Meet Angrboda Bandogs

My family’s connection to working dogs goes back generations. In the 1960s and 70s, my grandparents raised Dobermans from imported European lines. These were not the flashy show dogs you often see today—they were serious guard dogs, bred for one purpose: to protect property and family.

I grew up hearing stories about their grit and determination. One of my grandfather’s best females was so fearless and protective that when a family friend—who happened to be a police officer—pulled his cruiser too far into the driveway, my grandfather warned him: “If she can reach that car, you’ll want to back up.” The officer brushed it off, saying he was safe inside the vehicle. Moments later, that Doberman leapt onto the hood of the cruiser and went straight for the open window, leaving deep claw marks down the hood as he threw it into reverse.

Back then, there weren’t health tests or training programs like we have today. Dogs were bred strictly for their working ability—survival of the fittest, and only the best were kept in breeding programs. While times have changed, and we now emphasize health, temperament, and structure alongside ability, the legacy of true working dogs runs deep in my family and continues to shape the foundation of our program.

In the early 2000s, I found myself out on my own in a new town—new faces, new places, and no real sense of security. I was a young woman bouncing around horse farms, surrounded by travelers and strangers, and living alone in unfamiliar territory. After a few close calls and some scary moments, I knew I needed a dog by my side again.

A friend of mine had just purchased a bully from New York City, and I instantly fell in love with the breed. I knew nothing about this new and developing dog at the time, but that moment sent me down the rabbit hole. Before long, I purchased one of my own, and that’s when my personal journey truly began.

From that day forward, I knew exactly what I wanted: a dog that could go anywhere, do anything, and stand as my right-hand partner—a dog I could count on in any situation.

The bullies back then were something special. They were gritty and functional, with DNA still deeply rooted in APBT blood. They weren’t perfect—they struggled in the heat, their legs were a little too short, their muzzles shorter than I liked (though much better than what we often see today). Their prey drive was intense, and while they had an “off switch,” it wasn’t always as reliable as I wanted. But flaws and all, they were an incredible starting point for my vision and my program.

As I grew deeper into the breed, I realized I wanted more than just a companion. I wanted to create a dog with the grit and loyalty of the old bullies, but with the athleticism, intelligence, and instincts of a true working guardian. My inspiration came from history—the old European boarhounds that eventually became what we now know as the Great Dane. Those dogs were built for function: powerful enough to stand against a boar, loyal enough to guard the homestead, and smart enough to make decisions on their own in the field.

So I began shaping my program with that vision in mind. I took the loyal, gritty little bully and refined it by carefully adding the traits I felt were missing. I introduced mastiff blood to bring back natural guarding instincts and man drive. I brought in Dane influence to add the leg, muzzle, and athletic frame I felt the bully lacked. Then I selectively bred for intelligence and balance—dogs that could control their drive, use it with intention, and make sound decisions without constant direction.

The result has been a dog with the heart of a companion, the grit of a working dog, and the versatility to adapt to whatever life asks of them.