UK DOG SHOWS?

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Celtic Alapaha Kennels replied on Fri, Mar 5 2010 13:22

HI yes i was speaking to warren last night and was wondering are we going to see any abba reconised shows over hear ? As we a few selcted people are doing what we can out hear for the breed , and we are promting the breed in a very well manner , i think this breed will catch on quick over hear as my self and many others fall head over heels for our very muched loved and cherrished alapahas , it would be nice to have some one representing the abba over hear in the uk , It would be a very interesting to see what else is hear in the uk and also to show our dogs would be even greater as its great doing the training as we all know but my aim is to get the breed more reconised so any one with any ideas we would love to hear them  GO ABBA !!!!!!!

Celtic Alapaha Kennels

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Nerak Bulldogs replied on Sat, Mar 6 2010 0:20

I sent them here for more information I don't even know what clubs show in the UK.  I like to see the ABB growing in the UK.  Who knows, if I win the lottery maybe I can come to a show over there!

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David-WKA replied on Sat, Mar 6 2010 18:13

John is the UK's board advisor for the ABBA, but his details are yet to go up on the offical ABBA website, hopefully it will be updated soon!  Through the work of WKA, the Alapaha can now be shown at "open" bulldog breed shows across the UK and Europe. there is one in the Black country (Birmingham) at the end of March and more through out the year. Unfortunatley there are no shows solely for ABBA Alapahas. Hopefully once the breed is fully established over here, more rare breed shows will open up, but as of yet there have been only a handful of breeding in the UK all of which carry WKA's SPOOK within their bloodline, WKA and CAK seem to be the only kennels in the UK with enough knowledge about the breed working extra hard to import more bloodlines that steer clear of the "APOLLOxLil DOOZEY" "VAN SHELTON" and "MARBLE LANE" blood which is RIFE here in the UK.

WKA now has new stock with amazing blood that steer clear from these bloodlines i.e

CRK's BARBIE [LSK's ZULU x LSK's MAGGIE]

CRK's LADY [CRK's BLUE SKY GIRL x CRK's DIABLO]

FG's LADYBUG [FG's PALADIN x FG's SCARLETT]

CRK's (WKA's) SCAR [CRK's BARBIE x CRK's JUNKYARD BULLY] owned by TopDawg

we also have semen lined up from ALDO MARTINEZ who owns the amazing -

CRK's TONKA [CRK's GOLDBERG x CRK's SCRUFFY SCRAPING]

so as you can see we are working super hard to get new blood into the country.

WHYTE KENNEL ALAPAHAS

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Nerak Bulldogs replied on Sat, Mar 6 2010 18:37

I've heard John is the UK's board advisor but I haven't seen it in print either.  He needs to get on either Ray or Cynthia to get it posted.  We haven't had any ABBA only shows here either the national's in April will be the first.  I have to agree WKA's knowledge of ABBA bloodlines is spot on as you say and John constantly amazes me with rare photos!!  Keep up the good work in the UK!!

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Cynthia replied on Sun, May 2 2010 17:54

John was asked by Mr. Coleman to be the ABBA Club Rep for that area and he accepted. I am not sure why it has not been posted yet  but will look into it. At this moment there is discussion for an ABBA Show in the UK. It will be obviously a small conformation show . But will also give the opportunity for  ABBA BST testing .Listed below are the Basic BST and the BST 1 . They will be posted on the ABBA site soon.  Granted it is still just in the discussion stage but I am working hard at making it a solid commitment.  But in order to pull it off we will need some volunteers over there to help put it together. For instance where ( would need a place where they will legally not mind the dogs being put in situations where they might show aggression. ) When? (What time of year is best not to hot or to cold and where people in the UK could fly in with their dogs if they wanted to) Would event Insurance be needed?  Are there people willing to help set up and participate as helpers in the BST tests?  With some international co operation I can see this as a reality . 

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ABBA

Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

Basic Breed Specific

Description of the Test

The ABBA Basic BST focuses on and evaluates temperament, such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, as well as the dog's natural working instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat.

During this test, the dog will experience Noise stimulation and a threatening situation is encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.

Owner must show ABBA Certificate of registration to take test.  Dogs must be at least 12 months old to enter this test. The test takes about 5 minutes to complete. The dog is on a loose six-foot (6') lead.  The dog shall wear a flat buckle collar. No snap, prong or choke collars.

