The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog was the
result of many years of effort, by the Lane family, towards rescuing and
preserving an almost extinct breed, the old-timey "plantation dog" of the
Alapaha River Region of South Georgia.
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is an
ancient breed with its roots founded in the Old World. The breed is essentially
the original bullbaiting bulldog known in England from the 12th to
the 18th century.
While it is great fun to sit around and
tell your friends about the colorful history of those early dogs, it is what the
dogs are today that makes them worth having. The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs are
physically-arresting dogs: most good males will average from 100 to 120 pounds;
a few will be slightly smaller, and a few larger.
As a family guard dog, the Alapaha’s
mental characteristics and abilities are very impressive. Guarding his master’s
person, family, and property is a natural instinct in this breed. Never bred for
aggression, they are not normally aggressive towards strangers as you might
expect if you are familiar with German Shepherds and Rottweilers. A good bulldog
will accept your friends and guests as just that, guests. The Alapaha will not
intimidate or threaten; however, he will protect, and he will go into action if
the need arises. The Alapaha is a natural playmate and protector of children; he
will play differently with a three-year-old than a twelve-year-old.
These dogs have been used for centuries as
a do-all farm dog. They are used for working cattle and catching hogs. They have
the ability to learn what you want and the ability to do it. They excel at
obedience, and if you will take the time to show your Alapaha what you want him
to do, he will do it. Whether you use your Alapaha for "Farm Work", "Companion
Dog", "Protection Dog", etc., you will have a four-footed friend with a sweet
disposition, with a lot of tenacity, agility, and speed.
VARIETIES & RELATED BREEDS: Old
Southern Whites
Old-Fashioned Bulldogs
Old-Time Bulldogs
Georgia Giants
Working Bulldogs
American Bulldogs
PURPOSE
Guardian, protection, companion, sport, and farm use.
OVERALL IMPRESSION
Being that of a grand and powerful dog showing strength and alertness, yet agile
and athletic, having an amazing endurance. This canine gives the impression of
nobility, thereby, the name: "Blue Blood".
SIZE: Males should measure between 23 to
26 inches at the withers, weighing 90 to 130 pounds. Females should measure
between 20 to 23 inches at the withers, weighing 70 to 90 pounds. Plus or minus
5 to 10 pounds is acceptable.
HEAD: The face of the Alapaha should
indicate intelligence and alertness. The skull should be square or have a round
look that is heavily muscled. The "stop" should be deep and abrupt.
MUZZLE: The muzzle should be broad, not
long and narrow. The ideal length should be 1 ½ to 3 inches.
NOSE: Black, Gray, or Red.
BITE: 3/8 to 5/8 inch "Undershot",
depending on the size of dog and shape of skull. Plus or minus 1/8 inch is
acceptable.
EYES: Almond-shaped to round,
medium-sized, set well apart. All colors are permissible.
EARS: "Rose Ears", small to medium in
size, carried close to the head, half perked with a forward roll.
NECK: Very muscular almost equal to the
skull in size; slightly arched and of moderate length.
BODY: Wide, deep chest; fairly compact.
The "loin" is wide, very muscular and slightly arched.
BACK: Straight, not rigid or swayed.
Length equal to height at shoulders.
TAIL: Strong at the root and tapering to
the hocks (in the rest position). The tail is carried over the back when excited
or walking. A "docked" tail is not permissible for the "Show Ring".
COAT: Short and smooth.
COLOR: White; all shades of "Brindle"
(White, Red, Yellow-blue, Brown, Black or Gray): Red & White, Fawn & White,
Beige & White, Buckskin & White, Black & White, Brown & White, Mahogany & White,
and Cream & White.
BONE STRUCTURE: Medium-to-heavy, to be
able to carry a large dog.
FOREQUARTERS: The combined front assembly
from its uppermost component, the shoulder blades, down to the feet should be
muscular and slightly sloping. The "fore-legs" are to be straight.
HINDQUARTERS: Broad with muscles tapering
well down the leg to manifest speed and strength, but not quite as large as at
the shoulders.