WEB Working Traits

Header or heeler

To understand the WEB, one must understand the original function of the Aluant of the Butchers. Basically, when moving large herds of cattle, there are two types of herders, a header and a heeler. The header leads the herd, while the heeler drives the herd from the rear. In large herds, headers also move along the sides, keeping the herd together. For that reason, in a typical litter of WEBs, only about two pups are born as heelers, referred to today as bulldogs. (this is demonstrated on my WEB puppy pics page) When a cow strayed, the heelers would be taken to retrieve the stray, while the headers would keep the herd together. The heeler would also be good for hunting food while the headers would keep the herd. It is the heelers that are used at stockyards and on farms to move and control cattle and hogs. It is the headers that are used for livestock protection. However, both types can perform both functions when called upon. The Aluant type bulldogs were always required to work as a team. While the WEBs are not aggressive, when the farm is truly threatened, they are indeed truly protective. The WEB does not require any formal training in protection work. They have been selectively bred for several hundred years to work livestock with man, fighting off cattle rustlers, Indian raids, wolves (the extinct Red Wolf), wild dogs, panthers, bears, ect. Whether born a header or heeler, this has no barring on the alpha or beta role of pack order. Also, whether a header or a heeler, one does not describe a WEB as having drive, a WEB has heart!   (Above: Dot and Patches check on Miss Piggy. These two are "headers", they did not need to be taught like Wt Boy).

By now, one should have a basic understanding of a WEB. Often, this breed is confused with the newly established breed "The American Bulldog." While the AB was built off a base of WEBs, in reality, JDJ breeds ban-dogs and A.S. breeds catch-dogs. An AB may be one or the other or a combination of both. Do not be misled, as ban-dogs and catch-dogs go, some of the ABs are some of the finest bred. Some ABs even have many of the good qualities of a WEB/APBT. These are usually referred to as Old Southern Whites, one of the original names for WEBs. (refer to my upcoming litter of ABs).

It should be noted, the Scott type ABs are not very distantly unrelated to WEBs. Also, they tend to be much more functional and healthier than the Johnson type. Allen Scott tells us where he started in the breed....... "I advertised them in the Gamecock magazine as protection dogs to keep dogs and coyotes and stuff out of your roosters. And I sold a sloosh of them for that." Since then, Allen developed his performance type catch-dogs, as he enjoys hunting wild boar. Don Mathews has an interesting photograph of three WEBs with a load of wild boar in the back of a truck from 1974. An AB is chained in the background.  These WEBs are referred to as three old Scott dogs. Although a WEB is a very capable catch-dog, they still breed true as headers and heelers, therefore an outcross for more "bulldog" type is most often used by hunters. Where I live, there are no WEBs on farms, therefore catch-dogs are usually made with an APBT base, adding anything for size. 

The WEB is often very misunderstood. They are team workers and are non dog aggressive. However, any threat to their pack, including the livestock and family, will be met with a pack of fierce fighters. Care must be taken with aggressive dogs, including those in the pack. If pack order is not followed by a member of the pack, the pack will eventually cull it. This must be avoided. While the WEBs have long been a common gift to the elderly or a family for home protection, due to their ease of training and loving nature, the WEB is not a pet. A number of owners may think the WEB is just a pet, due to their high stimulus threshold, but when the family is threatened, they quickly learn how fierce the WEB is. It is totally against their nature to ever challenge any member of the family. They are not stubborn or bull-headed like many other modern type bull breeds, as cattlemen and farmers would never put up with such a temperament. Unlike many bull breeds around the world, they do not require a dominate master. They are cordial with guest, but can also sense a person's intentions. If your WEB doesn't like a stranger, then you should listen to it. (Above: WEBs eat, sleep, and work as a team protecting the farm as well as moving around livestock).

Below left:  Otis, Mary, and Diamond completely ignore the many goats in the test pen.  Right:  White Boy, Patches, and 'Patche on guard duty against wild dogs on my 31 acres.