“Performance and ability is of no consequence in dogs that will never have to prove more than a lineage.”

Why we use Bandogs and Bull Lurchers

We breed working crosses based solely on performance. The only way they breed, is if they meet or exceed our expectations. We seek to reproduce selectively bred traits. We provide dogs with opportunities to exhibit them. We recognize every dog will not meet our demands. We only breed the ones who do. With many purebred dogs having lost much of their actual working instincts, unrecognized breed types and cross bred dogs have always been prized by those who demand more from their animals.

We seek determination, courage, grit, and intelligence in all of our productions. This is why we incorporate traditional “bulldogs” in our molosser and sighthound crosses. World renowned for their abilities, we believe in the preservation of “gameness” and the willingness and ability to fight. When harnessed appropriately, the addition of “bulldog blood” consistently improves the health, athleticism, and overall functionality of our stock.

We breed highly capable hunting dogs and companion guardians. The inherit desire to seek, engage, or create conflict is commonplace within many of the jobs our clients require of our animals. With that, we recognize that our unique offerings are best suited for the experienced and discriminating Dogman/Dogwomen, and we will gladly work with you to answer any questions or help determine the breed type most suitable for your needs.

The Bandog:

A contentious topic, the “bandog/bandogge” is plagued with debates which include everything from their origin, usage throughout history, and their “re-creation” amongst modern times. One of the earliest recorded references to these types of dogs was in the 1500’s, first with Oxford English Dictionary’s description of a “Bolddogge as a type of catch and hold dog used by butchers, followed by a more expansive 1577 recollection by William Harrision in the “Description of Elizabethean England”

“…mastiff, tie dog, or band dog, so called because many of them are tied up in chains and strong bonds in the daytime, for doing hurt abroad, which is a huge dog, stubborn, ugly, eager, burthenous of body (and therefore of but little swiftness), terrible and fearful to behold, and oftentimes more fierce and fell than any Archadian or Corsican cur…”

In 1576, Dr. Caius explains that besides other tributes,

“Mastiff or Bandogge would be usable for fox and badger, to drive and to seize the boars and pigs out of the meadows and pastures, and if necessary, to take the bull on the ears.”

Even notable playwright, William Shakespeare had knowledge of these beasts, referencing them in his play “King Henry VI” talking about the “Bandogges howl”.

As we get closer to modern times, David Hancock provides his own opinion, arguing that in contrast to what many authors have recorded, bandogs were in reality a type of hunting mastiffs, that owed their name to being leashed and held by slaves and porters on the hunt until they were needed to fulfill their duties as a catch dog.

Historically, one thing reigns true. Bandogs/bandogges were mastiff type dogs, but not every mastiff type was a bandog. The term, is a title that is earned more so than a reference to a specific breed of dog.

True bandogs are performance bred working animals, capable of close quarters combat, protection work, guarding, and hunting applications - they are bred for ability over all else. Unfortunately many of the traits that have led to an increase in bandog/cross bred molosser popularity (improved health, and athleticism) has quickly overshadowed historic performance selection. Hobby breeders market the bandog as a “designer mastiff”, emphasizing particular coat patterns, colors, size, or the exotic cocktail of (marketable) purebred dogs. Similar to the XL American Bully, bandogs are quickly being converted into another non—functional dog bred for looks. It is important that the true working dog enthusiast seek out performance bandog breeders who are actively testing and proving their stock. Interested parties must look beyond the flashy action photos of dogs working sleeves or chasing flirt poles, and observe video as to how well the dog actually works. Why is the dog engaged? What is the motivation behind the behavior? By recognizing how readily accessible video can provide a better picture as to the caliber of their stock, dogs may begin to live up to expectations. When clients demand more from their breeders, they can expect more from their dogs.

During the 1960’s Dr. John B. Swinford DVM set out to create the ultimate guard dog. Leaving much to be desired in existing molosser types, Dr. Swinford began using strict performance based selection criteria in his breeding program. His infamous production Bantu - was an F1 cross between Octavia an English Mastiff and Kelly’s Bobtail Buddy, a 2xw gamedog. Bantu made the cover of the 1972 July-August Sporting Dog Journal, and became one of the most influential bandog prototypes. By crossing gamebred bull and terriers to large working molossers, Dr. Swinford created what many would argue a superior mastiff type dog. The infusion of bull and terrier blood added athleticism, tenacity, stamina and health – aiding and improving the drive, intensity and overall capabilities of the mastiff.

