Animal Research Foundation Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Re: American Bulldogs. I plan to breed; what do I need to do first?

Answer: All good breeders start with a “pedigree” of their animal; as an owner of an American Bulldog, you need to determine if you own a “Classic”, a “Standard”, or a “Johnson-type” American Bulldog. However, the ARF has made this determination for you, on your “ARF Certificate of Registration”, as a prefix, on your bulldog’s ARF Registration Number. For example, if there is a letter “C” in front of your dog’s registration number, your American Bulldog is considered to be a “Classic” bulldog, originating from Mr. John D. Johnson’s kennel. Further, if there is a letter “S” in front of the registration number, your American Bulldog is considered to be a “Standard” bulldog, having originated from both Mr. John D. Johnson’s and Mr. Alan Scott’s kennels. However, if the letters “JT” appear in front of your bulldog’s registration number, your bulldog is classified with the ARF as being a “Johnson-type”, a cross between the “Classic” and the “Standard” bloodlines. Therefore, depending on how you wish your puppies to turn out, by having the pronounced “Classic” [bully] appearance, or by having the “Standard” appearance [not appearing as “bully”], you therefore must read the pedigree of both your “Sire” and “Dam” to determine the future appearance of your pups.

While we are on this topic, it should be clarified as to how the Johnson “Classic” American Bulldog came into being. Some years ago, Mr. Johnson assisted Mr. David Leavitt, of Pennsylvania , and owner of Bull Meade Kennel, to help him re-create the “Olde English Bulldogge” of the 17^th century. While in the developing stage, Mr. Leavitt used an extremely large AKC English Bulldog, named “Westchamp’s High Hopes”, that he owned, and, he crossed it with one of Mr. Johnson’s “Standard” American Bulldogs, named “King’s Lady Grace of JDJ”, ARF No.: AB1026, and, from that breeding, the Johnson’s “Classic ‘Machine’ and ‘Sugar Doll’ American Bulldog bloodlines” were introduced to expand the limited American Bulldog population, which is classified as a rare breed.

Again, let us pause here for a moment and discuss the “genetics” of today’s AKC English Bulldog, and the ARF American Bulldog. Did I say discuss? Unfortunately, there is nothing to discuss, in regards to the 17^th century genetics, in regards to both these breeds, as that breeding information has been lost. Therefore, no one can take the existing breeds of today and re-create the “English Bulldog” or the “American Bulldog”; so, when people ask, “What canine genes comprise an American Bulldog?”, we can only answer, “We don’t honestly know.” But, we know this, the evolution of the bulldog originated in Britain , after it was made a Roman province in 50 A.D, descending from the Asiatic mastiff. In the 14^th century, circa 1390, the bulldog was referred to as an English “Alaunt”, and, it was said to be a dog of great size, strength, and courage, and was used in the chase of both lions and bears. It was during the reigns of Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, King James I, and King Charles I (circa 1550/1649), and the reign of Charles II (circa 1660/1685), that bull-baiting and bear-baiting became the sport of Kings. However, bull and bear-baiting was outlawed in England , in the 19^th century, and these “English Bulldogs” were bred down to look like what they are today. But, in late 17^th and early 18^th century, our early-American population consisted of Englishmen who came to America , and brought these original English “bulldogs” with them. Therefore, it has been assumed that both the original “English” and the “American” bulldog, come from the same roots; however, to make the English Bulldog much different from its American Bulldog cousin, its creators had to take advantage of “recessive genes” that has caused the English Bulldog to have a more bully, but wide and compact massive head, and shorter legs, and, now is esteemed as a companion dog, and not that of a working bulldog.

Therefore, when Mr. Johnson made this “one-time” out-cross, to an “English Bulldog”, with one of his original “Standard American Bulldogs”, it also toned down the temperament of his new bloodlines; and, therefore, created a very good-natured, reserved, loyal, clean and aristocratic domesticated canine. However, it should be noted here, that because of their original 19^th century nature, when the bulldog was still used in combats, it was aggressive, ferocious, so-much-so, in fact, that the Romans proclaimed a decree that forbade taking a bulldog through the streets; therefore, it is the breeder’s responsibility to temperament-test each of his dogs, so that his American Bulldogs continue to remain good-natured, and not be aggressive towards man.

Therefore, in your breeding program, keep in mind, the “Classic” American Bulldog is a great-appearing bulldog; however, the dog’s size, and the short “bully” muzzle, can, and oftentimes will be, a detriment to the bulldog, provided the bulldog is being used as a working catch dog. The reason being, a 130-to-160-pound bulldog is not going to have the endurance of a 100-to-120-pound bulldog; also, the short muzzle may cause difficulties in the dog’s breathing. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what strain of American Bulldog that you wish to breed; breeding for work, for companionship, for competition, or for a “happy medium” between the “Classic” and the “Standard” bloodlines, which we refer to as being the “Johnson-type”.

BREEDING PROCEDURE

For those who have purchased “Johnson-type” [JT] American Bulldogs [a bloodline cross between the Classic” [C] and the “Standard” [S] American Bulldogs, as shown on their pedigrees, if it is your breeding goal to have your American Bulldogs obtain the “C” [Classic], or an “S” [Standard], on your dogs’ ARF Certificates of Registration, you must adhere to this breeding program. For example:

If on your ARF pedigree, your Sire [or Dam] is shown to be 100% “Classic”, and your Dam [or Sire] is shown to be 100% “Standard”, your 1^st generation of American Bulldog pups will be considered to be 50% “Classic” and 50% “Standard”, making your litter “Johnson-type” American Bulldogs. However, let’s say you want to produce a more “Classic-looking” bulldog; therefore, you must take your 1^st generation “Johnson-type” American Bulldog, and breed him/her back to another 100% “Classic” American Bulldog. When that litter is born, those 2^nd generation pups will be 75% “Classic” and 25% “Standard”. If you continue this breeding program, by breeding back to a 100% “Classic” American Bulldog, to each successive generation of pups, the following will result …

3^rd generation will be 7/8^th “Classic” & 1/8^th “Standard”; a/k/a a “Johnson-type”.

4^th generation will be 15/16^th “Classic” & 1/16^th “Standard”; a/k/a a “Johnson-type”.

5^th generation will be 31/32^nd “Classic” & 1/32^nd “Standard”; a/k/a a “Johnson-type”. However, when the 6^th generation of pups are born, these pups are no longer considered as being “Johnson-type”, but being 100% Johnson “Classic” American Bulldogs.

Again, the above breeding program is the same for those who are breeding “Standard” American Bulldogs.

Note: With each breeding, you, the breeder, are increasing the genetics of one side of the family tree, while reducing the other side, or, you are breeding the two sides to maintain a balance, or a percentage between the two sides. Therefore, to assist you in your breeding program, see our “ARF’s Solution To Genetic Realignment”.

Finally, before you breed, have your dogs’ hips, elbows, & eyes evaluated, to ensure that you are breeding healthy dogs, to produce healthy pups. Afterwards, to maintain an accurate record of your breeding program, be sure to use an ARF Application for Litter Pedigrees, to ARF-register all your American Bulldogs’ offspring.