Breed Names
"...with the characteristic short muzzle and undershot jaw of its trade or use, which if bred out or allowed to degenerate into other types, the breed would become no longer the mastiff, as they approached nearer in type to their boarhound, bloodhound, or Alpine sheepdog ancestry; foul crosses which have been introduced to the detriment of the true type. Vast dogs long on the legs, somewhat light in bone for their size, are not in reality mastiffs, whatever their owners may think." Wynn
American bull breeds today, such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog and Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog all claim to have a history far older than can be proven with written documentation of the breed name.
The multitude of types and bloodline names within individual breeds is astounding and highly confusing to the newcomer. Many breeders and fanciers of the various bull breeds will argue that the many identifying prefixes associated with bull breeds are confusing and unnecessary. However, with preservation always in mind, such prefixes are very important and very much necessary. To call any and all bull breeds as 'bulldog' is not only erroneous but very misleading as to the dog's actual breed, it's strain or type and it's bloodline.
Bulldog
The moniker 'bulldog' is commonly used to describe fighting dogs, so much so that to say 'bulldog' often implies a fighting dog. The term is even applied to other types of dogs besides actual bulldogs simply because of their history as a fighting dog. The OWE is a prime example, as is the BB, a dog much closer in type to the indigenous dogs of the islands of the Mediterranean and the Canaries. Their superior fighting abilities have earned them the erroneous moniker of 'bulldog', much like the WE, which are in fact rustic mastiffs. To explain this misnomer, we turn to Spain and their long history of bull-fighting and their notorious fighting dogs of the arena and of their Conquests. Since the importation of bull fighting/war dogs by Spain was the first major importation of fighting dogs into the Americas, we can surmise that this gave us the name 'bulldog' to describe any fighting dog, regardless of it's breeding.
American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
The American Pit Bull Terrier was first documented by name in 1898 by the United Kennel Club, nearly 30 years after the first known documentation of both the WE and BB. The name APBT was given to describe 'any dog of the fighting pits'. "For many years, the term 'pit bull' was given to any dog of the fighting pits. The United Kennel Club originally registered these breeds of dogs and, at one time, regulated dog-fighting." Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World
American Bulldog (AB)
The American Bulldog was first documented as the American Pit Bulldog in 1970 by the National Kennel Club, (NKC). "Originally, my dogs were registered with the National Kennel Club, (NKC), as 'American (Pit) Bulldogs." John D. Johnson. In 1975, JDJ chose to go with the ARF and it was then that the name 'American Bulldog' was first documented after dropping the 'Pit' from the breed name. The 'Pit' part of the name was dropped due to the confusion between the Pit Bulldog, a common name for the American Pit Bull Terrier. "It was at that time, I suggested to Mr. Stodghill that the term "Pit" be dropped from the breed's name. Mr. Stodghill, ARF's genealogist, agreed that the use of the word "Pit" was a misnomer, and that the official breed name, from that time forward, would be recognized, and ARF registered, as "American Bulldogs".
Within the AB breed are various bloodlines with their own names, types and prefixes.
White English (WE)
The breed name White English is a generic term that describes an actual breed type that goes by a few other names such as Old White English, White English Bulldogs, English Whites, or simply, White English. The breed name White English was first documented by the United States Army in March of 1871 in a report written by Officer R. G. Carter in Fort Concho, West Texas. "There was among them a large White English Bulldog belonging to the regimental band. He was a powerful brute, and had been trained to pull down beeves at the slaughter corral at Fort Concho. He was, withal, a prime favorite with the soldiers, not withstanding his ferocity." R.G. Carter; US Army Officer; Fort Concho, West Texas: As published in 'Outing Magazine', March 25, 1871.
The newly popularized 'White English Bulldog', if purebred, is a term that describes the bulldog type White English, as opposed to the Old White English, (OWE), the mastiff type. see OWE: mastiff or bulldog. The old name 'WEB' that once described an old unaltered breed, all to often now describes a standard American Bulldog that is heavily outcrossed to old family White English (WE) bloodlines and is synonymous with the likewise newly popularized term 'old southern white' (OSW), to describe the same. The term 'old southern white' is a modern term and prefix used to describe a standard type AB that has been outcrossed to WE and used for hog hunting. Alan Scott, one of two American Bulldog breed founders, uses the prefix OSW to describe much of his modern catch stock and not the WEB prefix, much to his credit. The term OSW was not documented until recent years and does not describe a White English strain. The 'WEB' prefix has fast become a popular marketing tool that has led the development of yet just another term and misnomer for the American Bulldog with it's un-counted terms.
