All About American Bandogs

Bandog breed dogs became common in our country not so long ago. These are wonderful watchmen, but you need to know more about them in order to be able to guide their fighting character.

Bandogs were bred in America. Among the many breeds, they are young, since dogs began to breed only in the 70s of the last century. The first person to pay attention to the animals was a veterinarian named Swinford, which is why these dogs are known under a different name - "Swinford's bandogs."

The animal was the result of the selection of the Staffordshire Terrier and the Pit Bull Terrier, and it was from the latter that he had fighting qualities. If you conduct a genetic analysis, it becomes clear that the blood of the bandogs is much more crossbreeds. List of breeds whose DNA contains the animal:

• Neapolitan Mastiff;
• Boerboel;
• bulldog;
• fila brasileiro;
• Dogue de Bordeaux;
• Canario Press
• bullmastiff.

When dog fights began to be very popular, the breeders faced the task of creating a dog that would have unique fighting qualities. Although animals take part in the battles, they did not become the ultimate goal of the breeders, but they were able to bring them as close to it as possible. The fact is that the bandogs, although quite large and powerful, cannot surpass the same pit bulls in strength. Sometimes the animal simply refuses to continue the fight and retreats.

“Bandog” is a name that entered the English vocabulary in the 13th century. In translation, it means "chain dog." Mastiffs were called so before, since they were considered the best watchmen, and it was they who most often could be found on a chain in private estates.It was customary to release the animal from the chain only after sunset, when all the household went to bed. The main task of the dogs was to protect the territory adjacent to the house.

Mastiff dogs sat exclusively on a chain, since the usual, albeit thick rope could not hold them. Even today, only a physically strong person can walk with such a dog, since it is not so easy to cope with the power of an animal.

Most large breeds are not intelligent, which cannot be said of American bandogs. These dogs are equally well developed both physically and intellectually, but only on condition that the person is engaged in animals.

Bandogs love the owner and other family members, they get along with children, so it’s easy to find a common language with them. Outsiders are wary, but will not rush at a person without reason.

Bandogs are appreciated for the ability to quickly determine a person’s intention by his movements. That’s why you shouldn’t joke or annoy the dog, it will not tolerate bad attitude and mockery and will be able to respond faster than the person understands something.

In the gameplay, the dog perfectly understands that why, despite its height and weight, it frolics like a small one. From the outside it looks very funny. The thief who has come to someone else’s house and intends to harm the owner or the aggressor man will immediately rush.

Even at the time of the attack, the dog will not make a sound, so you should not expect a warning from him in the form of a growl. This breed is silent and not used to barking in vain, dogs love to act immediately and for sure.

These are dominants with an independent character, who can live next to a person as a wonderful pet, but on condition that the person has correctly approached the upbringing of the dog. You should not start a breed for an insecure, weak dog breeder and especially a woman, since none of them can prove their superiority, and this is extremely important in communicating with a dog. As soon as the bandog feels his advantage, he will get out of control, which is extremely undesirable, because the to cope with the aggression of such an animal is very difficult.

Anger and ferocity are genetically embedded in the breed., that’s why puppies are explained and accustomed to the idea that such behavior with the owner and other household members is unacceptable. Specialists advise competently socializing the dog, then it will become loyal to the children and their hard games.

A bandog always treats strangers with wariness and hostility. The owner will be required to teach the dog to distinguish who came into the yard as a welcome guest and who entered without permission. It takes years to train, but it is extremely necessary if you want to avoid problems in the future.

The bandog performs his duties as a security guard by 10 points, but you should not expect the dog to become a great watchman.

Very carefully you need to introduce the bandog to other dogs. Any will be perceived by him as a competitor. He will not tolerate intrusion into his own possessions; he is loyal to only those dogs with whom he grew up and was brought up in the same space. The same applies to relationships with other animals, including cats. Any new pet that tries to walk around the gang's courtyard may suffer if it is not familiar to him.

