Still confused?  Don't know what the American Working Dog Federation is?  Let us explain:
"The American Working Dog Federation was formed in St. Louis, MO, June 17, 1989.  The AWDF was organized to develop awareness in the United States of America about the crucial need to provide a broader base to represent the working dog throughout the world and to preserve and protect the heritage of our respective breeds in America.

The common goals of the AWDF member clubs are as follows:
1. To preserve and protect the working heritage of the individual working breeds.
2. To have our working titles recorded and recognized around the world and to preserve our pedigree system.
3. To become affiliated with the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale).  The FCI is the world recognized organization that is in charge of all working breeds internationally.  There are only three or four countries in the world that do not belong to the FCI.  The AWDF has applied to the FCI to be the organization that represents the United States of America.

The AWDF has been competing in FCI World Championships for several years.  With the USABC now a member club of the AWDF, the American Bulldog has an opportunity to compete on an international level and on an even playing field as a pure-breed working dog.

Hmmm…..now you understand that the American Bulldog can finally compete on an even playing field….but in what?  This is the best part!!  The AWDF has national competitions now or soon to be available in Schutzhund, IPO, Ringsport, Field Trials, Agility, Weight Pulling, Search and Rescue, KNPV and much more!

Okay, you ask, so how did the USABC become a member club of the AWDF?  Well, the idea started about several years ago when Al Banuelos, Tom Riche and Rick Quinn got together to represent the USABC at the ABA conformation Nationals in Ocala, Florida.  These three guys began very casually by joking back and forth about how great it would be for the American Bulldog to have international recognition.  With these three dynamic personalities involved, the joking soon became very serious.  Rick Quinn, a brand new WABA Judge, went home with a mission-to get the WABA membership in the AWDF!    After writing letters, making phone calls and petitioning for a year, the WABA was finally accepted as a member club of the AWDF and the American  Bulldog began to enjoy recognition as a true purebreed working dog.

Due to a lack of organization and communication within the WABA, they unfortunately allowed their AWDF membership to lapse.  The USABC then stepped in so that the American Bulldog would remain an active and vital part of the AWDF.

The USABC is represented by Eileen Quinn and Lisa Quinn (no relation) who are acting as the USABC delegates.  Rick  is now the President of the AWDF.  As President, Rick ensures that the voice of the USABC and the working American Bulldog community is heard loud and clear.  Rick has already achieved great things for our dogs through the American Bulldog’s membership within the AWDF.
Due to his efforts, the American Bulldog is no longer listed as a mixed breed in other Schutzhund Organization’s scorebooks!  This was a major achievement for our dogs.
Another goal achieved by the Richard for all the working breeds of the AWDF was an open invitation for the judges of all the member clubs to attend USA’s prestigious judge’s college.  While this idea was resisted at first, USABC representative Rick Quinn was a bulldog who wouldn’t let go.  He kept campaigning and promoting the idea.  USA’s comprehensive judge’s program will ensure the highest quality of judges for our working dogs.
Yet another huge achievement of the USABC through the AWDF is recognition of our scorebooks by other working organizations!  You can now use your USABC /AWDF scorebook to trial in any Modioring,  USA or any other member club trial in the USA!  These are just some of the USABC’s accomplishments for our breed in the short time they have been AWDF members.  Imagine the great things to come!

Wow, you say! The AWDF really is a great thing for the American Bulldog!!  How can I get involved?  It is simple.  The first step is to become a member of the USABC.  Membership in the USABC is very important for our breed:

1. It shows unity within this breed that has been torn apart in the past several years by feuding organizations.

2. It shows volume.  A full membership roster is crucial for maintaining the American Bulldog's newfound recognition as a working breed.

3. It will enable you, as a member of the USABC, to have input into what goals you would like to accomplish for the American Bulldog.

4. With these goals in mind, members of the USABC can begin to organize American Bulldog teams to compete nationally and internationally.

What is very important to keep in mind here is that each member club of the AWDF is given an opportunity to field a team at every national competition.  This means that the best American Bulldogs in the country are now afforded a level playing field for national competition against the best GSDs, the best Mals, the best Rotts etc.  You do not have to be the best dog in the country to compete nationally, just the best of your breed!!  If, however, you are the best in the country, you will win and go on to compete at the FCI World Championships as part of the AWDF team (comprised of the top-scoring dogs from the AWDF Nationals).  This system greatly increases the chances for the American Bulldog to compete internationally and be applauded throughout the world.
 

The AWDF has great things planned for all of its member working breeds.  The AWDF 2004 National IPO competition is scheduled for March and will be held in North Carolina this year, at one of our nation’s finest training facilities, Continental Manor. 

As you can see, the USABC's membership in the AWDF is the best thing to happen to the American Bulldog in years.  The USABC is striving to put our breed on the Working Dog Map where it belongs.  The USABC's success in promoting the working dog and positive breeding practices in the American Bulldog pales in comparison to the tremendous achievements yet to come. 

If you want to have a voice for the American Bulldog, the USABC welcomes you to join.  With the USABC community working together, the American Bulldog will never be ignored again!!