Neo of old
Band*g of old
STORY OF THE 0LD FAMlLY REDS.
It has always seemed to me that the good old P!t Bu11 is a breed that is at once primitive and futuristic. He looks no more out of place in the ancient landscapes of 16th century paintings than he does in the ultra-modern setting. It is beyond my capabilities to imagine an end to him, for every generation seems to supply a nucleus of hard core devotees completely committed to the breed. In any case, you can look into the murky past, and you will find it difficult to discern a beginning place for the breed, and, fortunately, the future seems to threaten no demise either.
Ours is a breed that has a definite mystique. Part of it, no doubt, stems from the fact that it is an old breed and deeply steeped in tradition. Old strains are a particularly fascinating part of this tradition, and the 0ld Fam!ly Red N*se is one of the better-known old strains.
The appearance of the red-n*sed dogs always attracts attention, but it takes a little getting used to for some people to consider them truly beautiful. However, no one denies that they radiate "class." Characteristically, a dog of the red-n*sed strain has a copper-red n*se, red lips, red toe nails, and red or amber eyes. Some think the strain was bred for looks. Others consider any dog that just happens to have a red n*se to be pure 0ld Fam!ly Red N*se. It is hoped that the following will dispel such notions.
About the middle of the last century there was a family of p!t dogs in Ireland bred and fought chiefly in the counties of Cork and Kerry that were known as the "0ld Fam!ly." In those days, pedigrees were privately kept and jealously guarded. Purity of the strains was emphasized to the extent that breeders hardly recognized another strain as being the same breed. For that reason all the strains were closely inbred. And whenever you have a closed genetic pool of that type, you are likely to have a slide toward the recessive traits, because the dominants, once discarded, are never recaptured. Since red is recessive to all colors but white, the "0ld Fam!ly" eventually became the "0ld Fam!ly Reds." When the dogs began coming to America, many were already beginning to show the red n*se.
The "0ld Fam!ly" dogs found their way to America mainly via immigrants. For example, Jim Corcoran came to this country to fight the world heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan, and stayed to become a Boston policeman. He sent for dogs from his parents back in Ireland, and his importations and expertise as a great breeder have earned him a prominent place in American (P!t) Bu11 Terr!er history. Many other Irish immigrants also sent back to their families to request for dogs, and the "0ld Fam!ly" and related strains became firmly established in the United States.
At this point, there are several factors that are somewhat confusing to a student of the breed. For one thing, the term "family dogs" was used in two ways: It could mean a strain of dogs that was a family unto itself that was kept by a number of unrelated people in Ireland, or it could refer to a strain of dogs that was kept and preserved through the years by a family group. However, the 0ld Fam!ly Reds seem to be of the first category. Another point that arises is that with all these importations from Ireland (and there were importations from other countries, including Spain), where do we get off calling our breed the American Bu11 Terr!er! Well. ..that's a point! The breed does not really belong to anyone country or even anyone era! However, I don't believe many people are in favor of changing the name of the breed even though it is not strictly an American breed. For that matter, it is not really a Bu11 Terr!er, either! But the name American (P!t) Bu11 Terr!er has become part of that tradition we were talking about, and I think most of us prefer to keep it as a formal name for the breed.
Back to the 0ld Fam!ly Reds. The first big splash made by the red n*ses was back around 1900 when the great breeder William J. Lightner, utilizing 0ld Fam!ly Red bloodl!nes, came up with some red-n*sed dogs that really made a name for themselves. Now Lightner once told me that he did not breed for that red-n*sed coloration. In fact, he did not even like it and he only put up with it because the individual dogs were of such high quality. Eventually Lightner gave up the red-n*sed strain when he moved from Louisiana to Colorado, where he came up with a new strain that consisted of small dark-colored dogs with black n*ses. He had given up on the other strain because they were running too big for his taste and because he didn't like the red n*ses.
At this point in our story we come upon a comical, but highly-respected, figure in the personage of Dan McCoy. I have heard old-t!me dog men from all over the country talk about this man. Apparently, he was an itinerant fry cook and not much of a success in life judged by normal standards, but he didn't care about that. What he did care about were P!t Bu11dogs, and he had a wealth of knowledge about the breed. His uncanny ability to make breedings that "clicked" made him a respected breeding consultant and a most welcome guest at any d*g man's house-even if he had just dropped off a freight train!
