Many people, when buying a dog, are guided by fashion trends or the touching appearance of a puppy, without bothering to study the features of their favorite breed. As a result, after a few months, a serious dog grows out of a small lump, and only a determined person with enough experience can cope with it. To facilitate selection for future owners and help avoid mistakes, today's publication will provide brief descriptions of the most popular fighting dog breeds with photos and names.
General information
The term "fighting dogs" means a group of animals bred specifically for participation in fights. This list includes the Bordeaux dogs, pit bull terriers, bandogs, tosa inu, sharpei, staffords, cane corso, English and Neapolitan mastiffs, as well as several other breeds.
All of them have a specific appearance and are somewhat similar to each other. Each of these dogs has a massive body, covered with dense, often folded skin, a large head with strong strong jaws and squat legs, designed for fast and long running.
In addition, all dogs of fighting breeds, a list and photos of which can be found in this publication, are endowed with a special character. Any of these animals is distinguished by courage, devotion to its owners, determination and a tendency to leadership. Moreover, they need serious training and early socialization, helping to get rid of innate aggression towards their relatives.
Tosa Inu
These animals were bred by Japanese breeders, who were faced with the task of obtaining a fearless, hardy, strong and calm dog, capable of defeating his rivals. It is possible that mastiffs, bulldogs, bull terriers and even St. Bernards were used for this. Despite the excellent fighting qualities, Tosa Inu is not very popular outside its historical homeland and is bred mainly in Japan.
These are quite large dogs, growing at least 55-60 cm at the withers and weighing no more than 90 kg. On a huge wide head with a sloping forehead and a square muzzle, there are small dark eyes and high-set hanging ears. A powerful body with embossed muscles and deep breasts is covered with coarse dense wool of red, tiger, fawn or black color.
Tosa Inu is a large dog of a fighting breed, the photo of which allows you to only approximately judge its true dimensions. It is desirable to keep this animal in a country house with a spacious plot, fenced with a high solid fence. It is only necessary to walk the dog on a leash and in a muzzle, since it can pose a real threat to others.
American Pit Bull Terrier
Despite the name of the breed, it was bred far outside the United States. Heavy hardy bulldogs and various terriers took part in its formation. Since pit bulls were used to participate in dog fights, their breeding is fraught with certain risks and only professionals should deal with them. Indeed, as a result of improper selection of a pair, puppies with serious mental deviations may appear.
American pit bull terriers are a popular fighting dog breed. In the photo, the boys are easy to distinguish from girls. After all, males are much wider and higher than bitches. Regardless of gender, pitas are distinguished by their harmonious physique and small size. The weight of an adult animal varies between 12-36 kg, and height is generally not regulated by the standard. The square broad-headed head with strong jaws has small eyes and high-set, often cropped ears. The rectangular body with a flat top line and well-developed muscles is covered with short hair of different colors.
The American pit bull is a fighting breed of dogs, the photo of which can be viewed a little higher. This animal is endowed with a specific character and needs early socialization and serious training. As a rule, pitas are non-aggressive towards people, but intolerant of their relatives. Therefore, you can keep such a dog in a city apartment, but in this case he will have to be regularly walked on a strong leash and preferably in a muzzle.
Neapolitan Mastiff
Italy is considered the birthplace of these massive giants, whose ancestors participated in battles with the Roman conquerors. It is possible that they are the descendants of the extinct Molossians who accompanied the army of Xerxes. For a long time they were used as fighting dogs.
The breed, the photographs of representatives of which allow only an approximate assessment of their power, is distinguished by impressive dimensions. The height of the adult Neapolitan mastiff is 60-75 cm at the withers, and the weight ranges from 50-70 kg. The strong stocky body of such an animal is covered with folded skin, under which the relief muscles are hidden. As for color, the standard provides for the existence of tan, red, black, blue, isabella and gray individuals. Dogs whose fur has any other shade are not allowed for breeding.
Neapolitan mastiff is a strong and noble animal, infinitely devoted to its master. This huge dog needs appropriate education and early socialization. From childhood, he needs to be taught to calmly react to various stimuli, otherwise it will be difficult to take him for a walk later. It can be kept both in the apartment and in the country house.
Cane Corso
This Italian fighting dog breed, with the photo and name of which many of you are already familiar, has a very long history. It came from the Tibetan Great Danes that existed in the ancient era. The first mention of dogs, vaguely reminiscent of modern representatives of this breed, dates from the 15th century and tells of their participation in military campaigns and persecution.
Cane Corso is a large dog growing up to 60-68 cm at the withers and weighing between 40-50 kg. A muscular, moderately stretched body with well-developed muscles is covered with short hair of black, tiger or deer color.
