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Backwoods Bulldog Club |
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Bull Breed & Guardian Group Registry |
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BACKWOODS BULLDOG CLUB OFFICIAL AMERICAN BANDOG BREED STANDARD
American Bandog History In the early 1960s the late veterinarian, John Swinford D.V.M., began a breeding program, which was ultimately to produce the greatest of all protection dogs. Though breeders of Bandogs today disagree on just what breeds went into Swinford's original breeding scheme, the consensus is that it was 50% American Pit Bull Terrier and 50% "very large dog". Unfortunately, Swinford died at an early age and his Bandog was never perfected or recognized as a purebred. Temperament: A fearless adversary to anyone who threatens his master or property. A Bandog is friendly with other animals and dogs that are accepted by its master. Display a definite preference for its family, children included, but it is not a dog that gets along very well with a visitor to the home if his master is not at present. Faults Overly aggressive or excessively shy.
Disqualifications Extreme viciousness or shyness:
Shyness - A dog shall be judged fundamentally shy if, refusing to stand for examination, it shrinks away from the judge; if it fears an approach from the rear; if it shies at sudden and unusual noises to a marked degree. Note: Puppies should not be faulted severely here. With maturity and socialization confidence should increase.
Viciousness - A dog that attacks, or attempts to attack either the judge or its handler unprovoked, is definitely vicious. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs shall not be deemed vicious. Specials characteristic: This is a family companion dog, with intelligence, loyalty and devotion to its master and family. Faults: Failure to be worked, failure to work successfully, producer of genetic problems in pups, poor immune system, affected by hip and elbow dysplasia. Excessively undershot to avoid difficult to eat and some diseases related to them. Drives: Natural Guardian ability is required. Size: Males and females: Height: 20-30 Inches at the withers. Weight: 70-150 pounds. The overall proportion of the dog is the most important when evaluating a dog. Disposition: Protect his master against any danger, even to give his own life to protect him. Head A box or wedge shape is preferred. The head should be broad, flat on top squared appearance with a well defined stop. It should also be medium in length with pronounced muscular cheeks.
Muzzle The muzzle should be broad with wide-open nostrils. Note The muzzle should be in proportion to head size & type.
Nose Should have full pigment.
Bite: All excepted but undershot or overshot can not hinder working ability. Faults: Small teeth or uneven incisors.
Disqualifications Parrot mouth or closed mouth with visible teeth, and wry jaw.
Eyes All colors accepted.
Ears The ears should be set well on the head and carried close either being flap or rose. Natural or cropped ears accepted.
Neck Slightly arched, very muscular, and of moderate length, tapering from shoulders to head.
Faults neck too short and thick; thin or weak neck.
Body Wide, deep chest; fairly compact, straight and well balanced. The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide, nor should the elbows be angled out or pulled in. The back should be broad and moderately short, showing great strength.
Faults The back should not be narrow, excessively long or swayed. Note The degree of fault will depend on how it affects the dogs “working” ability and movement.
Forequarters The chest should be deep and moderately wide giving the appearance of power and athletic ability. The front, overall, should be straight and well balanced. The chest should not be narrow or excessively wide.
Faults Upright or loaded shoulders; elbows turned outward or tied-in; down at the pasterns; front legs bowed; wrists knuckled over; toeing in or out.
Hindquarters Broad, well muscled with muscles tapering well to the leg to manifest speed and strength, but not quite as large as at the shoulders. There should not be an excess or lack of angulation in the rear legs. Serious Faults Narrow or weak hindquarters, weak pasterns, cow hocks, open hocks, or bowed legs.
Legs The legs should be strong and straight with moderate to heavy bone. Front legs should not set too close together or too far apart. Pasterns should be strong, straight and upright. The rear legs should be moderately angulated and parallel.
Serious Faults: Excessively Bow-Legged in the front, weak pasterns, cow hocks, open hocks, bowed legs in the rear.
Feet The feet are round, medium in size; toes are well arched, and tight.
Faults Splayed feet or crooked toes.
Tail Strong at the root tapering to the hocks, in a relaxed position, the tail can be carried back when excited. A "pump handle" tail is preferred but any tail carried from upright, when the dog is excited, to relaxed between the hocks is acceptable. The tail should not end in a complete circle. Natural or docked tails acceptable.
Disqualifications Tail curled over the back; corkscrew tail, kinked or crooked tail.
Gait The gait should be “balanced and smooth”, showing great speed, agility and power. The dog should not travel excessively wide, and as speed increases the feet move toward the centerline of the body to maintain balance. The top line remains firm and level, parallel to the line of motion.
Faults Legs not moving on the same plane; legs over reaching; legs crossing over in front or rear; front or rear legs moving too close or touching; pacing; paddling; side winding.
Coat Short and smooth.
Disqualifications Long and fuzzy coats. Color All colors accepted. Disqualifications: Extreme viciousness or shyness. Parrot mouth or closed mouth with visible teeth, and wry jaw. Tail curled over the back; corkscrew tail, kinked or crooked tail. Long and fuzzy coats. Any American Bandog that has been spayed or neutered. Male dogs that do not have 2 visible testicles. Blindness or deafness.
Cosmetic Faults A cosmetic fault is one of a minor nature. A fault not specified as cosmetic has to do with structure as it relates to a working dog. |