Australasian Bosdog

History

The Australasian Bosdog was first developed in the early 1990’s. This was a blend of the British Bulldog and several other breeds. The aim was to create short faced, smooth coated, thickset, medium sized, family friendly dog, instantly recognisable as a bulldog type and suitable for Australasian climatic conditions.

Average Life Span

When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 9 to 12+ years.

Temperament

The Bosdog hallmark is their impeccable temperaments with adults and children alike. Whilst “tough” in appearance, they are loyal, extremely outgoing and affectionate in nature. Their temperament is very stable and predictable and they enjoy activity.

Appearance

The Australasian Bosdog is a short faced, smooth coated, thickset, medium sized dog with a powerful build, showing strength and agility. An Australasian Bosdog is sound and active and conveys the impression of strength, activity and stamina and he exhibits a trustworthy and enduring disposition. Females are generally not so grand or well developed as dogs. Colours are Brindle, Fawn, Red, Tan, White. Pied of any of these colours.
Height: Males 45-50cm, Females 44-48cm
Weight: Males 30-35kg, Females 26-29kg

Maintenance

Their coats are smooth, short, tight to body. As with any smooth coated breed, some regular maintenance is necessary, and bathing as required. This breed will enjoy frequent exercise, spending time with the family, together with plenty of mental stimulation.

Health

All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about the breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Bosdog is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD), Elbow Dysplasia (ED) and eye testing is carried out by many breeders.

Suitability

The Bosdog is suitable for those who want a devoted companion who will be part of the family. As with all dogs, young children and pets should always be supervised when together. They are generally good with other dogs and cats, once acquainted, if socialised well as a puppy.

In Conclusion

Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or DOGS NSW. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/234

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 30 Jun 2022)

Download PDF

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

The Australasian Bosdog is a short faced, smooth coated, thickset, medium sized dog with a powerful build showing strength and agility. An Australasian Bosdog is sound and active. Bitches generally not so grand or well developed as dogs.

Characteristics

Conveys impression of strength, activity and stamina and exhibits a trustworthy and enduring disposition.

Temperament

Loyal, fierce in appearance, but extremely outgoing and affectionate in nature. Very stable and predictable. Enjoys activity, however a lot of exercise is not necessary for health and mental stability. The breed craves human attention. Some may not tolerate aggressive overtures by other dogs.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull	The head should be large, but not exaggerated out of proportion to the body. Broad muzzled and short faced, but the nose should be long enough for unhindered breathing. Muzzle is broad and turning up. Muzzle length from tip of nose to stop to be no less than 35mm and no more than 45mm. The forehead is flat to slightly domed. Loose folds of skin across nose, but in no way excessively wrinkled. Nostrils big and wide open. Nose any colour acceptable. Head circumference should be equal to body height or up to 15% larger for males and equal or up to 10% larger for females.
Eyes	Eyes are round, set low and wide, never bulging or sunken – preferably without visible haw. Eyes of any colour acceptable including blue.
Ears	Small to moderate size. Set wide apart. Never erect or cropped. A folding ear is preferred, rose ear acceptable.
Mouth	Broad jaw. Canines set wide apart. Well occluded incisors. Complete dentition required. Flews are relatively broad and hanging over lower jaw at each side. Teeth should not be obviously protruding. Flews should notbe excessive in size and mouth should not be excessively loose.
Neck	Moderate in length; thick, deep and strong with loose skin forming dewlap on either side. Neck not so short as to give the impression that the head sits directly on the shoulders.
Forequarters	Chest wide and deep. Well laid back shoulders. Elbows held slightly away from ribs.Shoulders broad, but not excessively so, rounded ribs. Forelegs powerful and straight, not bandy or curved, well boned, set wide apart presenting a straight front. Pasterns straight and strong.
Body	Back short and straight giving compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity and agility. Bitches may have greater body length than males in order to assist natural whelping. Body shape in general is brick shaped with shoulders only slightly wider than hips.- Body length for males should be equal to height or up to 10% longer.- Body length for females should be between 10% and 20% longer than height.
Hindquarters	Strong and muscular. Hip width should be no more than 15% narrower than the shoulders. Thelegs are not markedly longer than forelegs. Hocks well angulated, neither turning inwards nor outwards. Hind legs powerfully muscled with well let down hocks, a distinct turn of stifle.
Feet	Compact, strong and straight. Short toes, well split up. Excessively splayed feet undesirable.
Tail	Thickset at root. Straight (long or short). Crank tail acceptable. Screw tails undesirable.
Gait/Movement	Free flowing moving true fore and aft with plenty of drive.
Coat	Smooth, short, tight to body.
Colour	Brindle, Fawn, Red, Tan, White. Pied of any of these colours.
Size	Height: Dogs 45-50cmHeight: Bitches 44-48cmWeight: Dogs 30-35kgWeight: Bitches 26-29kg

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its affect upon the health and welfare of the dog.