The BST is designed to test an American Bulldog for his or her breed worthiness.  It is a tri-fold test with importance being placed on working ability, temperament and conformation.  The test may only be taken by dogs who have achieved a passing hip certification.  An OFA Borderline or better or a PennHip evaluation  of .58 or tighter with no djd taken on a dog who is no less than 2 years of age will be accepted.  All dogs attempting their BST must be minimally 24 months of age.  Handlers wishing to trial for their dog's BST must bring with them to the trial grounds a copy of their dog's pedigree, two photos of their dog (one front and one side view), a vet certified weight for their dog and a copy of the dog's hip certification.  Pre-registration is not required (unless required by hosting club), however no dog will be allowed to trial without all required paperwork.  No late submission of paperwork will be accepted.  No pending hip scores will be accepted.  The dog shall wear either a fur saver or choke chain with leash attached to the dead ring. All leashes and collars must be inspected and deemed suitable by the judge prior to beginning each test.

THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES ARE TO BE PERFORMED BY ALL DOGS WISHING TO OBTAIN BST CERTIFICATION.
 

The temperament phase of the BST is a pass or fail test.  For the passing of this part of the BST, the overall impression of the dog moving about in a community situation is determinative.  Dogs that fail the temperament phase of the BST automatically fail the entire BST exam.

The temperament phase of the BST shall be carried out in a public traffic-area.  The safety of the dogs and handlers, however, is paramount and the general public may not be interfered with or inconvenienced.  This part of the BST may also be done at the club training grounds under simulated conditions as per the exercises, at the discretion of the judge.

Exercise 1 – Controllability and behavior in street traffic

On the judge’s signal, the handler proceeds with his dog on lead in the area designated by the judge.  The judge follows the handler at a measured distance.  The dog should willingly follow, on a loose lead, at the handler’s left side with his shoulder remaining at about the level of the knee.
The dog should behave impartially towards all pedestrians and towards the motoring traffic opposite.  Along the way, the handler will be passed by a jogger at the approximate distance of 10 feet (staged for the test).
A short time later, the handler is passed by a bicyclist who overtakes him from behind on the bicycle path or coming from the street (staged for the test).  The approach must be done so that the dog finds himself between the handler and the passing bicyclist.  As the cyclist passes the dog and handler, he will ring his bicycle-bell several times or verbally apprise the handler of his position.  After this, the handler turns, goes to the judge, remains standing by him, greets him with a handshake, and converses with him.  During all of this the dog may stand, sit or lay down, but must in any case remain calm.

Exercise 2- Behavior of dog towards other animals

On the judge’s signal, the handler takes his leashed dog along the area designated by the judge.  After walking a short distance, a neutral stranger (staged) with a dog on lead will pass by the handler and dog, walking parallel to them at a distance of approximately 10 feet.  The dog should behave quietly and remain under the handler’s control.  The dog should allow the passer-by and his leashed dog (which must be a non-aggressive dog) to pass without showing dog-aggressive tendencies (lunging on his fastened lead; continuous aggressive barking).
 

Exercise 3- Conformation Examination

In the conformation examination phase of the BST, the judge shall evaluate the dog’s conformation according to the registry breed standard under which they are trialing.  The conformation examination shall consist of measurements and evaluations as dictated by the USABC.  During all examination and measuring, the dog shall not display any aggression.  The dog may display some discomfort during the examination, however he/she may not growl, hackle or attempt to bite the judge.

THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES ARE TO BE PERFORMED BY ALL DOGS WISHING TO OBTAIN BST CERTIFICATION.

The dog shall wear either a fur saver or choke chain with leash attached to the dead ring. All leashes and collars must be inspected and deemed suitable by the judge prior to beginning each test.
The obedience phase of the BST requires a minimum of 70 points in order to pass.

Dogs may not test more than once on any given day.

Each individual exercise begins and ends with the basic position (dog in a sit at left knee of handler facing forward).
Any portion of the test can be performed off leash but the leash must be removed prior to the start of each exercise.