Always with his ear to the ground regarding anything that involved AP8T's, McCoy got wind of the fact that an old Frenchman in Louisiana by the name of Bourgeous had preserved the old Lightner red-n*sed strain. So he and Bob Hemphill went to that area, and with the aid of Gaboon Trahan of Lafayette, they secured what was left of the dogs. McCoy took his share to the Panhandle of Texas and placed them with his associates L. C. Owens, Arthur Harvey and Buck Moon. He then played a principal role in directing the breedings that were made by these fanciers. And from this enclave came such celebrated dogs as Harvey's Red Devil and Owens (Fergusons) Centipede. Hemphill eventually kept only dogs of the red-n*sed strain. According to Hemphill, it was McCoy who first started using the term "0ld Fam!ly Red N*se" for the strain.
Another breeder who was almost synonymous with the red-n*sed strain was Bob Wallace. However, Bob's basic bloodline was not pure 0ld Fam!ly Red N*se. But in the late 40's he was looking for the red-n*sed strain in order to make an "outcross." (Bob was a scrupulously careful breeder who planned his breedings years in advance.) Unfortunately, he found that the strain was nearly gone, most of it having been ruined by careless breedings. He managed to obtain seven pure red-n*ses of high quality whose pedigrees he could authenticate. The strain was subsequently saved for posterity and in the 1950's became the fashionable strain in P!t Bu11 circles. In fact, it was Bob Wallace himself who wrote an article in 1953 called "There Is No Magic in Red N*ses" in which he tried to put a damper on the overly enthusiastic claims being made by some of the admirers of the strain. No more fervent admirer of the 0ld Fam!ly Reds ever lived than Wallace, but he obviously felt that the strain could stand on its own merits.
Many strains have been crossed with the 0ld Fam!ly Reds at some time in their existence. Consequently, nearly any strain will occasionally throw a red-n*sed pup. To many fanciers, these red-n*sed individuals are 0ld Fam!ly Red N*ses even though the great preponderance of their blood is that of other strains. Sometimes such individuals will fail to measure up and thereby reflect undeserved discredit on the red-n*sed strain. However, as Wallace said, the red n*ses should not be considered invincible either. They produce their share of bad ones as well as good ones-just as all strains do.
As a strain, the 0ld Fam!ly Red N*se has several things going for it. First, it is renowned for its gameness. Second, some of the most reputable breeders in all P!t Bu11 history have contributed to the preservation and development of the strain. People like Lightner, McClintock. Menefee and Wallace, to mention just a few. Finally, as McNolty said in his 30-30 Journal (1967) "Regardless of one's historical perspective, these old amber-eyed, red-n*sed, red-toe-nailed, red-coated dogs represent some of the most significant p!t bu11 history and tradition that stands on four legs today."
STORY OF THE NEAPOLITAN MASTIFF
The Neapolitan Mastiff is a living antique that can be traced back over 5,000 years. By viewing bits and pieces of sculptures, etchings, and writings scattered across the lands it is evident that the Neapolitan Mastiff of today has changed only slightly from the dog of ancient times. After the domestication of livestock, dogs of heavy body and powerful grip were bred by farmers and used as guardians of their flock and various other functions. These dogs were kept pure in their breeding in contrast to other breeds that were mixed with the swift, lighter boned breeds.
In the lands that were conquered and reconquered by different peoples we find the ancestors of the Neapolitan Mastiff. They were called by many names: Macedonian Dog, Assyrian Dog, Sumerian Molossan, and the Roman Molossus. The names were different, but all were of the same basic type: heavy bodied, enormous heads, short muzzles, dewlaps, wrinkled foreheads, cropped ears, and heavy legs. Of the many Mastiff type dogs now extinct some were saved such as the Old English Mastiff and Saint Bernard.
It is thought by many that Alexander The Great seeded this large body molossous dog to the lands of his conquest. These dogs were then carried off to war by the Romans and pitted against wild animals such as lions and elephants. To trace the footsteps from this time to 20th century Italy is a bit sketchy and unclear. This ancient dog seemed to adapt well to the farmers of Italy and were said to be bred in the countryside for many years. The chores of guardian whether it be flock, home or person was no stranger to this noble dog. It seems there was a certain secrecy to the early breeding of this dog that may have led to its near extinction. Or possibly man no longer needed the faithful work that this ancient breed performed.
