ABKC Breed Standard
Shorty Bull
Compact and muscular bulldog of small stature, athletically inclined with strong desire to please.
General Impression
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.
Overview
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.
Physical Standard
Key physical attributes emphasized in the ABKC standard.
- Round head with typical bulldog features
- Short from withers to tail; chest broad for height, depth reaching elbow
- Heavy boned legs in direct proportion to body
- Tight feet and straight pasterns desired
Breed Standard Sections
Head
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.
Bite
All dogs must be undershot but not protruding.
Eyes
May be any color but brown preferred. Oval shape, not protruding from skull.
Ears
Cropped, close to head. Natural ears: dropped or rose, symmetrical. Prick ears are a disqualification.
Body
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.
Shoulders and Rump
Well rounded and well muscled, appearance of strength. Slight rise over loins but not extreme.
Legs
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.
Feet
Tight feet and straight pasterns desired. Splayed feet and weak pasterns are a fault.
Tail
Must be short, either docked or screwed. No long tails permitted in show ring.
Size
Height
- 15" and under (over 15" is a disqualification)
Weight
- 40 lbs. Over 40 lbs allowed if proportionate. Obesity is a fault.
Color
All coat colors acceptable with the exception of black and tan, and merle.
Temperament
Good natured and even tempered. Extreme shyness or undue aggression is a fault.
Show Classes
Common class groupings seen at ABKC events (exact classes vary by show).
- Puppy
- Junior
- Adult
- Champion
- Grand Champion
Faults
- Dudley nose (cosmetic)
- Narrow hindquarters
- Cow hocks
- Pigeon toes
- Splayed feet
- Weak pasterns
- Extreme shyness or undue aggression
Serious Faults
- Long legs or fine bones
Disqualifications
- Over 15 inches in height
- Prick ears
