The Official American Bulldog Registry and Archives since 1998
ABRA Registration Explained
Everything you need to know about registering your American Bulldog with ABRA: how to register a single adult dog, how to register a litter, and how the registration travels from breeder to buyer.
Start Your RegistrationWhat Is ABRA?
The American Bulldog Registry and Archives (ABRA) was founded in 1998 by Tony Mancera, Vern Hopley, and Rob Armour -- three people who recognized that the American Bulldog needed its own dedicated registry. Not a multi-breed club with American Bulldogs as an afterthought. A single-breed registry built around the actual dogs and the people who breed them.
In 2005, Lance and Lesli Rose purchased ABRA and have operated it since. The registry has grown to include over 28,000 dogs in the American Bulldog Archive at pedigreedatabase.ca -- the largest public pedigree database for the breed.
ABRA is breed-specific. We register American Bulldogs only. That focus means every rule, every form, and every certificate is designed for this breed and its breeders.
Why Registration Matters
This is not paperwork for its own sake. There are real reasons this matters to every dog in the breed.
BSL Protection
Breed-Specific Legislation targets dogs by appearance. A registered dog with a documented pedigree is demonstrably an American Bulldog -- not a Pit Bull. Registration is the single most important document you can hold against a BSL challenge.
Traceable Bloodlines
Breeding without records destroys knowledge. With ABRA registration, every generation is traceable -- which lines carry what traits, which health issues appeared and where. That data protects future litters.
Permanent History
The American Bulldog nearly went extinct after World War II. The breed survived because dedicated people kept records. Every dog you register is a contribution to that survival story. When you are gone, the record remains.
Verified Breeder Status
ABRA Verified Breeder status -- the most trusted badge in the ABRA Breeder Directory -- requires active registration. Without registered litters on file, Verified status is not available.
What Can Be Registered
ABRA handles three types of registration. All are processed through abra1st.com.
| Registration Type | What It Covers | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Dog | Single adult dog with existing papers from another registry or documented lineage | $20 |
| Litter Registration | Full litter, includes the permanent registration for every puppy. No separate conversion fee. | $20/pup |
| Transfer of Ownership | Transfers existing ABRA registration to a new owner after a sale | $20 |
How to Register
The entire process is online. No mailing forms.
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Create Your ABRA Account
Go to abra1st.com/register.php and create a free account. Your account ties all your registrations, certificates, and dogs together in one place.
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Choose Your Registration Type
Select individual dog, litter, or transfer from your dashboard. The correct form will load with only the fields relevant to your registration type.
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Fill In the Dog's Information
Enter the registered name (breeder prefix stays forever -- new owners add a suffix with @ format, for example: Rosebull Logic @ Bear Valley), date of birth, color, sex, sire, and dam.
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Upload Supporting Documents
Upload existing papers or any lineage documentation. If transferring from another registry, upload the original certificate.
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Pay and Submit
Fees are paid securely through Stripe and you receive an email confirmation immediately. A litter is registered instantly, with every puppy issued its ABRA registration number as soon as payment completes. A single adult dog is issued its number immediately too, then reviewed by the registrar before it appears in the public archive, usually within one business day.
Membership Tiers
Registration is available to all accounts. Membership upgrades unlock advanced tools, featured listings, and the Verified Breeder badge.
| Feature | Free | Legacy Builder -- $9/mo | Breeder Pro -- $24/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Register dogs and litters | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Print certificates and pedigrees | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Public breeder profile at pedigreedatabase.ca | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Kennel listing in Breeder Directory | -- | Yes | Yes |
| Stud listings | -- | -- | Yes |
| ABRA Verified Breeder badge | -- | -- | Yes (if qualified) |
| Blue Ribbon health program access | -- | -- | Yes |
What Happens After Registration
Once your dog is approved, here is what you get:
- ✓ An official ABRA registration certificate -- downloadable as a PDF from your dashboard
- ✓ Your dog's entry in the American Bulldog Archive at pedigreedatabase.ca with a 5-generation pedigree
- ✓ The ability to print a photo pedigree directly from pedigreedatabase.ca
- ✓ A permanent ABRA registration number tied to that dog for life
- ✓ Transfer capability -- when the dog is sold, the new owner can transfer registration through their own account
Frequently Asked Questions
Individual dog registration is $20. Litter registration is $20 per puppy and includes the permanent registration for every puppy in the litter (no separate conversion fee). Transfer of ownership is $20. Kennel registration is $240 per year.
No. ABRA requires documentation from another recognized registry or proof of lineage. We cannot register a dog without any paperwork. If your dog has no papers, contact us first and we will tell you what options exist.
No. ABRA is breed-specific to American Bulldogs. We do not register any other breed.
It depends which one you mean. Litter registration is instant and self-serve: you register the litter from your ABRA breeder dashboard and every puppy is issued an ABRA registration number as soon as payment completes, so you can print papers the same day. Registering a single adult dog issues the number immediately as well, but the registrar reviews that submission before the dog appears in the public Archive at pedigreedatabase.ca, usually within one business day.
Yes. Every ABRA-registered dog is added to the American Bulldog Archive at pedigreedatabase.ca with a full 5-generation pedigree. The archive is publicly searchable.
No. When the breeder pays $20 per puppy at litter registration, that fee includes the permanent registration certificate for every puppy in the litter. The certificate travels with the puppy when the breeder assigns the dog to its buyer through the standard ABRA puppy handoff. There is no separate conversion fee, late fee, or membership-tier pricing on top of the litter fee.
The Breed's History, Preserved by the People Who Love It.
Every registration is a record that outlasts the dog. Your dog. Their story. American Bulldog History Forever.
Register Your Dog Today