The
Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog (ABBB) or Otto is
an American rare dog breed, developed in the Alapaha River region
of Southern Georgia.
Appearance
Displaying an unexaggerated and natural bulldog type, the Alapaha
is nevertheless a sturdy, well-developed, and muscular breed.
Descriptions of its size vary greatly, calling for males anywhere
from 65 to 90 pounds (30 to 45 kg) standing 19 to 26 inches
(48 to 66 cm) at the withers, females smaller at 60 to 70 pounds
(25 to 30 kg). Ears and tail are natural, with no cropping or
docking. Colors of the Alapaha are varied, typically white or
different shades of black, grey, red,white, fawn, brindle, brown,
buckskin, or mahogany, always with white markings; some dogs
are piebald spotted.
Temperament
The ABBB is described as trainable, dutiful, and responsible,
with impressive capabilities as a guardian of family and property.
It is very protective, but can be loving in the home.
History
The breed was commercialized by the Lane family of Rebecca,
Georgia, USA, out of stock that originated on the Paulk plantation
near the town of Alapaha, in a sustained effort over many decades
to preserve the "plantation dog" of south Georgia
from extinction. Detractors say that the ABBB is identical to
the American Bulldog and that nothing distinctive is found in
the Otto. Alapaha owners appear to disagree and photos seem
to indicate a fairly distinct type.
Some fighters took hold of the breed and trained several generations
into the sport of dog fighting. The dogs required too much training
to be worth readying for the fighting ring, and they didn't
do well, so it was soon dumped as a fighting dog.
Health
This breed is susceptible to entropion, an inversion of the
eyelids.