Although quite obscure at the time the Neapolitan Mastiff was immediately recognized by Piere Scanziani, a well known writer and journalist, at a 1946 dog show in Naples, Italy. He wrote, "I recognized it instantly, it was one of the hundred that Paolo Emilio, the Macedonian, had brought to Rome in his triumph. It was the great dog of Epirus from the height of his centuries, he stared at me
imperturbable; his eyes were not hostile, yet not kind. It was a gaze that does not give, yet does not ask anything, it simply contemplates". Piere Scanziani became Known as "The farther of the breed" and along with other fanciers of the breed worked hard to rescue this breed and cause its current resurgence. A standard to which the dog should be bred was drafted and the dog became officially recognized by the Italian kennel club, the ENCI (Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana) and adopted by the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) which is the international organization that the ENCI is a member. The official name became the Mastino Napoletano and just referred to as the Mastino in Italy and nicknamed the "Neo" in the United states. Piere Scanziani purchased a few specimens of this profound breed and Guaglione1 went on to become the first Italian Champion Neapolitan Mastiff.
History in the United States
The Neapolitan Mastiff has been documented as being in the United States at least since the early 1970's, although it is believed that individual dogs were brought over with their families all during the great waves of immigration which started in the 1880's and continued into the first half of the 20th Century.
Around 1973 the Neapolitan Mastiff Club of America (NMCA) was formed by Michael A. Sottile, Sr. . Mr. Sottile and his family imported Neapolitan Mastiffs, bred many wonderful dogs, and converted many people into lovers of the Neapolitan Mastiff as well as educated many new fans of this breed. The NMCA also ran a registry of pedigrees for the Neapolitan Mastiff in the United States, and kept pedigrees, lineage, and ownership information for most, if not virtually all Neapolitans in the country at that time.
Around 1990 there were several movements across the country to form alternative clubs and registries to the NMCA. In late 1990 the United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club (USMNC)was formed and began operations as both a breed club and registry. The USNMC was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1991. The USNMC also drafted a breed standard to reflect the standard of the country of origin. The standard was approved By the AKC (American Kennel Club) and the Neapolitan Mastiff entered into the AKC - FSS (foundation stock service) for pedigree record keeping in 1996. Sometime in 1990, the American Neapolitan Mastiff Association (ANMA) was also formed but has ceased its registry operations as of January 1, 1999.
STORY OF THE AMERICAN BULLD0G
The name "American BuIIdog" was apparently first coined by Mr Johnson and ultimately became the title that was taken up by all the breed registries; prior to that, this type of buIIdog was apparently known by a variety of different regional names. Some examples of names included: Southern White, Hill BuIIdog, Country BuIIdog, P!t BuIIdog, White BuIIdog, White English BuIIdog, English White, or most commonly just "BuIIdog". As well as having various names, they also had local bloodline variations in appearance and size and also physical and temperamental differences according to the tasks intended of them and this is part of the reason why the breed conformation standards laid down by the registries allow for such a wide variation in type. The main registries have even subdivided the breed standard into two distinct phenotypes: Standard and Bully/Classic classes, the followers of Mr Scott’s style of buIIdog being in the former category and Johnson aficionados in the latter as a rule. I can’t think of another breed which has two subdivisions of this nature; it is all the richer for it however.
But where did early buIIdogs such as those owned by Scott, Johnson and others come from in the first place? Well, here are three theories about the "history" of the American BuIIdog:
Followers of the first theory believe the American BuIIdog is the pure embodiment of the original English BuIIdog as it looked when the early settlers from the British Isles and Europe came to America in the 17th and 18th centuries. This idea was popularized by a couple of breeders, probably as a marketing ploy to help sell dogs at high prices to well-off city people and gullible northern Yankees. Others have eagerly swallowed this story, enabling its passage from myth to so-called "truth". Records do exist which show that many buIIdogs and bull terriers were exported to America and some contemporary British paintings and sculptures show buIIdogs which look similar to American BuIIdogs, and many people point to these as evidence to support this belief. The white colouring predominant in most of today’s ABs was also commonly the predominant colour of the English buIIdogs of times long gone by, which could suggest a very strong link. But it is highly unlikely that the original English buIIdog could possibly have remained unchanged for hundreds of years without outcrossing and refinement; through the generations he would certainly have been interbred and shaped by his environment and the needs of his masters. However, this story does have a romantic attraction to it, so it is easy to understand it’s continuing popularity. In reality, the truth is that rather than being the "original" English BuIIdog, the American BuIIdog is in fact more like a modern recreation of the original-type English BuIIdog, a breed lost to history a long time ago.
