Standard for The American Bull Molosser/ABM
Working Group
General Appearance
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but athletic coordinated and active. The foundation breeding was 40% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog 20% Molosser. The breed was developed in the United States by a Certified Professional Personal Protection Dog Trainer/Breeder/Enthusiast specifically for civilian applications as Family Pet protectors/Companions.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size—Dogs22 to 26 inches at the withers, and 85 to 115 pounds weight Lean & Fit. Bitches, 20 to 24 inches at the withers, and 70 to 95 pounds weight Lean & Fit. Other things being equal, the more substantial dog within these limits is favored. Proportion--The length from tip of breastbone to rear of thigh is equal to or exceeds the height from withers to ground only slightly, resulting in a nearly square appearance.
Head
Expression--Keen, alert, and intelligent. Eyes Dark and of medium size. Ears—Cropped or V-shaped and carried close to the cheeks, set wide and high on the head, level with occiput and cheeks, giving a square appearance to the skull; darker in color than the body and medium in size. Skull Large, with a fair amount of wrinkle when alert; broad, with cheeks well developed. Forehead flat. Stop--Moderate. Muzzle--Broad and deep; its length, in comparison with that of the entire head, approximately as 1 is to 3. A dark muzzle is preferable. Nose--Black, with nostrils large and broad. Flews--Not too pendulous. Bite--Preferably level or slightly undershot. Canine teeth large and set wide apart.
Neck, Top line, Body
Neck--Slightly arched, of moderate length, very muscular, and almost equal in circumference to the skull. Top line--Straight and level between withers and loin. Body--Compact. Chest wide and deep, with ribs well sprung and well set down between the forelegs. Back--Short, giving the impression of a well balanced dog. Loin--Wide, muscular, and slightly arched, with fair depth of flank. Tail--Set on high and Docked at the fourth vertebra.
Forequarters
Shoulders--muscular but not loaded, and slightly sloping. Forelegs--straight, well boned, and set well apart; elbows turned neither in nor out. Pasterns straight, feet of medium size, with round toes well arched. Pads thick and tough, nails black.
Hindquarters
Broad and muscular, with well developed second thigh denoting power, but not cumbersome. Moderate to well angulated hocks/stifles. Cow hocks ,straight stifles and splay feet are serious faults .Dogs or bitches displaying such serious faults will be eligible for a limited registration only and will not be considered as candidates for breeding.
Coat
Short and dense, giving good weather protection.
Color
All shades of Red, Black, or brindle and combinations of these coat colors are acceptable. White markings on the chest, belly, feet and muzzle are also acceptable. However white coat color exceeding 40% of the entire coat and /or lack of dark pigmentation around the eyes and lips is considered a serious fault . Dogs or bitches displaying more than 40% white coat color and /or lack of dark/black pigmentation around the eyes and lips will be eligible for a Limited registration only and will not be considered as candidates for breeding.
Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate to well angulated rear legs. Back remains level and firm. Coming and going, the dog moves in a straight line. Feet tend to converge under the body, without crossing over, as speed increases. There is no twisting in or out at the joints.
Temperament
Fearless and confidant yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a dependable family pet protector/companion.
Written & Approved February 10, 1997
Founder: PPDT Gale A. Raponi
Working Group
General Appearance
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but athletic coordinated and active. The foundation breeding was 40% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog 20% Molosser. The breed was developed in the United States by a Certified Professional Personal Protection Dog Trainer/Breeder/Enthusiast specifically for civilian applications as Family Pet protectors/Companions.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size—Dogs22 to 26 inches at the withers, and 85 to 115 pounds weight Lean & Fit. Bitches, 20 to 24 inches at the withers, and 70 to 95 pounds weight Lean & Fit. Other things being equal, the more substantial dog within these limits is favored. Proportion--The length from tip of breastbone to rear of thigh is equal to or exceeds the height from withers to ground only slightly, resulting in a nearly square appearance.
Head
Expression--Keen, alert, and intelligent. Eyes Dark and of medium size. Ears—Cropped or V-shaped and carried close to the cheeks, set wide and high on the head, level with occiput and cheeks, giving a square appearance to the skull; darker in color than the body and medium in size. Skull Large, with a fair amount of wrinkle when alert; broad, with cheeks well developed. Forehead flat. Stop--Moderate. Muzzle--Broad and deep; its length, in comparison with that of the entire head, approximately as 1 is to 3. A dark muzzle is preferable. Nose--Black, with nostrils large and broad. Flews--Not too pendulous. Bite--Preferably level or slightly undershot. Canine teeth large and set wide apart.
Neck, Top line, Body
Neck--Slightly arched, of moderate length, very muscular, and almost equal in circumference to the skull. Top line--Straight and level between withers and loin. Body--Compact. Chest wide and deep, with ribs well sprung and well set down between the forelegs. Back--Short, giving the impression of a well balanced dog. Loin--Wide, muscular, and slightly arched, with fair depth of flank. Tail--Set on high and Docked at the fourth vertebra.
Forequarters
Shoulders--muscular but not loaded, and slightly sloping. Forelegs--straight, well boned, and set well apart; elbows turned neither in nor out. Pasterns straight, feet of medium size, with round toes well arched. Pads thick and tough, nails black.
Hindquarters
Broad and muscular, with well developed second thigh denoting power, but not cumbersome. Moderate to well angulated hocks/stifles. Cow hocks ,straight stifles and splay feet are serious faults .Dogs or bitches displaying such serious faults will be eligible for a limited registration only and will not be considered as candidates for breeding.
Coat
Short and dense, giving good weather protection.
Color
All shades of Red, Black, or brindle and combinations of these coat colors are acceptable. White markings on the chest, belly, feet and muzzle are also acceptable. However white coat color exceeding 40% of the entire coat and /or lack of dark pigmentation around the eyes and lips is considered a serious fault . Dogs or bitches displaying more than 40% white coat color and /or lack of dark/black pigmentation around the eyes and lips will be eligible for a Limited registration only and will not be considered as candidates for breeding.
Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate to well angulated rear legs. Back remains level and firm. Coming and going, the dog moves in a straight line. Feet tend to converge under the body, without crossing over, as speed increases. There is no twisting in or out at the joints.
Temperament
Fearless and confidant yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a dependable family pet protector/companion.
Written & Approved February 10, 1997
Founder: PPDT Gale A. Raponi