During a walk with the dog on the chain, the owner must take into account the possible inadequate reaction of the dog to stray dogs and cats. The animal must obey the person, otherwise it will be impossible to keep him in a fit of rage. It is best to walk a bandog in a muzzle.

Males grow large, their mass can reach 63 kilograms. Bitches are an order of magnitude smaller - from 38 kg, they are also smaller at the withers. An adult male at the withers can be up to 73 centimeters.

According to the standard and the description given in it, puppies are born of different spotted colors:

• black and white;
• redheads;
• brown;
• blue tint.

The body can be described in a few words: powerful, well developed, muscular. The dog grows strong.

The head of the bandog is large, the forehead is not wide, rather of medium size. The muzzle is not narrowed to the nose, but elongated, the nose is large, fleshy, black. The eyes on the big head seem small, slightly slanted. From the side it seems that the dog always looks at the person with wariness. The color of the iris is dark brown.

The dog boasts small ears of a standing form. This is one of the differences between fighting breeds, as large ears allow the opponent to catch their teeth on them.

The chest is deep, wide, the neck is powerful, but not long. The limbs are also medium in size, powerful. The skeleton of the dog is well developed, the stomach is pulled to the chest.

Bandogs have short hair, it is smooth and moderately stiff.

Before you get a dog of any breed, you should pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of the animal. The bandogs have many advantages that speak in favor of such a pet, but there are significant disadvantages that cannot be ignored.

Advantages of representatives of this breed:

• such a dog will be a great companion for walks in the fresh air, because he loves to play and frolic;
• this is a wonderful guard and protector who quickly recognizes the true intentions of a stranger and inflicts a crushing blow to him;
• the dog does not bark, but prefers to act, with such a pet in the yard there will be no extraneous living creatures, and not every stranger will decide to jump over the fence;
• genetically in the bandogs laid in excellent health, so they do not require a lot of attention.

Among the shortcomings of the dog breeders are the following facts:

• in order to teach a dog the rules of decency, it will be necessary to hire a professional, only he will be able to explain to a dog from childhood how to act;
• bandogas have a complex and unbalanced character, can break loose in a second if they see a stranger on their territory;
• this breed is not hardy enough;
• in the absence of a leader in the house, the dog becomes unbalanced and willful.

The bandog needs not only a lot of time for training, but also a strong leader nearby. The dog will not listen to the child, so an adult man should raise him.

A person who has taken the responsibility of raising such a dog should not forget about its fighting nature. Aggression is invested in gangsters since childhood, that’s why it is not worth keeping it on the chain, it is better to start socializing the animal as soon as possible. In kennels this issue is given enough time, every laziness is involved in the training of adults, they play with dogs, they offer them physical training so that they can spend energy. All the same must be ensured with the home education of the animal.

For young breeders who are just starting to get acquainted with the characteristics of fighting breeds, bandogs are not suitable as a pet. You should not take an adult dog into the family when it is not known how it was raised, who, what methods were used.

The dog can tolerate pain, so it is extremely undesirable to apply physical impact to it. As soon as the owner shows weakness, the dog will certainly take revenge, although in his nature this quality is not inherent.In his understanding, he would rather simply prove to the opponent the right to leadership. As a result of this misunderstanding, serious problems arise with the upbringing and care of the animal. The bandogs respond perfectly even to a small change in the intonation of the owner’s voice, which is enough for him to understand his guilt.

The dog will have only one owner, with the rest he is ready to just get along and coexist on a common territory. You should not expect unconditional obedience from him, to suppress a willful character is not so simple.

Any fighting breed is good because it does not require special care, since it is quite unpretentious in content. In private homes, the dog often lives in an aviary, it does not carry out hygiene procedures, but it requires regular vaccination. Inspection of the veterinarian and the necessary vaccinations allow you to maintain excellent dog health.

