Dog Breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier

Of all the breeds out there, the American Pit Bull Terrier (casually called the Pit Bull) has faced the most discrimination. Originally bred as an all-purpose breed that could hunt, herd, guard, and even pull a cart around the farm, the Pit Bull became a status symbol for many types of criminals and dog fighters. Because of a few poor choices (by people, not the dogs), the Pit Bull is the go-to when a dog needs to be blamed for an attack. The media is often the driving force behind the witch-hunting that goes on for this poor breed. A few years ago there was a news story about Pit Bulls attacking a young girl. Turns out they weren't Pit Bulls at all, but Alaskan Huskies. The media continued to call them Pit Bulls until they were corrected several times (by several sources). This isn't the only incident of its kind.

Most American Pit Bulls weigh no more than 78 pounds and stand no more than 24 inches high. This isn't actually the largest dog, though they are powerful. Some might think of the Pit Bulls as quite a large dog, but Pits that are larger than 24 inches at the shoulder have likely been crossed with another breed. They may even be American Bullies or another breed altogether. American Pit Bulls are medium-sized dogs with a more elegant appearance that you might think. Some are no larger than 14 inches at the shoulder. Certainly not a large breed by any measure.

Though not large, the Pit Bull is powerful, agile, and has the appearance of a dog ready for anything. They have a broad head and a well-defined neck (to carry that heavy head). The chest should be deep and well-sprung and the entire body should be muscular. This dog is definitely strong for its size and he'll let you know it. The ears are sometimes cropped, but this is becoming less common as cropping is not allowed in several countries. Tail docking is even rarer. When the tail is not docked, it should taper to a point.

The coat should be short, thick, and quite shiny. Because it is so short, buffing your Pit Bull with a chamois cloth is usually enough of a groom unless you companion happens to be a show dog. Even with the short coat this breed is classified as an average shedder. All coat colors are admissible, though some associations don't accept merle coats and there are even a few that will not accept a Pit Bull with blue eyes. Pits generally fall into two color categories--blue-nose and red-nose. Blue-nose Pits are shades of grey with a matching grey nose. Red-nose Pits are shades of red or brown with a matching red or brown nose. Both varieties are accepted by all associations.

The American Put Bull Terrier is driven by its need to please. This has, at least in part, led to its rather nasty reputation. A Pit Bull really wants to do what you want him to do, but if you aren't very clear about your expectations, he'll come to his own conclusions. This breed is highly intelligent, so as long as you're a strong leader and have communicated your expectations in a manner he understands, he'll be a loyal and friendly companion.

Highly protective, this dog will guard your children and property from any and all threats. With his high tolerance for pain, he can happily roughhouse with the children in your family, but remember that this dog has a clear vision of his 'pack'. Your own children may be perfectly able to roughhouse with your dog, but never let children who won't live with the dog on a daily basis play with the dog in this manner. Don't even leave them alone with the dog (or any dog, really).

Though great with children, the Pit Bull has a natural distaste for other animals. If they're raised with a cat or other pets, this can be managed, but always be aware that this dog likes people better. They do have a natural fighting instinct, but it's not so strong that it cannot be curbed with proper instruction and a clear set of boundaries when it comes to the behavior of you Pit Bull.

This is an active breed, so be prepared for long walks. They're even active indoors, so expect your Pit to bounce off the couch a few times. The American Pit Bull Terrier is generally healthy, but beware of hip dysplasia, congenital heart disease, cataracts, and a genetic allergy to grass in some lines. Ask your breeder about these problem prior to bringing a new Pit Bull into your life. Some of these problems are harder to deal with than others, and the grass allergy is really not fun for your dog.

Most Pit Bulls live a happy life as family pets, show dogs, or sporting companions. They can be excellent pets if they are raised right, so if you want a happy and loyal dog, you might want to consider the American Pit Bull Terrier.

Dog Breeds: American Mastiff Panja

Some breeds have a darker history than others, and such is sadly the case with the American Mastiff Panja. Bred from the crossbreeding of several large breeds (the Pit Bull and the Rottweiler among them), the American Mastiff Panja was originally used by drug dealers to protect their homes and even their drugs. They were perfect for this job because they looked intimidating and weren't too friendly, but they also allowed foot traffic when necessary.

Originally referred to as 'rock dogs', this powerful breed was registered with the Dog Registry of America (DRA) in 1996 under the name 'American Mastiff (Panja)'. Since then, the Panja Mastiff can be found as a guard dog, a protection dog, and a family pet. They are considered a rare breed by most.

Weighing in at up to 100 pounds, the Panja Mastiff is a powerful and athletic breed. The chest should be wide, the front legs straight and heavy. The hindquarters should be incredibly muscular, giving the impression of a dog ready for action at all times. This is an intense breed, and they look it. Color is unimportant when it comes to the American Mastiff Panja.

Eyes should be small and wide set, giving the American Mastiff Panja its alert and curious expression. Ears should be button-style, meaning it stands on its own and only the front ¼ to ⅓ of the ear should be folded down towards the front of the head. The ears and tail are sometimes cropped. The dewclaws are almost always removed for the health and safety of the dog.

For the most part, the Panja Mastiff is easy-going, but remember that they were bred to protect. They will protect their homes and families to the death if necessary. It's generally best if the Panja Mastiff is raised with the family they are going to live with from puppyhood. This is especially true if there are children involved. This dog is not at all meek and so is not recommended for an inexperienced dog handler.

This dog is incredibly active and does not do well in apartments. They love to play and tend to get bored easily. When bored, they will chew anything and everything, so plan to keep this dog entertained even when you're not at home. Otherwise you may returned to an eaten couch. 

