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Mastiffs => Old English Mastiff Pictures => : mastiffwanter April 11, 2005, 09:42:00 PM

: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 11, 2005, 09:42:00 PM
Just wanted to know if anyone would like to give me some pointers on getting a mastiff and which breed I should go with. English, Dogue de Bordeaux, or Neopolitan!!!   I really want one and I am trying to get all the information before I make the big leap. I work with dogs and have for a little over 3years now at doggie daycares and have seen many different breeds and am really leaning towards a mastiff. Please give me any insider information you can to help me make the right choice about getting a mastiff. Thanks
I need one that gets along with all sizes of dogs!!! ???
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Bear April 11, 2005, 09:54:40 PM
I'm not the person to ask as I am a newf guy - but if I were to pick a mastiff, I would probably go with the Neo. Those are some cute monsters. Anyway, I envy you as you're about to get a new dog!
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 12, 2005, 08:38:57 AM
Thank you for your reply! I appreciate it.  ;D
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Rachel April 12, 2005, 09:06:56 AM
I'm not the person to ask as I am a newf guy - but if I were to pick a mastiff, I would probably go with the Neo. Those are some cute monsters. Anyway, I envy you as you're about to get a new dog!

Do not go with a Neo!  Expecially if you have other dogs.  They are known to be dog aggressive expecially with same sex dogs.

Do your research!  Check out each breed.  Visit breeders.  Do not jump into a decision like this with out knowing everything you can about the breed.

Rachel
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 12, 2005, 09:51:57 AM
Hello Rachel,
     Thank you for your help! I will be doing plenty of research before getting my own. I will be moving to a bigger house and a little over 1 acre lot so that the dog will have enough room to play. Therefore, I will not be getting the dog before the beginning of September if not later, depending on how fast I get settled and enough information to make the right decision.
Thanks a bunch!   
If you have a mastiff could you please tell me a few things about it any pointers!!
Staci  ;D
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Rachel April 12, 2005, 10:54:30 AM
I have grown up with English Mastiffs (EM) all my life.  I just recently rescued a Cane Corso mix from a shelter (she is the one in the picture next to my name).

I love EM's they are truely the best dogs.  They love people, kids, dogs, anything thats friendly to them...of course this is with proper training.  They are lap dogs stuck in a big dog's body.  They will follow you around and of course drool on everything.  They are just the sweetest dogs I have ever met.

Have you had a big dog before?  Mastiffs in general get really big and they do need lots of training and love.

Here is a great website for the EM and a very good place to start your research.
http://mastiff.org/faq/

Let me know what kind of questions you have and I'll see if I can help or atleast steer you in the right direction.  I have done lots and lots of research myself.

Rachel
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 12, 2005, 11:50:57 AM
Thanks again for your help!
     I need all the help I can get to make the right choice (if this breed is right for me). I have a lab that is larger but not fat wise than most labs. However, I know he doesn't weigh near what a mastiff would. I have a really close friend who has irish wolfhounds and I just love them to death, and as I mentioned earlier in the post I have been working with dogs for a few years now getting to know the different breeds and sizes. We currently have 3 mastiffs that are pretty regular clients that come in for daycare and a few more that aren't so regular. So I know that they love to be lap dogs because if we sit on the floor they come over and try to sit on us or at least lay down with their head on us.
      I did however, look at the website and read almost all the question, some I have to go back and read, before I saw this post. Thanks!! I am one of those ppl that think any dog can be friendly as long as it gets raised the proper way and as long as it comes from a good background and the owner trains it and gets it exposed to everything at a young age.
      My biggest question would have to be do you think if I got a mastiff while it was really young and coming from friendly parents, and exposed it to little dogs it would be fine with my other dog. My dog is a Shih Tzu and she doesn't way very much probably 10-12lbs. I got her when she was 2 months old and starting taking her to doggie daycare (my work) with me at 4months and so now she loves every size of dog and thinks they all want to play with her. She even loves the full grown mastiff we have at work named Gerti, they play together pretty well. However, I know dogs act different at home.
      I would be taking the mastiff pup with me to work to get her socialized at an early age and would take her as often as she wants to go with me. And I would train her like I did my Shih Tzu followed by more obedience classes.
To some it up:
    I want a huge breed dog that is great with small dogs
    Loves to cuddle-can get on the furniture
    Inside dog, but likes it outside
    Loves other dogs-----so I can be with her as much as possible----(go with me to work)
   Good with ppl unless there is a bad vibe-----then protective-----but not to the point it will kill someone

Do you think this is the right breed for me??


