Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Breed Description

An Owner's Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog Description
Alfalfa, one of my guardian dogs will loyally keep watch when I'm away. He possesses many qualities that make him ideal as a watchdog, but aggression is not one of them.

Aggression is a quality that I really hate to see in guard dogs. When they are bred to be aggressive, an otherwise good dog, loses their ability to remain calm and to size up the situation before reacting. In my opinion, aggressive guard dogs are as much a liability as they are an asset.

And that's what I like about Alfalfa. He's strong, yet agile and even athletic with an amazing amount of stamina. He's extremely alert and protective. You might say, he has watch-dog qualities without being aggressive and difficult to control. To the contrary, his personality, and physical abilities make him easy train and reliably faithful.

And although he will spring into action if the situation calls for it, Alfalfa has the mental awareness to restrain himself if, for instance, a would-be intruder turns out to be a friend. It's this quality that also makes him so good with the children. He's a perfect playmate for children of all ages. Alfalfa plays so much differently with our teenage boys than he does with their 3 year old sister.

You can probably see now why I love this rare breed. Alfalfa falls under the Mastiff breed and was bred as a guardian, and protector, for sport, and as a farm hand. He loves to work and excels in obedience. Like other dogs of his breed, he's an all around athlete and can brag that there's nothing he can't do, once he understands what is expected of him.

 

 

Introduction

These Georgia-born Bulldogs take their name from the Alapaha River region where they originated, bred by Lana Lou Lane and developed to work livestock and guard property. Males stand 24" at the shoulder and weigh 80 to 95 lbs. Females weigh 50 to 65 lbs. These large dogs are protective of their people and property. Training is recommended at an early age.

History

Rebecca, Georgia is the heart of the Alapaha River Region in the southern part of the state, and it is there that the 'old timey plantation dog' of the Lane family was preserved and bred by Lana Lou Lane. She named the dog for the region and began recording breedings with the Animal Research Foundation (ARF).  It appears likely that bulldogs brought by settlers from the British Isles were the foundation of this breed, along with the terriers that had become popular in America's south because of their value as hunters and for vermin control.

While the actual history may be little more than guesswork,  Lane's work to keep this very American dog breed going is indisputable. A rare breed, the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bull Dog is a living part of the history of Georgia.

General Description

As Lane herself said, "This is a square dog." Height and length are usually within an inch or less of each other, and head circumference is about an inch less. Imagine a dog 25" long, 25" tall with a head that's 24" in circumference and you've pictured the perfect Alapaha.

The Alapaha is a bulldog, with the large head and wide deep chest that bulldogs are known for, tapering back to narrower hips. The overall impression is one of strength and tenacity. They are built for endurance, an important trait during the centuries when farm and plantation life began before sunrise and continued until dark.

Temperament

Devoted and loyal by nature, tales abound of dogs who have sacrified themselves to protect loved ones from harm. This is a breed that will take on a bear without hesitation if the bear threatens a person they hold dear. Natural athletes, they need daily work and exercise to remain mentally and physically fit.

Health and Care

Your Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog will never need a trip to the groomer. They are minimal shedders and their short glossy fur is dense enough to protect their skin and naturally repels dirt and debris. Regular petting will keep it shiny. Trim nails and brush teeth to keep your dog healthy!

Sources

The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog Association, Dog Breed Info Center, Wikipedia

Colors

All colors and pattern acceptable with red and blue merle with white, chocolate or liver and white or any parti-color acceptable.

Living Area

The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is an inactive dog indoors so can adjust to both apartment and house life. They do need regular outside exercise and a large, securely fenced yard is the best possible option for the breed.

Recognized By

ARF (Animal Research Foundation)

Pets4You offers listings of Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog breeders with puppies for sale.