Authorities differ completely about the origin of the alternative Bulldog and Bulldogge, its genetic make up and its
purpose.
Whatever the name or the origin, there is little doubt that just over 100 years ago there was a canine resembling our
present day Bulldog. This Bulldog was lighter boned and higher on leg, but with the courage, tenacity, and
determination that still exists today.
After bull-baiting, bear-baiting and dog fighting were prohibited in England in 1835, a few dedicated fanciers worked
diligently to breed out the aggressive, vicious tendencies and to modify the Bulldog to look more like we see him
today, shorter faced and heavier in structure.
The first Bulldog Standard in England was drafted in 1864 and adopted in 1875. The Bulldog Club of America was
formed in 1890 utilizing the English Standard. In 1896 a Standard was adopted by the Bulldog Club of America. It
was revised in 1914 to declare the Dudley nose a disqualification. In 1976 the Dudley nose disqualification was
redefined as a “brown or liver coloured nose”. The Standard was reformatted in 1990 with no changes in wording.
In 2004 the Better Bulldog Breeders Association was formed so that breeders of fully health certified Bulldogs and
Bulldogges could work together to produce a less exaggerated more fit alternative to the modern Bulldog. In 2010
the BBBA was officially disbanded and now I alone continue the Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog lines. The standard as
follows is modeled after the Bulldog club of Americas Standard due to the fact that it has the clearest description of
the standard along with diagrams.
purpose.
Whatever the name or the origin, there is little doubt that just over 100 years ago there was a canine resembling our
present day Bulldog. This Bulldog was lighter boned and higher on leg, but with the courage, tenacity, and
determination that still exists today.
After bull-baiting, bear-baiting and dog fighting were prohibited in England in 1835, a few dedicated fanciers worked
diligently to breed out the aggressive, vicious tendencies and to modify the Bulldog to look more like we see him
today, shorter faced and heavier in structure.
The first Bulldog Standard in England was drafted in 1864 and adopted in 1875. The Bulldog Club of America was
formed in 1890 utilizing the English Standard. In 1896 a Standard was adopted by the Bulldog Club of America. It
was revised in 1914 to declare the Dudley nose a disqualification. In 1976 the Dudley nose disqualification was
redefined as a “brown or liver coloured nose”. The Standard was reformatted in 1990 with no changes in wording.
In 2004 the Better Bulldog Breeders Association was formed so that breeders of fully health certified Bulldogs and
Bulldogges could work together to produce a less exaggerated more fit alternative to the modern Bulldog. In 2010
the BBBA was officially disbanded and now I alone continue the Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog lines. The standard as
follows is modeled after the Bulldog club of Americas Standard due to the fact that it has the clearest description of
the standard along with diagrams.
GENERAL APPEARANCE
A medium sized, smooth coated dog. Dhomhnuill Style Bulldogs should be large
headed and thick boned but not to the point that it impedes vigor. Broad muzzled
with a short face. This feature should not be over exaggerated to the point where
it would hinder breathing while exercising. The hind quarters should be set slightly
higher than the fore parts. The B.B.B.A. Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog should have a
symmetrical body and be well muscled showing great power in a small package.
A medium sized, smooth coated dog. Dhomhnuill Style Bulldogs should be large
headed and thick boned but not to the point that it impedes vigor. Broad muzzled
with a short face. This feature should not be over exaggerated to the point where
it would hinder breathing while exercising. The hind quarters should be set slightly
higher than the fore parts. The B.B.B.A. Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog should have a
symmetrical body and be well muscled showing great power in a small package.
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SIZE, PROPORTION, SYMMETRY
No points are awarded for being within the standard but up to 10 points may be lost for not being within the
standard. For both sexes the lower end of the scale is preferred.
SIZE – The size for mature dogs is about 65 pounds and 16-18 inches at the shoulders; for mature bitches about 60
pounds and 15-17 inches at the shoulders.
PROPORTION – The circumference of the skull in front of the ears should measure approximately the height of the
dog at the shoulders.
SYMMETRY – The “points” should be well distributed and bear good relation one to the other, no feature being in
such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears deformed or ill-proportioned.
Proportion and symmetry are of primary importance when evaluating the overall dog.
INFLUENCE OF SEX – In comparison of specimens of different sex, due allowance should be made in favor of
the bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same degree of perfection and grandeur as do
the dogs. The bitch should have equal qualities, but an allowance shall
be made for the femininity that is characteristic of the bitch.
TEMPERAMENT - The Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog should be a loyal and socially dependable dog. They should be
fearless and protective of there family, backing down from NO threat! They should not be people or dog
aggressive! This would be considered a MAJOR FAULT IN THE BREED!!!