 EXERCISE 1 - Heeling on leash

From the basic position, handler gives heel command.  Handler and dog team heels straight ahead.  When has heeled out 15 paces, judge’s assistant shall fire 2 shots from starter pistol.  Dog should not show distress at gunshots and should remain in control of the handler.  Team continues heeling an additional 25 paces and executes an about turn.  Team continues to heel 10 paces at a normal speed.  Without stopping, handler reissues heel command and team heels10 paces at an accelerated rate of speed.  Without stopping, handler reissues heel command and team heels10 paces at a slow rate of speed.  Without stopping, handler reissues heel command and team heels 10 paces at a normal rate of speed and executes a right turn.  Team heels 10 paces and executes another right turn.  Team heels15 paces and executes a left about turn.  Team heels 5 paces and halts.  Handler counts to three and reissues heel command.  Team heels 10 additional paces and executes a left turn into the group.
Dogs shall automatically sit at all halts while remaining at handlers left side, its shoulder even with the handler’s knee. The leash should be held in left hand and be SLACK AT ALL TIMES.  Corrections will be deemed grounds for disqualification.

EXERCISE 2 - Heeling through a group

At judge’s signal, handler heels the dog through a group of no less than 4 people in a figure 8 pattern and halts in the middle of group.  Members will be asked to calmly move in and crowd the dog while team maintains the basic position.  Judge will then dismiss the group.

EXERCISE 3 - Sit out of motion

From basic position team heels straight ahead10 paces.  Without stopping, changing pace or looking back, handler issues a sit command and drops leash.  Dog should sit promptly and straight.  Handler continues forward another 30 paces, halts and turns to face the dog.  At judge’s signal, handler returns to dog and resumes basic position.

EXERCISE 4 - Down out of motion with recall

From basic position the team heels straight ahead 10 paces.  Without stopping, changing pace or looking back, handler issues a down command and drops leash.  Dog should down promptly and straight.  Handler continues another 30 paces, stops and turns to face the dog.  At judge’s signal, handler recalls the dog. The dog should run to handler and sit straight directly in front of the handler.   Handler re-issues heel command and the dog should promptly return to the basic position.

This concludes the obedience phase of the BST.
 
 

THE FOLLOWING EXERCISES ARE TO BE PERFORMED BY ALL DOGS TO OBTAIN A BST
Only dogs which have passed the obedience and temperament test may take part in the protection phase of the test.
Note:  Failure to guard, lack of focus during guard and re- gripping after out command will be negatively reflected in the dogs evaluation.
The dog shall wear either a fur saver or chain choker with leash attached to the dead ring. All leashes and collars must be inspected by the Judge prior to start of test.  The helper may be outfitted with a sleeve or full-body suit, depending on the individual dog's training.

EXERCISE 1 - Surprise attack on handler (out of the blind)

Dog and handler approach the blind off lead.  When dog and handler are approximately 14 feet from the blind, the judge will instruct the helper to come out of the blind and attack the handler.  Upon attack of helper, handler must drop the lead.  The dog should immediately engage the helper and continue gripping while being driven by the helper minimally seven paces.  Dog shall receive two stick hits with a padded stick at intervals of 3 steps between hits.  If the dog fails to grip the sleeve or comes off at any time, the helper must continue to drive the dog.  If the dog re-engages the helper and grips, the test will continue.  If the dog fails to re-grip, the judge shall stop the test and the dog will be excused for failure to commit.  Upon signal from the judge, handler outs the dog.  A total of three (3) out commands are allowed.  If the dog refuses to out after first and second commands, handler may, upon judges instructions, approach the dog to give the final out command.  Each additional out command will constitute a 3 point deduction.  Handler may not touch the dog while issuing the out command.  Following the out, the dog shall guard the helper for a period of five (5) seconds without re-gripping.  During that time the dog must stay intensely focused on the helper.  Barking is not required.

EXERCISE 2 - The Courage Test

Upon signal from judge, handler removes the dog’s leash and takes hold of the dog’s collar.   Helper runs away to a distance of approximately 30 yards then turns and runs straight at dog in a threatening manner.  Helper may yell and threaten dog with stick.  Upon the judge’s signal, handler gives one command and sends dog down field toward the helper.  Dog should run toward helper immediately, without hesitation, and show full commitment to the grip.  Dogs who fail to engage the helper, come off the grip without immediately re-engaging, or leave the helper during guard will not pass the test.  Helper then drives the dog no less than seven paces and locks up.  Upon judge’s signal, handler outs the dog.  Upon judge’s signal, handler picks up his /her dog and leaves the field with dog.

This concludes the protection phase of the BST.