American Bandogge Mastiff

Country of Origin

The American Bandogge Mastiff, which originated from the United States, is commonly a mix of the American Pitbull Terrier or the American Bulldog and a big Molosser like a Neopolitan or English Mastiff. They are huge, muscular dogs that were believed to be used in the war, dog fighting, dog sports, as well as bull baiting. Nowadays they are kept as pets, guard dogs in properties, and personal protection dogs.

Size

These macho canines are usually 23 to 28 inches in height, and 35 to 60 kilograms in weight. American Bandogge Mastiffs are heavy-boned and highly athletic in built, with big heads, broad chests, and powerful jaws. They have thick necks, dark eyes, small to big ears, and compact muscles. All of these features make them very effective guard and protection dogs, as their appearance to begin with is very intimidating.

Coat

American Bandogge Mastiffs have short coats, which means that grooming them is a very easy and not-so-frequent task. They have a wide variety of coat colors such as yellow, red, black, blue and brindle.

Character

This powerful breed is so fearless that they will do anything to protect their families and their property. Although they can be quite stubborn especially if the owners do not know what they are doing, these dogs are very loyal, intelligent and are eager to please, making them trainable and good working dogs. They are dominant dogs that are not recommended for inexperienced owners, as they need a great deal of exercise, firm training, and a lot of socialization. For those who truly understand canine behavior and instincts, the American Bandogge Mastiff can be trained to be a perfect protection dog, and an excellent family pet that is very good-natured and fond of children.

Temperament

The American Bandogge Mastiff is a very confident dog that, when properly socialized, could be friendly and calm when meeting strangers and other dogs. Although very trustworthy toward people who pose no threat, this breed can turn into an entirely different dog when placed in a situation that would require him to protect his family. These dogs bite without a warning bark if they witness suspicious behavior from strangers that will urge them to attack.

Care

Being average shedders, these short-coated dogs only need to be brushed at least once a week. Bathing should be regular, but not excessive. They are suitable to any living condition as long as they get the proper exercise and training. They must be constantly challenged with mental stimulation and physical activities in order to stay balanced and happy. They must also be socialized at an early stage, all the way into adulthood. Failure to do so can cause them to develop aggression towards strangers and other dogs, as well as other species like small animals that can trigger their prey drive. Common health problems found in this breed are hip and elbow dysplasia, skin diseases, Bloat and Epilepsy.

Training

First time dog owners are not recommended to own an American Bandogge Mastiff, as they need someone who can effectively take the role of a pack leader. Positive reinforcement is good for these dogs, but at the same time the handler must know how to be firm and consistent with his commands. These are very intelligent dogs that like to pay attention, and if trained by a person who knows his stuff, can be a very obedient and controllable dog despite its massive size.

Activity

These versatile and powerful dogs can perform dog sports, protection training, Schutzhund and other work.