogs commanded a higher purchase price than many dogs that are currently being sold, as they are not easily obtainable.

 

Just prior to Ms. Lane’s passing, in 2001, and shortly afterwards, there have been unscrupulous individuals who have used the “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog” name, solely for profit, and have copied intellectual property from both Ms. Lane and the ARF, to deceive the public, in causing them to believe that they are the originators of the “Alapaha”.  However, if anyone will take the time to educate themselves on the breed, they will uncover the true story about this marvelous breed, and will find an insurmountable amount of fraud that is taking place among individual breeders, and registries.

 

Therefore, due to the insurmountable amount of fraud that is going on, including the use of the late Ms. Lane’s last name, the ARF has determined to remain the  “exclusive” sole preservationist, in regards to the future “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog’s” recognition,  preservation, and registration.  Therefore, the ARF will not permit any further bastardization of the breed, via “Merit Registrations”, or “Double-Registrations”, etc., coming from another registry; therefore, the only dogs that will be ARF-recognized, as true “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs”, are as follows:

 

 

1.     “Alapahas” that are ARF-registered by the purchaser/owner, and/or the  breeder, by having submitted a valid “ARF Certified Pedigree”, that was issued from the ARF, based upon the breeder, and/or owner, of the “Stud Dog”, having signed and submitting an “ARF Application for Litter Pedigrees”.   

 

Note: To own an ARF-registered “Alapaha”, the owner, and/or the breeder, must have ARF-registered his pup within twelve (12) months of its date of birth.  Any pup that was not registered within twelve (12) months of its birth date, will not be allowed to be used for breeding purposes.  However, an “ARF Certificate of Registration” will be issued to the owner/purchaser, and/or breeder, upon proof that the dog was spayed or neutered.

 

 

2.     To expand the “Alapaha” gene-pool, ARF will allow certain “American Bulldogs”, and certain “White English Bulldogs”, which are related to the “Alapaha”, to be entered into the “ARF American Bulldog Stud Book”, and the “ARF White English Bulldog Stud Book”, by having an approved “Certificate of Registration” and “Pedigree”, for the purpose of expanding the “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog” bloodline.  Afterwards, these two related bloodlines can be used, to breed with other ARF-registered “Alapahas”, to produce offspring that will be accepted into the “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Stud Book”.  However, if the litter is ARF-registered as “American Bulldogs”, or “White English Bulldogs”, the pups cannot be registered as “Alapahas”, even though their offspring can, provided they are bred with an ARF-registered “Alapaha”.  The purpose behind this is, no litter can be ARF-registered as “Alapahas”, American Bulldogs”, and “White English Bulldogs”, all at the same time; the breeder must make one choice, in regards to how he wishes to ARF-register his litter, prior to receiving his puppy papers (ARF Certified Pedigrees), from the Foundation.        

 

3.     In the event an ARF “Alapaha” breeder quits the ARF, or becomes dissatisfied with the ARF,  his “Alapahas” will automatically be removed from the “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog’s Stud Book”, unless he has sold them to another ARF-approved “Alapaha” breeder, that is in good standing with the ARF.  In the event a former ARF breeder wishes to return to the ARF, as an “Alapaha” breeder, he will be required to purchase his new breeding stock from an ARF-approved “Alapaha” breeder, other than from the breeder to whom he originally sold his dogs. 

 

Note:  After January 2008, any “Alapaha” female pup, that was produced by an ARF-approved breeder, regardless of whoever she is owned by, and she is not used for breeding purposes, by age three (3), ARF will consider that “Alapaha” to be either spayed or neutered, as no litter will be ARF-registered from that female.  

 

4.     Once a female has begun to produce litters, after her second “heat”, ARF will only allow a total of 5 litters over the course of her breeding lifetime.  Once the female has produced her 5th litter, the breeder will have her spayed.  No further ARF Certified Pedigrees”, or “ARF Certificates of Registration”, will be issued to her offspring.

 

 

II.          ARF ALAPAHA BREEDERS’ DO’s & DON’T’s

 

1.     Breeder:  Do not breed your breeding “bitch”, prior to her reaching the minimum age of eighteen (18) months, or her 2nd “Heat”.  

