Country of origin: USA
Size: large
Height: 60-70 cm
Weight: 40-60 kg
Age: about 10 years
FCI breed group: not recognized

Basic Facts About the American Bandogge

It can be said that this is not a separate breed, but the result of mating an American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier with a Neapolitan Mastiff .

Strong, energetic, excellent protector, very attached to his owner.

An intelligent, self-confident and obedient dog, but, like all mastiffs, requires an owner who will become a leader in their relationship and will maintain strict discipline.

Bandogs are considered a quiet breed. They only make noise when absolutely necessary. For this reason, they are called “silent peacekeepers.”

The breed gets along well with other pets, especially those it grew up with. Such a dog needs timely socialization . It should be started at an early age.

The American Bandogge is a true athlete, with muscles clearly visible through the skin.

Such dogs existed in England in the Middle Ages. It was there that they began to be called bandogs. This word was used to describe powerful dogs that were kept exclusively on a leash.

History of the breed

Such dogs existed in the Middle Ages. At that time, the English used them as guard dogs. It was not yet possible to talk about the breed as such, since at that time it was not the phenotype that was valued, but exclusively the animal’s working capacity.

In the 16th century, Dr. J. Caius described the Bandog as a large, purposeful, energetic animal with a strong bone structure. In France and Denmark, these animals were called “night dogs” or “night dogs of the huntsmen.” It is obvious that the ancient Bandog was a working dog.

Over time, the breed was forgotten. Interest in it has only revived in our days. The “father” of the modern American Bandogge is considered to be the American veterinarian John Swinford, who created a whole program for reproducing these working mastiffs of the Middle Ages.

In his first breeding, Swinford used a purebred English Mastiff bitch and a brindle pit bull. In this cross, the pit bull blood contributed the strength and athleticism that Mastiffs needed, as well as longevity. His greatest achievement was to breed powerful, athletic dogs with a stable psyche. And, most importantly, they were truly functional guard dogs.

Swinford’s followers believe that his greatest legacy was the creation of a pet that was as psychologically stable as it was menacing in appearance. It could be hugged by a child and was completely friendly to them.

The modern American Bandogge does not have a stable genotype, since breeders in different countries use different crossing options. The most common method is mixing the blood of the American Pit Bull Terrier and a large and strong female Neapolitan Mastiff.

Description of the American Bandogge

This is not a separate breed, but the result of crossing different breeds. American Bandogs are not giants among dogs, but they are still quite massive animals, muscular. The body is symmetrical and well-built.

The dog is not recognized by the International Canine Association (FCI) or the American Canine Association (AKC) as a separate breed, and therefore there is no single standard. However, some common features can be identified: a strong, stocky build, a wide muzzle, strong limbs, naturally triangular ears, and pendulous lips.

Head

It is large, the muzzle is of medium length. The Bandog inherited strong jaws from the Pit Bull. The correct bite is scissor-shaped.

Eyes

Dark, but can be lighter if the coat is not dark. Small in size, slanted, deep-set, with an attentive, intelligent look. From the look, it seems that this dog is always on guard.

Ears

Triangular in shape, hanging.

Neck

Massive, muscular and strong. Has a medium length.

Frame

Bandogs are powerful, stocky dogs with a well-developed chest and well-defined ribs. The topline appears level.

Tail

Dense and thick, held horizontally.

Limbs

Straight, large and strong. They look massive. The articulation angles are clearly visible.

Dog gait

Moves easily and briskly. As the American Bandog moves, the back remains level and the hindquarters provide good drive.

Wool cover

The American Bandogge has a very short, smooth and hard coat, lying close to the body, with a satiny shine in a healthy dog. It is not recommended to choose white animals, especially as guards, since they can be easily detected at night. In addition, such animals can have problems with skin and hearing.

Breed color

The American Bandogge can come in a variety of colors. It can be black, brown, gray, brindle, red, yellowish, sandy. Since the breed standard has not yet been developed, the colors can be very diverse.

Size and weight

These are fairly large animals weighing from 40 to 60 kg and growing from 60 to 70 cm. American Bandogge males are always larger than females. Weight over 60 kg is already considered excessive, as such dogs become slow.

