American Bandogge: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

The American Bandogge, also known as the American Bandogge Mastiff, is a large dog breed that is extremely loyal, loving, and protective of their family.

At first glance, these dogs may look intimidating. However, these confident giants are actually full of love, and, as long as they’re properly trained from a young age, they can get along great with children and other animals.

The American Bandogge is a mixed breed between a female Neapolitan Mastiff and a male American Pit Bull Terrier. These dogs are large and heavy, but they’re low maintenance and require little care to keep them in good shape. That said, they require an adequate amount of exercise and mental and physical stimulation to be content and develop properly.

Although low maintenance, caring for an American Bandogge is not for everyone. These dogs require skilled and confident owners who will gently establish dominance and lead their dogs to be loyal, fierce, and protective.

American Bandogge Characteristics

American Bandogge Puppies

When adopting American Bandogge puppies, you should look for reputable breeders who have experience breeding these dogs. This is crucial because American Bandogge puppies are strong willed, and they require proper training from an early age to be well-socialized in adulthood.

Since these dogs are not everyone’s cup of tea, be sure to educate yourself on these canines before making a commitment.

American Bandogge puppies will require extensive training and positive reinforcement throughout their puppyhood. As long as they receive it, these dogs will be well-mannered and excellent protective family members.

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Temperament & Intelligence of the American Bandogge

American Bandogges are extremely intelligent, and in the right hands, these dogs are obedient and easy to train. However, they don’t respond well to mixed signals, which is why they need a firm and confident yet gentle leader.

The temperament of American Bandogge dogs is usually docile, though these dogs also have protective qualities that make them great watchdogs. These canines can be loving and caring family members that will protect you and your loved ones from danger.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

American Bandogges are excellent for families because they get along with humans quite well if socialized from a young age. These dogs are extremely loyal to their family and animals that they consider a part of their “pack,” so they can be great guardians.

However, you should be careful when introducing the American Bandogge to strangers. Their protective nature makes these dogs wary of people and animals they don’t know, which could make them act defensively.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

When properly socialized from a young age and introduced to other animals and pets, the American Bandogge can grow to be a social dog that likes company.

However, these dogs respond the best to the animals that they were raised with. Unknown animals could cause them to become overly protective, defensive, and even slightly aggressive, which is why you should be careful when making new animal introductions.

Things to Know When Owning an American Bandogge

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

American Bandogges are large dogs that need adequate, high-quality nutrition to support their bodies and give them enough energy to go through the day. Since these dogs are big, they generally eat large amounts and require around two meals per day to maintain good health and get all the needed nutrients from their diet.

Exercise 🐕

American Bandogge dogs require plenty of exercise to keep their minds stimulated and their bodies active. Still, this breed doesn’t have a high energy level, so 1 hour of exercise should be enough to keep them satisfied.

It’s best to walk these dogs two to three times a day and provide them with plenty of playtime in between. The American Bandogge usually loves mind challenges, so any puzzle- or food-related game will provide them with plenty of fun and keep them happy.

Training 🎾

Training the American Bandogge is easy for experienced owners who know what they’re doing. These dogs need a firm yet gentle hand and a true leader who knows how to communicate properly with dogs.

With the right owners, these dogs are attentive and obedient and quickly absorb new information. They thrive on routine and structure and require positive reinforcement for the best possible training outcomes.

These dogs are definitely not for first-time dog owners because they can be hard to train, and the whole process can be challenging for both parties. Most American Bandogges that don’t get the proper training needed in puppyhood end up too dominant and display aggressive behavior, which could be dangerous.

Grooming ✂️

One of the best things about the American Bandogge is that these dogs require little grooming. They have short-haired coats that don’t shed much. All these dogs need in terms of grooming is one to two weekly brushings and an occasional bath, along with adequate teeth and nail care.

That said, this breed tends to drool excessively, which is why the area around their mouth may require extra care. Simply wipe the area around their mouths regularly to keep it dry.

Health and Conditions 🏥

The American Bandogge is generally considered a healthy breed, though these dogs don’t have long lifespans; they live around 10–11 years on average, which is lower than many other dog breeds.

When these dogs experience health problems, they’re typically related to their parent breeds’ genetics.

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Male vs. Female

Both sexes appear quite similar, though the males are always larger and heavier than males. Their temperaments are also the same. That said, it’s common for male American Bandogge dogs to be more dominant and aggressive compared to females. Still, with proper training, both sexes will be loyal and loving family members.

3 Little-Known Facts About the American Bandogge

1. The American Bandogge Is Not a Fully Recognized Dog Breed

Some associations accept these dogs, while others don’t. Since this is not a purebred dog breed, the two most popular canine organizations in the U.S.A., the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club do not recognize these dogs. However, canine organizations like American Canine Hybrid Club and The United Canine Association do recognize the breed as the American Bandogge Mastiff.

Another popular canine association, the Designer Dogs Kennel Club, recognizes these dogs, but under a different name: American Masti-Bull.

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2. There Are Multiple Combinations of This Breed

Currently, there are several dog breed combinations that people will refer to as an American Bandogge. While the main combination is between a female Neapolitan Mastiff and a male American Pit Bull Terrier, these dogs can also be mixtures of:

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3. These Dogs Are Not Meant for Everyone

Unless you have extensive experience with similar dog breeds, you should reconsider getting this breed as your pet. Although these dogs are generally docile and can make excellent pets, they require a true leader by their side to get them to show their good side and temperament.

Otherwise, an American Bandogge could easily grow into a dominant dog that exhibits aggressive behavior instead of being loving, caring, and protective.

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about owning an American Bandogge, know that while they seem scary, this breed has a gentle soul and good intentions toward their loved ones. Still, an American Bandogge is not for everyone; this canine requires an experienced leader that will help them grow into a confident, loving dog.

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Featured Image Credit: PPstudio, Shutterstock