 

Note:  To enforce this rule, as of this “notice”, the ARF will not allow pups born of an under-aged mother to be registered, or be used for future breeding stock.  Also, do not expect to receive “ARF Certified Pedigrees” for that litter, based upon the breeder submitting an “ARF Application for Litter Pedigrees”. In the event of an ARF staff oversight, ARF reserves the right to cancel its “ARF Certified Pedigree(s)”, that were issued to the breeder, as a result of the mother dog being under-age (18 months).

 

2.      Breeder:  Do advise your customers to register their pups, within twelve (12) months of age, or register the pups in your own name, or your kennel’s name.  After age twelve (12) months, no  pup will be entered into the “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Stud Book”, as being listed as breeding stock .   

 

3.      Breeder/Owner:  Do not purchase an “Alapaha” coming from another “registry”; it will not be ARF-registered; not from the ABBA, ARBA, CKC, LLLBR, NKC, WEBPS, WWKC, etc.    

 

Note: If an ARF-registered “Alapaha” is found to be “registered” in another “registry”, “club”, or “association”, it will be removed from the “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Stud Book”.  The Animal Research Foundation [ARF], being dedicated to the exclusive protection of the original “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog”, a rare breed, was asked to do so, in 1986, by the late Ms. Lana Lou Lane.  The ARF took upon itself that responsibility, over twenty years ago, and we are still committed to that end.  Therefore, only those ARF-approved “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs” will be recognized via the Animal Research Foundation, Quinlan , Texas .  Therefore, to purchase a  “Registered Alapaha” elsewhere, and incorporate it into your breeding program, is to risk the bastardization of the breed, as there are many breeders who are producing imitations of the true “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog”.  The true “Alapaha” cannot be duplicated; and, without relying upon our knowledge and experience, the breeder and buyer risk being conned into investing in a counterfeit breed, by unscrupulous persons.     

 

4.      If an “Alapaha” breeder purchases an “American Bulldog”, or a “White English Bulldog” [of which both are related breeds to the “Alapaha”], and he desires to incorporate the breed into his “Alapaha” bloodline, the breeder must complete an “ARF Application for Double Registration”, that includes a copy of the dog’s “Certificate of Registration”, and “Pedigree”, showing five (5) generations.  Also, two photos will be required of the dog, a full-body left and right side view, with the dog facing the camera, along with the appropriate registration fee.

 

5.      If you are an “ARF Alapaha Breeder”, and your surname name just happens to be “Lane”, but you are not in any way related to the family of the late Ms. Lana Lou Lane, we cannot allow the “Lane” name to be used in connection of naming “dogs’ or “kennels”, as this can and will mislead the public in believing they are buying an “Alapaha” from the late Ms. Lana Lou Lane’s family.  Further, even with a “disclaimer” being used, with the “Lane” name, someone will confuse the “Lane” name as belonging to Ms. Lana Lou Lane .  Therefore, in respect for the Lana Lou Lane family, the ARF will not allow the “Lane” name to be used, in further connection with dog and kennel registrations.                     

 

6.      Do not become divisive in your dog business - if you have a grievance, write your complaint to the ARF.  The “Do’s & Don’t’s” of this “notice” apply to each “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Breeder & Owner”. No favoritism will be shown.  Therefore, “The Golden Rule” should be practiced by all – “Whatever you would that men should do to you, do you even so to them.”           

 

7.      Do promote the ARF and your fellow breeders.  If you are “bugged” by a problem, we want you to tell us.  However, if a solution is not obtainable, we will ask you to bear with us; but, if you are not willing to bear with us, and you make your complaint public, your connection with the ARF can end with a final dismissal.   

Note: If a breeder is found to have a personal agenda, and chooses not to work with the ARF, or its fellow breeders, the ARF reserves the right to remove that breeder from the “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Breeders’ List”.         

 

8.     Breeder:  Do not take the attitude, in believing that you, and only you, are perpetuating Ms. Lane ’s work, and, that you, and only you, have the “original Alapahas” in your kennels. 

