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Molosser breeds date back to nearly the beginning of recorded history. Dogs of this type can be found in ancient paintings, old pictures and throughout written literature.
Standards or better understood as the physical and historical way in which a breed is defined and can be found under each breed heading within the American Bully Association ( ABA ) accepted breed listings. Some standards are more formal such as those within defined breeds, yet for others they are more in flux and under current evolution based on their developing breed status.
Yes, as long as your dog meets one of our accepted breed standards we can register it through the American Bully Association ( ABA ).
No, providing genealogy / pedigree information (such as your dog’s parents) is not required. However, if such genealogy / pedigree information is known it should be submitted for inclusion and research. The level of pedigree that you receive with registration is based on a combination of what you submit and what our research reveals based on your initial input.
The single dog registration fess is $37.
The following discounts are available when registration of more than one dog is needed.
* 2 Dogs’ Registration = $67
* 3 Dogs’ registration = $87
* 4 = $97
* 5+ = $105
+ Litter registration is based on litter size.
+ Each individual pup for the first 10 pups = $10 per pup.
+ For litters larger than 10 pups each pup after the 10th is free.
+ No. In order to register a litter both parents must however meet one of our accepted breed class standards.
+ While it is not required both parents be ABA registered during litter registration it is highly encouraged.
+ Only having one parent registered can significantly impact how well the dog Family is tracked over time.
+ This link will take you to the single dog registration options.
Single Registration
+ On the provided link you will have the option to submit from 1-5 single dog registrations at a time.
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ This link will take you to the litter registration options.
Litter Registration
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ This link will take you to the family registration options.
Family Registration
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ This link will take you to the parent plus litter plus 1 parent registration options. Litter Plus 1 Parent
+ All forms have the option of convenient online submission or if preferred print and mailable forms.
+ All forms come with complete, easy to follow instructions.
+ If a pup is pre-registered by your breeder through litter registration that breeder will receive an individual certificate per pup.
+ Each pre-registered litter pup certificate comes with the proper transfer completion form listed on the back of the certificate.
+ The transfer certificate can only be found on the back of a pre-registered litter pup’s certificate and I NOT available directly to the public via the website.
+ The transfer form instructions reveal how you can properly finalize your pup’s registration to include ownership information, any desired name change, listing and access to your dogs’ LIVE Family tracking profile, upgraded access to member benefits and creation of an enhanced dedicated account through our social network ImSocialBull.com.
+ The transfer process including postage is FREE for all ABA transfers.
+ Litter related registrations receive the highest priority and are typically processed in 2-4 weeks.
+ The standard registration process including transfers for an individual dog registration is typically 6-8 weeks.
+ At the ABA we provide FREE print quality pedigrees up to 7 generations.
+ If qualified Platinum Pedigrees are available of 8-11 Generations.
+ If a dog qualifies for Platinum Pedigree status the owner will be notified and provided upgrade options.
+ The Platinum Pedigree is the world’s largest print quality pedigree with up to 2,047 relationships.
+ The Platinum Pedigree is based on proprietary technology and exclusive to the American Bully Association
+ Comparisons are:
* ADBA 7 generation showing a maximum of 255 relationships
* UKC 6 generation showing a maximum of 127 relationships
* AKC and ABKC’s 5 generation pedigrees showing a maximum of 31 relationships.
+ When submitting a pedigree or genealogy for inclusion and research the following are the best options:
* When an official pedigree from another registry is available it should be submitted either by taking and providing high quality digital pictures or if mailing by photocopy. The largest ones available should be submitted as the more you provide the more we can research on your behalf.
* When official pedigrees are not available but genealogy is known it can be provided to us in the form of a link to your online resource if available or by printing and completing our free available template located here: MS Word Print And Editable Template or PDF Print Template
+ Yes, as a registered member you are encouraged to provide additional information as learned and available.
+ All added information will be made available both online in your dogs Family tracking profile as well as print quality options available.
+ All information will be researched for additional relationships used to further enhance your dogs’ Family knowledge absolutely FREE.
+ Nothing, anytime reasonable replacements of material is needed this is provided as a FREE member benefit.
+ All we need is you to request which specific material needs to be replaced and to verify you current mailing and email addresses to ensure proper receipt.
