BREED STANDARD
All members of the Chicago Bulldog Club must adhere to a Code of Ethics that includes breeding to the breed standard as outlined below.
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Neck -- The neck should be short, very thick, deep and strong and well arched at the back.
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Topline -- There should be a slight fall in the back, close behind the shoulders (its lowest part), whence the spine should rise to the loins (the top of which should be higher than the top of the shoulders), thence curving again more suddenly to the tail, forming an arch (a very distinctive feature of the breed), termed "roach back" or, more correctly, "wheel-back."
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Body -- The brisket and body should be very capacious, with full sides, well-rounded ribs and very deep from the shoulders down to its lowest part, where it joins the chest. It should be well let down between the shoulders and forelegs, giving the dog a broad, low, short-legged appearance.
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Legs -- The hind legs should be strong and muscular and longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks should be slightly bent and well let down, so as to give length and strength from the loins to hock. The lower leg should be short, straight and strong, with the stifles turned slightly outward and away from the body. The hocks are thereby made to approach each other, and the hind feet to turn outward.
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Feet -- The feet should be moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails. The hind feet should be pointed well outward.
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
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Chest -- The chest should be very broad, deep and full. Underline -- The body should be well ribbed up behind with the belly tucked up and not rotund.
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Back and Loin -- The back should be short and strong, very broad at the shoulders and comparatively narrow at the loins.
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Tail -- The tail may be either straight or "screwed" (but never curved or curly), and in any case must be short, hung low, with decided downward carriage, thick root and fine tip. If straight, the tail should be cylindrical and of uniform taper. If "screwed," the bends or kinks should be well defined, and they may be abrupt and even knotty, but no portion of the member should be elevated above the base or root.
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Shoulders -- The shoulders should be muscular, very heavy, widespread and slanting outward, giving stability and great power.
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Forelegs -- The forelegs should be short, very stout, straight and muscular, set wide apart, with well developed calves, presenting a bowed outline, but the bones of the legs should not be curved or bandy, nor the feet brought too close together.
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Elbows -- The elbows should be low and stand well out and loose from the body.
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Feet -- The feet should be moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and very short stubby nails. The front feet may be straight or slightly out-turned.
