10 Things You Didn’t Know about The Banter Bulldogge
The Banter Bulldogge is a large, powerful dog that at first glance, can seem more than a little intimidating. Yet despite its muscular stature, it’s an affectionate, loyal, and exceptionally friendly dog that makes a great family pet. If you’re keen to learn more about the breed, read on for 10 things you didn’t know about the Banter Bulldogge.
1. They’re huge
AsGreatDogSite points out, the Banter Bulldogge is a powerful, muscular dog with an athletic build, a thick neck, brawny legs, square shoulders, and a well-muscled, prominent chest that reaches all the way down to its elbows. Their hind legs are strong, slightly shorter than their forelegs, and designed for function, rather than beauty. Even if we leave their powerful stature to one side, the Banter Bulldogge is still a distinctive looking dog, with a square-shaped head, a muscular jaw, and a slight but noticeable underbite. Their brow is wrinkled, their eyes are almond-shaped, and their short ears are drop shaped.
2. They come in a variety of shades
Although all Banter Bulldogges share the same distinctive, powerful stature, their short, smooth coats vary significantly in terms of color. The most common shades include red, fawn, brindle, black, or combinations of each. Some dogs have a black facial mask, while others have white markings
3. They’re a new breed
Some people confuse the Banter Bulldogge with an older breed named the Brabanter Bullenbeisser. In fact, they are two very different breeds with very different histories. The Brabanter Bullenbeisser is an ancient breed that rose to prominence in Belgium in the 1700s. At first a favorite with nobility, it later achieved popularity with the working classes thanks to its skill at hunting small game. The Banter Bulldogge, on the other hand, was developed in the 1990s in Ohio by a breeder called Todd Tripp. In an attempt to recreate the character and determination of the Brabanter, Tripp worked with a variety of bulldogs and boxers to create the foundation of the new breed.
4. They’ve been recognized by the DRA
As dogbreedplus.com notes, the breeders of Banter Bulldogges consider it a purebred. Most major kennel clubs choose to disagree. In their opinion, the Banter Bulldogge is a hybrid and therefore lacks the credentials for official recognition as a breed. Fortunately, several smaller clubs have a more welcoming policy. So far, the Banter Bulldogge has been recognized by the APRI (American Pet Registry, Inc), the IOEBA (International Olde English Bulldogge Association), and the DRA (Dog Registry of American, Inc).
5. They’re exceptionally loyal
If you’re looking for the kind of dog that will never leave your side, you might want to consider the Banter Bulldogge. This loyal companion forms close connections with its human family and loves nothing more than being included in household activity. Because of how much it craves company, this isn’t the kind of dog you can leave alone for long periods. If you spend most of your day away from the house, you might want to think twice before welcoming a Banter Bulldogge into your home.
6. They’re wary of strangers
The Banter Bulldogge might love its family, but strangers are a different ballgame. Unless they’re well trained and socialized from a young age, they’ll always be just a little bit wary of anyone they don’t know. While Banter Bulldogges aren’t considered aggressive dogs, they’ll not hesitate to defend anyone in their family who’s in danger. Their protective instincts and wariness of strangers make them excellent guard dogs, although ongoing training will be needed to keep those instincts in check.
7. They aren’t suitable for novices
Despite its somewhat intimidating bulk, the Banter Bulldogge is actually a loving, affectionate dog with a smart, playful nature. However, this isn’t a breed for novices. Without a firm, confident owner who’s willing to invest plenty of time and energy into training, the Banter Bulldogge can develop alpha tendencies. If you’re not experienced in training, their inclination to dominate can become problematic. Training should be based around positive reinforcement (scolding and punishing bad behavior will only make it worse) and sessions should be short and sweet – although smart, the Banter Bulldogge will become bored and distracted during longer training sessions.
8. They can be lazy
Despite being developed from working breeds, the Banter Bulldogge is fairly sedentary by nature. However, while they may be perfectly happy to lie around on the sofa all day, they’ll still need a decent amount of exercise to stay fit and healthy. Providing they get adequate outdoor activity, they’ll adapt well to apartment living. That said, they’ll rarely say no to having a yard to play around in.
9. They’re low maintenance
As petguide.com notes, the Banter Bulldogge’s coat is short and smooth, making grooming a breeze. An occasional brushing and combing are all that’s needed to keep them looking neat and tidy. They don’t need to be washed unless absolutely necessary (too much bathing will strip their skin of natural oils); nails will need to be clipped regularly; and their ears will need to be checked and cleaned around once a week to avoid wax build-up. To keep their teeth in good shape, aim to clean them at least 2 to 3 times a week. As some dogs can object to a proper dental hygiene routine, it’s worth looking at alternatives such as chews that are designed to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
10. They’re fairly healthy
Like most hybrid breeds, the Banter Bulldogge is relatively healthy. However, it might occasionally develop the same health conditions that plague its parent breeds. To avoid any problems, it pays to be aware of some of the potential health problems the breed might develop so you can watch out for any suspicious symptoms. Due to its Boxer heritage, the Banter Bulldogge is at risk from heart problems, hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, cancer, epilepsy, allergies, bloat, and eye complaints. To minimize the risk, only buy from a reputable breeder and always ask to see the health records of its parents. It’s also worth asking to see where the dogs are housed so you can check it’s safe, clean, and free of the inherent problems of puppy farms. Providing all goes well and its exercise and nutrition needs are met, most Banter Bulldogges can expect to live for between 11 to 13 years.