The Alapaha blue blood bulldog - A most unusual breed!

The Alapaha blue blood bulldog is a rare and relatively modern breed of dog, which is not commonly seen out and about and maintains a relatively small gene pool for breeding. This dog is one of the lesser known bulldog breeds, but is certainly worthy of consideration as a pet if you love bulldogs of all types, and are looking for something a little unusual! They are a New World bulldog breed, and are mainly bred in Georgia and the Southern states of the USA. However, as their numbers grow, they are being exported ever more widely across the world, and today, can sometimes be found offered for sale by breeders within the UK.

If you already like the look of this breed and want to find out more about them, or if you have never heard of the Alapaha blue blood bulldog and simply want to get to know them a little, in this article we will cover some basics of their temperament, background and care requirements. Read on to learn more!

Alapaha blue blood bulldog origins and background

The Alapaha blue blood bulldog was created by means of selective breeding from traditional plantation dogs in the American south, and specifically, Georgia. While the breed’s history goes back to around 1800, they have not been bred in significant numbers or with an eye to expanding and growing the breed until the last couple of decades.

Originally prized as a guard dog and to protect homesteaders in the rural American south, the Alapaha blue blood bulldog is a mastiff-type dog that is comprised of the crossing of original English bulldogs with mixed-breed, mastiff-type plantation dogs.

Alapaha blue blood bulldog appearance

The Alapaha blue blood bulldog is immediately recognisable as a bulldog breed, having the typical exaggerated conformation of heavier bulldog types. They have wide, square and broad heads with drooping ears, and loose, floppy upper lips that are prone to drooling! They have wide set, large eyes, and a mixture of brown and blue eye colouration is considered desirable, as is the so-called “glass eyes” appearance, which is both eyes being light, ice blue.

They are muscular, sturdy and heavyset, with wide set legs and a short, stiff coat. They can be seen in colours including brown merle, blue merle, red merle, and white or chocolate trim is not uncommon. The breed is medium height, and males of the breed are significantly larger than females, in some cases up to twice the weight!

Temperament and personality

While most dogs of bulldog breeds are not renowned for their intelligence, the Alapaha blue blood bulldog is a notable exception. While they have not been formally ranked for intelligence, the breed is considered to be obedient, quick to learn and eminently trainable. They are also incredibly loyal, bond strongly with their owners, and are very much prized as guard dogs. They are noted for being good with children, and sometimes, very protective over them! They are also rather athletic compared to most bulldog breeds, and like to keep active and go for walks at least a couple of times a day.

Due to their fearless natures and strong guarding instincts, they can be stubborn and dominant, and so clear, unambiguous training and management is required from the get-go. For this same reason, proper early socialisation is also vital for this breed.

Within the home, they tend to be clean, quiet and calm, but will soon bark to alert you of someone’s approach.

Health and longevity

Again, bulldog breeds on the whole tend to be prone to a range of problems with their conformation due to selective breeding, and also, a range of genetically inherited health conditions. For this reason, many bulldog breeds, including the English bulldog, do not have a particularly long average lifespan. However, the Alapaha blue blood bulldog is again unique in this respect, with an average longevity of ten to twelve years, higher than many other bulldog breeds.

They are not as prone as most other bulldogs to problems with their conformation or inherited defects, but as the gene pool for the breed is relatively small, some conditions may be passed on in certain breed lines. Entropion of the eyelids is one such condition, and hip dysplasia is also a potential risk, due to the breed’s stocky build.

Does the Alapaha blue blood bulldog make a good pet?

There is a lot to recommend the Alapaha blue blood bulldog as a pet, particularly if you very much admire the bulldog appearance but are concerned about the prevalence of health issues within many of the other bulldog breeds.

They are quiet and well behaved within the home, and will thrive in most living environments providing that you are able to provide ample walks and entertainment for the dog. However, they can be prone to being dominant, and may be overly defensive with strangers, or take their guarding duties too seriously, something that you should watch carefully.