+ Pride of registration
+ Access to unprecedented genealogy and Family tracking
+ Added and Improved value in breed stock
+ Greater profits in breeding arrangements
+ FREE Kennel Certification for breeders
+ Exclusive access to unique promotional opportunities
+ Access to thousands of members world wide
+ Social media account with free enhancements
+ Access to place unlimited FREE marketing/classified adds including with pictures
+ Extended benefits only available through the American Bully Association
+ MUCH, MUCH, more...
Members can login to their account through our social network HERE.
- AMERICAN BULLY
- ALANO ESPAÑOL / SPANISH BULLDOG
- ALAPAHA BLUE BLOOD BULLDOG
- ALP MASTIFF / CANE GAROUF
- AMERICAN BULLDOG
- AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER
- AMERICAN STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER
- BANDOG / BANDOGGE
- BOERBOEL / SOUTH AFRICAN MASTIFF
- BOSTON TERRIER
- BOXER
- BRAZILIAN BULLMASTIFF
- BULLMASTIFF
- BULL TERRIER
- BULLY KUTTA / PAKISTANI MASTIFF
- CANE CORSO / ITALIAN MASTIFF
- CÃO DE FILA DE SÃO MIGUEL
- CATAHOULA BULLDOG
- CATAHOULA LEOPARD DOG / CATAHOULA CUR
- CIMARRÓN URUGUAYO
- DABBA KUTTA
- DOBERMAN PINSCHER
- DOGO ARGENTINO / ARGENTINIAN DOG
- DOGO GUATEMALTECO
- DOGUE DE BORDEAUX / FRENCH MASTIFF
- DOSA INU / KOREAN MASTIFF
- ENGLISH BULLDOG
- ENGLISH MASTIFF
- EXOTIC BULLY
- FILA BRASILEIRO / BRAZILIAN MASTIFF
- FRENCH BULLDOG
- GRAN MASTÍN DE BORÍNQUEN / PUERTO RICAN MASTIFF
- GREAT DANE / GERMAN MASTIFF
- GREATER SWISS MOUNTAIN DOG
- GULL DONG
- GULL TERRIER
- KHOWATY BULL TERRIER
- NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF / MASTINO NAPOLETANO
- OLDE ENGLISH BULLDOGGE
- PRESA CANARIO / PERRO DE PRESA CANARIO
- PUG / DUTCH MASTIFF
- RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
- ROTTWEILER
- SHAR PEI
- SHORTY BULL
- SINDH BULLY / SINDH MASTIFF
- STAFFORDSHIRE BULL TERRIER
- TOSA INU / JAPANESE MASTIFF
More Great Questions and Answers:
Registration indicates one's pride in ownership. As such, registration helps ensure greater responsibility in ownership and thus reduces levels of neglect, abuse, discard, and shelter turn-ins. Additionally, registration helps maintain and add value to purebred pets, helps ensure better genealogical tracking, improves scientific and social understanding, and acts as a management mechanism for a breed's history.
Yes. We offer multiple dog discounts as well as discounts based on the level of pedigree provided. We even offer FREE litter registration. To see the full details of registration options and all our various discounts, please see our Registration page.
Online we accept debit, credit, or check payments. Payments of money orders, cashier's checks, or cash are accepted by mail. Due to an increasing number of banks unwilling to verify funds and the exorbitant NSF fees they subsequently charge, we do not typically accept regular checks.
The purpose of a registry is, first and foremost, to manage registration and genealogical records. While different registries may or may not provide services beyond this core purpose, it is this aspect that dictates whether or not a registry is legitimate. If a registry does, in fact, keep and properly manage genealogical records, it is, in fact, legit. To Learn More Click Here
No. We do not feel it is fair to allow people to pay to jump the line in front of others that have already been entered into the registration process. In certain situations where processing timeframes are in critical need of being expedited, we can review these on a case-by-case basis for consideration. In most cases, these would involve litters for new members who are unaware initially of our standard time frames. In such cases, exceptions may be made but will not be considered a standard method of business practice.
