HIP HYPE, HIP HOP
by Kyle Symmes

Over the last 4 or 5 years, I’ve watched this breed go from a few dedicated performance breeders, a few "quick buck" breeders and a few "bigger is better" non-performance breeders to the current state of confusion. I probably would have campaigned another breed of dog for the Homeward Bound movie had I known of the diversity and lack of perseverance of a true bulldog that the movie’s popularity has started to create.

Several of the current self-stated improvement breeders have one goal in mind or one selling point to "move" their puppies. That is solely hip x-rays through Penn-Hip or OFA certification, both of which have their merits. However, I can’t help but think back to 1982 when I was given my first American Bulldog by a southern-born serviceman stationed in California whose challenge to me was basically "this dawg can learn anything you’ve taught them Rottweilers to do in half the time". He was basically right. Obedience and protection were a "snap". Tricks and behavior also. Breaking Spike of catching and killing house cats, however, wasn’t quite so easy - a pastime he had obviously enjoyed before in his two-year-old existance.

This was a breed of dog that not only was intelligent, intense, had no temperament weakness, but also was extremely loyal and bonded to his family. Hence, I, as a canine trainer, loved this 90 lb. dog that could do anything I could communicate to him. This spurred my interest in the breed even though I had no certification of his structure, his lineage, or owners (breeders), just that he was an American Pit Bulldog (the old name) from "Bama" (the state of Alabama). The purpose of this article is to emphasize the extreme importance of true bulldog temperament, intelligence and loyalty, along with the necessity of good sound hips. Form should follow function if a bulldog is being worked. We should all keep utmost in our minds the question, "Gee, what attracted us to the breed in the first place?" Hopefully it was a happy, muscular-looking dog that demonstrated firm temperament and trainability for several tasks and still be a calm, good family member.

A few years back I sold a Woody son to a "now breeder" in Colorado, another Woody son (different dam) to a "now breeder" in Northern California. Both of these breeders were calling back when their male pups were ten months old with much anxiety in their voices inquiring why these pups weren’t interested or wouldn’t breed the females they had in heat? Why should any American Bulldog even be bred before two years old?

A permanent hip evaluation can be done at two years (and some of our dogs take a full two years to mature and develop). The bulldog should have been tested in protection or at least stress-tested for temperament flaws, and for those of us fortunate enough to have access, worked on wild boar or rough stock. I feel bad for the uneducated newcomer (to any breed of dog) who is told or at least led to believe that Penn-Hip evaluation done on a 5 or 6 month old pup that is then bred at 10 or 11 months old is an insurance or guarantee that his future pup out of this mating won’t be lame or crippled. Hip dysplasia can be found in any breed of dog and more prevalent in the larger breeds (45 lbs. and up). A Penn-Hip score of say. 53 and .56 in a ten month old pup will no way, no how pass an OFA certification, in my opinion, at two years old.

Some of the temperaments I’ve seen lately are, however, what worry me most. I think other performance and protection trainers will agree we’d rather have a one-eyed, three-legged dog that will defend its home and owner or at least itself than an OFA excellent dog or a great Penn-Hip score that uses its great hips to run the other way in the face of danger, challenges, loud noises or unfamiliar objects. A veterinarian seminar I attended in Escondido, California, six years ago enlightened several German Shepherd breeders to the fact that most genetic-minded vets agreed it takes six generations of dysplasia-free dogs to confidently state that a bloodline is free from this disease. A Northern California vet specializing in large molossen-type breeds believes it takes eight generations.

I do know this. That two OFA’d Sure-Grip bulldogs bred by a Los Angeles dog trainer have still produced a dysplastic pup. Obviously we don’t give up. Evaluations of hips should be done. My fear is creating just another AKC-type breed capable of once being a bulldog that trots around a show ring, bred for a specific size, color and look and is just a figment of what his ancestors once were. Incidentally, as far as dog shows go, I think in our breed they should be viewed for what they are (conformation-wise). A social event or at least a meeting place to see a certain stud or line of dogs. Most of the working dogs don’t fit into either standard precisely anyway. Who knows, maybe there should be a Chicago standard, a Symmes standard or a Screaming Eagle standard. The good thing about dog shows is the people who want their dogs evaluated as potential working animals and don’t possess these skills can usually find someone knowledgeable present to do so. I think the BST and the WST are good starts and with experience and maturity will be of value in the future.

In conclusion, let’s all strive to improve the entire bulldog and preserve the working essence of the animal as it should be, not just tunnel vision on structure.

Yours in the breed, Kyle M. Symmes