Tan-er is a delightful dog.  He has the build of a Bulldog and the docked tail of a Boxer, so that is our guess.  Very scientific, don't you think!?!  Hold on to your socks while I tell you how he came to our rescue.  A car was going down a street when is slowed, opened the door and tossed him out!  Oh no!!!  To make it worse, Tan-er chased the car down the street as it drove off as fast as it could!  Fortunately two drivers saw what happened and stopped their car.  Exhausted, Tan-er just stood there looking at them while they figured out what to do.  One of the was a dog trainer/pet sitter, so they agreed that she was best capable of handling the situation.  She brought him home first (he did well with her dogs through the fence and wasn't interested in her cat), and then to us.  She made a donation for his care.  And would you believe the other driver came as well to make a donation?  Wow!  there must be something special about Tan-er! 

Oh, and about his name.....  Don't blame me.  That was Amanda's idea.  He was found on Tanner street, and "he's tanner than other dogs."  Oh boy.  We're stretching now!Come meet Tan-er, adopt him and change his name.  Please!  (just kidding, Amanda :~)

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, early Bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bull bating. Some of these dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. Eventually the English Bulldog was bred down in size and his personality was softened, but the American version remained a larger, fiercer dog. The American version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show dog. Thanks to the efforts of John D. Johnson of Summerville, Georgia the American Bulldog exists today. After he returned from WW II he was disappointed to find that, like the English Mastiff, they were almost completely extinct. He then decided to gather the best he could find from all across the rural south and bring them back from the brink of extinction. He has been breeding these dogs longer than anyone else in the world and his father bred them before him. He is an old man now (in his 80's) and these dogs have always existed in his family. He is the sole reason why they exist today. If it were not for his efforts they surely would be gone. He has been breeding them non-stop since then. The American Bulldog has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock from predators. Farmers prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence and working abilities. Some of the American Bulldogs talents are hunting, watchdogging, tracking, weight pulling, and guarding. An American Bulldog should never be confused with uniquely different breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Bulldog is a brave and determined, but not hostile dog. Alert and self-confident, this breed genuinely loves children. It is known for its acts of heroism towards its master. These dogs have fought wild dogs, bulls and even fire. It is said "fighting off one of these dogs is like fighting an animal that possesses an alligator's head and a python's body." Yet when called off by their handler, they immediately obey. No wonder they are said to have "true grit, true devotion and true love." Because of its strong protective instincts, the American Bulldog should be well-socialized and obedience trained at an early age. Some may be aggressive with other dogs and reserved with strangers. They need to be around people to be truly happy. This breed tends to drool and slobber. They have a life expectancy of up to 16 years.