The American Bandogge Character

American Bandogges are energetic and hardy dogs. They inherited excellent guard qualities and intelligence from the Mastiffs, and a tendency to stubbornness from the Staffordshire Terriers. Although they may seem formidable, they are actually gentle and friendly dogs, loyal friends who love their family selflessly and are ready to run with children for hours. As for other pets, dogs of this breed are friends with cats and relatives with whom they grew up together.

To ensure that your dog behaves well and without conflict in the walking area, it is recommended to socialize it in a timely manner.

American Bandoggies are obedient dogs that are ready to follow all the orders of the owner, but he must be a person with leadership qualities. Otherwise, the dog itself will try to take the place of the “leader of the pack”. The pet is more lenient towards other family members, but he is ready to protect them all in any situation.

Due to its well-developed guard instincts, the dog is extremely wary of contact with strangers. Every guest at home will be under the close supervision of this pet.

Such dogs are not inclined to show emotions, because it is not for nothing that they are called “silent peacekeepers”. They silently support the owner, but will not demand affection or wag their tail. They are completely silent, and therefore do not consider it necessary to make a noise without necessity.

Dog education and training

Such dogs are distinguished by a stable psyche, high intelligence and good physical data. Since representatives of this breed are prone to willfulness, they require consistent training and obedience education . From the age of the puppy, it is necessary to build a relationship with the American Bandogge so that it learns to listen, obey, and understand what the owner wants from it.

This dog’s trust and respect must be earned, and only a calm, firm, confident and loving owner can do this.

When training a Bandog, you must not lose your temper, for example, yell at the dog and, especially, physically punish the animal. But there should be no permissive attitude towards training the dog. You cannot treat him like a lap dog, endless cuddling is not for him. To raise a devoted and balanced pet, the owner must be just as loyal and calm a friend.

The dog does not suit a relaxed home life, otherwise it may become bored. It needs to release its energy outside so that it is calm at home. American Bandogges need regular and fairly intensive exercise. It is necessary to walk the dog at least 1.5-2 hours a day, and the walks should include physical exercise.

Don’t forget about mental stress. Such exercises will help develop the dog’s intelligence. Such tasks, as a rule, are various puzzles, offering the animal to find a hidden treat under cups, in a maze, etc.

High intelligence allows American Bandogges to easily and quickly master various skills, especially if the pet understands that a treat awaits him for performing the action correctly.

Training of a Bandog begins from a very early age. From the first days of the baby’s appearance in your home, it is necessary to accustom it to basic things: to sleep on its own bed, to go to the toilet in the same place, to eat from its own bowl, to respond adequately to a collar , leash and muzzle.

Prepare your home in advance for the puppy’s appearance: buy a bed, bowls and drinking bowls, everything necessary for walks, toys. Ensure the animal’s safety: raise the wires of electrical appliances higher, small objects that it can swallow, get rid of poisonous houseplants.

Explain to your baby right away what he is allowed to do and what he is not allowed to do, and do not change your decisions in the future. For example, if you do not want your American Bandogge to sleep on your bed, then forbid him to do this from the first days.

• Once your baby has mastered basic skills, you can begin to learn basic commands:

“Sit;

“Lie”;

“Ugh”;

“Near”;

“Come to me”

“Voice” etc.

Use rewards in training – both verbal, and petting, and treats. Remember that training is a regular and systematic process.

When buying an American Bandog puppy, it is important to understand that this is a breed that requires a lot of time. It is trained regularly (and best of all, daily), provided with the necessary physical activity, and offered classes to develop intelligence.

Maintenance and care

From a very early age, the American Bandogge must be accustomed to hygienic procedures.

The short hair of these dogs does not require frequent brushing. Several times a week, the coat is brushed with brushes with short hard bristles or a silicone glove brush. This procedure not only helps to get rid of dead hair, but also massages, improving blood circulation. If the coat is dusty after a walk, it can be wiped with a damp cloth. Bandogs are completely bathed no more than once a month with veterinary shampoos.

If it is dry and clean outside, then after a walk the dog’s paws are wiped with a damp cloth. During periods when it is dirty and wet outside, they are washed with warm water. It is especially important to pay attention to washing the limbs in the winter months, when city streets are sprinkled with chemical reagents. These mixtures corrode the skin of the pads, it begins to crack. To protect against such aggressive chemicals, you can use special waxes for paws.

