American Bull Molosser Dog Breed

Other names:
American Brabanter
American Bullenbeisser
American Molosser
American Molossus

Pronunciation: [ Amer·i·can Bul Mo·loss·ur ]

The American Bull Molosser is a type of dog that, while hybrid, is often produced from three or more dogs that may be purebred, hybrid, or themselves a type rather than breed or even crossbreed dog. There are many names by which this dog type is known, and some of them are the American Molossor, the American Bullenbeiser, and the American Brabanter. Even more numerous are the dog breeds and cross-breeds that can be used to produce them: American Bandogges, Cane Corsos, Dogue De Bordeaux, German Rottweilers, and Neapolitan Mastiffs, among others.

American Bull Molosser Breed Details

The nearly massive size of the American Bull Molosser (ABM) makes it seem to be too big and scary for many of the kinds of work that these dog types are nevertheless known to do well. From guarding livestock, to hauling carts and other loads, to being rescue dogs, Molossers are used for a lot more than merely overseeing property. As such, the ABM, depending on which Molosser dog was used to produce any given one, might be best suited for any one of these or many other positions. No matter what kind of work they do, however, they are not easily trained. If you've little or no experience with ABMs, you would be well advised to have a professional trainer work with yours. They do love families and kids, but they are not suitable for homes with small or very young children. They don't do well in apartments or homes with little or no outdoor space in which to frequently run, play, and exercise.

Here are some facts, good and bad, about these dog types:

Pros
Fiercely loyal
Excellent guard dog
Great for heavy work
Natural alpha/pack leaders
Very strong despite not being gigantic
Ideal for camping in cold environments
Perfect for ranches, farms, and livestock areas
Cons
Difficult to train
Notably stubborn
Not a good watchdog
High grooming requirements
Can be clumsy in small places
Will insist on being the alpha male
Lack of a breeding standard can create unstable dogs
May be illegal in some cities, states, regions, and countries
Type
Purebred
Lifespan
10 - 14 yrs.
Height
20 - 26 in.
Weight
85 - 115 lbs
Friendliness
OverallFamily FriendlyChild FriendlyPet FriendlyStranger Friendly
Maintenance
Easy to GroomEnergy LevelExercise NeedsHealthShedding Amount
Behavior
Barks / HowlsEasy to TrainGuard DogPlayfulnessWatch Dog
Ownership
Apartment DogCan be AloneGood for Busy OwnersGood for New OwnersIntelligence

American Bull Molosser Breed Description

Regardless of its origins or the confusion caused by the name, the American Bull Molosser (ABM) is not a dog to cross. (No pun intended!) This massive breed may come from any given mix of two or more breeds — pure or hybrid — but it is a big dog bred to be scary and strong. If you are not ready to have a firm yet gentle hand in raising a cute little big-pawed pup into a massive fountain of powerful dog, you'll want to adopt a smaller type of canine.

While these dogs are smart, their brains are attuned to protection and backing up any threats that carry on through to contact. These dogs, once they have a target in mind, are very difficult to dissuade, and they are keen to carry out a mission once engaged. They tend to be victorious in what they start by using their brains and brawn.

While these dogs can be extremely fearsome, they are equally loyal. They tend to not be very verbal, and you really must learn to understand their body language. They are dogs who are meant to be subtle. They are not so much watchdogs but guard dogs that are both the first and last line of defense in places that few dogs — and even fewer humans! — tend to hang out. Once they love you, however, they will fight to the very end to protect you and your loved ones.

While these dogs tend to come from at least one gigantic breed, they are not true Molossers — but they remain remarkably strong dogs, especially for their size. These dogs will take on foes much larger than themselves. Left to their own devices, the ABM can be more than a bit lazy.You will have to show some initiative in getting these dogs to exercise enough to fulfill their daily regimen.

American Bull Molosser Health

There remains little known about the ABM, and part of this is three-fold: the lack of standard in producing these types of dogs, the many types of ABMs (they come from a great many other dogs, and not always just two breeds or hybrids but sometimes three or more), and the bloodlines themselves. Still, these are big dogs, and they are susceptible to big dog probs: bloat, hip dysplasia, and obesity. The bloat is because of their large and deep chests, the dysplasia because they might overexercise or have too much weight gain, and the obesity because they must be prompted to exercise even as they must be disciplined to eat properly. Like their many other characteristics, maintaining your ABM's health is no small matter.

The average life span of the typical ABM is 10 to 14 years, reaching from a somewhat normal length (for big dogs) all the way up to a surprisingly relatively long life for dogs this large.

About this Article

Authored by:Dog-Learn
Updated:January 18, 2019
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