Dog Breeds: American Bulldog

American Bulldogs are sometimes confused with English Bulldogs, but they are two separate and unique breeds. They don't look the same and they certainly don't have the same traits. American Bulldogs have longer legs and a wider head. They are also faster and considerably more agile. American Bulldogs are better suited to hard work than their English counterparts and actually enjoy being a working dog.

Though the American Bulldog was once used for bull baiting, today they are typically employed as working dogs on the ranch or farm. They are often used for guarding or hunting. They are highly intelligent and quite protective, so they can be trained to guard flocks and herds from predators. They can also be used to drive stock on ranches, though other breeds are more common for this purpose.

The American Bulldog, like so many other breeds, was near to extinction after World War II (WWII). It was thanks to a young man from Summerville, Georgia that the breed survived at all. John D. Johnson returned from the war in the 1940s to discover his beloved breed was near to dying out. His father had bred the dogs and he felt a responsibility to ensure the American Bulldog was not lost entirely. Johnson spent the remainder of his life gathering the best specimens of the breed. He created a prolific breeding program that is continued today by John D. Johnson Kennels in Georgia.

Weighing up to 120 lbs and standing up to 28 inches high, this breed is considered medium-large in size. This is not a hostile breed, but it can be determined and highly protective. The American Bulldog can be aggressive with other dogs, but is generally gentle with children. Brave, loyal, and reliable, this breed needs to be with people and would benefit from structured obedience training. This dog needs plenty of exercise or it can become high strung and difficult. For this reason, the American Bulldog tends not to enjoy apartment living.

The American Bulldog is powerful, muscular, and sturdy in appearance. Their athletic legs can propel them up to six feet in the air. The head is square, the chest is deep, and the neck is exceptionally strong. The muzzle is broad and the preferred bite is a reversed scissors. It should be noted, however, that most associations in which this breed is recognized will also accept a scissor bite, under bite, or even bite. The tail should be low set, thick at the base and tapering to a point.

Forward flap ears are preferred in most associations, though rose, half-pricked, and even cropped are acceptable. Those looking to obtain a dog for show purposes should understand that cropped ears are not considered desirable even when they are accepted. This is because unnecessary cropping is now frowned upon in both North America and Europe.

Eyes can come in any color, but black rims around the eyes are a must. Pink rims are considered a fault and can sometimes lead to the disqualification of an otherwise acceptable dog. The nose is preferably black, but grizzle, brown, or red are also acceptable. The lips should also be black, though a small amount of pink showing is permissible. Those lips should be full and well defined, not loose and they certainly should not flap. This dog tends to drool and slobber, though excessive slobbering may indicate a health problem.

The coat of the American Bulldog can come in a variety of brindles including red brindle with varying degrees of brown, fawn, red, white, tan, and even piebald. The coat should be short, smooth, and just a little harsh, making grooming easy. Comb your dog with a firm bristle brush weekly and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder, and the hairs sometimes embed in carpeting.

The American Bulldog is a breed that can make a lovely family pet, but they are happiest when they're working. If you have a large yard and something for the dog to do, this may be the breed for you.

Dog Breeds: American Bull Molosser

Also known as the American Molosser, the American Brabanter, or the American Bullenbeisser, the American Bull Molosser was really developed by combining several breeds. Some of the breeds used to achieve this vibrant animal include Hines Bulldog, American Bandogge, German Rottweiler, Neapolitan Mastiff, South African Boerboel, Hermes Olde Bulldog, Cane Corso, and the Dogue De Bordeaux. These breeds were usually chosen for their strength and protective instincts.

Weighing in at up to 115 pounds, but standing only 26 inches high, the American Molosser is a medium-large dog. They are loyal and courageous and have a great desire to please. This dog is highly intelligent and tends to have a stable temperament. This means there is little variation in underlying temperament, so you always know what you're going to get with an American Bull Molosser. They are easily trained and adapt well to family life, but only if socialized as puppies. An unsocialized adult can become aggressive, so make sure you socialize your pup at an early age. These dogs also need a firm pack leader in the home. If they get these things, they're perfectly happy as a family pet.

Since the American Molosser is bred more for function than form, they have relatively few health problems. They can live in apartments if you're willing to take them for long walks every day, but they prefer a fenced yard. This dog has a short and dense coat, so grooming is not difficult. A light brushing once a week is usually enough, and you should trim the nails once a week. You might like to bathe your dog a few times a year, but if your dog hates water, the American Bull Molosser can get perfectly clean using a dry shampoo.

The American Molosser is a strong and intelligent dog that can be used as a service or working dog. But they're really designed as a family pet for those families who want a loyal and loving protector.

Want to see a young American Molosser in action? Watch this cute little video.

Dog Breeds: American Blue Gascon Hound

Coonhunting was originally a necessity. But with the dawning of the 20th century it became more and more a sport. Eventually, a faster dog was desired, one that would have a significant advantage of the more traditional coonhunting breeds. From this desire, the American Blue Gascon Hound was born. The breed continued to be improved and developed, finally gaining recognition in the United States in 1976. This breed is very similar to the Bluetick Coonhound. They're so similar that they are often mistaken and what's true for one is often true for the other. The exception is size. The Gascon is larger. Otherwise, they're considered almost the same breed.

