The American Bull Molosser, also referred to as the American Molosser, the American Brabanter, or the American Bullenbeisser, is a large breed of dog that is well-muscled and athletic. The breed was created by the mating of several other breeds, all with qualities that were desired in one single dog, that eventually being the American Bull Molosser. The dogs used in the creation of the American Bull Molosser were the Bulldog, the American Bandogge, the German Rottweiller, the Neapolitan Mastiff, the South African Boerboel, the Cane Corsel, and the Dogue de Bordeaux. With these matings came a massive dog with a steady disposition.
The breed is accepted for registry in the DRA, the Dog Registry of America. They are classified under the "mastiff" category. Although having a registered dog may not mean that much to the average pet owner who is only looking for a loving companion, it does increase the monetary value of the dog for those who want to breed the animal or compete with him or her.
According to breed standards, the American Bull Molosser should be between 70 and 115 poounds, with males being larger than females. They should be between 20 or 26 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers. The head is rather large and sits atop a very muscular neck. The nose is black and the eyes are usually a dark shade of black or brown. The ears are held in the flopped position, when left natural, but are sometimes cropped. The body is square and well-proportioned.
The American Bull Molosser has a short coat, with a nice sheen to the fur when it is kept healthy. There are a great variety of colors and color combinations that are acceptable for this breed. Their grooming should be maintained regularly and most of them enjoy the attention they get when you are taking care of them. A weekly brushing with a stiff, rubber-bristled brush and a shampoo if absolutely needed will suffice. Do not shampoo if you can avoid it as this will strip the natural oils that the dog already has to protect the coat. This will help to ensure that nothing is stuck in the fur and that it retains its natural shine. It will also help to remove some of the loose hairs, keeping shedding down. These dogs are average shedders.
American Bull Molossers are intelligent dogs and can be trained quickly, as long as there is good human to canine communication. . Training must be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. Rewards and treats for a job well done will be very encouraging to this breed. They usually really want to please their owners and will do so happily as long as they understand what the owner is requesting. If you are firm, consistent and calm, the dog will usually respond well to training. It is essential that this dog know who's in charge for reason of its massive strength and size alone.
These dogs are energetic when they are outdoors and they must have at least a brisk walk daily, as well as some time for running and playing off the leash. Indoors, they are usually content to just sit or lay by their master. This breed should be kept stimulated, both mentally and physically, to prevent them from becoming bored. A bored American Bull Molosser can develop some very undesirable habits. They may become destructive or prone to excessive barking. They are usually very friendly and social dogs, good with people and other animals, if they are used to being around them. Socializing them at an early age will help to ensure this. They are usually very gentle with children, seeming to understand that they are large enough to hurt a little one if they aren't careful. Although they aren't aggressive by nature, they make good watchdogs due to their attentiveness to their surroundings and their fearless loyalty to those that they love.