"...the early "Colonial American Bulldog", which is the original "American Bulldog" or "Old English White". Al Walker; ARF Genealogist.
Old Time Southern Bulldog (OTSB)
The term 'old time southern bulldog' was a term that has become a breed in it's own right, to describe a standard type bulldog that is used and bred specifically for hog hunting. The breed was developed by Jay Dorsey and James Stout in recent years and is not a strain or bloodline of American Bulldog. The OTSB is a breed in it's own right and is registered as such. "Our dogs and all of our litters are registered as Old-Time Southern Bulldogs with the National Kennel Club." James Stout
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog (ABBB)
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog was first documented in 1986 by the Animal Research Foundation. "In November of 1986, the ARF registered the first of many Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs." Animal Research Foundation
Within the ABBB are found various strains and types, all with their own prefixes and type names. One of these popular strains is the Old Southern Bulldog. It was developed by crossing the original stock of Lana Lou Lane back to White English Bulldogs (bulldog type). Another is the CRK line; a type developed from Lana's original dogs and crossed the with various other bull breeds. There is much contention within the ABBB breed as a whole over the various bloodlines, types and registries.
Brindle Bulldog (BB)
The earliest written documentation of the Brindle Bulldog found so far is from 1872 from the well acclaimed author Laura Ingalls Wilder. "Her father's gun hung over the door and good old Jack, the brindle bulldog, lay on guard before it. Her father would say: 'Go to sleep Laura, Jack won't let the wolves in.' " Laura Ingalls Wilder 1872
The multitude of types and bloodline names within individual breeds is astounding and highly confusing to the newcomer. Many breeders and fanciers of the various bull breeds will argue that the many identifying prefixes associated with bull breeds are confusing and unnecessary. However, with preservation always in mind, such prefixes are very important and very much necessary. To call any and all bull breeds as 'bulldog' is not only erroneous but very misleading as to the dog's actual breed, it's strain or type and it's bloodline.
Bulldog
The moniker 'bulldog' is commonly used to describe fighting dogs, so much so that to say 'bulldog' often implies a fighting dog. The term is even applied to other types of dogs besides actual bulldogs simply because of their history as a fighting dog. The OWE is a prime example, as is the BB, a dog much closer in type to the indigenous dogs of the islands of the Mediterranean and the Canaries. Their superior fighting abilities have earned them the erroneous moniker of 'bulldog', much like the WE, which are in fact rustic mastiffs. To explain this misnomer, we turn to Spain and their long history of bull-fighting and their notorious fighting dogs of the arena and of their Conquests. Since the importation of bull fighting/war dogs by Spain was the first major importation of fighting dogs into the Americas, we can surmise that this gave us the name 'bulldog' to describe any fighting dog, regardless of it's breeding.
American Pit Bull Terrier (APBT)
The American Pit Bull Terrier was first documented by name in 1898 by the United Kennel Club, nearly 30 years after the first known documentation of both the WE and BB. The name APBT was given to describe 'any dog of the fighting pits'. "For many years, the term 'pit bull' was given to any dog of the fighting pits. The United Kennel Club originally registered these breeds of dogs and, at one time, regulated dog-fighting." Atlas of Dog Breeds of the World
American Bulldog (AB)
The American Bulldog was first documented as the American Pit Bulldog in 1970 by the National Kennel Club, (NKC). "Originally, my dogs were registered with the National Kennel Club, (NKC), as 'American (Pit) Bulldogs." John D. Johnson. In 1975, JDJ chose to go with the ARF and it was then that the name 'American Bulldog' was first documented after dropping the 'Pit' from the breed name. The 'Pit' part of the name was dropped due to the confusion between the Pit Bulldog, a common name for the American Pit Bull Terrier. "It was at that time, I suggested to Mr. Stodghill that the term "Pit" be dropped from the breed's name. Mr. Stodghill, ARF's genealogist, agreed that the use of the word "Pit" was a misnomer, and that the official breed name, from that time forward, would be recognized, and ARF registered, as "American Bulldogs".
Within the AB breed are various bloodlines with their own names, types and prefixes.