A dog can live outside without harm to health. To do this, she will need to build a warm booth where she can hide in the cold and rain.

Bandogs feel best in private courtyards, as they have enough space for free movement there. In the apartment they become bored, especially if the owner is too lazy to walk the animal on time. A bored dog can begin to bully. Do not be surprised if he breaks a new sofa or shoes, because he has nowhere to put the accumulated energy.

These dogs are not just active, they need walks every day and preferably with physical activity. The small space that restricts them in movement leads to the appearance of depression, loss of control over the bandog. Such an animal becomes dangerous even for the owner, which is why it is so important that the dog has the opportunity to throw out the accumulated energy. Daily activity helps to strengthen the musculoskeletal system of the dog.

Walking the animal is carried out exclusively in the muzzle. This is a rule that is not negotiable if the owner of the fighting dog does not want to face serious problems.

An important role in the maintenance of the breed is nutrition. Beef must be present in the diet, as it is rich in iron, vitamins and essential trace elements. Vegetables, cereals, seafood and eggs are additional additives in the diet.

The quality of nutrition should be given special attention. The portions are strictly regulated, the feeding time is the same. If the dog has constant access to food, then the likelihood of obesity is high, and with it the life span of the pet is reduced.

Meat is not the only ingredient that should be present in a healthy dog’s diet. It is advisable to cook food yourself, but not every owner can afford to spend so much time on keeping a dog, so he prefers to use ready-made dry food.

They are more profitable because they retain a feeling of satiety with the dog longer. They contain enough vitamins, minerals and other components necessary for the normal development of a fighting dog. Among the assortment offered by pet shops, it is worth giving preference to those products that come to the market from well-known manufacturers. The presence of corn in the feed indicates its poor quality.

Together with a complete diet, the dog should always have access to clean drinking water. Dry food causes a feeling of thirst, this should not be forgotten.

Bandogs love to indulge in bones, but giving chicken or tubular to them is strictly prohibited. The dog has a powerful enough jaw to split this one. Accidentally swallowed a piece can stick into the esophagus, which will cause sepsis and premature death of the animal. Pet stores have special bones made from tendons.This is not only one of the favorite treats of any dog, but also an excellent tool for the prevention of tartar.

Additionally, cereals should be present in the dog's diet. It is advisable to give her buckwheat and rice, but not include semolina and corn grits in the menu. Vegetables and fruits can also be added in small amounts to minced meat, for this they are crushed. Sour-milk products are also useful: cottage cheese, kefir, but they should not be combined with vegetables. Boiled eggs and boiled vegetables with herbs are of great benefit. Offal is useful once a week.

If you properly care for the dog, then it will live much longer.

The coat of the dog is coarse, short, so it is not visible during molting in the yard. As for the housing conditions, 2 times a year the owner is required to comb out the dog and carry out wet cleaning every day until the coat changes. Special brushes are sold for combing in pet stores that quickly remove dead hair, thereby reducing shedding time. Moreover, hair care is a good prevention of skin problems.

Bathing an animal is often not required. If it is kept in the yard, then you can go to the pond several times a month, where the dog can swim, or arrange a shower for him from the hose. In the apartment, the need for water procedures arises when the dog is very dirty. Use exclusively specialized shampoo for washing, the water should be warm. After the animal is wiped well, it is possible to dry the hair with a hairdryer, although bandogs are not prone to colds and can cope with a slight hypothermia.

The eyes and ears of the animal require special attention, since they suffer most often. With street maintenance, it is necessary to clean them of dirt every week and make sure that ticks are not wound in the ears and eyes are not sour. Cleanliness plays a decisive role in the formation of acute scent and vision of the dog.

If possible, experts advise to regularly visit a veterinarian who can see in advance the dog’s problems with the musculoskeletal system and eliminate them. Long and active breed walks are essential.