Since this breed has only a medium coat, they don't make good outdoor dogs unless you live in a temperate climate. They do shed, but a light brushing twice a week can keep this under control. A good bath once a month will also help. Other than this, the Panja Mastiff requires little in the way of special grooming.

If you're looking for a protective dog that never tires of a good game, the Panja Mastiff might be for you. This powerful breed, however, requires an experienced handler.

Dog Breeds: American Mastiff

Most Mastiffs have notoriously wet mouths and loose lips, so they drool an awful lot. This is not the case with the American Mastiff. Originally bred in Ohio from the English and Anatolian Mastiffs, the American Mastiff has a firmer lip line and a drier mouth than most of the other Mastiff breeds. Selective breeding has maintained this trait, so this breed is excellent for people who love the Mastiff but hate the drool.

Sometimes weighing over 200 pounds, the American Mastiff is a large and powerful dog. Its chest is broad and the head is wide. Ears are round and set quite high on the head. The feet are, quite frankly, huge, so it should come as no surprise that his dog can stand as high as 36 inches. The tail is quite long, typically reaching the hocks if held downward. Eyes should be a dark amber.

Puppies are born dark in color and lighten as they age, so don't be surprised when you see a bunch of dark puppies squirming around a lighter-colored mother. Most dogs lighten to a fawn by one year of age, but some will retain darker hairs. Acceptable colors include fawn, apricot, and brindle. White markings are acceptable on the chin, nose, chest and feet. The face, including the ears, must have a dark mask. The coat is short and lays flat against the skin, making grooming easy. Simply stroke with a stiff brush and shine up your dog with a chamois cloth and your dog is gleaming.

Despite their large size, the American Mastiff is great with children. They are loving and playful and will happily romp with the little ones until darkness falls. The American Mastiff isn't usually an aggressive breed, but if its family is threatened you'll quickly see the protective side emerge. This is especially true if the children are threatened. So don't threaten the children.

Loyal and devoted, this loving breed is great with families of all sizes. They bond quickly to their family and don't like to be separated. In addition, the American Mastiff is kind, patient, understanding, gentle, and very wise. All in all, an excellent companion dog.

If left to their own devices, American Mastiffs are incredibly lazy. Except your furry friend to lay about on the couch all day unless there's a child playing who needs a friend. This lazy streak means they do fairly well in apartments. A small yard or a brisk walk is all they really need to keep them healthy and happy. Unlike other large breeds, the American Mastiff is a hardy breed with few of the health problem you'd often see in a breed this size.

If you're looking for a dog that is great with kids and relatively easy to exercise, the American Mastiff might be for you. Their gentle nature makes them excellent companions for the young and old alike.

Dog Breeds: American Lo-Sze Pug

It is an unfortunate fact that some breeds are changed to suit the needs and desires of people, sometimes so much so that the new breed bears no resemblance at all to the parent breed. This is the case with the Lo-Sze. In ancient China there are references to three distinct dogs with small heads and short legs. The first resembles the Pekingese, though it was referred to as the Fu Lin. The second was the Shoku-Ken, a dog that is probably the ancestor of the Japanese Chin. The third was the Lo-Sze, which looked similar to the Fu Lin but with a shorter coat and a tail that wasn't at all feathered. The Lo-Sze is the ancestor of the modern day Pug.

When trading began with the western world, all three dog were changed irrevocably. The Pekingese, Japanese Chin, and Pug all emerged, but the older breeds were quiet lost to time. In 1989 a woman by the name of Rebecca Manns began researching the history of the Pug and its older Chinese ancestor. When she discovered that the original traits of the Lo-Sze had been abandoned in favor of European traits, she decided to do what she could to restore the original grandeur of the Lo-Sze. In 1998 the American Lo-Sze Pug was recognized by the International Rare Breed Dog Club Registry, proving Manns efforts successful.

Like the modern Pug, the American Lo-Sze Pug should be short of stature but broad in the chest and face. The nose should have wide nostrils but may be of any color. A wrinkle in the nose is preferred but not required. Ears are set high and may be either drop-style or rose formation. Think Pug, but not quite Pug. This breed can weigh up to 12 pounds but stands no more than 10 inches tall.

The tail of the American Lo-Sze Pug should be set high and carried directly over the back. Offset tails are not allowed. The preferred coat type should be short, soft, and smooth. An undercoat may or may not be present. Less desired, but still permitted, is a longer coat with feathering around the ears, tail, legs, and toes. Regardless of coat type, any color or pattern is acceptable. A weekly brushing should keep the coat in top shape.

The American Lo-Sze Pug is a highly social dog and loves to be around adults, children, and other pets. They have been known to get along well with dogs, cats, birds, and even squirrels. This breed is a bit of a clown and will enchant family and friends with his antics. Smart and responsive, the American Lo-Sze Pug is easy to train, but may show shyness around strangers. They do bark to alert to anything suspicious, but they're not incessant about it.

Like the common Pug, the American Lo-Sze Pug does have a few health issues, many of them associated with the blunt nose so associated with this type of dog. Look for cleft palate, inadequate blinking, lacrimal duct atresia, patella luxation, stenotic nares, and umbilical hernia. They can also suffer from such conditions as cataracts, cleft lip, distichiasis, elongated soft palate, and hip dysplasia.

Because of the short nose, the American Lo-Sze Pug is prone to overheating. Case must be taken when exercising this dog and it should never be left outside in the heat. Or in the cold, for that matter. In fact, this dog is definitely an indoor dog. If your dog overheats, throwing a cold bucket of water over him usually helps. Sometimes veterinary intervention is required, so watch your dog closely.

If you're looking for a dog that is excellent with children and does well in small spaces, the American Lo-Sze Pug might be for you.