We would like to introduce you to the Bulldog.
That is the official registered name with the American Kennel Club.
The Bulldog is NOT the French Bulldog, who is also registered with the
American
Kennel Club. It is NOT the American Bulldog,
the Olde English Bulldog, the Victorian Bulldog, the Game American Bulldog,
nor the Miniature Bulldog. It is also NOT a member of that group known
as “Pit Bulldogs”. *
This is our Breed: a massive, gentle companion dog
who is quiet, dignified, and intelligent. He is not quarrelsome, although
when pushed, he is supremely courageous and knows no fear or defeat.
While he adapts easily to his environment, he needs and demands affection
which he repays with boundless devotion. He is not what is usually described
as a “one man dog”. His big heart and loving nature will
make room for anyone who shows him kindness.
His needs are simple: good quality food, daily light
exercise, plenty of fresh water, a warm place in the winter and a cool
place in the summer.
The Bulldog Club Of Utah
is a non-profit organization dedicated to encourage and promote the
quality in the breeding of purebred Bulldog and to do all possible to
bring their natural qualities to perfection. The club urges members
and breeders to accept the standard to the breed as approved by the
American Kennel Club as the only standard of excellence by which the
Bulldog shall be judged. It also does all in its power to protect and
advance the interest of the breed by encouraging sportsmanlike competition
at dog shows, to conduct sanctioned and licensed specialty shows under
the rules of the American
Kennel Club .
The Bulldog Club of Utah started about five years
ago, as an idea formed by a group of four couples who had traveled and
shown their Bulldogs throughout the Intermountain West. They were fairly
new to the sport of purebred dog shows, but noticed that Utah didn't
draw in the large numbers of entries in Bulldogs. These large entries
are desired in order to get those elusive "majors" that a
dog needs to become an AKC champion. This group decided that they needed
a club of their own; one that would include all the people who loved
Bulldogs as much as them. They started having a monthly get-together,
and invited more Bulldog owners to join them.
In September of 2001, at the Beehive Cluster, the group held a luncheon
and a raffle to benefit Bulldog Rescue throughout the state of Utah.
They had a weekend retreat in the mountains for the dogs and their owners.
By December of 2001, there was enough interest for the founders to contact
the American Kennel Club and see what needed to be done to be a licensed,
accredited specialty club. Officers were selected and the long list
of requirements has almost been met.
Since 2001, the membership has grown from the eight people who had
the vision to more than 45. We've had one specialty match show and two
all-breed fun matches. We.ve had some public education programs, had
picnics and parties, and did some Bulldog therapy at a couple of long
term care facilities. We participated in the first ever Pet Expo and
showed the crowds what it's like to kiss a Bullie. And if all stays
on track, we'll have all of the requirements finished by spring of 2005,
when the AKC will deem us the official Bulldog Club of Utah.
What started out as a wish has become a reality. We've not only found
those major entries in our local shows, but have found that working
as a group for the betterment of our breed has become a labor of love
for us all.
Founding couples were: Udell and Shar Kynaston, Pat and Les Hansen,
Pat and Sandy Samples and Kriss and Ralph Durrant.
* With thanks to the Bulldog Club of Denver, the above is paraphrased
from their Bulletin dated April 1971.