Another theory is that the American BuIIdog was fairly recently created from a blend of various types of dog. Well the fact is that every breed of dog was originally created by selective breeding in this way. What we need to do is consider what the foundation dogs of this sort of breeding program were likely to be, which brings me to the third theory option.
A third theory is that the American BuIIdog is descended from a selectively-bred blend of buIIdogs, bu11 terr!ers and a few mystery ingredients:
Immigrants from the British Isles, Spain and Northern Europe brought their prized g*me buIIdogs and bu11 terr!ers with them on their voyages to the New World, where these dogs would certainly have proved their worth in many ways. As time passed, the centuries of selective breeding which had enabled these type of dogs to excel in combat and at animal ba!t!ngs and other so-called "sporting" events could now also be turned to more constructive uses. BuIIdogs provided welcome protection in a sometimes hostile land and also would have been valuable to the livestock farmer whose cattle and pigs roamed free over wide areas; this made the livestock hard for the farmer to catch when required, and so the "catch dog" came in to being. The selective breeding that had created a dog with the strength, tenacity and courage to seize a bu11 at a ba!t!ng or engage in some other form of animal combat now made him the free-range livestock farmer’s best friend. In this new role the bulldog could seize a cow or pig and and hold it firm until his handlers joined him to tie or slaughter the animal. A buIIdog also would have been invaluable for seeing-off predators and intruders. In addition, his abilities have made him a most formidable tool for hunting large game such as wild boar, a scenario the American BuIIdog continues to excel in throughout the southern United States today. His major role however was probably as a general watchdog and all-purpose companion more than anything else and this continues to be the breed's forte.
STORY OF THE BAND*G
Another breed bearing a rather misleading name, the Band*g is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. The name Band*gge was used in the past to describe any dog that was tied down, probably coming from a Saxon word "banda", meaning "chain". So, by definition, the Tibetan Do-Kyi could be considered a band*g. The band*gs of old were strictly working crossdogs of various sizes and usually coarse-haired hunters, fighters and property protectors without a strictly set type, developed from eastern shepherds and mastiffs crossed with western bullenbeissers and hounds, with a few local bloodlines eventually being established as specific types in some regions, such as Britain, Spain, Germany, Poland and elsewhere in Europe. One of the most famous band*gge programmes in England led to the establishment of a recognized breed, resulting in what is today the Bullmastiff. A great number of local ban*ogge strains have survived worldwide and these working crosses still exist under a variety of names, but the breed commonly accepted as the Band*gge today was developed in the 1960's by an American veterinarian John Swinford, who set out to create a property guardian dog superiour to all others. Another notable developer is Joe Lucero, whose American Band*gge Mastiff is seen by many as the ideal working breed and a perfect representative of what a true band*g should be. There are other band*g strains in existence under different names, but the Swinford and Lucero lines are the most famous and rightfully celebrated for their stable temperaments and outstanding working qualities.
The widely accepted recipe for an American Band*g is usually 50% Amer!can P!t Bu11 Terr!er and 50% Neapolitan Mastiff, although some breeders use other mastiffs as well, like the English Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, Cane Corsos, Rottweilers, Japanese T*sas, American Bulldogs, Brazilian F!las and so on, as well as English Bullterriers, Amer!can Staffordsh!res, Ir!sh Staff!es and others for the bull-n-terrier part of the equation. Interestingly enough, there are no known band*g programmes involving the use of Molossers such as the Central Asian Shepherd, Irish Wolfhound, Spanish Mastiff or any of the old terrier and hound breeds, all of which would be historically more correct than the modern "American cocktail", which relies on breeds which didn't even exist at the time band*gges "ruled" Europe. There is a number of modern Band*g breeds worldwide, such as the Australian Band*g, German Band*gge, Ambullneo Mastiff and others, but most fanciers associate the Band*gge name with the American Swinford Band*g breed and its recipe. As a rule, the father should be a 6ame-bred bu11-n-terrier breed and the mother should be a large mastiff-type dog. Many enthusiasts believe that a non-working band*g isn't really a Band*gge, since crossing two breeds together for any purpose other than protecton work doesn't automatically result in the creation of a band*g, but rather in an ordinary mutt. The Band*gge, be it the American or any other variety is strictly a working breed and should be a result of serious and dedicated planning, starting from careful selection of parent breeds and more importantly, appropriate representatives of those breeds, with the health and temperament testing being on the top of the list of priorities, while the uniformity in appearance is the last of the breeders' concerns.