What bandog programs should be mindful of is not only does this cross create a superior mastiff, but it also creates an inferior bull and terrier cross. The right blend of individuals can preserve the defensive edge, territorial and man aggression, while increasing prey drive, agility (and to a certain degree perhaps even elements of gameness). Where many bandog programs fail, is their inability to perpetuate consistency within their lines. Bandogs typically do not breed true (presumably as the result of strength of the bull and terrier phenotype and variety of genes present) and many breeders must routinely add additional molosser to combat the generational loss of size. By solving one problem, they inadvertently create another – and the constant infusion of new blood makes perpetuating a specific breed type near impossible. Many bandog programs simply lack the knowledge to successfully create and maintain consistency within working bandogs. They are applying the wrong breeding philosophies to these unique dogs, and inadvertently jeopardize the quality and longevity of their program.

Our bandog stock is first and foremost stable, safe, and handler sensitive. We emphasize the ability to instinctively remain calm and predictable around children and family. They display a very strong prey drive, high defense drive and territorial aggression. All of our bandogs exude immense strength and power. The dogs in our program are routinely worked, tested and proven through man and/or game. We push our dogs through training and prefer more of an offensive rather than defensive type of molosser. We pride ourselves in perpetuating functional, active, close combat guardians with none of the health issues that traditionally plague many of the molosser breeds today. They are extremely loving with family, and committed towards their protection. With a stable on/off switch, our bandogs represent what the mastiffs of the past used to be.

The Bull Lurcher

More of a “breed type” than a specific breed - this working cross typically consists of a sighthound bred to various scent hounds, terriers, herding dogs, and bull or molosser breeds. Highly valued for coursing and dispatching game, the bull lurcher has existed throughout the world and has been finely tuned for preferred quarry and regional terrain. Renowned for its immense speed, agility, athleticism, and nimble movement - they are well suited for racing, coursing, catching and hunting a variety of prey, be it small game such as rabbits, nuisance predators like foxes and coyotes, or catching and holding invasive species like feral hogs, deer, or even kangaroo.

We prefer to incorporate bull and molosser blood into our sighthound crosses. Our hope is that by capitalizing on the speed, agility, and stamina found in the sighthound, and the incorporation of bull or molosser blood, will add grit, intensity, and substance. This particular cross breeding enhances the ability for combat while minimizing the reduction in speed or agility.

Anatomically, they display a powerful jaw, moderate in length and width, strong loins, good spring and length in the ribs, and impressive muscularity. Bull Lurchers have a strong prey drive, coursing persistence, enhanced wrestling ability, and an increased pain threshold. The strengths found through cross breeding are well known. What we value most at SavantK9 is the notable recreation of a heavy coursing sighthound, or light coursing mastiff popular during the medieval period throughout much of Europe.

Branded as the “New Alaunt” - this modern recreation has been popularized by the late Brian Plummer – as he set out to create a “light” coursing type (Alaunt Gentil), from which many hunting and guarding breeds were developed most notably in France, Spain, Germany and England. He began his recreation through incorporating various Bull & Terrier, Greyhound and Bull Mastiff (and later the American Bulldog). By only selecting the healthiest and most appropriate examples within the resulting litters, he was able to establish a strain that was both athletic and agile, with enough mass to make for a suitable guardian.

The uniqueness of our multi-generational lurcher pairings is based upon the heavy performance-based selection we place on our dogs. All sighthounds incorporated in our program are of working stock, infamous coyote and hog hunting lines from the Mid-West and East Coast of United States. They bring regional histories and well documented lineages that have emphasized speed, stamina, and grit – with a willingness to engage in combat and dispatch quarry. They are head and throat dogs on coyotes, and ear or back end dogs on hogs. Our contributing bulldogs come from the cumulation of both old and new traditions found in quality working stock, with many being well documented direct descendants of some of history’s most elite performers.

The Savantk9:

Our program is unique because we source our stock differently. We travel throughout the United States, seeking the best the working and hunting community has to offer. It is not enough to obtain traditional working breeds who do not come from a proven ancestry or consistent performers. Just how every German Shepard, isn’t police dog material, the same goes for the dogs used in our kennel.

Our program is a testament to the times before us. One which honors the proud heritage of these distinguished breed types, and values the light heavyweights of the canine world. Dogs who are quick on their feet, and devastating in combat. These are elite athletes, powerful hunting dogs, and one of a kind companions. We seek to create the ultimate “Running Mastiff” - a heavy coursing hound who excels both on the hunt and homestead. A true testament to the “One Out” Hog dogs of Australia, and a throw back to what the infamous Mastiff type used to be.

We take the time to understand breed specific behavior, their motivations, reward pathways and instincts. We work tirelessly to prove all stock. We incorporate traditional, time-tested breeding principles and practices to create desired results. Our performance selection proves our productions. Our dogs speak for themselves.

We Breed Better. SavantK9