Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Dog Breed

Below are the details and specs for the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog breed.

The Alapaha was bred as a working dog and not necessarily to live up to exact guidelines. The general size is considered medium to large at 20-24 inches at the shoulder for males and 18-22 inches for females. Weight falls anywhere from 70-90 for males, 55-75 females.

Members of this breed are confident, alert, possessive, protective and companionable. They are playful and watchful over kids that are part of their "pack". Generally, they are aloof with strangers but even tempered. Alapahas can be territorial with other pets and are not necessarily the primary choice for a multi pet household unless they are raised with them.

This is a low maintenance breed. Although they are affectionate and desire your attention and presence, they require little grooming, are great indoor dogs and are highly trainable. They do require moderate outdoor exercise and although appreciative of a yard do not require it.

Although similar looking breeds have existed in the Southern United States for over 200 years, the breed known as the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog was not well document until 1979; there is dissent from the IABBR (read below) on the accuracy of this information so readers may view the history sections of both sites to form their own conclusions. Confusingly and for whatever reason, it has also been known as the Otto, Catahoula Bulldog, Silver-dollar and even cowdog over the course of its history. What is known is that they were bred as utilitarian dogs and not show dogs with ultra-specific conformations. According to the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Association, they are thought to be descendants of extinct species such as the Old Country and Mountain Bulldogs and they have been used in the breeding of many other distinct breeds like the Pit Bull and Catahoula Leopard Dog.

**The International Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Registry claims the aforementioned history is not accurate and instead insists that what is the current ABBB was not bred until the 1990s and established until 2005. They also state the founding breeds of the ABBB are the following: White English Bulldog, Lana Lou Lane Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge, American Bulldog, Bandog, and curs.

Farmers and hunters used this breed, which they found to be much more heat tolerant than its predecessors, to deal with cattle, wild hogs, and varmint as well as to guard the property and family. Due to the scarcity of this breed, in 1979, a group of Southern citizens formed the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Association (the authoritative club for the breed) which focuses on the advancement and health of these dogs. It is pretty rare to find a true ABBB.

The Alapaha was bred more more function than for a standard "look". Certainly they look strong, confident and alert for their size but overly bulky they are not. They have a broad box-shaped head with a furrow between the eyes; the eyes do not have a specified "standard" color. The muzzle is also square and broad, ending in a black or liver colored nose. The ears are small, v-shaped and with the point on level with the eye. They have coats that are short, glossy, stiff and close lying to the body and is typically white with patches of various colors. Alapahas chests are wide and deep and legs that are straight with heavy bone, lending to their overall boxy appearance. The tail is thick, strong and tapers to point; when alert it can be held high but never curled.

Members of this breed are alert and confident making excellent family protectors. They will consider the family and any children in it part of their "pack" and will be possessive and protective, but they may be aloof with strangers plus territorial/dominant towards other dogs.

They are highly trainable and are working dogs that enjoy patrolling and protecting. Due to their territorial and often dominant behavior, they should be trained at a young age firmly and consistently so that you establish yourself as the "pack leader".

They truly enjoy attention and affection from their loved ones and should not be left alone all day. They will desire to please and protect you.

Due to a somewhat limited gene pool this breed has a few health concerns that can be limited by using a responsible breeder. Deafness, blindness, skin problems, entropion eyelids are some common ones. The lifespan for this breed should be between 11-13 years.