ADBA’ s‘ Dogman Hall of Fame’ Continued... by Amy Greenwood-Dudar
At the 2026 ADBA Convention of clubs and fanciers, I entertained a question concerning a couple of American Pit Bull Terrier breeders of the past. The question was why they were not included in the ADBA‘ s Dogman Hall of Fame?
The Hall of Fame was started in 1988 and was in the planning stages for about a year prior to the first five inductees being recognized through the pages of the American Pit Bull Terrier Gazette.
Ralph died on February 27, 1988. All inductees after his death were selected by the ADBA officers and the Board of Directors. Nominations from breeders, fanciers and the families of various dog men were and are carefully considered in choosing inductees into ADBA’ s‘ Dogman Hall of Fame’. The criteria for selection include:
1. Knowledge of the American Pit Bull Terrier in all its aspects.
2. Producer of consistently high caliber individuals in true bulldog fashion.
3. Highly respected by their peers, displaying honesty and sportsmanship.
4. Dedicated to the betterment of the breed.
5. Benefactors to future generations of breed fanciers.
As I began my research for this article, it was apparent that very little was contained in the records of the ADBA as Bob Neblett was a UKC man, registering his dogs with their organization. Nothing was submitted directly by Mr. Neblett to the ADBA. Everything we have in the stud book was by way of others who purchased or bred to his dogs. Perhaps this was the reason for the delay in recognizing Bob Neblett in ADBA’ s‘ Dogman Hall of Fame’.
What I have learned for this article is from a previous article in the August 1980 issue of the APBT Gazette by Rodger Scott and Gary Emmert along with a review of the dogs in the ADBA stud book where Neblett dogs have contributed to their gene pool. I wish to thank Rodger Scott for his article and his nomination of Bob Neblett for ADBA’ s‘ Dogman Hall of Fame’.
ADBA’ s‘ Dogman Hall of Fame’ Inducted August 2026
Bob Neblett
Bob Neblett was born in Martin, Tennessee in November, 1895. His given name was Robert Lee but was better known as Bob.
He was one of five children- three brothers and one sister.
Bob’ s younger years, like most poor folks, were hard. His father worked as a carpenter, and when his mother died( when Bob was seven years old) the strain on his family’ s life was tremendous.
Bob left home in November, 1917, where, at age 17, he joined the US Army. After his basic training, he served one year and 16 days overseas in WWI. When returning home in June, 1919, Bob got a job in Murry, Kentucky where he married for the first time.
His marriage ended after seven years due to the untimely death of his wife. It was during these seven years that Bob would be introduced to the American Pit Bull Terrier, the breed of dog that he would own, compete with, and breed for the next 58 years of his life.
The first dog that Bob owned was a pup that he acquired through his brother-in-law. The dog’ s name was Buck.
Buck was whelped in 1922, sired by Tudor’ s Black Jack and out of Cunningham’ s Nell. Bob always had a lot of stories to tell about Buck’ s
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