No. If you have a litter and one of both parents needs to be registered, they should all be registered simultaneously. The reason for this is that registering the adult(s) and then waiting for that material to arrive to register the litter unnecessarily delays the processing of the litter for that added period of time. For example, if you have a litter but first register the parent(s) and wait on that material, this can add an unnecessary 6+ weeks to the process. Add another 2-4 weeks to process the litter then you are looking at not getting the litter material until the pups are around 8-10+ weeks old or older. Since most new owners expect their paperwork at the time of transfer, it is best to register both the parent(s) and litter at the same time so that the litter material is available at the time of transfer or as soon thereafter as possible.
There are two primary types of registries which include closed registries and open registries. A closed registry is a registry that essentially requires that when registering a pet that both its parents also be registered with that registry. On the other hand, an open registry does not have the requirement that the parents both be registered with that registry in order to register a pet.
No. Registration is a symbol of purity when representing a purebred pet, but in and of itself does not prove purity. While an argument is often waged against open registries claiming that they are allowing registration of impure pets within a breed, the evidence actually supports the opposite to be true and that greater motivation exists to attempt to register impure pets with closed registries erroneously. Closed registries such as the AKC regularly report attempts of paper hanging in their annual reports. Another closed registry, the UKC, also admits to the inclusion of such registrations. Erroneous registration is known as paper hanging and is an issue that all registries must deal with, whether they are open or closed.
Paper hanging is the registration of a pet erroneously with a registry under the prospect of it being purebred or from a different lineage than indicated.
The only surefire way to prevent a new owner from breeding is to have a pet spay / neutered. A contract or agreement can be drawn up to state that breeding is not to take place, but this will not guarantee that it will not happen. Such an agreement can only discourage the process.
A female should not be bred until at least her second heat cycle. During a female's first heat cycle, she is still not mature enough to manage pregnancy properly and in a healthy manner. Breeding a female in her first heat cycle can have a significant long-term health impact on both the mother dog and her offspring. Due to the lack of maturity, there is a significantly higher level of mortality for both mother and pups during the birthing process.
Cropping and docking is, first and foremost, a personal decision of a pet owner. As long as the process is managed in a humane manner and the proper time in a pet's life for such procedures and it is appropriate to the breed, then the ABA has no problems with such procedures. In some places around the world, however, the practice has been made illegal, so one should first understand their local laws before undergoing such procedures. While some argue that it is merely aesthetic and thus unwarranted, this is not necessarily true. Most humans would not have a second thought about removing a sixth finger or toe, yet this could be considered merely aesthetic. In some cases, the procedure may go beyond aesthetic to one of necessity. For example, with owners who use blood thinners such as coumadin / warafrin. In such cases, tail docking may actually be a life-saving measure to prevent injury to an owner by whipping tails that could cause uncontrolled internal bleeding that could lead to death.
Technically no. Merle is a genetic trait that causes dilution of coat and or eye color. Merle, however, is often referred to in the same speech as color, as it has a direct impact on it. When Merle affects coat color, it is a pattern the same as brindle and piebald. The Merle coat pattern typically reveals itself as darker or lighter splotches or, in some cases, ticcing/spotting.
Piebald is the patching pattern many pets exhibit. Patches may be large or small and may be solid colors or patterns such as Merle and brindle.
No. As long as the colors/patterns are natural to the breed being registered, we do not use such as a method for penalization or discrimination. To make this determination check the breed info page for your breed of interest.
No. This is a popular misconception even within the humane care industry. For most purebred dogs, there actually exists a demand and not an oversupply. Over 85% of pets to new households come from breeders vs. the so-called humane care industry. The real issue with overpopulation lies with mix-bred animals that have been bred irresponsibly either out of lack of proper confinement and management or out of selfish motivation without regard to broader impacts.
For the most part, the intent is to bring attention to a situation that most in the industry do not have a sincere interest in fixing. This mantra has been touted and taught for over 3 decades with ever more fervor and less honest impact. Making the number of animals the issue vs. the methods by which the industry works to honestly find surplus pets new homes and educating people on proper well-planned breeding and pet management ensures that such individuals will continue to earn a paycheck while at the same time, many would be great pets die unnecessarily every year. The truth is, is that more would-be pets needlessly die as a result of insincerity in the humane industry and by the hands of their workers than all other reasons combined, including abuse and neglect. Until the real idea of making a paycheck and increasing funding is put away, then the concept of pet overpopulation will only continue to be falsely perpetuated. This means such insincerity and/or ignorance will continue to lead to millions of would-be great pets needlessly being destroyed by those who claim they are in the "so-called" humane care industry.
