The Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog (ABBB) or Otto is an American
rare dog breed,
developed in the Alapaha River region of Southern
Georgia.
Appearance
Displaying an unexaggerated and natural
bulldog type, the Alapaha
is nevertheless a sturdy, well-developed, and muscular breed. Descriptions of
its size vary greatly, calling for males anywhere from 55 to 130 pounds (25 to
59 kg) standing 19 to 26 inches (48 to 73.5 cm) at the
withers, females smaller
at 50 to 90 pounds (22.5 to 41 cm). Ears and tail are natural, with no cropping
or docking. Colors of the
Alapaha are varied, typically white or different shades of black, grey, red,
fawn, brindle, brown,
buckskin, or mahogany, always with white markings; some dogs are piebald spotted.
Temperament
The ABBB is described as trainable, dutiful, and responsible, with impressive
capabilities as a guardian of family and property, but aggressive only in
defense of these. They are friendly and relaxed until the need arises to defend
their own.
History
The breed was developed by the Lane family of Rebecca, Georgia, in a
sustained effort over many decades to preserve the "plantation dog" of south
Georgia from extinction. Detractors say that the ABBB is identical to the
American
Bulldog and that nothing distinctive is found in the Otto. Alapaha owners
appear to disagree and photos seem to indicate a fairly distinct type.
Health
Miscellaneous
The breed is quite rare with a population of living dogs probably around two
hundred. Primary registry for the breed is the
Animal Research Foundation in Quinlan, Texas.
Books
McDonald,Joan.The Book of the Bulldog,
Neptune, NJ:TFH
Publications,
ISBN 0866220275
Jenkins, Robert.The Story of the Real Bulldog
Neptune, NJ:
TFH Publications,
ISBN 0793804914