ABKC Breed Standard
Perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head.
The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs.
The perfect Bulldog must be of medium size and smooth coat; with heavy, thick-set, low-swung body, massive short-faced head, wide shoulders and sturdy limbs.
Key physical attributes emphasized in the ABKC standard.
Mature dogs about 50 pounds; mature bitches about 40 pounds. Circumference of skull should measure at least the height at the shoulders.
Situated low down in the skull, as far from ears as possible; their corners should be in a straight line at right angles with the stop. They should be quite in front of the head, as wide apart as possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the cheeks when viewed from the front.
Should be set high in the head, the front inner edge of each ear joining the outline of the skull at the top back corner of skull. Small and thin. The rose ear is most desirable.
Skull very large — the circumference should measure at least the height of the dog at the shoulders — and should be very high from the corner of the lower jaw to the apex of the skull, and also very broad and square. Forehead flat (neither rounded nor domed), neither too prominent nor overhanging the face. Cheeks well rounded and extended sideways beyond the eyes. Muzzle very short, broad, turned upward, and very deep from the corner of the eye to the corner of the mouth.
Should be large, broad and black, its tip set back deeply between the eyes. The distance from bottom of stop, between the eyes, to the tip of nose should be as short as possible and not exceed the length from the tip of nose to the edge of underlip.
Should be thick, broad, pendant and very deep, completely overhanging the lower jaw at each side. They join the underlip in front and almost or quite cover the teeth, which should be scarcely noticeable when the mouth is closed. Jaws massive, very broad, square, and undershot.
Weight
Straight, short, flat, close, of fine texture, smooth and glossy. No fringe, feather or curl.
All coat and nose colors of the English Bulldog are acceptable including standard and rare colors.
Loose-jointed, shuffling, sidewise motion, giving characteristic 'roll.' Action unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Equable and kind, resolute and courageous (not vicious or aggressive), pacific and dignified.
Common class groupings seen at ABKC events (exact classes vary by show).
Should be short, very thick, deep and strong and well arched at the back.
There should be a slight fall in the back, close behind the shoulders (its lowest part), whence the spine should rise to the loins (the top of which should be higher than the top of the shoulders), thence curving again more suddenly to the tail, forming an arch — a very distinctive feature of the breed — termed "roach back" or, more correctly, "wheel-back."
The brisket and body should be very capacious, with full sides, well-rounded ribs and very deep from the shoulders down to its lowest part, where it joins the chest. The chest should be very broad, deep, and full. The body should be well ribbed up behind with the belly tucked up and not rotund. Back should be short and strong, very broad at the shoulders and comparatively narrow at the loins. Tail straight or screwed (but never curved or curly), short, hung low, with decided downward carriage, thick root and fine tip.
Shoulders muscular, heavy and widespread and slanting outward, giving stability and great power. Forelegs should be short, very stout, straight and muscular, set wide apart, with well-developed calves, presenting a bowed outline but the bones of the legs should not be curved or bandy, nor the feet brought too close together.
Hind legs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks should be slightly bent and well let down, so as to be long and muscular from the loins to the hock.
Skin should be soft and loose, especially at the head, neck, and shoulders. The head and face should be covered with heavy wrinkles, and at the throat, from jaw to chest, there should be two loose pendulous folds, forming the dewlap.