Sorry it is soooooo long....
     
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Rachel April 12, 2005, 12:40:22 PM
I think the mastiff would be great with the Shih Tzu. I don't have personal experiance with mastiffs and small dogs but I have heard a lot of good stories.  There is one person on another group that has a mastiff and a puppy French Bulldog and they seem to be getting along just great.  Taking the mastiff puppy to doggie daycare with you is a great idea.  I think your next step would be to visit some breeders, see puppies and the full grown dogs and find someone you like that is breeding for the right reason. You can also look at rescue sites like petfinder.org there are puppys on there sometimes.

Here is another website with some really cute/funny mastiff stories definitly worth the read. http://www.messiahmastiffs.com/stories.htm

Oh and by the way...I don't know if you will want the Mastiff up on the couch with you because they'll take up the entire thing!   hehe   ;D

Rachel
p.s. look up EnglishMastiff on groups.yahoo.c om there is a really great group with lots of knowledgable breeders and owners. Its a great place to find information.
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 12, 2005, 01:41:04 PM
Thank you soooo much for all your help, I will look into all of the websites you have suggested. ----I just signed up for the mastiff yahoo group and just got back from picking up a book all about mastiffs. I will be talking to vets sometime soon, and hopefully checking in with breeders. You have been such a big help to me I really appreciate it!!!!! Have a great day! 
:)
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Jerry April 12, 2005, 01:49:01 PM
The dogs don't seem to take size into consideration when they choose to be friends.  My St. Bernard's best dog-friend is the Cairn Terrier next door.  The problem is when they play.  Josh is so much bigger than Scruffy that a playful paw swat can send Scruffy rolling across the yard.   So some care must be taken that the big dog doesn't accidentally hurt the little dog..
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Rachel April 12, 2005, 02:02:51 PM
 ;D  no problem glad I could help...  Please keep us updated (here or on yahoo) on what you decide to do.

Good Luck,
Rachel
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 12, 2005, 09:14:23 PM
Hello, I will do my best to keep all of you on the post up to date.
I know that my parents lab and my shih tzu are best friends and sometimes he can play a little hard with her but we watch and make sure it is nothing that can hurt her.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Staci  8)
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mollieboo April 14, 2005, 01:52:37 PM
I have a female English Mastiff, Zorra, who is 2 1/2, a female cock-a-poo, female cocker and a male mix, four in all.  Zorra gets along with them all!  She is just a big baby.  She loves them all but is my lap dog - although she can only put her head in my lap.  All the mastiffs I know are great with kids and other dogs alike.  Good luck!

Sharol ;)
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: mastiffwanter April 15, 2005, 11:25:31 AM
Thank you sooo much that really gives me great hope!!!!
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: JaxandLivi May 10, 2005, 07:20:52 AM
I have an English Mastiff (male) and a BullMastiff (female), which both are fixed.  I was told that opposite sexs are a much better and safer mix when it comes to the Mastiffs living in the same house.  They both have completely different personalities - the EM loves to cuddle and just be next to you at all times and the Bull likes her space and be alone.  I am not sure if these are common traits, but they compliment each other.  They get along great, they always play and cuddle together.  I am very pleased with my two and I will always love the Mastiff!  Thanks.
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: dian4ya May 10, 2005, 11:29:33 AM
Thank you sooo much that really gives me great hope!!!!
Well I have 2 Dogue de bordeaux's male and female.  And they are the best dogs that I  have ever had. I am now waiting to have puppies for the first time ;D.  But, they do have to be everywhere that you are.  They are the biggest ansd sweetest slobbering dog you could ever have  in your life.  If you would like more information about this breed let me know.  My bordeaux babies should be here any day now.

