The original Alaunt was used as a hunting or guarding dog. They had the ability to catch and hold their prey and was useful for guarding both homes and flocks of animals. Since this breed has been extinct for centuries, information regarding its origins is scarce. The newer version of the breed, however, is alive and well and is referred to as the American Alaunt.
The American Alaunt dog breed is fairly new and is not considered a resurrection of the Alaunt. The American Alaunt is large and intelligent. Breeders are more concerned with intelligence and physical abilities than appearance, so some might say this is an ugly dog with no standards. This is untrue, as all dogs recognized as American Alaunts must exhibit certain traits. All dogs should be visibly muscular and weigh from 90 to 150 pounds. Males are larger than females.
The head should be broad with a muscular jaw and the body should be longer than it is tall. Legs must be straight with thick, sturdy bones. The chest must be wide in appearance, but not so wide that the natural movement of the dog is impeded. The feet should be compact, and toes should be rather short and never splayed. This dog is incredibly strong for its size and is a natural runner. The speed and agility of this dog can look a little odd in a dog of this size, but both these traits are impressive.
The temperament of this dog is a plus. American Alaunts are couragous, loving, confident, and stable. There is no fear or even flightiness in this dog and they are incredibly loyal to their established family. Bonding to this family may take a little done, but once it's done, it cannot be undone. Highly intelligent and affectionate, the American Alaunt is generally good with children and other animals, though getting used to small animals that move quickly takes time for any dog with a high prey drive.
The American Alaunt does best with a yard to run around in. They can live in apartments if necessary, but you'll have to exercise your dog with long walks at least twice a day. This particular breed of dog tends to be inactive indoors, so staying inside all the time is simply a recipe for obesity in your dog.
This breed is an average shedder, but the short coat is relatively easy to groom. A quick comb with a firm bristle brush twice a week can usually help keep the shedding under control. It also removes dead hair, making your dog more comfortable.
The American Alaunt is a sweet and loyal breed that will stay by your side. They can be the perfect fit for the right family.
The Ambullneo Mastiff is a relatively new breed than came to light in the 1980s in Southern California. An English Mastiff was crossed to a Naepolitan female. Two of the resulting pups were bred to a Game Bred Pitbull. Then these pups were bred to a Bullmastifff. These puppies were 55% Mastiff and 45% Bulldog. But this isn't the end of the story. These pups, which we'll call Pup1 for clarity, would be bred to Pup2. Pup2 had just as interesting a beginning as Pup1. An American Bulldog/Pitbull was bred to a Bullmastiff. These pups are Pup2, and Pup2 was 70% Bulldog and 30% Mastiff. When Pup1 was bred to Pup2, the result was 57.5% Bulldog and 42.5% Mastiff. This cross is what we now call the Ambullneo Mastiff.
But more than a decade would pass before the breed would be admitted to The National Kennel Club (NKC). The dogs obviously had to be tested for both intelligence and fertility. Once this was done and their physical health was assured, the dog was declared a recognized breed. Still, this breed is too new to be accepted by most associations around the world.
The Ambullneo Mastiff is a sturdy dog with a large head and a strong jaw. The ears are usually cropped, but if left alone they drop rather like a retriever's ears. The neck is thick and the shoulders are strong and hefty. The tail is thick and long, dropping as low as the hocks when the dog is at rest. A large dog, the Ambullneo Mastiff can weigh as much as 150 pounds, though females tend to be considerably smaller.
This breed of dog is highly intelligent and a natural guardian. Once bonded to their family, they will guard to the death. This dog isn't stubborn, but it is sensitive. You have to take care to assert yourself, but not to the point where you're shouting at the dog. The Ambullneo Mastiff is very aware of tone, so keep your voice low.
These dogs bond and bond quickly, sometimes to the point where they'll become aggressive to strangers. To prevent this, socialize your dog before it bonds too closely to you and your family. Obedience classes are a virtual must with the Ambullneo Mastiff. A curious dog, this breed likes to explore and learn new things, so keep your dog engaged and entertained.