White English (WE)
The breed name White English is a generic term that describes an actual breed type that goes by a few other names such as Old White English, White English Bulldogs, English Whites, or simply, White English. The breed name White English was first documented by the United States Army in March of 1871 in a report written by Officer R. G. Carter in Fort Concho, West Texas. "There was among them a large White English Bulldog belonging to the regimental band. He was a powerful brute, and had been trained to pull down beeves at the slaughter corral at Fort Concho. He was, withal, a prime favorite with the soldiers, not withstanding his ferocity." R.G. Carter; US Army Officer; Fort Concho, West Texas: As published in 'Outing Magazine', March 25, 1871.
The newly popularized 'White English Bulldog', if purebred, is a term that describes the bulldog type White English, as opposed to the Old White English, (OWE), the mastiff type. see OWE: mastiff or bulldog. The old name 'WEB' that once described an old unaltered breed, all to often now describes a standard American Bulldog that is heavily outcrossed to old family White English (WE) bloodlines and is synonymous with the likewise newly popularized term 'old southern white' (OSW), to describe the same. The term 'old southern white' is a modern term and prefix used to describe a standard type AB that has been outcrossed to WE and used for hog hunting. Alan Scott, one of two American Bulldog breed founders, uses the prefix OSW to describe much of his modern catch stock and not the WEB prefix, much to his credit. The term OSW was not documented until recent years and does not describe a White English strain. The 'WEB' prefix has fast become a popular marketing tool that has led the development of yet just another term and misnomer for the American Bulldog with it's un-counted terms.
"...the early "Colonial American Bulldog", which is the original "American Bulldog" or "Old English White". Al Walker; ARF Genealogist.
Old Time Southern Bulldog (OTSB)
The term 'old time southern bulldog' was a term that has become a breed in it's own right, to describe a standard type bulldog that is used and bred specifically for hog hunting. The breed was developed by Jay Dorsey and James Stout in recent years and is not a strain or bloodline of American Bulldog. The OTSB is a breed in it's own right and is registered as such. "Our dogs and all of our litters are registered as Old-Time Southern Bulldogs with the National Kennel Club." James Stout
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog (ABBB)
The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog was first documented in 1986 by the Animal Research Foundation. "In November of 1986, the ARF registered the first of many Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs." Animal Research Foundation
Within the ABBB are found various strains and types, all with their own prefixes and type names. One of these popular strains is the Old Southern Bulldog. It was developed by crossing the original stock of Lana Lou Lane back to White English Bulldogs (bulldog type). Another is the CRK line; a type developed from Lana's original dogs and crossed the with various other bull breeds. There is much contention within the ABBB breed as a whole over the various bloodlines, types and registries.
Brindle Bulldog (BB)
The earliest written documentation of the Brindle Bulldog found so far is from 1872 from the well acclaimed author Laura Ingalls Wilder. "Her father's gun hung over the door and good old Jack, the brindle bulldog, lay on guard before it. Her father would say: 'Go to sleep Laura, Jack won't let the wolves in.' " Laura Ingalls Wilder 1872
"The two types down here are not Johnson or Scott, they are White English and Brindle Bulls. Some still earn their keep in the woods even after pulling shifts babysitting and performing guard duty." John Conner
"If you can remember those old Brindle Bulldogs; They didn't have no Terrier in em', they was the old bulldog, the real thing." Jeff Clark
If anyone can find any documentation written before the above dates with the modern breed names as mentioned, please contact us so that we can correct it. Meanwhile, we have written documentation both of the White English and the Brindle Bulldog well before the above breeds came to be.
As can be clearly seen in the drawing at the top of the page that originally accompanied the story of King in Outing Magazine, King was no English Bulldog. Even for the time, he's far too large and with too much leg. He is in fact what he is said to be.
"If you can remember those old Brindle Bulldogs; They didn't have no Terrier in em', they was the old bulldog, the real thing." Jeff Clark
If anyone can find any documentation written before the above dates with the modern breed names as mentioned, please contact us so that we can correct it. Meanwhile, we have written documentation both of the White English and the Brindle Bulldog well before the above breeds came to be.
As can be clearly seen in the drawing at the top of the page that originally accompanied the story of King in Outing Magazine, King was no English Bulldog. Even for the time, he's far too large and with too much leg. He is in fact what he is said to be.