Dog Breeds: American Bullnese (Purebred)

Sometimes, a dog lover will look at several breeds of dog, pick their favorite traits, and decide to breed a dog will all of these traits. This is what happened to Robert E. Rice. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Rice began a breeding program in 1989. He selectively bred animals from five different dog breeds, including the Pekingese and the French Bulldog. The other breeds used were the Pug, Boston Terrier, and Dachshund. Contrary to popular belief, the American Bulldog was not used in the development of what would eventually be called the American Bullnese.

His breeding program was successful and today there are many American Bullnese in North American. However, there has been a slight snag. Somewhere in the 1990s hybrid breeders got in on the action. They started crossing the French Bulldog with the Pekingese and calling the pups American Bullnese. As early as 2006, some of these puppies were being registered with the American Canine Hybrid Club as Bullnese, leading to a great deal of confusion. This confusion persists, but the purebred described as the Bullnese has bred true for more than twenty years.

I once heard a breeder describe this breed as "a little like pugs, but not really." This is kind of apt. Weighing in at up to 30 pounds, they are muscular dogs, heavy in the front, but with a strong bearing overall. The body should be broad in the chest, but narrowing considerably by the time you reach the base of the tail. Sturdy little things, they should be solid and low to the ground, rarely growing to more than 12 inches in height.. Legs are short; legs which are too long are considered a fault. The head should be large and square with well defined cheekbones. The eyes should be almost perfectly round and on the large side. Ears must have a soft fold; erect ears are a definite fault. The tail should have a slight curl, appearing a little like a sickle. If the tail has a screw-like appearance, that dog is disqualified, especially in the American Bullnese Association.

All coat colors and patterns for the American Bullnese are acceptable, even encouraged. The coat should be short with no curls. A long coat is grounds for disqualification. Though thick and dense, the coat should also be extraordinarily soft. The fur on the ears should feel like brushed velvet. This means grooming is generally easy. Most dogs need brushing once a week and the occasional bath. Be sure to clean the creases on the face regularly.

The American Bullnese is a happy, fun-loving, and even clown-like dog. They have a cute run that makes them look like they're hopping; this fits in perfectly with their personality, as they are joyous and ready for excitement. These guys are generally seen as adorable and sweet. But do not make the mistake of treating this dog like a baby. If there's any dog that embodies 'big dog in a small body', it's these compact dogs.

This non-sporting dog is fairly energetic and can be prone to obesity when not exercised. Taking your dog for regular walks can help combat this. Despite this, or maybe because of it, the American Bullnese makes a good apartment dog. They tend to be quiet and inactive when indoors and can manage without a yard if you make sure to exercise them on a regular basis.

It is the combination of features and the refinement during the initial breeding program that creates the unique lovability of the American Bullnese. This breed is considered to be one of the best house pets and is suitable for people of all ages.

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.