Thinking About Getting A Mastiff!

[kj23502]

Hi everyone. We currently have 3 kids, 1 dog (sheltie/retriever mix), cat (farm cat) and about 20 fish. We are considering the possibility of evenutally adding a mastiff to our "gang". Have any of you out there owned them or had a friend/family member that did? What's your experience with them.

I understand that they get HUGE. 100+ lbs depending on which breed of mastiff. I've been doing research and am wondering about members experiences with them....be it good(hopefully) or bad.
Thanks

 

[simonas]

I personally wouldn't get a bull mastiff

I'm a dog lover myself I have a bassett hound but have experience of others . My uncle had a bull mmastiff and again he had owned lots of dogs and is a strict owner yet this mastiff was never fully trained or tame, It had an attitude problem in the sense it had to be higher than you. It bit a chunk out of my nans hand, pinned me in a corner and bit the postman. lovely looking but untrustworthy dog especially around kids.

I think the Full mastiff is far more laid back and a great looking dog but never known anyone to keep one

 

[kj23502]

My hubby told me he's leaning more toward an English Mastiff!

 

[ColdGold]

An English mastiff is going to be a lot more than 100lb - more like 80 to 100 kilos.

Mastiffs are delightful dogs and usually have wonderful temperaments. They are calm, quiet (most of the time) sensible and dignified dogs.

I have a friend with an Bull Mastiff and a friend who breeds GSDs who used to breed Mastiffs.

We have 3 GSP x Mastiffs 2 of which have the build and temperament of GSP (except one of those is very tall) and one that has a heavier, far more solid build and a bigger, wider head. He has also inherited his mastiff father's temperament.

If you start training a mastiff puppy from a very young age you will have loyal sensible well behaved dog. If you don't you will have a dog that knows very well he is bigger and stronger than you who believes he is in charge. You will however need a lot of patience as Mastiffs can be very difficult to train not because they are not smart but because they are very stubborn. You need to spend time and be very very patient and use lots of treats and pats and praise - and NO yelling or hitting or aggression.

You will most likely be "challenged for authority when the pup is 6 months old (especially if it is a male) and you have to nip it in the bud. Takes about 2 weeks of consistent work. The dog will refuse to do what it is told and possibly threaten you if you try to make him. You just have to make sure he has a leash on when ever he is inside so you can put him out (time out) for 5 to 10 minutes every time he won't obey without getting close enough to be threatened.

All you really need to teach is the basics - "sit", "drop", "wait", "stay" and "come". I have also taught all our dogs "manners" which means I require calm and quiet behaviour with no jumping and running around or snapping at offered treats. Our x-Mastiff who behaves like a Mastiff will still often stop and think about it before he obeys so he is always generously praised when he makes the right decision and put in time out to think about it when he makes the wrong one. He has not threatened me since he was around 6.5 months. Like most Mastiffs he can be trusted with other dogs - after a proper introduction, he is very protective of his own "pack" members, he loves cats and is very gentle with them.

A mastiff will most likely not be a pushy an obvious about getting attention as a lot of other dogs (GSDs for example) but they pats and cuddles just a much.

Just want to add that while I have never seen a Mastiff playing with a Sheltiex retriever I ahve seen a 60 kilo mastiff pup (under 18mths) playing with a 30 kilo mastiffxGSP pup, (under 12 months) a GSD pup and 2 adult Border Collies. There was a bit of shoulder barging but the more agile sheep dogs quickly learned to roll out of the way and go for the heels of the bigger dogs. Lots of fun had by all and no-one was ever hurt.

To sum up - a mastiff (including Bull Mastiffs) is far less likely to bite than terrier or other small dog, if properely socialised with a firm grounding in (very) basic obedience they are calm, dignified and quite and trustworthy dogs who are still up for a bit of fun when it is appropriate.

 

[ColdGold]

Oh - I just want to add that the first thing you should teach your pup if you get one (actually ANY pup should be taught this) is that ALL food belongs to you and you can take it when ever you like. No dog should be allowed to think that you can't take what he is eating away from him. They all need to know that they must give it up, when told to, with out a fuss.

 

[pooky]

My neighbours have a a 2 year old male bull mastiff and it's a beautiful dog but requires a lot of attention and training that my neighbours unfortunately don't give it. It started off as a house dog but has now been moved outside and is a guard dog and barks at anything and everything all day and night. Only a dog for those with time and patience I would think.

 

[Jaiden]

I have two German Mastiffs I absolutely adore all types of Mastiffs! I've got a 10 month old baby and a Chihuahua, too. Everyone gets along great and the two big guys are the most submissive out of all of them lol Even my cat scares them.

 

[Bigpig]

They can be very strong minded but are wounderfull Dogs

 

[kj23502]

Thanks for all your input everyone. I think we'll wait a couple years. When the kids are more self sufficent we'll probably get one(ex: when they can do more things by themselves like go to the bathroom, eat meals using silverware(i have a 8 mo. old) and generally things like that). Then hopefully we can have a lil more free time(LOL yea right) to train a new dog! Well I guess all we can do is wait and see!