+ Simple. If you have an official pedigree from another registry, all you need to do to submit it is take a high-quality digital photo and upload it with the standard registration form or send it to us by email. If you maintain a private pedigree or other genealogy data, including pictures of any relatives, you can download this MS Word Template to complete and then upload, or you can use this PDF template. Once the images are ready and/or the template is complete, simply upload it/them using the standard registration form or send them to us by email.
No. Unfortunately, many registries and labs have misrepresented the purpose and value of what genetic tests can do. Basic genetic tests can only validate parentage in which all prospect's parents are available and have also been tested by which all tests can then be compared against. If both parents have been validated and are both considered of the same pure breed, then the offspring can then be considered also purebred, but the test itself does not prove such.
No. Such tests can validate parentage but cannot determine such. For example, if a pet is tested, its prospective parents must also be tested and validated to verify the offspring actually belong to them. If the parents are not also tested and validated, then there is no way that the tests can be compared, and thus there is no way that the test can determine the parents. So, if the parents are either not known or not available for testing to compare the offspring's test against, there is no way to actually determine who the parents are without proper genealogy data. This is why registration is so important so as to maintain proper genealogy records and thus be used as a validation tool for determining lineage.
If you are a member of the ABA, we offer many options for both free and paid marketing assistance. Whether simply needing to market a litter of pups, promote one's kennel, or advertise a local club and shows, the ABA is happy to work with our members to create the greatest impact and reach for our member's marketing message.
No. Unlike most registries, the ABA does not place a time limit on the transfer of a pup to its new owner. We do, however, encourage the process to be completed as soon as possible. There is NO REASON not to complete a transfer. Transfers validate your ownership. Many people are under the false premise that registration transfer is only necessary when considering breeding. This is NOT TRUE. Whether or not you are considering breeding, you should always complete the proper transfer of your new pet.
No, and yes. What we can do is help a member help themselves. We do this by providing free advertising space. At this point, however, it is dependent on the owner to do the work in preparing the ad and ensuring that it is properly distributed to the greater community, such as inclusion on additional social media outlets, notice at vets, etc. We also cannot take in pets needing to be re-homed. We do not have the facilities to manage such intakes. We also cannot help non-members as we have limited resources.
BSL is unfair to responsible owners and disregarded by those who are not and, as such, is arbitrary and capricious. Politicians often propose using BSL in a knee-jerk reaction to dog bites as a means to try to use such situations as a means of gaining votes by pandering to fear and irrationality. The truth is, is that most municipalities have laws that require proper confinement. These laws, however, are not enforced, thus perpetuating irresponsible ownership that thus leads to greater community risk by roaming dogs. Suppose a municipal body is derelict in its job of enforcing existing laws. In that case, there is no reason to believe they would suddenly change their ways, especially when such laws are often considered unconstitutional and unfairly infringe on liberty.
There is a disconnect between most of those who support PETA (supposedly – people for the ethical treatment of animals) and the actual organization. Most who support PETA do so based on the premise of helping advocate against inhumane care and treatment of animals. While this is a worthy enough ideology, the truth is that the organization itself maintains a militaristic position that has nothing to do with the humane care of animals. This is evidenced by the fact that they use deceit to gather pets from shelters, rescues, etc., under the auspice of caring for them to then only take them and destroy them. For example, the co-founder has actively promoted the destruction of the Pit Bull breed. These actions simply do not square with the message they put forth to the public. Don't eat chicken; destroy a dog! Don't hunt for food, yet gather and destroy cats. If most PETA supporters knew that PETA actively engaged in the needless destruction of thousands of would-be wonderful pets every year, then they would see the hypocrisy that exists between the organization's words and actual deeds and remove themselves as members and supporters.
No. Dog shows are not typically held by a registry but instead by a local club. When a local club holds a show, it then seeks sponsorship by registries to record and manage points and move dogs through larger competition processes such as state, country, and international level events.
Yes. The first thing one should do if interested in showing their dog is to see if any local clubs already exist that can be supported by the ABA. If not, or such clubs do not promote a member-focused and supportive environment, then we are happy to work with our members to help develop and manage clubs on the local level. In such cases, the ABA can provide free guidance, marketing, and member recruitment assistance.