Despite the fighting past, the Cane Corso is endowed with a calm and balanced disposition. He lends himself well to training and is suitable for the role of a guard. This dog, which does not require special care, can be kept in a city apartment. But then she will have to provide regular long walks and physical activity.
American bulldog
This fighting dog breed, a photograph of which will be published just below, is the result of a long selection. It was bred on the basis of an English bulldog and was used not only for bullying bulls, but also for protection.
Ambul is a fairly large dog, growing up to 55-68 cm at the withers and weighing between 35-60 kg. On the square wide-mouthed head there are small dark eyes and semi-erect ears. A tightly knit compact body with well-developed chest and embossed muscles is covered with short white coat with tiger, brown, fawn, black or reddish marks.
The American Bulldog is one of the most stubborn and difficultly trained dogs. He needs a strict and determined owner, able to establish a clear hierarchy. It is aggressive against strangers and other animals, which means that when kept in an urban environment, you need to do everything necessary to ensure the safety of others.
American Staffordshire Terrier (description with photo)
The fight dog, a photograph of which can be found in this article, was bred in the USA as a result of crossbreeding of bulldogs and English terriers. She was successfully used for fights with her relatives and for bullying bulls.
Amstaff is not a very large, muscular dog, growing up to 42-50 cm at the withers and weighing between 20-30 kg. On a wide square head with developed jaws there are rounded, far-set eyes and neat, usually cropped ears. The proportional body with a strong back and a selected belly is covered with smooth hair of black, piebald, light and dark brown color with tiger or white markings.
Stafford is endowed with a serious character and needs training. It is suitable for living in a city apartment and does not require specific care.
Dogue de bordeaux
The French mastiff (this is the second name of the fighting dog breed, a photograph of which will be posted in this material) was bred as a result of crossing the Hunnish Great Dane, Molossians and Alans. Until the 18th century, it was not very popular. But with the advent of dog fighting fashion, interest in the breed rapidly increased.
Dogue de Bordeaux is a relatively large dog, whose height is 58-68 cm, and the weight starts at 45-50 kg. His peculiar business card is a voluminous trapezoid head with a well-filled square folded muzzle. The whole body of the animal is covered with short red hair. And on the chest of the dog there may be a white spot. A black mask is allowed on the face.
The French mastiff requires serious education and is suitable for maintenance in an urban environment. He does not need long walks, special nutrition and complicated care.
Bull Terrier (description with photo)
The name of the fighting dog, the photograph of which does not give a complete picture of the breed, indicates that among its closest ancestors were English white terriers and bulldogs.
This dog, growing to 30-39 cm at the withers and weighing 16-18 kg, is easy to recognize by its specific exterior. His peculiar “business card” is an unusual head resembling an egg. The symmetrical squat case is covered with short wool of white, tiger, red, fawn or three-color.
Bull Terrier is a playful, active and affectionate dog, capable of periodically showing obstinacy. He is prone to dominance and needs a strict, decisive master. This short-haired, unpretentious animal is best kept in a warm room with a regular range.
Great Canary
From photographs of the fighting dog breed, better known as the Pres Canario, it becomes apparent that mastiffs are among its ancestors. Initially, it was taken out to hound other animals, but over time they began to use it as a guard and a shepherd.
Canary Great Dane is a large dog with a massive head, oval eyes and strong jaws. Its stretched body with a straight back and slightly sloping croup is covered with short wool of red, tiger, deer, fawn or black color.
Despite the fighting past, the Canarian Great Dane is endowed with a calm and restrained disposition. He gets along well with children, does not like strangers and lends himself well to training.
American bandog
The history of the fighting dog breed, the photographs of which do not convey all their natural beauty, began in 1300. These animals, called “chain dogs” in the common people, came to Russia only in the 70s of the last century.
Bandog is a relatively small dog, growing from 50 m at the withers and weighing about 48 kg. A massive body with well-developed muscles and a strong skeleton is covered with short hair of different colors. Most often, black, brown, red, gray or white individuals are found.
Bandog is an unpretentious dog with a rather complex character. He is prone to domination and needs a strict master, able to pacify his free temper. It is better to keep it in a country cottage with a spacious house territory, surrounded by a high fence.
Conclusion
Fighting dogs, photographs and brief descriptions of which are collected in this material, are not as dangerous as it seems at first glance. All of them are good in their own way and with a reasonable and responsible approach, they can coexist quietly next to people. The main thing is to get a puppy in a trusted kennel and properly educate him under the guidance of an experienced instructor.