2. What is the Animal Research Foundation (ARF), and why do they claim to be the ‘Mother’ registry for the Alapaha?

Answer: First of all, the ARF is one of the many ‘Third Party’ registries (similar to the ACA, IOEBA, OREBA, NKC, CKC, URBA, DRA, FIC and WWKC) that print undocumented pedigrees and registration papers for numerous types of animals. These registries allow breeders with no verifiable registration papers to create/concoct a breed via their ‘Merit’ registration programs.

Example: If you owned a Boxer and a Great Dane but wanted for some odd reason to register them as Alapahas, a Third Party registry like the ARF would Merit register them for a fee. Once the Merit registered Boxer & Great Dane (now Pseudo-Alapahas) were bred the offspring would be eligible for full registration. Consequently, unsuspecting buyers would have no idea that their (new Pseudo-Alapaha) puppy was a Mutt or in this case a Boxer bred to a Great Dane! This is just one example of what (The most common concoction has been the American Bulldog × American Pit-Bull Terrier × Catahoula Leopard Dog) many unsuspecting buyers have purchased as an Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog from ARF Certified breeders over the years!

  In legal circles this is called FRAUD!!!

Note: The authenticity of offspring from such origins would be considered ‘Mongrels’ from 1st & 2nd party organization like the AKC, FCI, UKC and founding breed club registries like the ABBA.

Secondly, their claim to be the ‘Mother’ registry stems from false statements made from Lana Lou Lane before her death in 2001. The ABBA was established in 1979 as a breed club and founding registry. Ms. Lane joined the ARF in 1986 for Merit registration purposes, after she was banned from the ABBA.

3. Why did Lana Lou Lane leave the ABBA and join the Animal Research Foundation (ARF)?

Answer: Early on Ms. Lane was not what you would call a breeder. She mostly sold dogs on consignment for Mr. Chester. After some bad business dealings between the two she was left with 4 dogs in 1985. After falling out with Mr. Chester she decided to back breed (re-create) the dogs by crossing various strains of Catahoula Curs, American Pit Bull Terriers, Bullmastiffs and American Bulldogs. The ABBA has always had a standing policy to not register dogs that didn’t have heritage from the original stud files (the first 50 dogs) created in 1979. So, she contacted Mr. Tom D. Stodghill of the ARF an organization which had/has a reputation for allowing breeders to create whatever they wanted and certifying it as ‘pure’ bred. Ms. Lane ‘Merit’ registered over 300 dogs. That means out of the 800 dogs she bred more than a third were not authentic Alapahas. This is a FACT you can get from the ARF. This is also a practice that exists to this day amongst the current ARF certified breeders.

4. What is the difference between an Alapaha Blue-Blood Bulldog and an American Bulldog?

Answer: In short, the Alapaha is smaller than an American Bulldog. The overall differences are genetic and involve the ‘true’ lineage of the breeds. Many differences in the development of the breeds exist and for those who’ve had the opportunity to own them both, the difference is mostly in protectiveness and intelligence. The Alapaha is sharper and more consistent without a doubt!

5. Is the Alapaha related to or similar to the Olde English or Victorian/Renaissance Bulldogge?

Answer: No, the Alapaha is primarily a working breed developed over generations of stock-dog to stock-dog breeding programs of a select few cattlemen & farmers. The Olde English or Victorian/Renaissance Bulldogge are re-creation breeds developed for a myriad of reasons but mainly for their looks and docile temperament. The opinions of what they are vary so much from breeder to breeder, in my opinion it’s not a breed but a practice like the Bandogge (Mastiff × Pit Bull) verses (English Bulldog × to whatever). Every Olde/Victorian/Renaissance breeder has a different recipe for his/her soup!

Note: If we’re not careful the Alapaha is on its way to such demise with the generic cross-bred Pseudo Alapahas the Create-A-Breed registries are recognizing.

7. Why does the conformation vary so between the different strains of the Alapaha?

Answer: In most true working breeds this is often the case, based on the varying jobs that they perform (i.e. guard, catch-dog & companionship). For each purpose, the conformation may vary based on the ideals of the breeder. Guard dog breeders tend to like larger dogs in the 90 lbs range. Catch-dog breeders tend to like dogs between 70 & 80 lbs. that are long legged with longer muzzles to breathe while coursing game. Companion breeders tend to like the overall esthetics and conformation of ‘good’ looks rather than the function. But mostly they all have a very similar look to them. But, BEWARE OF THE CREATE-A-BREED registered Pseudo-Alapahas most of them are just that cross bred MUTTS! This has a lot to do with why they look so different compared to authentic ABBA registered dogs! The problem with these Back Bred ARF Dogs is just that. Their overall conformation & temperament vary as much as their lineage.

8. Do Alapaha's drool a lot?

Answer: No, the Alapaha is a ‘dry’ mouth dog. The only drooling you’ll observe is when they’ve finished drinking water. All dogs drool in this case.

11. Are the Alapahas ‘free’ whelpers and natural breeders?

Answer: Yes, with the Alapaha breeding and whelping is usually non-problematic.

13. Do Alapahas shed?

Answer: Yes, all mammals with hair/coat shed. The Alapaha has a short dense coat that’s smooth to the touch. In cold climates they develop a winter undercoat which they shed in late spring but it’s barely noticeable.

15. Does the Alapaha have inherent breathing problems like the ‘English’ Bulldog?