FCI and the American Bulldog
The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), based in Thuin, Belgium, coordinates 98 member countries and their national kennel clubs. The American Bulldog is not fully recognized by the FCI and has no official FCI breed standard.
FCI Is Not a Registry
An important distinction: the FCI does not register individual dogs. It governs national kennel clubs, which in turn handle registrations. Without FCI recognition, the American Bulldog cannot be registered through any FCI member organization.
FCI Pedigrees and ABRA
Many European dogs come with pedigrees issued by FCI-affiliated national clubs for other breeds. ABRA accepts FCI pedigrees for dual registration, ensuring that European-bred American Bulldogs are documented alongside dogs from every other registry.
How European Breeders Show Their Dogs
Without FCI recognition, European American Bulldogs are shown extensively through:
- EBKC -- European Bully Kennel Club shows across Belgium, Czech Republic, and other countries
- Specialist breed events organized by national AB clubs
- ABRA-sanctioned events
European Records in the Archive
Thousands of European American Bulldog records are preserved in the Archive, representing dogs from across the continent. The breed's growing popularity in Europe makes documentation more important than ever.