Australian Bulldog Standard
General Appearance:
Smooth coated, thickset, medium sized with powerful build showing strength, but not cumbersome, sound and active.
Bitches not so grand or well developed as dogs.
Characteristics: Conveys impression of strength and activity, enduring, reliable.
Temperament: Loyal, fierce in appearance but extremely affectionate in nature. Extrovert and gregarious, this breed's happiness requires human attention. Occasionally scrappy with other dogs.
Head & Skull: The head should be large, but not exaggerated out of proportion to the body. Broad muzzled and short faced, but with a definite protrusion of muzzle. The face is measured from front of cheekbone to tip of nose, long enough for unhindered breathing. Muzzle is broad and turning up. Loose folds of skin across nose, but in no way excessively wrinkled. Undershot (but not to excess) to level jaw. Flews are broad and hanging over lower jaw at each side.
Eyes are set low and wide, never bulging or sunken - preferably without visible haw. Eyes of any colour acceptable. Eyes of any colour acceptable, although blue eyes undesirable.
Ears: Small to moderate size. Set wide apart. Rose or button preferred - never erect.
Mouth: Broad jaw. Undershot (not to excess) to level. Full dentition desirable with incisors a large as possible. Canines set wide apart.
Neck: Moderate in length; thick, deep and strong with loose skin forming small dewlap on either side.
Forequarters: Chest broad and deep. Shoulders broad, rounded ribs. Forelegs powerful and straight, not bandy or curved, well boned, set wide apart presenting a straight front. Forelegs powerful and straight, not bandy or curved, well boned, set wide apart, but under the trunk, presenting a straight front.
Body: Back short and straight giving compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity. Ribs well sprung and deep.
Hindquarters: Strong and muscular. Hocks slightly bent.
Feet: Round and compact. Excessively splayed feet undesirable.
Tail: Thickset at root. Straight (long or short), crank, pump-handle tails all acceptable. Set high on rump, slightly rounding down. Screw tails acceptable, but tight screws undesirable. Docked tails definitely undesirable.
Gait / Movement: Balanced and vigorous. As true (straight) as possible with drive from rear.
Coat: Smooth, short, tight to body.
Colour: They come in all sorts of colours: reds, whites, brindles, red brindles, fawns and all pied mixes of these colours.
Height: Dogs: 17-19 inches (43-48cm), Bitches: 16-19 inches (41-48cm)
Weight: Dogs: 28-35 kg, Bitches: 24-30kg
General Comment: The health of the AUSTRALIAN BULLDOG is more important than their looks. Therefore, this Standard should be viewed as a guide not a straitjacket. The idea of enthusiasts in creating this new breed is to have a dog, clearly of bulldog type, but with none of the physical limitations of the British Bulldog.