Otis the Mastiff
(Read 16380 times) 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 7I'll toss my hat in too and say that I would also take a mastiff over an Aussie. Not that I think that Aussies are not perfectly wonderful for people with very physically active lifestyles, I just don't think that I could cope with the type A personality of an Aussie.
As far as affording multiple dogs, after a while, you really don't notice the extra expense. The yearly vet visit is timed with our income tax refund arrival because it is a good chunk of change to take all three in, but other than that, the occaisional emergecy is doable because they have been few and far between. We eat more hamburger than steak, and a vacation to the Bahamas is a pipe dream, but I really like camping better anyway. My skin-kids and hockey is more of a financial drain than the dogs, any given year.
Stella
As far as affording multiple dogs, after a while, you really don't notice the extra expense. The yearly vet visit is timed with our income tax refund arrival because it is a good chunk of change to take all three in, but other than that, the occaisional emergecy is doable because they have been few and far between. We eat more hamburger than steak, and a vacation to the Bahamas is a pipe dream, but I really like camping better anyway. My skin-kids and hockey is more of a financial drain than the dogs, any given year.
Stella
Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #31 on: March 02, 2006, 03:18:08 AM »
If you do get the aussie NEVER try to corner it, they will snap.
I thought that you had a lot of good points about aussies.. but this line worried me.
I've known many aussies and although they can be "reserved" with strangers, reserved does not mean skittish, shy and scared. It means "ok my Mom/Dad says you can pet me, but if I don't know you I could care less about you". I don't believe snapping if cornered is an aussie trait, that sounds like the reaction of a frightened dog. My current aussie boy, Mojo, has his CGC and my deaf and blind aussie, Zephyr, was the sweetest angel in the world when he was around.
Also aussies shouldn't act like they're crackheads all day. lol They need to be taught a "settle" command when they're younger. Most breeders with working lines can't believe that people think aussies have to be on the go 24/7. The reason I prefer aussies to Border Collies is because they have the gusto to go all day, or chill on the couch/bed/floor for a day with you(though they DO need work and jobs to do, they can't do nothing everyday). They don't care what they're doing as long as they're doing it with their owners.
BTW where is this aussie that needs a home and what information is there about him? I know most sane people would pick a mastiff over an aussie, but aussies are my heart and soul(yes even over dear Tenchi, but don't please don't tell him, its an extremely close 2nd). Good luck with whatever you decide.
Moni
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Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #32 on: March 02, 2006, 11:15:23 AM »
The reason I said that is most aussies I have known would snap if you tried to corner them. One was in an abusive situation but another was the sweetest girl in the world who I grew up with. She was our babysitter and would keep herd on all of us and the other pets. But if you tried to put her in a corner she would go to bite....I think it mostly stems from the strong herding urge and that they don't like to be gotten the better of. Lacey is definitely one that can't be cornered except maybe by me or my mom. She also can't handle strangers but we're working to get her better about it. So I was just speaking from my experience and it is something to beware of if you are considering an aussie because it could be a possible problem.
Kali ~ the newf
Lacey ~ the aussie
Gabby ~ Holsteiner mare
Fire ~ Appendix Quarter Horse/Belgian gelding
Lilah and Hannah ~ Kali's kitties
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Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #33 on: March 02, 2006, 12:30:08 PM »
i think lots of exposure to different things is invaluble for any breed at all ages. i also think that there are exceptions to every 'rule'. growing up in a breeding show home, we had many Mastiffs and we only had a couple that were not like the others. one became kennel shy [i was too young to know the details] and another became dangerous because of the way he was raised by the family that bought him [he was a puppy from my bitch's 1 litter and became food protective, charged at a kid while on a walk, and tried to 'get' my mom outside the show ring]. the one that was kennel shy had to be put to sleep 
and the other 'disappeared' despite our best efforts .
i guess what i'm trying to say is that any dog can develop issues regardless of our best intentions. a high energy working dog that is already an adult, has been caged a lot, & is scared of people will require plenty of rehabilitation & time. and a generally low energy dog will require its moments of playtime with plenty of socialization so it doesn't develop any neuroticies (sp?). this bit has nothing to do with breed.