The Ambullneo Mastiff is a hardy dog, though it is prone to hip dysplasia. To lower the risk of your dog developing this condition, limit strenuous activity until the dog is at least two years of age. This gives the hips time to fully mature. These dogs like activity and do not do well in an apartment. A fenced yard is best, but make it a 6-foot fence. Any shorter and the dog may just jump over it. The Ambullneo Mastiff enjoys being outside, though not all the time. In cold weather, make sure a dog house is provided. In warm weather, shade and plenty of water is required. If they have these things, they'll probably spend most of their time exploring their territory.
If you're hoping for a low maintenance breed, the Ambullneo Mastiff might be the right choice for you. This breed has short hair and sheds little, so a quick comb with a firm bristle brush once a week is generally all that is required. For bathing, consider a dry shampoo every three months. A full bath is only necessary when the dog is truly dirty or smells (which happens since they roll in anything they can find). You'll have to keep the nails trimmed to avoid damage to floors and furniture, but that's the worst you'll encounter with these breed.
The Ambullneo Mastiff makes a great family pet if you handle this breed just right. With plenty of socialization, they can learn to get along with most people and larger pets. This breed is not a good idea for families with small children or pets (such as cats or small dogs) unless you're going to be on top of your dog at all times. Otherwise, they're a good choice for anyone with a large yard.
Also known as the Alpenlandischer Dachsbracke, Alpenländische Dachsbracke, and the Basset des Alpes, the Alpine Dachsbracke resembles an ancient hunting dog. More recently (if you can call the 19th century recent), Prince Rudolf of Habsburg made his gamekeepers include Alpine Dachsbracken (plural version of the breed) on his hunting trips to Egypt and Turkey in the 1880s. In the 20th century, the breed actually started to gain some recognition. In 1932 the top canine organizations in Austria recognized the Alpine-Erzgebirgs-Dachsbracke as the third scenthound breed. But it wasn't until 1975 that the name was formally changed to Alpine Dachsbracke and its country of origin was declared to be Austria by the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale, sometimes referred to as the World Canine Organization). Finally, in 1991, the Alpine Dachsbracke was added to Section 2 of Scenthounds in the FCI nomenclature.
The Alpine Dachsbracke is a hardy and sturdy hunting dog with short legs and a strong bone structure. These dogs have a dense coat and firmly defined muscles. The nose and lips should be black. The lips themselves should be close fitting and have a moderate curve. The neck of this dog breed should be strong but not too long and the back is straight. The chest should be deep and the shoulders are strongly muscled. The tail should be set high and is fairly thick. When at rest, the tail of the Alpine Dachsbracke dog is carried slightly downward and doesn't quite reach the ground.
With a thick top coat and a dense undercoat, the Alpine Dachsbracke can stay warm even when wet, but they don't do well in truly cold weather. Ideally, the perfect dog should be a dark deer red and may or may not have black hairs lightly interspersed. A black dog with clearly defined red-brown markings on the chest, head, feet, legs, and the underside of the tail is also permitted. A white star on the chest is allowed by not generally preferred.
The temperament of the Alpine Dachsbracke is similar to many other hunting breeds. They are friendly, loyal, and fearless. This dog breed is used to working, usually in the mountains at a hunter's side, so they are hardy, sturdy, and adaptable. They do like daily walks, but they can also adapt to life in an apartment. They are not large, not usually weighing more than 40 pounds and generally not any larger than 16 inches at the shoulder. But they are powerful and solid, so be prepared for a strong dog, especially for its size.
If you're looking for a dog that's generally low maintenance, the Alpine Dachsbracke might be the dog you're looking for. The coat is smooth, short, and sleek, so it doesn't require much care. Brush your dog once a week or so to remove any dead hair and dry shampoo four times a year (unless the dog is truly dirty), and you're basically done. You do need to watch the ears, however. These dogs are prone to ear infections due to their large drooping ears.
The Alpine Dachsbracke makes a good companion dog for many people around the world. They do enjoy exploring and hunting, so you should make an effort to indulge your dog's desire for the new and exciting.