The handler is not allowed to talk to the dog, or give corrections except in parts where commands are necessary.

Dogs will be given either a pass or fail at the end of the test. Dogs that fail must wait a minimum of three months to retake the test. Dogs that pass will be mailed a certificate.

Immediate Failure on any part of the test is recognized when a dog shows:

a. Panic without recovery

b. extreme shyness or is very skittish

c. Strong avoidance.

d. Complete inability to be controlled

A fee of $15 will be paid at time of sign up. 

Part One: Protection/Aggressive Instinct – This set of tests is to determine the dogs ability to recognize an unusual situation, its confidence level, its protective instincts, and its capacity to realize when the situation becomes a threat.  

1. Non threatening: Handler stops at a designated spot. A strangely dressed stranger crosses the path 40 feet in front of the dog and handler.

Judge will evaluate the dogs alertness to an unusual situation.

2. Threatening:  The weird stranger advances 10 feet forward in a threatening manner.

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The Judge will evaluate the dog’s ability to conceive when an unusual situation has turned into provocation. The dog’s reaction to the provocation. Along with its confidence level.  

3. The stranger advances within 18 feet of the dog and handler in an aggressive manner.

The dog must show some sign of protective instinct. Reaction does not have to be barking, growling or extra aggressive.  But must show willingness to stand ground and defend. Dog may not cower, flee or panic.

Judge will evaluate the dog’s protective instincts and confidence level.

Part Two: Dogs Reaction to Auditory Stimulation- This is to evaluate the dog’s reaction to noise stimulation, its confidence, and its Investigative nature.

Gunshots: The handler will walk dog and stop at a designated spot. A person at least 40 ft from them will then fire a starter pistol 3 times (Shot-pause-shot- shot).

This part of the test a dog can bark and be aggressive, if a dog should go into flight mode they must recover from the gun shot or they will fail, Judge will evaluate the dog’s reaction, startle response and recovery time. If test is given in area where shots are not allowed a suitable noise will be substituted.

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ABBA

Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog

Breed Specific Test 1

Description of the Test

The ABBA BST focuses on and evaluates different aspects of temperament, such as stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness as well as the dog's natural working instinct for protectiveness towards its handler and/or self-preservation in the face of a threat.

During this test, the dog will experience visual, auditory and tactile stimulation. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.

Owner must show ABBA Certificate of registration to take test.  Dogs must be at least 12 months old to enter this test. The test takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. The dog is on a loose six-foot (6') lead.  The dog shall wear a flat buckle collar. No snap, prong or choke collars.

The handler is not allowed to talk to the dog, or give corrections except in parts where commands are necessary.

Dogs will be given either a pass or fail at the end of the test. Dogs that fail must wait a minimum of three months to retake the test. Dogs that pass will be mailed a certificate.

Immediate Failure on any part of the test is recognized when a dog shows:

a. Panic without recovery

b. extreme shyness or is very skittish

c. Strong avoidance.

d. Complete inability to be controlled

A fee of $30 will be paid at time of sign up. 

Part One: Behavior with Strangers- This is to assess the dog's reaction to strangers in a non-threatening situation.  The Alapaha by nature should be wary of strangers. Dogs with obedience, socialization training or protection work will react differently to each situation and Judges will score accordingly.

1. The neutral Stranger: Stranger approaches the handler stopping at 3 feet away and exchanges pleasantries with the handler ignoring the dog.

Judge will evaluate dog’s reaction to passive socialization

2. Friendly Stranger: Stranger Approaches the handler in a friendly manner talks to the dog. Dog must remain neutral and non aggressive.

Judge will evaluate the dog’s active social skills

Part Two: Grooming and handling by Owner - Although the Alapaha can be distant with strangers it should be able to be handled easily by owner

 1. The dog must appear to be in healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler should have a brush commonly used on the dog. The Owner then brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the ears and picks up each front foot gently. Opens the mouth to look at the teeth. It is not necessary for the dog to hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.

Judge will evaluate and the dog’s reaction.  Judge will take into consideration types of training the dog has had. ( Working, or sport)

Part Three: Walking with handler and obedience- This is to determine that the dog is controlled by its owner. And responds to basic commands.