BTW - my mom now has an Am Staff that they adopted from the animal shelter. he is the MOST sweetest, loving
boy in the world. i don't like him called a pit bull because 1) of the negative stigma attached and 2) he has never fought in the pits, um, that we know of.
and the other 'disappeared' despite our best efforts .i guess what i'm trying to say is that any dog can develop issues regardless of our best intentions. a high energy working dog that is already an adult, has been caged a lot, & is scared of people will require plenty of rehabilitation & time. and a generally low energy dog will require its moments of playtime with plenty of socialization so it doesn't develop any neuroticies (sp?). this bit has nothing to do with breed.
BTW - my mom now has an Am Staff that they adopted from the animal shelter. he is the MOST sweetest, loving
boy in the world. i don't like him called a pit bull because 1) of the negative stigma attached and 2) he has never fought in the pits, um, that we know of.Reply |
« Last Edit: March 02, 2006, 12:34:38 PM by paharts »
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Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #34 on: March 02, 2006, 04:02:14 PM »
how old is he ?
the more I love my dog.
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Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #35 on: March 02, 2006, 04:52:20 PM »
um -- not sure which 'he' you are asking about 
Bacchus, the Aussie, is 10 months
Otis, the Mastiff, is 2 year old male brindle
Dudley, the Am Staff, is ...
Bacchus, the Aussie, is 10 months
Otis, the Mastiff, is 2 year old male brindle
Dudley, the Am Staff, is ...
Quote from: Mom
OMG..... it was Feb. 1995. holy cow how time flies ...... we feel he was around 9 months but they say 1 year. soooooo that makes him around 12 years old. 
i can not believe this
i can not believe thisReply | Logged
UPDATE......
I have decided - after a lot of thought & sadness that we may not be the right home for Otis and/or he may not be the right addition to our current family...
I am sad for selfish reasons, he's so sweet & loveable... But I am confident that he will find a good home.
I have passed all of his info on to Julie & told her all of my "findings" after spending time with him. She said she will contact his owner, etc.
I will continue to keep my eyes & ears open... the right one is out there somewhere...
-k.
I have decided - after a lot of thought & sadness
that we may not be the right home for Otis and/or he may not be the right addition to our current family... I am sad for selfish reasons, he's so sweet & loveable... But I am confident that he will find a good home.
I have passed all of his info on to Julie & told her all of my "findings" after spending time with him. She said she will contact his owner, etc.
I will continue to keep my eyes & ears open... the right one is out there somewhere...
-k.
Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #37 on: March 03, 2006, 05:48:26 PM »
i'm sorry kristi. that must have been a very hard decision to make.
hopefully julie wioll post that they decided to 'take the plunge' into multi-dog-dom
hopefully julie wioll post that they decided to 'take the plunge' into multi-dog-dom
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HOORAY!!! 
-k.
-k.
Re: Otis the Mastiff« Reply #39 on: March 03, 2006, 05:57:00 PM »
I talked with Otis' owners also and let them know that I would be able to foster if they aren't able to find a forever home soon.
Julie, I have a mastiff so I am prejudiced. They are wonderful companions and we don't know what we would do without Nola. Good luck with tomorrow's get together. I hope it goes well for all of you.
Julie, I have a mastiff so I am prejudiced. They are wonderful companions and we don't know what we would do without Nola. Good luck with tomorrow's get together. I hope it goes well for all of you.
Jules-
I don't think it will be a problem... he's not very alpha.
Sampson is fixed (he's
- he didn't care there were no issues here on either dogs part...
Good luck! I'm so excited for you!
-k.
ps. call me & tell me how it goes!
I don't think it will be a problem... he's not very alpha.
Sampson is fixed (he's
- he didn't care there were no issues here on either dogs part...Good luck! I'm so excited for you!
-k.
ps. call me & tell me how it goes!
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