Note: This is not only an insult to our other ARF “Alapaha” breeders, but an insult to the ARF as well.  We have a well-founded history of where Ms. Lana Lou Lane obtained her “original” stock, a rare breed of bulldogs that she did not produce herself; however, her goal was to preserve this rare breed, so that it would not become an extinct breed.  As an ARF breeder of “Alapahas”, you should be of like mind. 

 

9.      Breeder:  Let us recognize, that those who are listed on our “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Breeders’ List”, are ARF-approved “Alapaha” breeders.  And, as such, our collective knowledge is far greater than any individual breeder alone.  Therefore, with our collective knowledge, we can improve the health of the breed, and help retain the purpose of why the breed was brought to America in the first place.

 

10.    Breeder/owner:  Let us remember, the “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog” is a rare breed, and the breed is becoming more in demand as others learn about them.  As you sell pups, why not encourage others to join our ranks, and help them learn the joy of “Alapaha” loyalty and affection.  However, you may not always have a litter of pups to sell, but you can make known of one of our other “Alapaha” breeders who may have; why not send the potential buyer on to a fellow breeder?  Also, by net-working together, breeding stock can be improved, as well as relationships.  As we build relationships, we can build trust, and, ultimately, we can build a life without suspicion; and, in the end, we all will reap rich rewards of satisfaction.        

 

Note:  This “Notice” may not be all-inclusive; modifications and/or revisions may be deemed necessary for future clarification; however, the Animal Research Foundation [ARF] is more than an exclusive “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog” rare-breed registry, in regards to ARF-ownership.  Only those “Alapahas” listed in the “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Stud Book”, will be recognized as “original Alapahas”.  Therefore,  unless  you,  the potential  breeder/buyer,  check  our  “ARF Alapaha Breeders’ List” first, you may find that the seller’s name is not listed, and that his “Alapahas” are no longer registerable or transferable.   However, former ARF “Alapaha” breeders, who continue to use the ARF name, to further promote the sales of their “Alapahas”, are not authorized to do so; neither have they obtained ARF’s permission.  So, in regards to these former ARF-breeders/members, we advise:  BUYER, BEWARE! 

 

Also, we regret that the late Ms. Lana Lou Lane did not “Trademark” the “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog” name.  Therefore, any breeder can produce a litter of pups, and call them “Alapahas”.  Again, we say to you, the purchaser, “BUYER, BEWARE!”  Therefore, as a result of the rampant fraud, regarding current “Alapaha” advertising and sales, the Animal Research Foundation [ARF] has placed tight requirements upon our “Alapaha” breeders, to insure that when you, the buyer, purchases an “ARF- Certified Alapaha”, you are obtaining the genuine canine, by the dog having a bona-fide ancestral pedigree in our “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Stud Book”.   Further, the ARF takes real pride in its staff, as they do a great job in researching the genealogy of each “Alapaha”, that is ARF-registered.  Therefore, you, the buyer/breeder, can have peace of mind, in knowing that we, ARF, are not in competition with our “ARF Alapaha Breeders”, or will we accept unsolicited monetary funds, to show favoritism.  All our “ARF Alapaha Breeders” have an equal opportunity to promote their dogs, unless they prove otherwise.  Also, we do not recommend one “Alapaha” breeder over another; we expect all our ARF-breeders to adhere to our “ARF Breeders’ Code of Ethics”, and to be persons of unquestionable integrity.

 

In regards to obtaining further information on the “Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog”, we have a VHS video tape that was produced by the late Ms. Lane, featuring her dogs; also, we have various publications, both in and out of print, that feature the “Alapaha”. 

All information is available for a suggested donation, and is promptly sent to you upon receipt.   In the event you have further questions, do not hesitate to call the ARF office.  Further, in the event you would like to personally check out our “ARF Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Stud Book”, our office hours are Monday thru Friday, 8AM to 4PM; however, if you will make an appointment, we can provide an ARF staff member, to assist you in your search for a four-footed companion/family addition.                         

 

 

Al Walker, ARF Genealogist & Registrar
ANIMAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

 

ARF Official Notice to Alapaha Breeders/Owners, May 2008
ARF Common Law Copyright
Without Prejudice, UCC 1-207