The dog’s ears are cleaned with veterinary lotions.

Wipe only the auricle and try to get deep into the ear canal so as not to damage it. This procedure is usually necessary 1-2 times a week. If your pet starts to show excessive anxiety, such as scratching its ears, shaking its head , you need to go to the clinic as soon as possible to find out the reason for this behavior.

The American Bandogge salivates moderately, but becomes more active when the animal is exercising or wants to eat. Drooling is wiped off with a towel or a specially designated clean cloth.

Teeth are brushed daily to prevent plaque formation, using special pastes and brushes that are purchased at veterinary pharmacies. Human toothpastes, including children’s toothpastes, cannot be used. You can also give your pet dental treats for dogs to clean plaque.

A small amount of mucus in the corners of the animal’s eyes is considered normal. When a lot of it accumulates, it must be removed using a cotton pad and eye drops for dogs. It is important to choose a product that does not contain antibiotics. Cotton pads should not be replaced with regular cotton wool, whose consistency is very uneven. Its particles can remain on the pet’s skin, which subsequently causes irritation.

American Bandogge nails , like all other breeds, are trimmed as needed, usually every two weeks, using a special nail clipper.

If you have never trimmed an animal’s claws before, it is better to contact a professional groomer who will show you how to do it. If the trimming technique is incorrect, you can damage a blood vessel located inside the claw.

Hardy dogs with their athletic build seem like animals that can survive in any conditions. It is worth understanding that in severe frost, pets with such a short coat can get very cold and get sick, so life in an enclosure or kennel is not suitable for them. This dog is better off living inside a country house or a spacious city apartment.

American Bandog Diet

For the American Bandogge, it is necessary to choose a diet that will help provide it with enough energy. A properly composed diet allows you to maintain the health of your pet. For American Bandogges, as well as for other breeds, either natural food or ready-made food is chosen. Each type of feeding has its own characteristics.

So, if you feed your dog only industrial diets, you will not have to calculate the balance of proteins, fats and carbohydrates (PFC) yourself, since this has already been done by the manufacturers. You need to select a diet based on the health of the American Bandogge, its age, and activity. It is also important that the composition of ready-made complete feeds already includes the minerals and vitamins necessary for dogs. This means that there is no need to purchase them separately, in the form of additives.

The natural diet for the American Bandog requires some experience in calculating the ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and calories in portions, so it cannot be called simple.

Ready-made industrial rations are an option that will suit every dog owner, including beginners who find it difficult to balance the diet on their own.

It is important to follow a feeding schedule, that is, the dog should eat at certain times. It is better if it is at the same time every day. When the pet has finished eating, the bowl should be removed, even if there is something left in it.

Make sure that your American Bandogge does not start to gain excess weight – this can lead to health problems. To avoid this, do not feed him from the table. It is also important to control the size of his portions, for example, you can use a kitchen scale for this, offering the dog exactly the amount of food recommended by a veterinary nutritionist.

Health and susceptibility to disease

Due to the lack of a recognized breed standard, an exact list of characteristic genetic diseases of these dogs has not yet been determined. However, it can be noted that American Bandogges have inherited from their ancestors not only physical strength and athletic appearance, but also fairly robust health.

Like Neapolitan Mastiffs, they can suffer from hip and knee dysplasia . This disease can be identified by an unsteady gait, increasing lameness with age, and difficulty getting up. American Bandogges are also susceptible to eye diseases , in particular, retinal atrophy. Since these pathologies are hereditary, it is better to buy puppies from competent breeders who assess the health of individuals before mating.

Owners of American Bandogs are advised to regularly take their pets for preventive medical examinations (for young animals, it is enough to examine them once a year, for older animals and those with certain diseases, more often – once every 6 months), and also vaccinate them according to the approved vaccination schedule. Regularly carry out treatments against external and internal parasites (once every 3 months).

Be sure to check your American Bandogge for ticks after walks , especially between March and October. If you find this blood-sucking parasite, contact a clinic as soon as possible.

What type of owner is this breed suitable for?

American Bandogs are characterized by boundless courage and a pronounced guard instinct. These pets are distinguished by their athleticism and self-confidence, without proper training from puppyhood they can show independence, so they need a lot of attention. But it is important to remember that each dog, and not just the breed as a whole, has its own individual characteristics, character, level of stubbornness. Provided that such a dog is properly raised and socialized in a timely manner, it will become a devoted friend for any person, both for a single owner and for the owner of a large family.