The American Band*gge is a confident watchdog, more than capable of protecting its master and property. Muscular and massive, it can easily overpower an intruder, real or perceived. Depending on the traits inherited from its parent breeds, this can be a smart dog, very intuitive and trainable, but it may also be strong-willed, overly dominant and difficult to handle, especially if owned by inexperienced masters. A loving family dog, the Band*gge is very gentle with children and devoted to its owner, making a good urban companion and guardian. However, even though animal-aggression is an undesired trait, the Band*gge can be quite unfriendly towards other dogs, needing early and broad socialization and responsible handling and training. There is a variety of appearances and sizes, with some dogs looking like large P!t Bu11s and others resembling smaller Bullmastiffs, but all Band*gges must be agile, strong and powerful. The ears can be cr*pped and the tail is sometimes d*cked, although unaltered examples are common. The coat is short and smooth, commonly seen in shades of blue, grey, red, fawn, black and brindle. White markings are acceptable. The average height is around 27 inches, but much smaller, as well as taller dogs exist.
THE FLIRTPOLE HISTORY
The flirtpole has a long history as a dog conditioning tool. Reference to flirt and spring-pole devices can by found in literature as far back as the mid 1800's.
Here is an example taken from a booklet on "Sp*rting Bu11 Terr!ers" by Eugene Glass published in 1915. Here, describing how to train a dog for a rat killing contest, he has this to say about the flirt-pole:
Speed is the main thing to train for, but the dog's bite should also be trained, so that he will be a sure killer. I will give my method for taking off fat and producing speed, at the same time developing the bite. Ten days is plenty of time to condition a dog for a short ratting contest.
For the first day's work give your dog a run of five minutes on the training machine [Editor's Note: jenni or treadmill] follow this with the "fishing pole" work for about the same time.
...After you have taken off your dog's extra flesh, work him entirely on the fishing-pole and spring-pole. Arrange the coonskin at such an height that the dog's forefeet are off the ground when he has a hold of the coonskin. You may work him twice a day, if you think it desirable; but if you adopt this plan don't work him too long at a time. Occasionally work him on the fishing-pole by leaving the coonskin on the ground all the time, pulling it back and forth and around, exercising him to turn and snap quickly, as he will have to do in the rat pit. A grass lawn or sandy ground is the best for this sort of work, so your dog will not hurt his feet.
The flirtpole is still used for the conditioning of dogs to be f*ught, however, it is finding increasing favor with those who value their dogs as companions and pets. Also, the flirtpole is fun for any breed of dog which has reasonable prey drive or playfulness. Terriers in particular enjoy it.
THE SPRINGPOLE HISTORY
The springpole is mentioned in many old books on conditioning dogs. In fact, "springpole contests" of sorts are mentioned in medieval text. An advertisement from 1710 (England) stated that at the Bear Garden, at 3:00 in the afternoon, there would be "a variety of bu11 and bear-ba!t!ng, and a dog to be drawn up with fireworks." There is no real description of "drawing up a dog" with fireworks, but it is not hard to assume that these gripping dogs were tested as to how well they would hold through the distraction of fireworks.
L.B. Hannah describes the rather cumbersome "old fashion" springpole used circa 1925:
the spring-pole is constructed with a sapling about sixteen feet long and four or five inches at the butt, tapering to one inch. This pole is placed at an angle of about forty-five degrees, resting in a strong notched stick or limb driven into the ground, the butt of the pole being stacked to the ground at the right distance to give the proper angle. The sapling should be of hickory or of some other wood with a good spring. Put a pulley on the small end and get fifteen feet of 1/4 inch rope, which may be run through the pulley and fastened at the butt end of the pole. Attached at the other end of the rope and suspended two or three feet from the ground is a good coon hide, well sewed together. This can be raised or lowered at will be means of the pulley. The dog will soon learn to fight it, and you can pull him up clear from the ground, if desired. This spring pole will develop jaw-power wonderfully.
Captain L. Fitz-Barnard, a noted expert on dogs and sports, describes a simpler springpole used in the 1800s, and notes dryly that only "real dogs" do springpole!
Another good way of working a dog is to suspend a piece of soft leather from the ceiling, with a cord and piece of rubber. He will fight the leather, and the rubber keeps pulling it away from him. He will keep on for as long as you like.
