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Which kind of Mastiff will fit our situation?

marke

Well-Known Member
i will telll you my post is not a recommendation for a ddb , i have them and will never have another kind of dog , temperamentally i've never had a dog like the ddb i've had , but physically i don't believe my dogues are the average , it took me a long time to physically get dogues like mine , they are linebred for 8 generations off a bitch and her mom that very few ddb breeders would find aesthetically pleasing and i seriously doubt most would consider breed worthy ...i've culled some beautiful dogues and had a lot of choices to pick from ........ dogues do come with elongated palates and tracheal obstructions .... if you choose a dogue make sure you see the parents when they're excited and hot , but i'm sure that'd be true of any mastiff breed ......... what i wrote may offend some ddb breeders , but i'd hope it would get them to strive for more than conformation . i've seen what are supposedly the best show ddb in the united states up close , the majority you couldn't pay me to breed to , i'd be afraid that i'd end up with dogues like them ........ as much as i've learned there can be a difference between a health certified dog and a healthy dog , there can be a difference between a champion dog and a good dog ....... good luck you seem to know what to look for
 

obiaj

Member
marke, well said. We are not looking to breed nor show our dog. We just want our dog to be healthy and happy and we can spend good time together. I know any breed can do it. Reason why we choose mastiff breed this time is we wanted one since couple years ago and we know what we are getting into. We always love how mastiff and bulldog look. We have past experiences with small and big dogs (Rottweiler for example). Now that we have a bigger yard and house, we think it's the right time to have a mastiff. People say some mastiff still do well in apartments. But we want to provide the best environment for him and also for us. lol. I don't want him to take up my whole living room by just lying there.
 

Nik

Well-Known Member
I've read more info on which mastiff breed is not good for hot weather. Most mentioned English mastiff, bullmastiff, Neo, Dogue, Tibetan (obviously). If I go by these lists, it seems cane corso or boerboel is the one we can consider. Our weather here is 76 to 89F all year round.
I live in CA and our temperatures can get hotter than that in the summer. If you have air conditioning and bring the dogs in during the day especially in the summer you shouldn't really have any issues. My dogs live inside with us all the time. They go out to to potty and for play times and with us when we are in the yard. But, on hot days they only go out to use the restrooms.
 

obiaj

Member
We lived in CA before also, both Northern and Southern CA. It can get over 90s sometimes in CA. Pretty much when we are inside or outside, I expect he will follow us around. We have a big covered patio outside. So he can choose whether to stay under the sun or shades as he likes. And I will put lots of water around for him. At this moment, my wife slightly prefers a Boerboel. Bullmastiff, Dogue and Cane Corso all come in a close second. lol. For me, I'm happy with any of them.
 

kingmark

Well-Known Member
We lived in CA before also, both Northern and Southern CA. It can get over 90s sometimes in CA. Pretty much when we are inside or outside, I expect he will follow us around. We have a big covered patio outside. So he can choose whether to stay under the sun or shades as he likes. And I will put lots of water around for him. At this moment, my wife slightly prefers a Boerboel. Bullmastiff, Dogue and Cane Corso all come in a close second. lol. For me, I'm happy with any of them.
My advice is get a boerboel, once boerboel always boerboel, but they are full hands of work and not for anyone. Dont be offended but think will you have time and patience for boerboel. I had beautiful 50 kg rottweiler before my boerboel male dominant and all that , and belive me boerboel is some very different story :) all in all i wish you all the luck with what ever dog you decide to take.
 

obiaj

Member
kingmark, yes, boerboel is now on top of our list. But we may have to import one as it's a very small country in South America and I cannot find a decent breeder here. I've looked and asked. We saw some mastiff and pitbull for sale. But they don't know what they are selling. Can't even name the mastiff type that they are selling. Honestly, they don't look like a mastiff at all. lol.

So, it looks like we have to import one. But some breeders will want to meet us in person first before shipping a puppy which makes it more difficult for us. I understand why. What's the minimum number of weeks of a pup can be exported usually? We want to socialise them as early as possible but also understand it's not good to bring them over when they are still too young. We hope we can do it at 8 weeks. 4 months old pup of this breed maybe a little older than what we would like in terms of early socialisation and training.