No points are awarded for being within the standard but up to 10 points may be lost for not being within the
standard. For both sexes the lower end of the scale is preferred.
SIZE – The size for mature dogs is about 65 pounds and 16-18 inches at the shoulders; for mature bitches about 60
pounds and 15-17 inches at the shoulders.
PROPORTION – The circumference of the skull in front of the ears should measure approximately the height of the
dog at the shoulders.
SYMMETRY – The “points” should be well distributed and bear good relation one to the other, no feature being in
such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears deformed or ill-proportioned.
Proportion and symmetry are of primary importance when evaluating the overall dog.
INFLUENCE OF SEX – In comparison of specimens of different sex, due allowance should be made in favor of
the bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same degree of perfection and grandeur as do
the dogs. The bitch should have equal qualities, but an allowance shall
be made for the femininity that is characteristic of the bitch.
TEMPERAMENT - The Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog should be a loyal and socially dependable dog. They should be
fearless and protective of there family, backing down from NO threat! They should not be people or dog
aggressive! This would be considered a MAJOR FAULT IN THE BREED!!!
HEAD 38 POINTS
1) Skull: 10points. The most defining part of any bull breed, it should
be as great in circumference as possible with out being out of place. The
circumference should be equal to the height of the dog at the shoulders.
Viewed from the front, it should appear very high from the corner of the
lower jaw to the apex of the skull, and also very broad and square.
Viewed at the side, the head should appear very high and very short
from the point of the nose to occiput. The forehead should be flat (not
rounded or domed), neither too prominent nor overhanging the face.
FAULT: Out of proportion, to big or to small.
be as great in circumference as possible with out being out of place. The
circumference should be equal to the height of the dog at the shoulders.
Viewed from the front, it should appear very high from the corner of the
lower jaw to the apex of the skull, and also very broad and square.
Viewed at the side, the head should appear very high and very short
from the point of the nose to occiput. The forehead should be flat (not
rounded or domed), neither too prominent nor overhanging the face.
FAULT: Out of proportion, to big or to small.
2) Muzzle: 6 points. The muzzle should be short with a noticeable
upward turn and have a slight to moderate amount of wrinkle or fold.
A well defined square appearance is a must. The length of the muzzle
should be no more than 2.5" or 1/3 of the length from the tip of the
nose to the occiput.
FAULT: Muzzle to long or to short. A Terrier nose is a disqualification!
upward turn and have a slight to moderate amount of wrinkle or fold.
A well defined square appearance is a must. The length of the muzzle
should be no more than 2.5" or 1/3 of the length from the tip of the
nose to the occiput.
FAULT: Muzzle to long or to short. A Terrier nose is a disqualification!
3) Cheeks: 2 points. Cheeks should be very muscular and well defined
showing great power in the dogs bite.
FAULT: Lack of definition in the cheeks
showing great power in the dogs bite.
FAULT: Lack of definition in the cheeks
4) Jaw: 5 points. The lower jaw should be under shot with a slight upward turn. The bite should be square.
5) Tusk: 2 points. Canines should be large, set wide apart
and carried on the inside of the lips. Teeth must be even
and should not interfere with the dogs bite.
and carried on the inside of the lips. Teeth must be even
and should not interfere with the dogs bite.
7) Nose: 3 points. The nose may be at a right angle or have a
slight lean back towards the eyes. The nostrils should be large
and be solid black in colour.
FAULT: Tight nostrils or hindered breathing from excess in
nose push back, pink, liver coloured or dudley nose.
slight lean back towards the eyes. The nostrils should be large
and be solid black in colour.
FAULT: Tight nostrils or hindered breathing from excess in
nose push back, pink, liver coloured or dudley nose.
6) Lips: 2 points. Should be full, thick and hang bellow the jaw.
FAULT: Overly sloppy or tight lips.
FAULT: Overly sloppy or tight lips.
8) Eyes and eyelids: 3 point. The eyes, seen from the front, should be situated low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible,
possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the cheeks when viewed from the front. They should be quite round in
form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging and in color should be very dark. The lids should cover the white of the eyeball,
when the dog is looking directly forward, and the lid should show no "haw". An imaginary horizontal line passing through the four
corners of the eyes should be at a right angle with the stop and just rest on top of the nose.
FAULT: eyes sunken, bulging, or blue.
possible, provided their outer corners are within the outline of the cheeks when viewed from the front. They should be quite round in
form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging and in color should be very dark. The lids should cover the white of the eyeball,
when the dog is looking directly forward, and the lid should show no "haw". An imaginary horizontal line passing through the four
corners of the eyes should be at a right angle with the stop and just rest on top of the nose.