1. Walking under control: The handler will walk the dog on a loose lead. The dog may be interested in its surroundings.  But should walk normally and still be attentive of the handler.  Dog should not pull ahead or be out of control. Handler will walk the dog in a straight line for 15 ft then in a figure eight around cones. Then puts the dog in a sit

2. Sitting on Command: Handler will have the dog sit.

3. Laying Down on Command: Handler will have the dog lay down.

4. Staying on Command: Handler will put dog on a 12 ft lead and either have the dog in a sit or down position. Command the dog to stay and walk to 10 feet away. Have the dog stay for 60 seconds.

5. Coming on Command:  Handler will then face the dog and call it to them. Handler may use encouragement to get the dog to come.  In front or at heel / this will be stated by handler before test is started.

Judge will evaluate the dog’s performance and quickness in responding to owner’s Commands.

Part Four: Tactile Stimulation while walking- This is to evaluate the dog’s sensitivity to unusual footing, its ability to recover from the fear of unusual footing and to evaluate its investigative behavior to the unusual footing.

1. Plastic Footing: Handler will walk with the dog over a 10- 12 foot long piece of plastic. It may be a clear or colored tarp.

2. Wire Footing: Handler will have the dog walk alone over a 10- 12 foot long piece of chain link or wire. An unfolded exercise pen may be used.

3. Handler will jog with dog over solid 2 foot jump. Dog may touch jump going over but may not refuse jump.

Judge will evaluate the dog’s performance, confidence and willingness.

Part Five: Dogs Reaction to Auditory Stimulation- This is to evaluate the dog’s reaction to noise stimulation, its confidence, and its Investigative nature.

1. Unexpected Noise:  Handler walks dog towards a designated spot where another hidden person will rattle a metal bucket. The bucket will then be placed on the path in front of the handler and dog. Handler will continue towards the bucket. The handlers attention must be focused on the bucket and not the dog. Handler may encourage the dog to investigate the bucket only after told to do so. The dog may investigate on its own.

Judges will evaluate the dogs startle response.  Its confidence and how quickly it recovers. Along with the dog’s willingness to approach the bucket.

2. Gunshots: The handler will stop at a designated spot. A person at least 40 ft from them will then fire a starter pistol 3 times (Shot-pause-shot- shot).

This part of the test a dog can bark and be aggressive, if a dog should go into flight mode they must recover from the gun shot or they will fail, Judge will evaluate the dog’s reaction, startle response and recovery time.  If test is done in area where shots are not allowed a suitable noise will be substituted.

Part Six: Reaction to visual Stimulation – This is to evaluate the dogs reaction to sudden unexpected visual stimulation

1. Umbrella: Handler will walk dog up to a person sitting with a closed umbrella held parallel to the ground.  When the dog is 8 feet from the person they will open the umbrella. The handler may encourage the dog to investigate the umbrella only when asked to do so. The handler's focus must be on the umbrella, not on the dog.

2. Bike: Handler will walk dog along route a person on a bike will ride past 15 feet in front of them. Dog may show interest and excitement but may not charge or act aggressive towards Bike

Judge will evaluate the dog’s reaction and willingness to investigate.

Part Seven: Protection/Aggressive Instinct – This set of test is to determine the dogs ability to recognize an unusual situation, its confidence level, its protective instincts, and its capacity to realize when the situation becomes a threat.  

1. Non threatening: Handler stops at a designated spot. A strangely dressed stranger crosses the path 40 feet in front of the dog and handler.

Judge will evaluate the dogs alertness to an unusual situation.

2. Threatening:  The weird stranger advances 10 feet in a threatening manner.

The Judge will evaluate the dog’s ability to conceive when an unusual situation has turned into provocation. The dog’s reaction to the provocation. Along with its confidence level.  

3. The stranger advances within 18 feet of the dog and handler in an aggressive manner.

The dog must show some sign of protective instinct. Reaction does not have to be barking, growling or extra aggressive.  But must show willingness to stand ground and defend. Dog may not cower, flee or panic.

Judge will evaluate the dog’s protective instincts and confidence level.

The stranger is never closer than 10 feet from the dog. The handler's 2 foot arm and the 6' lead is added in for a total of 18 feet.

At the completion of the test, Handler will receive a written critique from the judge on the dog’s performance for each part of the test.