I have searched on the forum on breeder suggestion. Do you think if we are getting a Boerboel, should we import directly from South Africa as importing from USA, UK and South Africa is all similar to us in terms of distance (South America). I know the risk of buying a pup online without seeing the pup, parents and the breeder in person. That's why I need some of your recommendation on a good reputable breeder that I can feel "safer" buying a pup from them. I will do my own due diligence and research also after your recommendation.
 

kingmark

Well-Known Member
kingmark, yes, boerboel is now on top of our list. But we may have to import one as it's a very small country in South America and I cannot find a decent breeder here. I've looked and asked. We saw some mastiff and pitbull for sale. But they don't know what they are selling. Can't even name the mastiff type that they are selling. Honestly, they don't look like a mastiff at all. lol.

So, it looks like we have to import one. But some breeders will want to meet us in person first before shipping a puppy which makes it more difficult for us. I understand why. What's the minimum number of weeks of a pup can be exported usually? We want to socialise them as early as possible but also understand it's not good to bring them over when they are still too young. We hope we can do it at 8 weeks. 4 months old pup of this breed maybe a little older than what we would like in terms of early socialisation and training.

I have searched on the forum on breeder suggestion. Do you think if we are getting a Boerboel, should we import directly from South Africa as importing from USA, UK and South Africa is all similar to us in terms of distance (South America). I know the risk of buying a pup online without seeing the pup, parents and the breeder in person. That's why I need some of your recommendation on a good reputable breeder that I can feel "safer" buying a pup from them. I will do my own due diligence and research also after your recommendation.
Hello. I am from Croatia so you are a long way so i dont know regulations and all that you have. Finding a good breeder is important but from where i dont know. Closest to you is america so you can try and find there some good boerboel breeders. Good and healthy boerboel doesnt always have to come from south africa you have many options and you need to look whats better for you and your pup regarding how long will he need to travel. If you have good option to import pup from england ,then its not very far to have pup from netherlands ,they have very quality dogs with good bloodlines because they are doing it in afrikans way. I have now a female boerboel pup which i got from netherlands and didnt see it in live only when i went to pick her up which was 1500 km drive in one direction dont know in miles. I preffer to pick up my pup in person rather then have it flown by plane, that is what i did also with my previous pup who was from denmark. That long drive home is bonding with your pup that you will forget. So i would option you to look some good breeder from america which you could drive and go pick up pup if its not to far? And if that doesnt work and then you can get pup flown from south africa or netherlands. All an all get a very good research of breeder and his background decide and then get yourself ready for a life changing relationship :)
 

obiaj

Member
Yes, Netherlands and America are good options as it's close. I know they have direct flights from Amsterdam and Miami only. So maybe looking into these two areas would be easier for transit and also better for the pup. I don't necessarily need to get it from South Africa, just stating it's an option since the pup has to fly into here from anywhere. Driving to pick up is not an option as we have to pass through so many different countries across South America from the US. It's not possible. If it's the only option, I will try to fly in to pick up the pup and then fly back with me together.
 

kingmark

Well-Known Member
Yes, Netherlands and America are good options as it's close. I know they have direct flights from Amsterdam and Miami only. So maybe looking into these two areas would be easier for transit and also better for the pup. I don't necessarily need to get it from South Africa, just stating it's an option since the pup has to fly into here from anywhere. Driving to pick up is not an option as we have to pass through so many different countries across South America from the US. It's not possible. If it's the only option, I will try to fly in to pick up the pup and then fly back with me together.
Then my advice would be to have him fly from south africa to you as it is closer then amsterdam. You could go i pick him up that was my option for me my boerboel in the first,but then i cant fly with him by his crate or he cant be with the passengers so it doesnt make any difference ,expect that you can see the pup in live play with him and then take him to airport by yourself. If you afterall decide to go netherlands let me know i will recommend you the best breeders and get you into all that european regulations. tell your wife boerboel it is :)
 

obiaj

Member
kingmark, flying to South Africa and bringing him to South America will be a long way. Because flights have to stop over somewhere and it will be much longer than Amsterdam actually. It's actually the most straight forward way by going through Amsterdam unless I can find a breeder in or near Florida. Then I can fly out from Miami. These are the only two airports that I can think of that has direct flight to here.