Starting a club will typically take around 5 foundation, and administrative members, in the beginning phases. As the club grows and moves toward holding events, this number will need to be increased based on the size show one wishes to hold, and the number of events included. At the time of a show, a core of 9 administrative members, along with a handful of volunteers, can typically work to pull off a successful event.
The need for shots can vary based on region but typically a 5 in 1 or 7 in 1 is the preferred option. A 5 in 1 includes vaccination against canine distemper, canine hepatitis, adenovirus cough (kennel cough), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. A 7 in 1 additionally includes a vaccine for two types of leptospirosis.
All pets are different and are weaned at different time frames. Once the weaning process begins is when immunizations should first be given. Booster shots should then be followed on a three-week schedule to incorporate at least three sets of shots. At the one-year mark, another booster should be given, then once each three years thereafter.
Rabies, first and foremost and is typically required by most municipalities. Others that can be considered are Coronavirus, Bordetella, Lyme, and Giardia. Additionally, a regimen should be developed to prevent heartworms in regions where heartworm is a risk.
Technically a dog is never fully immune, and follow-up boosters are required throughout life. A dog’s immune system reaches full maturity typically between 6 months and one year.
While spaying/neutering is a personal choice, not enough attention is honestly given to the risks involved. All too often, the concept is pushed by the humane industry as a risk-free procedure to control the pet population. The truth, however, is that some breeds do not respond well to anesthesia resulting in the risk of death or long-term health issues. Additional issues related to such procedures include increased risks of various cancers and hormonal changes that can impact the pet's long-term health and well-being. Other issues can also result, such as mood and mental changes that may result in actions and attitudes that are undesired.
By far, the most effective form of birth control for pets is proper confinement, either inside or behind a well-secured fence. Using this method of birth control responsibly will help ensure no pregnancy happens and that there is no risk of health impact associated with such procedures as spay and neutering. Using this method also gives an owner control of future responsible breeding decisions and management.
Yes. The term line breeding is a term used by many breeders to soften the perception of the inbreeding process. Inbreeding is any breeding to any relative. Science has shown there to be over 500 genetic-related illnesses. The single best way to create a positive health impact within a breed is by limiting or eliminating the inbreeding process. Inbreeding leads to genetic depression, which can have an impact on many subsequent generations, even if a particular offspring does not appear to be affected. Inbreeding depression can take as many as 3 generations of separation before its negative impacts begin to be mitigated.
Yes. First and foremost, inbreeding may be necessary when there is an extremely low population level of purebred specimens. In such a scenario, inbreeding may be the only way to bring a breed back to a level of stable populations. Another reason one may consider inbreeding is to set specific desired traits. Breeding, for this reason, however, can be a double-edged sword as it may also set or bring forth negative genetic traits. If inbreeding is being considered, alternative options that meet the same desired goal should be first explored. If no good alternatives to inbreeding exist, then the practice should be done in a well-managed manner to promote optimum health and the least negative long-term impact on offspring or a breed.
No and Yes. Many people are mis-lead by the name to believe that somehow the chip allows their pet to be tracked using a GPS system. This is not true. The chip is merely a system that can be used once your pet is found and turned over to an appropriate vet or humane care organization that has the proper technology to read the micro-chip. Since different technologies exist even if a vet or humane care organization does have a chip reader this does not necessarily mean that it will read the specific chip that is implanted. The best bet is to double up on precaution and also have your pet properly collared and tagged. This allows for immediate return by a conscious citizen as the first line of defense against lost pets and dramatically increases the odds of return of lost pets.
While invisible fencing can be used by some as a means to help manage their pets, it should not be considered a method of confinement. Any time one uses invisible fencing, they should also be there to manage their pet in the event of failure. Failure can happen for many reasons ranging from power surges to adrenaline rushes by the pet that renders the system useless. For example, if a pet likes to chase small prey, cars, bicycles, etc., the rush they receive from the initial drive to chase may overwhelm the deterrent that the invisible fence provides. Worse yet, if the pet does decide to return home after an escape, they are then effectively locked out since its adrenaline will not have the same influence to bring them back in.