Bandog
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| Bandog | ||
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| Alternative names | ||
| Bandogge | ||
| Country of origin | ||
| United States of America | ||
| Common nicknames | ||
| American Mastiff Swinford Bandog |
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| Classification and breed standards | ||
| Not recognized by any major kennel club |
Bandog (also known as Bandogge) is a name derived from early English and refers to a ferocious large type of dog that was bound by a chain until it was released at night in order to guard property. The fact that the modern day Bandog is also large, can be ferocious, and is composed of some Mastiff and some Bulldog, as was the original Bandog, is all that the Bandog of old and the modern Bandog have in common.
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[edit] History of the Bandog
It is impossible to say how the Bandog originated. Most writers are of the opinion that all dogs originated from the wolf (ancient dogs), but the development of the Bandog still remains a mystery.[citation needed]
Early incarnations of the Bandog probably had bloodlines from bull baiting dogs and the Guardian Mastiffs or the cross of both like the war dogs used in the Crusades.
William Harrison, in his description of England during 1586, first mentions the breed in his statement, "Bandogge which is a huge dog, stubborn, uglier, eager, burthenouse of bodie, terrible and fearful to behold and often more fierce and fell than any Archadian or Corsican cur." It is assumed that the word "Bandogge" originated from the use of strong bonds and chains to secure the dogs.[citation needed]
In 1576, Dr. Caius states that, among others characteristics, the "Mastiff or Bandogge is serviceable against the fox and the badger, to drive wild and tame swine out of meadows, and pastures, to bite and take the bull by the ears, when occasion so required."[citation needed]
The Bandogs of old were strictly working crossdogs of various sizes and usually coarse-haired hunters, fighters and property protectors without a strictly set type, developed from eastern shepherds and mastiffs crossed with western Bullenbeissers and hounds, with a few local bloodlines eventually being established as specific types in some regions, such as Britain, Spain, Germany, Poland and elsewhere in Europe. One of the most famous Bandog programs in England led to the establishment of a recognized breed, the Bullmastiff.
In the early 1960s the late veterinarian, John Swinford D.V.M., began a breeding program, which was ultimately to produce the greatest of all protection dogs. Though breeders of Bandogs today disagree on just what breeds went into Swinford's original breeding scheme, the consensus is that it was 50% American Pit Bull Terrier and 50% "very large dog". Unfortunately, Swinford died at an early age and his Bandog was never perfected or recognized as a purebred.
[edit] Modern Breed Description
A great number of local bandog strains have emerged worldwide and these working crosses exist under a variety of names, but the breed commonly accepted as the bandog today was developed in the 1960's by American veterinarian John Swinford, who set out to create a property guardian dog superior to all others. Another notable developer is Joe Lucero, whose American Bandogge Mastiff is seen by many as the ideal working breed and a perfect representative of what a true bandog should be. There are other bandog strains in existence under different names, but the Swinford and Lucero lines are the most famous celebrated for their stable temperaments and outstanding working qualities.
Most agree that American Pit Bull Terrier/Mastiff crosses were used. Dogs were bred from strains that have temperament, phenotype, to do home guardian or personal protection. The Bandog is a rugged dog, heavily boned and muscled, intimidating when seen and is ferocious when provoked. Broad skull, short to long muzzle depending on the strain of Bandogge with hard bites, wide shoulder, powerful chest, great agility, intelligence and very well controlled dog.
The Bandog, any variety, is strictly a working breed and should be a result of serious and dedicated planning, starting from careful selection of parent breeds and more importantly, appropriate representatives of those breeds, with the health and temperament testing being on the top of the list of priorities, while the uniformity in appearance is the last of the breeders' concerns.
[edit] Current breeding
Contemporary Bandogs are bred with different types of dogs, including American Pit Bull Terrier with either a Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff or Bull Mastiff. The intention in each case is to combine the courage and tenacity of an American Pit Bull Terrier with the large size and guarding instinct of a Mastiff. Whichever breeding plan is employed, it is necessary to cross the American Pit Bull Terrier to one of these Mastiffs each time that a litter of Bandogs is desired.
A common question from Bandog enthusiasts is why don't breeders simply cross Bandogs with other Bandogs. The answer is at the current stage of Bandog development, when one crosses a Bandog with another of its breed, the final product is not a Bandog. Bandogs do not breed true yet and it seems that Bandog breeders are far from having perfected a purebred dog.
[edit] Future
The hope is that the breeding of these dogs will finally be perfected; however, the Bandog is being bred by many breeders who range from the very serious and knowledgeable to the very amateurish and inexperienced, sometimes called backyard breeders. Like with all crossbred dogs the Bandog can display either the best or the worst characteristics of both parent breeds, depending on the knowledge of the breeder and the randomness of genetics. Therefore, a purchaser of a Bandog must do a good deal of investigation to avoid the risk of buying a puppy that will grow to become the last thing wanted in a pet.
[edit] Appearance
Size: Males and females: Height: 66-73cm. Weight: 120-140lbs Drives: Natural guardian ability is required.
Specials characteristic: Companionable with the family, intelligent, loyal and devoted to their master.
Temperament: A fearless adversary to anyone who threatens the Bandog's master or property. Friendly with other animals and dogs. Displays a definite preference for its family, children included, but it is not a dog that gets along very well with a visitor to the home if his master is not at present.
Disposition: The Bandog protects their master against any danger, even to give their own life to protect him.
Body: Much more typical of the compact "Mastiffs" with a structure of a giant APBT, also retains a good deal of the agility passed on to it by the APBT.
Color: Different mixes of colors are acceptable, but most common colors are: yellowish or sandy grey, any brindle color, black, golden fawn, fawn and red. Other colors are allowed too, as is red and black on their noses.
Coat: Short, close and medium fine.
Ears: Cropped or natural.
Neck: Very strong, muscular and robust.
Eyes: Dark preferable, but should bear some relation to coat color.
Faults: Failure to be worked, failure to work successfully, producer of genetic problems in pups, poor immune system, affected by hip and elbow dysplasia. Excessively undershot to avoid difficult to eat and some diseases related to them.
[edit] Foundation Breeding
The First Group , approximate average of 12.5-75% from each dog: American Pit bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Terrier.
The Second Group ,approximate average of 12.5-75%: AKC-certified Mastiff, Bullmastiff and Neopolitan Mastiff .
The Third Group approximate average of 0-75%: American Bulldog, Boxer, Boerboel, Bulldog Campeiro, Bull Terrier, Cane Corso, Argentine Dogo, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, Great Dane, Olde English Bulldogge, Perro de Presa Canario, Rottweiler, Tosa Inu, and the American Akita.
[edit] Guard dog
Anyone who is in the market for a great family dog that will be an intruder's nightmare should consider the Bandog.
The Bandog is considered better than either parent breed at aggressive guarding--the American Pit Bull Terrier is smaller and is not normally aggressive towards humans, and although the Mastiff is an instinctive guardian it is considered too placid and restrained. It must be noted, however, that many countries do not allow people to keep guard dogs of this caliber.