Please kindly pm me or post the breeder info in Netherlands as I've been looking online and I can't find much info on the reviews on any of them. Thanks a lot.
 

TWW

Well-Known Member
Most dogs including mastiffs and mastiff breeds adapt quite well to the owners activity level.
It is a matter of looking at lines and what there breed for.

Health tested parents and doing the proper amount of exersice as a pup till there a adult count for a lot.

Marke has above average DDB's because he looked at lines and chose wisely as to breed solid and athletic dogs.

My English Mastiff will do 8 to 10 mile hikes with me and weighs 211lbs, I knew what I was looking for and chose the correct lines that where breed to be more athletic.
Will admit though was a bit surprised with his adult weight as between mother and father I was expecting more in the way of 180 to 190lbs adult weight.

He was also walked everyday since his final round of shots, you must keep in mind there limits and soft bones when there pups and monitor there exercise when there young. He also does fine between -5 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

For extreme heat most likely Dogo, Boerboel, Presa are the best for that.

Best wishes in your search.
 

gilles

Well-Known Member
Mastiffs of all types are wonderful dogs for your situation but if you want an extreme guardian and protector with incomparable strength and a very solid dog that does not require any maintenance and can take on any weather and environmental conditions, a giant dog that can live up to 15 years...then get a CAO i would be glad to send you one of my puppies when available (i m not advertising at all) go to my Facebook page: Alabai Ballouz and check it...Alabai means CAO. But as boxergirl mentioned as a first dog you will need some close assistance on raising such puppy and i will be glad to help.
 

Elana P

Well-Known Member
kingmark, yes, boerboel is now on top of our list. But we may have to import one as it's a very small country in South America and I cannot find a decent breeder here. I've looked and asked. We saw some mastiff and pitbull for sale. But they don't know what they are selling. Can't even name the mastiff type that they are selling. Honestly, they don't look like a mastiff at all. lol.

So, it looks like we have to import one. But some breeders will want to meet us in person first before shipping a puppy which makes it more difficult for us. I understand why. What's the minimum number of weeks of a pup can be exported usually? We want to socialise them as early as possible but also understand it's not good to bring them over when they are still too young. We hope we can do it at 8 weeks. 4 months old pup of this breed maybe a little older than what we would like in terms of early socialisation and training.

I have searched on the forum on breeder suggestion. Do you think if we are getting a Boerboel, should we import directly from South Africa as importing from USA, UK and South Africa is all similar to us in terms of distance (South America). I know the risk of buying a pup online without seeing the pup, parents and the breeder in person. That's why I need some of your recommendation on a good reputable breeder that I can feel "safer" buying a pup from them. I will do my own due diligence and research also after your recommendation.
 

Elana P

Well-Known Member
Hey there,

I would strongly recommend the South African Boerboel.

Bred in SA, heat will not trouble them too much.
Naturally protective of owners and property, good with kids if socialized with them.

Here's a video, that can give you an idea .....


 

obiaj

Member
Thanks everyone. I don't think we will get a CAO. From what I've read, it might be a little too much for us. I took out Fila as an option already.

