The American Bulldog and American Mammoth Bulldog are large-sized dogs with a sturdy, compact frame, yet muscular body. Males are stockier and heavier boned in appearance than females. They are alert, intelligent, and confident, and may display aloofness with strangers.
Life Expectancy: 8 – 14 years
Height: 18-22″ at the shoulder for females and 20-24″ at the shoulder for males.
Weight: 60-100 lbs for females and 80-120 lbs for males, though there is no penalty for weight above the standard as long as it’s proportionate to body size.
Coat & Color: The coat is short and stiff. If an American Mammoth Bulldog (see Mammoth Bulldog), the coat is long, often with feathering around the ears, back of legs, and tail. Any color, color pattern, or combination of colors is acceptable with the exception of solid black, solid blue, tricolor (white with patches of black and tan), merle, or albino (white with pink/red eyes).
Head: Large and broad with pronounced, muscular cheeks. It should be flat on top, and there is a distinct, deep stop.
Ears: Set high, either natural (preferred) or cropped.
Muzzle: Box-shaped, short to medium in length, broad in width. Length should be shorter than the length of the skull, but not too short as to interfere with normal breathing.
Eyes: Wide set and oval to almond shaped of medium size, deep in the skull. Black or dark brown is the preferred color. Bugged eyes, crossed, non-symmetrical, blue, cracked, or pink/red eyes are a disqualifying fault.
Nose: All colors/pigments are acceptable except light pink. The nose should be wide, and nostrils wide and open with no sign of air restriction.
Neck: Short to medium length, muscular, slightly arched, and tapers gradually from the shoulders to back of skull. Serious faults include a neck too long, too short, too thin, or too weak.
Chest: Deep and moderately wide and well filled in.
Shoulders: Wide, not straight, with excellent muscle definition. The upper arm (humerus) is approximately equal to the length of the shoulder blade (scapula) and joined at a 30 degree angle from level ground.
Legs: Forelegs and hind legs should be straight and well-muscled. Elbows should not turn in or out. Hind legs should be moderately angulated and parallel. The width of the hind legs should be in balance with that of the forelegs. The hips should not be narrow or lacking in muscle definition.
Gait: Movement is smooth, powerful, and well-coordinated when trotting. All legs move parallel to the direction of travel with front legs clearly reaching and the rear legs propelling the dog forward. When in motion, the topline should remain level.
Feet: Medium sized, well arched, tight, and rounded. The feet should not be splayed or flat feet, long toes.
Tail: Natural tail set low, thick at the base, and tapers to a point. Tail should be free of any curvature, kinks, and knots. Docked tails are a disqualifying fault.
Temperament: Disposition should be easygoing and friendly. Should not be overly aggressive or excessively shy.