ABKC Breed Standard
Compact and muscular bulldog of small stature, athletically inclined with strong desire to please.
Compact and muscular bulldog of small stature. Athletically inclined and incredibly agile. Strong desire to please, highly intelligent and good natured. Shorty Bulls are excellent family dogs. Should never be extremely shy or aggressive.
Compact and muscular bulldog of small stature. Athletically inclined and incredibly agile. Strong desire to please, highly intelligent and good natured. Shorty Bulls are excellent family dogs. Should never be extremely shy or aggressive.
Key physical attributes emphasized in the ABKC standard.
Round head with typical bulldog features. Eyes set far apart, not protruding. Nose turn up slightly, may be black or liver. Dudley noses are a cosmetic fault.
All dogs must be undershot but not protruding.
May be any color but brown preferred. Oval shape, not protruding from skull.
Cropped, close to head. Natural ears: dropped or rose, symmetrical. Prick ears are a disqualification.
Short from withers to tail. Chest broad for height, depth reaching elbow. Compact look desired. Width of front and hind proportionate. Narrow hindquarters are a fault.
Well rounded and well muscled, appearance of strength. Slight rise over loins but not extreme.
Heavy boned and in direct proportion to body. Long legs or fine bones are a serious fault. Cow hocks and pigeon toes are a fault.
Tight feet and straight pasterns desired. Splayed feet and weak pasterns are a fault.
Height
Weight
All coat colors acceptable with the exception of black and tan, and merle.
Good natured and even tempered. Extreme shyness or undue aggression is a fault.
Common class groupings seen at ABKC events (exact classes vary by show).
Must be short, either docked or screwed. No long tails permitted in show ring.