Elana, it doesn't seem that guy on the video had enough padding. lol. I think we've narrowed down our choice to Boerboel also after weighing all aspects. Now, it's a matter of finding a good breeder that's willing to export a pup to us. Also, I'm a bit concerned on the first rabies shot. When I bring the pup in, it requires 21 to 30 days of rabies shot taken prior to arrival here. I will double check on this again with the corresponding department and also custom here. I know it's not good for a pup to take a rabies shot too early. But on the other hand, I want to have an early socialisation and house training for the pup as early as I can. So it's a dilemma. What's the earliest a pup can have a rabies shot? From our past experiences, it is 12 to 16 weeks. But I read people saying this is more a government regulation thing and it can be done before 12 weeks. I'm just stating this from what I've read. I don't want an early rabies shot to affect their health. Having a pup when they are 4 or even 5 months old is not what we would like, especially with a Boerboel as we need early socialization and training.
 

marke

Well-Known Member
not sure where you live , it's been a long time since it mattered to me , but when it did , a rabies vaccination was not required in the united states if the pup was less than , I believe , 3 months ................... which is based on whatever you tell them the pups age is ..........
 

Elana P

Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone. I don't think we will get a CAO. From what I've read, it might be a little too much for us. I took out Fila as an option already.

Elana, it doesn't seem that guy on the video had enough padding. lol. I think we've narrowed down our choice to Boerboel also after weighing all aspects. Now, it's a matter of finding a good breeder that's willing to export a pup to us. Also, I'm a bit concerned on the first rabies shot. When I bring the pup in, it requires 21 to 30 days of rabies shot taken prior to arrival here. I will double check on this again with the corresponding department and also custom here. I know it's not good for a pup to take a rabies shot too early. But on the other hand, I want to have an early socialisation and house training for the pup as early as I can. So it's a dilemma. What's the earliest a pup can have a rabies shot? From our past experiences, it is 12 to 16 weeks. But I read people saying this is more a government regulation thing and it can be done before 12 weeks. I'm just stating this from what I've read. I don't want an early rabies shot to affect their health. Having a pup when they are 4 or even 5 months old is not what we would like, especially with a Boerboel as we need early socialization and training.



You will have to check with the appropriate authorities in whichever country you are residing in.

Also, I would check around and see if there are any BB breeders where you live, you never know :).
 

obiaj

Member
I did some search online. It looks like to export from Netherlands, the pup has to be at least 15 weeks old and also have the rabies shot 21 days prior to departure. Meaning rabies shot done at week 12. The pup will be 4 months old by the time he arrives.

And I can't find much info about exporting from USA. Most of the info is about brining dogs into US. All I read is they just need a health certificate and 8 weeks old pup should be fine. The rabies shot depends on the importing country. If it doesn't need a rabies certificate to travel out of the states, it's a good news. Because I maybe able to get something done when bringing the pup into the country and do the rabies shot by then. It's all about getting the pup out of the states now. Anyone knows the process to bring a pup out of the states? I can fly with the pup if needed.
 

gilles

Well-Known Member
I did some search online. It looks like to export from Netherlands, the pup has to be at least 15 weeks old and also have the rabies shot 21 days prior to departure. Meaning rabies shot done at week 12. The pup will be 4 months old by the time he arrives.

And I can't find much info about exporting from USA. Most of the info is about brining dogs into US. All I read is they just need a health certificate and 8 weeks old pup should be fine. The rabies shot depends on the importing country. If it doesn't need a rabies certificate to travel out of the states, it's a good news. Because I maybe able to get something done when bringing the pup into the country and do the rabies shot by then. It's all about getting the pup out of the states now. Anyone knows the process to bring a pup out of the states? I can fly with the pup if needed.
where do you live? maybe i can help. my friend expert sergeii gets dogs for people all the time...he will not disappoint you (expert judge trainer dog psychologist)
i can ask him about it whenever you want
 

al capone

Well-Known Member
I live in El Salvador and have a Cane Corso bought in USA ,wether here is 22-40 Celssius.He is a great dog,I walk him every day and maybe i did not train him very well,because he is a aggresive sometimes to people.I let him be like this because we live in a city where one year is number one in homocides in the world,other year nunmber two.But we are at the top.He is great,no little kids,grown up children.He is fine with everyone if he is treat bad,he shows warnings for respect and that went to two of my children.Now they know well what i told them that this dog is not a Rottwailer or GSD,we have had those.I take care of him,so with me is very obedient,he does what i ask him to do.He has never,ever be agressive to me.He loves me as no dog did before.I love him the same way.He is very special with me.