American Bull Molosser Dog Breed

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:

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.

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.