Dian, tenneessee
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Lori81862 October 06, 2005, 09:35:36 AM
Hi
     We had an English Mastiff for 7 1/2 years until cancer took her from us last Friday. She was unbelievable with anyone and everyhting.  We had gerbils when we got her and she let them crawl on her. Bunnies would sit in our yard and Daisy would walk far enough away from them so they wouldn't feel threaten by her.  She wouldn't chase anything out of the yard. Daisy loved everyone she met. Never went after any animal or human.  Daisy would put her self between you and danger(strangers on the beach or walking). Just to let them know you had to come through her to get me.  We also have a Bullmastiff Buttercup who is full of energy and just as friendly.

Lori
L81862@aol.com
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Baileys_Mom November 15, 2005, 10:43:03 AM
Hello Mastiff Wanter-

Did you ever get a Mastiff? Talking to Mastiff people, I have heard that a Neapolitan (Neo) Mastiffs are a prey dog which probably means they don't get along with cats or other dogs. Not saying all of them are like that. If you go to the Neo Rescues, most say, "No homes with children". I'm not saying anything bad, just stating what a Neo Rescue Person told me when I tried to adopt a Neo from her rescue. I am on my second English Mastiffs and they are wonderful!! ;D We adopted Baily in September this year and from day one, he has acted like he has been with our family all his life. He will let you know when it's time for my 5 yr old son to go to bed. He goes into his room and lays down. Then when my son is asleep, he is ready to go upstairs with us. He keeps an eye on all of us. That dates back to the old days when they guarded the castles. He LOVES my son like his own. He sulks when my son gets in trouble and acts like we hurt his feelings. They are a sensitive dog. The first day he met our 12 year old cat, he just thought she was great (never meeting a cat to my knowledge). She rubs on him and sometimes he wants to play with her and he gets down on his front legs (butt in the air) and wags his tail like, lets play. She will run a little bit then turn around like, I've had enough. Bailey (2 yrs old) wants to be a friend to all animals. My sister-in-law mentioned that even though he is SOOOO big, he is aware of his size and is really careful around children and small animals. It's kind of funny to watch him walk between toys and small children. He is so careful. If you want more info and a look at my Bailey, just email me, I would love to correspond. I love talking about my Mastiff and have some great shots I took yesterday. I need to uplaod them to the 'puter and post them. If you email me, just put Mastiff Wanter in the subject line so I know who you are and don't delete it. Thanks and take care, Nikki.
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Lori81862 November 27, 2005, 10:21:41 PM
HI
   We had an English Mastiff Daisy. She was the best with everyone and anything.  We had gerbils that she would let crawl on her. We watched our friends yorkie and Daisy let Angel do what ever she wanted. Daisy would walk  in our backyard and if she saw a bunny eatting she would walk far away so not to disturb the bunny eatting. I could go on and on, They are a true gentel giant and best friend you could ask for..  Feel free to email me.  L81862@aol.com

Lori
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Proliant November 28, 2005, 02:41:14 PM
OEM's as a general rule do pretty well with other breeds.

My 1 year old boy Goliath gets along great with ALL dogs, but actually seems to prefer smaller breeds. His best friends are the neighbors jack russels and the Basenji across the street. He lays down and they jump all over him while he licks them like crazy.

I have heard bad things about Neo's and other (same sex) dogs. Research well before you decide.

Matthew
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: Winstons parents November 30, 2005, 10:41:06 PM
our mastiff gets along great with our 10 pound jack. he actually prefers little dogs to play with.
: Re: Mastiff Bailey
: Lori81862 November 30, 2005, 11:16:36 PM
HI               It sounds like you love your mastiff like we did and still do.  They are such amazing dogs.  Give me a shout I would love to see pictures of him.  L81862@aol.com    Lori
: Re: Help-Mastiff
: marinafb December 01, 2005, 01:04:21 AM
i have done alot of rescues and i have been told over and over you will never be able to have another male in your home w/your american s. pitt bull . well i have tried over and over to foster and it just has'nt worked out. Milo was not going to share me w/any other dog male or female! Well around a month ago i rescued a brindle english mastiff i did my research and figured since bryce was still a puppy this might work. Well it's been over a month and everyone is still alive i think milo knows bryce is here to stay! My other one who is a long hair german shepard collie mix loved bryce from day one.My pitt is brindle as well and i think some people mistake him for bryce!