Shorty Bull - History and Breed Standard

Breed History

General Description

Shorty Bulls are a compact and muscular Bulldog of small stature. They are athletically inclined and incredibly agile. Shorty Bulls have a strong desire to please, are highly intelligent and good natured. Shorties make excellent family dogs and are very tolerant of children and other animals. They are bred to be well rounded family companions. Shorties have a zest for life and are little comics. They can easily adapt to different lifestyles from living in an apartment to life on a farm. Grooming is minimal. Shorty Bulls should never be extremely shy or aggressive.

Height

15″ and Under.  Over 15″ at withers is disqualification from the show ring.

Weight

Approximately 40 pounds. Over 40 pounds is allowed but should be proportionate to height. Obesity is a fault.

Head

Round head with typical Bulldog features. Eyes should be set far apart and not protrude.  Nose should turn up slightly and may be black or liver coloured. Dudley noses are a cosmetic fault.

Bite

All dogs must be undershot but not to an extreme degree as to show lower canines when mouth is closed.

Eyes

Brown is preferred although eyes may be any colour.  Eyes should have an oval shape and not protrude from the skull.

Ears

Cropped close to head. Dogs with uncropped ears should never be allowed in the show ring unless showing in EU countries.

Body

Body should be short from withers to tail.  Chest should be broad for height and have a depth reaching the elbow.  A compact look is desired, width of front and hind quarters should be proportionate, not lending to a narrow rear. The chest may be broader than the rear, but narrow hindquarters are a fault.

Shoulders and Rump

Well rounded and well muscled.  Lending to the appearance of strength.  A slight rise over the loins is allowed, but not preferred and should never be to an extreme degree.

Legs

Heavy boned and in direct proportion to the body.  Long legs in proportion to the body or fine bones are a serious fault.  Cow hocks and pigeon toes are a fault.

Feet

Tight feet and straight pasterns are desired.  Splayed feet and weak pasterns are a fault.

Tail

Tail must be short, either docked or screwed.  No long tails permitted in the show ring.

Color

All coat colors are acceptable with the exception of merle.

Temperament

Good natured and even tempered. Extreme shyness or undue aggression is a fault.  Shorty Bulls should never be aggressive to humans.

---