ABKC Breed Standard
Stocky, strongly built, well balanced muscular dog — courageous, intelligent, outgoing, and inquisitive.
Stocky, strongly built, well balanced muscular dog. Courageous, intelligent, outgoing, inquisitive, notoriously stubborn, clownish. Needs daily exercise and firm training.
Stocky, strongly built, well balanced muscular dog. Courageous, intelligent, outgoing, inquisitive, notoriously stubborn, clownish. Needs daily exercise and firm training.
Key physical attributes emphasized in the ABKC standard.
Most unique feature. Distinctive egg-like appearance, long, strong oval shape, almost flat at top ear to ear, sloping down to nose. No stop. Triangular (almond shaped) eye, small, well sunken. Greater distance nose to eyes than eyes to top skull. Ears high, small, thin, erect. Teeth: level or scissor bite.
Very muscular, long, arched, tapering from shoulders to head, no loose skin.
Deep and broad when viewed from front. Great distance from withers to brisket, nearer ground than belly.
Well rounded with prominent spring of rib. Back short and strong, backline level, arching or roaching slightly over broad well muscled loins. Shoulders strong and muscular but without bulk.
Forelegs strongest type of round quality bone, perfectly straight. Elbows straight and strong. Hind legs parallel when viewed from behind. Thighs muscular, stifle joint well bent, hock well angulated.
Short, set low, carried horizontally, thick at base, tapers to fine point.
Round and compact, well arched toes.
No weight nor height limits, but should exhibit maximum substance for size.
Short, flat and shiny with a hard texture, no loose skin.
White and Colored. All colors and patterns acceptable with the exception of Merle.
Covers ground with smooth easy strides. When trotting, movement parallel front and back, only converging towards center line at faster speeds, forelegs reaching out well, hind legs moving smoothly.
Behavioral expectations for stable, confident show dogs.
Common class groupings seen at ABKC events (exact classes vary by show).