The American Bandogge is suitable for people who want a dog:

Strong, energetic and resilient;

Athletic build;

With high security qualities;

Smart;

Quiet;

With short hair that does not require frequent grooming.

The American Bandogge is not suitable for owners who would like a dog:

Emotional, openly expressing her love;

Suitable for keeping in a kennel or enclosure;

Does not require constant training, physical and mental stress;

Not prone to stubbornness.

American Bandogs are obedient, but they will obey a firm and persistent owner, in whom they see a leader. They can be acquired by both single people and large families, especially those who love active pastime, who will be happy to regularly exercise with the pet, take it with them on long walks. Definitely, such a dog is not suitable for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

In general, the American Bandogge will be a good choice for dog breeders who live in large houses and have sufficient experience in raising animals or a desire to learn how to train large dogs with pronounced guard qualities. If there is no experience in raising, but there is a dream to have this breed, then you can turn to professionals – dog handlers for help.

Famous Dogs

One of the most famous American Bandogges was bred in Slovakia. A dog named Astor became a legend of his breed. He was a black male weighing 45 kg and standing 63 cm tall, with a balanced character, but energetic and temperamental, uncompromising in his protective qualities.

Astor was a multiple winner of competitions in various sports disciplines. The dog passed away in 2007, but he left behind descendants who successfully participate in the breeding of American Bandogges today. In Slovakia, he is called the dog who did more for his breed than anyone else.

Tips for choosing a puppy

Once you have weighed all the pros and cons and decided that the American Bandogge is your dog, you need to decide where you will buy the puppy. It is not recommended to buy a pet at “bird markets”, since the origin of such animals is questionable. You can buy a puppy from a private breeder or from a nursery. The second option is ideal, since such specialists carefully select individuals for breeding, breed dogs with a strong psyche and good physical characteristics.

Carefully examine the American Bandog puppy. It should have a shiny and smooth coat without bald spots. The eyes are clear and clean, the ears without visible discharge. The belly of a healthy baby should not be swollen and hard – this may indicate improper nutrition or the presence of parasites .

The puppy’s behavior is also important. Do not choose a shy dog that hides and does not come out to guests. Puppies with a healthy psyche should be curious and active. Inspect the room where the puppies are kept with their mother. It should be clean, without an unpleasant smell. The animals themselves should also be neat.

Cynologist Wendy Robinson, who breeds American Bandogges in a famous US kennel, advises choosing puppies from large and strong females, since, according to her, mothers of puppies are more responsible for the quality of the litter than males. She recommends choosing puppies only from competent breeders. Since American Bandogges inherited a tendency to joint dysplasia from mastiffs, professional breeders introduce future owners not only to the puppy’s pedigree, but also to X-rays of the parents’ hip joints.
Personal experience of owners
Most owners agree that American Bandogs are physically strong dogs, ideal guards and watchdogs. Dog breeders describe them as powerful animals with a high level of endurance.

Owners who specifically looked for a guard dog are completely satisfied with their choice. Among the advantages of such a guard, they name athleticism and a stable psyche. Reviews say that the dog is wary of strangers who come to the house, but never shows aggression, but watches the reaction of the owner and his family members. It is calm with people and animals outside the house. They also note the pet’s high intelligence, its ability to understand the intonation of the voice, changes in a person’s mood.

According to most owners, Bandogs are obedient and affectionate with all family members. They claim that although this breed seems scary to many, their pet is playful, gentle with children, and friendly with cats and other dogs. However, some dog breeders note the stubbornness of these dogs, describing them as “too independent.”

Bandog price

It is quite difficult to buy an American Bandog puppy in USA, since this breed, not recognized by international cynological federations, is found mainly in American nurseries. There, the cost of a baby starts from $2,500, while breeders provide all the necessary documents and test results proving the health of the parents. Nurseries can also be found in some European countries. For example, the most famous and largest nursery is in Slovakia.

In our country, you can also find frequent breeders of American Bandogs, including those selling dogs at a very low price. The cost starts from 25 thousand rubles. There are also nurseries in our country, but their prices will be higher.