Bandog

Bandog is 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.

Bandog Appearance

The Bandog is a large dog ranging in weight from about 100 to 150 lb and roughly 26 inches at the withers.

Height and weight will vary on strains which comprise of different component breeds.

This is not a giant among dogs, but he is a massive animal, very muscular and well balanced overall, showing great strength. He should be alert and with natural guard behaviour. His body symmetrical and well proportioned. The dog should have the appearance of an athlete demanding, compact, muscular and proud. Males and females: Height: 20-30 Inches Weight: 70-120 pounds. Coat is Short, close and medium fine. Ears are Cropped or natural. Neck is Very strong, muscular and robust.

Different colours mixed. Most common colours are: yellowish or sandy grey, any brindle colour, black, golden fawn, fawn and red. Other colours are allowed too. Red nose and black nose.

Bandog Temperament

Companionable with the family, with intelligence, loyalty and devotion with his master.  A fearless adversary to anyone who threatens his master or property. Friendly with other animals and dogs. Display 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. Will protect his master against any danger, even to give his own life to protect him.

Different colours mixed. Most common colours are: yellowish or sandy grey, any brindle colour, black, golden fawn, fawn and red. Other colours are allowed too. Red nose and black nose.

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.

Bandog History

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.

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.

The obvious question that arises is: why don't breeders simply cross Bandogs with other Bandogs?

The answer is that, at this stage of Bandog development, when one crosses a Bandog to a Bandog, one does not get a Bandog. Bandogs do not breed true yet and it seems that Bandog breeders are far from having perfected a purebred dog.

The hope is that the breeding of these dogs will finally be perfected; however, the dog 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. 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.