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 obedienc - 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.
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.
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