Standard for The TNU Bulldog
 
Working Group

General Appearance
That of a symmetrical canine, giving the appearance of having strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but athletic, coordinated, fluid and active. The foundation breeding was 40% Hines Bulldog 25% APBT 25% Irish Staffordshire Terrier 10% OEB. Gale Raponi developed the breed in the United States specifically for civilian applications as Family Pet protectors/Companions/Farm Utilitarian/Hunting Dogs.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-Dogs 16 to21 inches at the withers, and 60 to 90 pounds weight Lean & Fit. Bitche's, 15 to20 inches at the withers, and 50-80 pounds weight Lean & Fit. Other things being equal, the more substantial dog within these limits is favored. Proportion--The length from tip of breast bone to rear of thigh is equal to or only slightly exceeds the height from withers to ground , resulting in a nearly square appearance.

Head
Expression--Keen, alert, and intelligent. Eyes Dark or Amber oval and of medium size. Ears—Cropped, rose, or drop 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;   Skull Large, broad, with cheeks well developed. Forehead moderately flat. Stop--pronounced. Muzzle—Broad, short to moderate in length and deep; its length, in comparison with that of the entire head, approximately as 1 is to 3.. Nose—All shades of Black/red/blue, with nostrils large and broad. Flews—tight as opposed to pendulous.  Bite—Preferably square, level slightly undershot is permitted. Canine teeth large and set wide apart.

Neck, Topline, Body
Neck—short to moderate length, very muscular, preferred equal to or slightly larger in circumference than the skull. Topline—straight from base of neck to last rib then slightly roached to base of tail. 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 athletic dog. Loin--Wide, muscular, and slightly arched, with fair depth of flank. Tail--Set on high and Docked at the third vertebra.

Forequarters
Shoulders--muscular but not loaded, and slightly sloping. Forelegs--straight, dense boned, and set well apart; elbows turned neither in nor out. Pasterns-- straight, feet of medium size, with round toes well arched. Pads--black, thick and tough. Nails-- black, red or blue. White nails considered a fault.

Hindquarters
Broad and muscular, with well-developed second thigh denoting power. Stifles--moderate to well angulated, thick dense bone.

Coat Color
Short and dense, giving good weather protection.
All shades of red, black, blue or brindle and combinations of these coat colors with any amount of white are acceptable. Lack of pigmentation around the eyes and lips is considered a fault 

Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful.  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 and responsible. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a dependable family pet protector/companion.

Written & Approved February 10, 2009
Founder: PPDT Gale A. Raponi