FAULT: eyes sunken, bulging, or blue.
9) Ears: 2 points. The ears should be set high on the head, the front inner edge of each ear joining the outline of the
skull at the top back corner of skull, so as to place them as wide apart, and as high, and as far from the eyes as
possible. In size they should be small and thin. The shape termed "rose ear" is the most desirable followed by button.
The rose ear folds inward at its back lower edge, the upper front edge exposed and the entire edge of the ear visible.
FAULT: Cropped or large ears (hanging bellow the corner of the eye)
skull at the top back corner of skull, so as to place them as wide apart, and as high, and as far from the eyes as
possible. In size they should be small and thin. The shape termed "rose ear" is the most desirable followed by button.
The rose ear folds inward at its back lower edge, the upper front edge exposed and the entire edge of the ear visible.
FAULT: Cropped or large ears (hanging bellow the corner of the eye)
10) Stop: 3 points Deep and wide.
This feature should be used to find the
center point of the skull from which to
measure eye and ear placement.
FAULT: Lack of stop
This feature should be used to find the
center point of the skull from which to
measure eye and ear placement.
FAULT: Lack of stop
Very thick in proportion to the heads circumference. Short and arched. Showing great strength. Two large
semi-pendulous dewlaps.
FAULT: To long or lacking in muscle. Tight (with out lose skin)
semi-pendulous dewlaps.
FAULT: To long or lacking in muscle. Tight (with out lose skin)
BODY STRUCTURE 47 POINTS
1) Shoulders: 10 points. The shoulders
should be as wide and thick as puppies.
2) Chest 10 points. The chest should be very deep and wide. The sides of the ribs should be full and well rounded.
Body length in comparison to leg length should be square to slightly longer.
FAULT: Body having overly long appearance.
3) Back 7 points. The back should have a slight rise from the shoulders to the hind quarters.
MINOR FAULT: Level back
FAULT: Back that slopes down.
.
MINOR FAULT: Level back
FAULT: Back that slopes down.
.
4) Loins: 5 points. Should be powerful with
a tuck up that does not take from the dog’s
muscular appearance.
.
Front Legs 6 points. Legs should be short and set wide on the shoulders giving a square look when viewed from the
front. Toes should be tight, well arched, and compact. The legs should be very heavily muscled with medium to thick
bones. Legs should be straight but may have a slight bow but all things considered equal a straight legged dog will
finish over a dog with bow legs.
front. Toes should be tight, well arched, and compact. The legs should be very heavily muscled with medium to thick
bones. Legs should be straight but may have a slight bow but all things considered equal a straight legged dog will
finish over a dog with bow legs.
5) Tail: 3 points. The tail should be short
and reach down naturally to the hocks,
acceptable.
FAULT: Tails that are carried over the
back, docked or curly tails.
.
Hind Legs 6 points. Hind legs should be slightly longer then the fore legs but with out being overly exaggerated. The
bone should be moderately thick. Toes should be tight, well arched, and compact.
FAULT: Hind legs shorter then the front legs.
MOVEMENT 10 POINTS
The stride of a Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog should show great
confidence. The dog should have a good bounce to its step.
The body should move freely showing great power with the
chest pushed out between the fore Neither the front or rear
feet should drag the ground while walking. The dog must
also be very agile in its movement with none of the muscle
mass impeding this.
The stride of a Dhomhnuill Style Bulldog should show great
confidence. The dog should have a good bounce to its step.
The body should move freely showing great power with the
chest pushed out between the fore Neither the front or rear
feet should drag the ground while walking. The dog must
also be very agile in its movement with none of the muscle
mass impeding this.
Colour
Preferred: Reverse Brindle (Black Brindle)/white, Fawn/White or Red and White followed by all other Brindles all
should be uniform in pattern with out flecks or muted colours.
FAULT: lacking pigmentation around the eyes (indicator of health problems, skin, eyes and ears)
NOTE: Colour should only be taken into consideration when both dogs are equal in conformation. Dogs that are
closer to conformation should always win over lower dogs even if there colour is off.
Most dogs will likely rank below the 80 point rank. There must always be room for improvement!
Preferred: Reverse Brindle (Black Brindle)/white, Fawn/White or Red and White followed by all other Brindles all
should be uniform in pattern with out flecks or muted colours.
FAULT: lacking pigmentation around the eyes (indicator of health problems, skin, eyes and ears)
NOTE: Colour should only be taken into consideration when both dogs are equal in conformation. Dogs that are
closer to conformation should always win over lower dogs even if there colour is off.
Most dogs will likely rank below the 80 point rank. There must always be room for improvement!
| BULLDOGTM |
| revised slightly so as to help bring down the weight and height of the dogs. |