Living Area: This breed does best in a home with a large-fenced yard, but can manage an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised.
Coat Description
The American Bandogge Mastiff’s coat should be short, close and medium fine and it comes in a variety of colors such as brindle, black, fawn, red and blue, which can be accented with some white. However, all-white or predominately white dogs are not considered desirable. An average shedder, the American Bandogge Mastiff’s coat is easy to groom and it brushed occasionally with a rubber brush to remove dead hair.
History
The Bandogge Mastiff is not a technical pure bred breed. Used primarily for big game hunting and as guard dogs, the Bandogge was employed by British gamekeepers, which lead to the breed being referred to as “Gamekeeper’s Night dog.” These Bandogges filled the role of patrol companion and despatch dog, which meant it would capture wounded game. An even more dangerous job for the Gamekeeper’s Night dog was to locate and fight armed poachers who would have to fight for their lives if this dog got a hold of them. In France, the Chien du Nuit was a similar type of dog that held the same kind of role as the Bandogge.
The American Bandogge Mastiff is a cross of any kind of Bulldog (American Bulldog, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier) and any type of Mastiff (Neopolitan Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Old English Mastiff ). The American Bandogge Mastiff breed is thanks in most part to two American mastiff breeders. In the 1960s, veterinarian John Swinford wanted to breed the ultimate guardian dog. His efforts were the result of crossing a male American Pit Bull Terrier with a Neapolitan Mastiff female. Breeder Joe Lucero was also pivotal in the evolution of this breed. He specifically refers to his dogs as American Bandogge Mastiffs.
Temperament
The Bandogge is described as having a British canine temperament. This means that it has a high stimulus threshold and pack mentality, without desire to assert rank. When properly raised, this temperament makes them trustworthy with children, which leads to this dog becoming a self-appointed babysitter. Full of spirit when playing and working, the Bandogge is calm, composed and easy going in its down time. It won’t shy away or be apprehensive when meeting other people or dogs and it has a high tolerance and quick recovery from stress.
Good-natured and extremely social, the American Bandogge Mastiff is devoted to its owner and eager to work. If you’re raising it from a puppy, it will get along with other household pets. As long as you treat the American Bandogge Mastiff with respect, it will become a protective, caring and loving member of your family.
The American Bandogge Mastiff will transform from its calm state when a bad situation arises. This makes it an exceptional guard dog and an intruder’s worst nightmare. It won’t bark before it attacks, which offers it the element of surprise. This breed has the uncanny ability when it comes to discerning between general human activities and suspicious or aggressive behavior. It has a strong balance of drives and is self-confident, making it a highly predictable and stable dog. The Bandogge can switch between drives with little indication, so it takes an expert and experienced dog handler to discern the switch before it happens. But don’t be put off – this breed’s drives don’t foster outward aggression, but it’s important to be wary of this dog’s capabilities when it is threatened.
As a puppy, the American Bandogge Mastiff can be rambunctious, which can be linked to the maturation rate of larger breeds, as well as to its environment and upbringing. This dog is recommended for those who have experience with the breed so it can be molded and nurtured according to its individual traits and behaviors.
Health Problems
Just like purebred dogs, hybrid dogs, such as the American Bandogge Mastiff, develop genetic Health Problems. American Bandogge Mastiffs may develop Health conditions common to APBTs and Mastiff-type breeds, so do your homework when selecting a breeder. Common health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye diseases (progressive retinal atrophy), autoimmune thyroiditis, Epilepsy, various types of cancer, and skin problems. And since it has a deep chest, the American Bandogge Mastiff is prone to gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as Gastric torsion or Bloat.
Although there are no guarantees when it comes to your American Bandogge Mastiff’s Health, it also helps to pick a breeder who has done the health testing to ensure that his or her puppies won’t carry the genetic diseases common to APBTs and mastiff-type breeds.
Grooming
Grooming an American Bandogge Mastiff is fairly easy, as it is a short-haired breed. It’s a good idea to train your puppy to stand still for brushing and grooming. Not only is it a great way to bond, but it will be easier for you when your dogweighs over 100 pounds. At first, your puppy may not like being groomed. Be patient – with a little kindness, your dog will soon love the practice, as long as you are calm and consistent. Start off by brushing your puppy a few minutes a day for the first week or two, and then gradually increase the time spent grooming.
Be sure to brush your American Bandogge Mastiff on a regular basis in order to get rid of dandruff, dead hair, and dust. And when you brush your dog regularly, it reduces shedding, prevents skin infections, and improves that annoying doggy smell.
When brushing, use a firm bristle-brush, rubber brush, or dog glove. If you don’t have a brush handy, use your hand – just wet your hand and run it down your American Bandogge Mastiff tail to head. After a good brushing, you can rub your dog’s coat with a cloth to make it extra shiny.
And grooming doesn’t just mean brushing – it also includes bathing, cleaning eyes and ears, and clipping toenails. Although you won’t have to do these things every day, you should always check your American Bandogge Mastiff’s eyes and ears regularly.
Another tip to help reduce shedding (and the doggy odor), you should bathe your American Bandogge Mastiff regularly. Be sure not to do it too often as it can is bad for their skin. You’ll find that once a month is usually fine – unless your dog really starts to smell.
Exercise
The American Bandogge Mastiff requires moderate exercise, but if you don’t provide enough mental and physical exercise, your dog will become upset when left alone, hard to control and destructive. As well, if the Bandogge doesn’t get enough exercise, it can be quite lazy. This breed typically need about 45 minutes of exercise each day to keep it healthy and happy.
Even though this is a larger dog, the American Bandogge Mastiff can do well in apartments if it is exercised properly. The ideal living situation for this breed is a home with a large-fenced yard. As well, even though this dog loves its daily outdoor walk, you shouldn’t let it live outdoors – it needs to be with its owner indoors.
Training
Even though the American Bandogge Mastiff is an extremely intelligent dog and trains easily, it needs an experienced owner, so this isn’t the breed for the first-time dog owner.
When you start training your American Bandogge Mastiff, be sure that you establish yourself as the pack leader. If you do not take control of this breed of dog, expect a lot of damage to occur to your home and yard. Since it likes to be active, you’ll need to provide an opportunity for exercise during the day. When training the American Bandogge Mastiff, be firm and consistent – it’s the best way to ensure this breed becomes obedient.
The American Bandogge Mastiff is an attentive breed and will pick up on your every command. Once you establish your role as the master of the pack, you’ll have an easier time training this breed.