While walking in the city it is worth avoiding areas with a large number of people, as they can irritate the dog and he will begin to behave aggressively. In large cities, there are already equipped special enclosed grounds for animals. Free exercise equipment is available on site. Such exercises allow you to maintain good physical shape of the dog.

In a certain period, a bandog is vaccinated. It is especially important to exclude the likelihood of infection by diseases such as:

• plague;
• enteritis;
• hepatitis;
• parainfluenza;
• rabies;
• coronavirus;
• leptospirosis;
• trichophytosis.

The first vaccinations are done in a nursery at the age of 2 months. If the dog stays with home litter, then you should contact your veterinarian. It is forbidden to wash, remove to fresh air and overfeed the dog. Immunity is developed only within 12 days after vaccination.

The owner is required to pay maximum attention to his pet so that he is more likely to tolerate the vaccine. Do not be surprised if the puppy has a fever, this is a normal reaction to the first vaccine. Often the dog becomes lethargic, inactive, she has diarrhea.

Three weeks later, a second vaccination is made using the same drug. The dog tolerates the next vaccination easier, but it still needs to be protected from other animals for 12 days. Any walks are strictly prohibited, after the specified period the quarantine is removed.

At the age of 6 months, the bandogu is vaccinated against rabies and other diseases. The vaccine is comprehensive, but it is canceled if the teeth are still changing from milk to molars. After another six months, the procedure is repeated, but from other viruses. After each year, the dog breeder must take the dog to the veterinarian so that he can repeat the vaccination, so the bandog will be protected from diseases that can kill him ahead of time.

It is impossible to vaccinate people independently without an appropriate education, this is done by qualified doctors. Before the procedure, a number of preliminary actions are necessarily carried out:

• external examination of the puppy;
• body temperature measurement.

Only when everything is normal, the vaccine is administered to the animal. The injection site may be the thigh of an animal or a scruff. All procedures are entered in the veterinary passport, the date is also written there so that the owner can navigate when the next vaccination period comes.

With proper care, bandogs have excellent health. All problems arise when the owner ceases to provide the dog with quality food, underfeeds or overfeeds the pet. In such cases, one has to deal with joint dysplasia, obesity, malfunction of internal organs, and cancers.

Raising and properly training a bandog puppy is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. The dog demonstrates its temper from a young age, so it is important to correct it correctly without causing psychological trauma. It is strictly forbidden to beat an animal, you need to be able to quickly and clearly convey your requirements to it.

A person with a weak character will not be able to raise a representative of this breed, it is better to give the puppy to a specialist. As soon as the animal appeared in the house, the process of its socialization begins. They explain to him what cannot be done, where is his place, who lives in the house with the same rights. Particular attention is paid to relationships with the child.

If you want to make a true friend and companion for a child, a bandog is not suitable for this. He will not perceive him as a leader and at some point will try to prove his own strength.

If the owner manages to organize an atmosphere of complete order and clear requirements in the house, then the dog will grow obedient and friendly. He will know how and when to use aggression. If you have no experience in training, you should seek the advice of a dog handler, who will explain how to properly gain authority from a dog.

If misconduct is punishable, then it should not involve physical abuse of the animal. The intelligence of the bandogs is enough for them to quickly learn commands. This is one of those breeds that they like to train, since there are no problems with the right approach. You can’t buy a fighting breed and not engage in it, such a negligent attitude will lead to problems in the future. When there are deviations in development, you can never know what the pet will be capable of.

The bandog requires constant control, an uncontrollable beast is dangerous to the life of the owner and others. The dog will quickly determine who is the master of the house and select only one person, he will be allowed to command and give orders. This should be remembered by all other family members.

Being rude, disrespectful to the dog, it is worth being prepared for the fact that he will immediately demonstrate his character. Even the owner cannot always stop such an animal in aggression. Most often, the man himself and his improper upbringing are to blame for the attacks of the bandogs, but the animal suffers from this.

Next, see the general American bandog breed dog training course.