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Breed Characteristics
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Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog
| Other Names | Otto, Otto Bulldog, Cowdog and Catahoula Bulldog |
| Nicknames | Silver Dollar |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Weight | Males: 90 - 100lb (41 - 50 kg) Females: 65 - 75lb (29.5 - 34 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 22 - 25 in (56 to 63.5 cm) Females: 20 - 23 in (51 - 58.5 cm) |
| Coat | The Alapaha's coat is relatively short and fairly stiff. |
| Colour | Preferred colors are blue merle, brown merle, or red merle all trimmed in white or chocolate and white. |
| Litter Size | About 4-8 puppies |
| Life Span | About 12-15 years |
| Origin & History | The Alapaha is thought to have existed in the southern United States for approximately 200 years, but there is no documentation of the breed before 1979. He probably descends from the various types and crosses of Bulldogs brought by early settlers to this country. Those dogs were taller and more athletic than the Bulldog we know today. They were never shown but were strictly working dogs, used to drive recalcitrant cattle and pigs, hunt varmints, and guard homesteads. The Alapaha is a bull breed developed in the American South as a “catch dog” to drive or capture unruly cattle or other animals. In 1979, a group of Southern dog lovers set out to preserve the rapidly disappearing dogs. They gave them a name—Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog—founded the Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog Association, and wrote a breed standard. The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog results from three generations of an old breeding program of PaPa Buck Lane of Rebecca, Georgia, USA. The program started back in the 1800s and was intended to rescue the "plantation dog" of southern Georgia that was nearly extinct. This rare, bulldog-type guard dog descends form Buck Lane's dog named Otto. Lana Lou spoke of her granddaddy as always having had an "Otto" about the estate. One Otto was all one needed since these Bulldogs were capable of guard work and woods work. When PaPa Buck was killed by a train in 1943, his Otto proved his undying devotion by constant visitation and guard duty over the grave. Buck Lane's granddaughter, Lana Lou Lane continued the breeding program until she passed away in her sleep on July 20, 2001. Like the Plott Hound, this muscular breed is the creation of one American family, and its survival depends upon the nurturing it receives. Originating from English Bulldog stock, this dog's ancestors functioned as cattle and pig herders, but the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is bred solely for security and companionship. The Animal Research Foundation (ARF) was the first all-breed registry to ever recognize the late Ms. Lana Lou Lane's "Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs" in 1986. Ms. Lane was an ARF Certified Breeder up and until her passing in 2001, after which time her elderly mother, Mrs. Vivian Lane, took over her business affairs. Later, Mrs. Vivian Lane sold her daughter's kennel. |
| Personality | The breed standard says the Alapaha is dutiful, possessive and attentive, protective of his property and territorial from a young age. He is a devoted and loyal family dog who demands attention. The Alapaha takes his family membership seriously. He is suspicious of strangers and makes an excellent watchdog. He is, however, completely unsuited to being left out in the yard alone as a “guard dog.” With children this athletic dog is an active and sturdy playmate. He loves their company, especially when he is raised with them. He can get along with cats and other pets when he is raised with them, but he’s likely to be aggressive to dogs he doesn’t know. The confident Alapaha is best suited to a working home with an experienced dog owner. He is intelligent and highly trainable if he has an effective leader he can respect. Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at eight weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. Don’t wait until he is 6 months old to begin training or you will have a more headstrong dog to deal with. If possible, get him into puppy kindergarten class by the time he is 10 to 12 weeks old, and socialize, socialize, socialize. However, be aware that many puppy training classes require certain vaccines (like kennel cough) to be up to date, and many veterinarians recommend limited exposure to other dogs and public places until puppy vaccines (including rabies, distemper and parvovirus) have been completed. In lieu of formal training, you can begin training your puppy at home and socializing him among family and friends until puppy vaccines are completed. Talk to the breeder, describe exactly what you’re looking for in a dog, and ask for assistance in selecting a puppy. Breeders see the puppies daily and can make uncannily accurate recommendations once they know something about your lifestyle and personality. Whatever you want from an Alapaha, look for one whose parents have nice personalities and who has been well socialized from early puppyhood. |
Care Requirements
| Health | With such a small genetic pool, health problems such as inversion of the eyelids (entropion) can develop. |
| Grooming | The Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog has a smooth coat that sheds. Brush him at least once a week to remove dead hair and keep the skin and coat healthy. Clean the ears and trim the nails as needed, and bathe the Alapaha on the rare occasions that he’s dirty. |
| Feeding | They require a balanced, high quality diet to stay healthy. |
| Exercise | These athletic, active dogs have an average demand for exercise. They need long daily walks and will enjoy a romp in a safe enclosed area. |
| Other Considerations | Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldogs will do okay in an apartment if they are sufficiently exercised. They are very inactive indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard. |