Weighing up to 105 pounds, this dog is powerful and quick. A true scenthound, the American Blue Gascon Hound has a high energy level and needs plenty of exercise. They're generally sweet and affable, but when working or tracking they do tend to become intense. They are also vocal and enjoy howling, sometimes at nothing. Generally good with most children and other dogs of a comparable size, most Gascon Hounds should not be left alone with pets they may see as prey, including cats and rodents. They do have a high prey drive, but appropriate training can help control these tendencies.

This breed is best suited to a home with a large fenced yard. They don't tend to thrive in apartments (though there are exceptions) and need space to run. Bear in mind that this breed will track prey to the exclusion of all else, so a fence is necessary just in case your dog ignores you in favor of tracking down a squirrel.

Be prepared to spend a lot of time socializing and training your American Blue Gascon Hound. This dog is intelligent and easy to train, but they're also more energetic than most people realize. You'll have to make sure your dog knows its manners and has a way to burn off excess energy. They like to jog, so take your dog for a run once or twice a day to keep energy levels manageable.

Sometimes called the Big 'n Blue, the American Blue Gascon Hound has a coarse by glossy coat. The color of this coat is interesting, because it's actually mostly white. There are the traditional tan markings, of course, but the body of the dog is usually white, but the hairs are ticked with black, resulting in the "blue" coloring for which this breed is named, though the color is closer to navy than true blue. Some dogs also have roaning and solid black spots. There are a few that even lack the tan markings. A grizzled appearance is common but not required. In short, there is great variety in coat color, but some evidence of ticking is required. Regardless of color, the coat should be thick, short, and dense.

Like many of the hounds, the American Blue Gascon Hound has its own set of health problems. Many dogs suffer from hip dysplasia, heart problems, and hypothyroidism. Ear problems are common with many flop eared dogs, and this particular hound can suffer from skin issues throughout its life. Talk to your breeder about the problems they've encountered in their breeding program and make sure you have a good veterinarian.

The American Blue Gascon Hound is admired for its stamina, prey drive, and perseverance. They are bold when they must be, protective when required, and adapt readily into many family homes. In short, this breed makes a great addition to the right household.

Dog Breeds: American Black and Tan Coonhound

The American Black and Tan Coonhound, also known as the Black and Tan Coonhoud or simply the Black and Tan, was bred by crossing the Talbot Hound with the Bloodhound and the Foxhound (the black and tan Foxhound, specifically). The Talbot Hound has since become extinct, but the others are still breeds in their own right. The Black and Tan was really the first coonhound as it was the first to be recognized as a breed separate from the more popular Foxhound when it was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1945.

The Black and Tan Coonhound gets its name from its original purpose. The breed was first developed to trail and tree raccoons, letting out a great howl at its quarry. Since it was valued as a hunting dog, the American Black and Tan Coonhound was soon used to hunt bear, boar, mountain lion, stag, and deer. This breed can handle even the roughest terrain and can handle both extreme heat and cold better than many other hounds.

Weighing in at as much as 75 pounds, the Black and Tan Coonhound is a large but well proportioned dog. The topline of this breed is always level and the head had an oval shape. The nose is long and the stop, located between the nose and the back of the head, is about medium. The eyes should be large and round, varying in color from hazel to dark brown. The ears hang low and should reach below the tip of the nose. The nose should always be black, not brown and certainly not pink.

The coat of the American Black and Tan Coonhound is short and dense, almost wiry in its texture. The dog should be primarily black with tan markings (hence the name). The markings should be on the legs, chest, and muzzle. The underbelly can also be marked and there may be markings above the eyes. The coat requires minimal maintenance. A short brushing once a week will do it.

The American Black and Tan Coonhound has many of the qualities most people think of when they hear the word dog. They are loyal, intelligent, friendly, and they make a great companion for people of all ages. They like to please and will listen willingly to anyone they perceive as master. This dog is highly protective by nature and usually reserved around strangers. The Black and Tan Coonhound is a great companion for older children, but younger children are not usually the best match. With proper training and time to get used to a young child, however, this can change. When training your dog, be aware that they are easily distracted. You'll need patience to work with the American Black and Tan Coonhound.

This breed needs a calm master to function well outside the home. Without a strong pack leader, the American Black and Tan Coonhound can become aggressive, especially with unknown animals. This can be corrected with proper socialization. A puppy class and later an obedience class will help this dog and its owner.

This dog is highly active and does not do well in apartments. They need an active family and appreciate the outdoors as much as any breed can. They are prone to gaining weight, so it's important you don't overfeed your pet and you ensure your dog has enough exercise. Ear infections are common, so keep the ears clean and check for any problems regularly. Some lines are susceptible to hip dysplasia, so talk to your breeder about this health problem.

Today the American Black and Tan Coonhound is used for hunting, tracking, agility, and excels as a watchdog. They are also great companions and are frequently found as family pets. Want more information? Watch this short video: