Bullmastiff and Neapolitan

[Gaff]

Hi guys Thank you so much for being a part of a wonderful community that helps dog owners all over the world. I've always read posts here, learning a lot of stuff, and I could say that you guys have been very helpful. And kind too! I've noticed that most, if not all of the people here are VERY VERY VERY NICE. Well, I've finally got the courage to jump in the fun.

So here's what lead me to getting an account. I humbly ask for your opinion about what I should do in my current situation:

I've just got a female bullmastiff a month ago. She has become an apple of the eye of the whole household. She's very playful and bites everything she sees but all of us in the family are trying to follow tips on getting her to behave. But we also understand that she has to chew sometimes due to her growing teeth, and of course due to her curiosity. I've been very happy with her and I never regret deciding on getting her for our family.

Now, the thing is...I've fallen for another girl. I've found a Neapolitan female pup and she's like the filling in an apple pie. I know when something is meant for me, and I know she is. She's very expensive but I'm willing to spend my savings for her, instead of a Macbook. Her owner says that she's 2 months old and oh my freaking zeus she's like a coat fur crumpled in a ball that you see skin folds all over her.

So I am justifying my liking for here with:

1. I like big dogs. I thought bullmastiff would suffice, but Neapolitan seems the right rightest big dog. Of course, I love my bulmastiff and I'd still love her even so.

2. I think she wants me too. I just can see her face like "Hey love me love me say that you'd buy me!"

What I am uncertain of are:

1. What will happen to the relationship I have with my bullmastiff if she arrives?
2. Will they go along well? My bullmastiff is about 3 months old.
3. Do you think I should get one?

I know these questions are a bit too naive. I've just started taking care of dogs but I've always loved them but had no time due to school. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.

 

[LizB]

I completely understand how this kind of thing can happen, and I commend you for having reservations and doing some research instead of diving in!

IME sometimes females (bullmastiffs, at least) can be snarky to each other, and I prefer to have a male and a female (one or both neutered or kept apart during heat until spay/neuter is appropriate) if I'm having more than one mastiff type dog. That is NOT saying I would not have two females though. Training can resolve these issues. I don't think I'd have two males, though, even neutered.

Ideally you'd have the behavior of your bullmastiff resolved before you brought in another puppy. The two will very likely stick together and completely ignore you, and the bullmastiff pup may teach the Neo some bad habits. These are independent thinking dogs, so getting them to pay attention to you is hard enough as it is. Training will be that much harder, and I think it would be a huge challenge.

I'm sure there are folks here who have raised two pups at the same time and I'll let them chime in. What works beautifully for me is to get a pup when I already have a rock solid and reliable adult, since the older dog does most of the training for me.

 

[Al and Julie]

Take your Bull to meet her but in my opinion they should be fine they are both pups and should adapt very well. Now 2 pup mastiff is a challenge I have barely survived it but thats ok love them to much. also put in consideration the food cost will double right noww might not seem like alot but give it 2 months, Oh Boy!! But I am like you when I see something I want not much will stop hence 2 mastiff pups. But they are my loves. on the up side you would only need to do training once. They would have a playmate to keep each other occupied. Sorry not much help. I know I couldnt resist.

 

[LizB]

I will add that I doubt I could resist, either. They just melt me with their faces and I forgive them all the puppy stuff, and in the blink of an eye they're grown and you can't even remember all the mischief they got into - enjoy!

 

[kbuchanan66]

I +1 the training difficulty when you have 2 dogs that are so close in age. They become buddies with each other and are more likely to ignore you. I am unsure how same sex aggressive Mastiff's are but I know there is a saying "Males fight for status and females fight to the death". Now do not let that deter you I am just thinking that you would have to dedicate A LOT of time into training, exercise and prepare yourself in case as they grow they grow apart which usually happens in adolescence. There is cost too and space.

Do you have the extra time it takes to care for 2 puppies instead of just one? Just some things to think about.

I have seen people correctly raise 2 young puppies together.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

If you have the time, patience and money that is required...GO FOR IT! I have had two puppies at once and it worked out nicely. I am older now and choose to wait until I have one trained but it can be done, it is just a lot of work!

As far as how they will get along, I would imagine since they are both very young pups, they should be fine and happy with each other. I have always had males so I am not sure about female/female households but like anything else, it is just a chance you take and can hopefully train around in the event that it occurs. As far as your relationship with your BM, it shouldn't be affected directly as long as you do EWW and AWW on the new girl and leave her out except that you will fnd that they will hang out and bond and it will make training a bit more difficult.

Let us know if you get her and of course...Lots of photos!

 

[thelady_v2010]

I think they will bond more to each other than to you individually at that young of an age.

 

[DennasMom]

I hate to be the nay-sayer here... but... you've "just started taking care of dogs", and you want to do 2 at once?

That's a LOT to take on.

There are the considerations mentioned above - and also:

* You need to be able to commit to BOTH of them for the next 10-12 years.
* Vet bills double
* Food prices double
* Twice as much poop to pick up and dispose of
* Toys, beds, chews, etc. are twice the price
* Finding vacation coverage is more difficult (some friends may look after one... but two is a LOT to ask) - and twice the price if you board.
* You need space for two crates, two beds, to sets of food dishes
* If you have a yard, be prepared to have twice as many holes dug, twice as many trees bulldozed, twice as many bushes eaten, etc. Plus damage done during high-energy play with two dogs will be more than if just one dog is playing fetch or flirt-pole with the human...
* If you don't have a yard (and even if you do), be prepared for twice as many walks - some together some apart.
* Be prepared for twice as many mid-night potty breaks during house-training... they may or may not synchronize their bladder schedules.
* Be prepared for twice as much pee and poop accidents in the house.
* Twice the drool, hair, paw-prints, mud and mess in the house.
* If they do get into some scrapes, are you prepared to manage their time together and apart? And cover their vet bills? These are both independent guardian breeds...
* Double the training - when teaching puppies it may not be practical to take them both to the same obedience class unless you have a second handler go with you. That means one will be stuck home alone (probably in a crate) while your're out at class with the other one.
* Bonding - if they're together with each other more than with you, you might be the third wheel. You'll need to spend one-on-one time with each to make sure they both look to you.
* Jealousy - going from one dog, which you can spoil at your leisure - to multiple dogs, means if you spoil one, the other may get jealous... even if you just gave that one the same treat 2 minutes ago... if you like to spoil your dog... two dogs together might make that unavailable, depending on their temperaments.
* If you get hurt or sick and can't get them out for exercise for a few days, do you have someone that can help with TWO dogs?

Sure they're cute... but are you really ready for all that?

I'm not against the idea of a second dog, but my spare time is already spent keeping Denna exercised, trained and entertained. A second dog would put a dent in my Denna-time. Maybe when she slows down in another 2+ years... but until then, the two of us have lots to keep us busy.

So... I guess you need to ask yourself why you want another puppy so soon, and try to visualize what your home looks like with two puppies, two unruly teenagers, and two older dogs... and make sure you have the resources (time, money and space) to take care of everyone (including yourself) properly.

Whew. All that said - there are number of people here on the forum that do doubles... successfully... so, Good luck what ever you decide!

 

[dsmith91163]

I have 4 dogs all above 5 yrs except my Leo who is a Neo 6 months..He is so mush work trying to get him out and socializing him..my family hardly see's me...lol..my golden mix who is sorta his buddy when Leo is not being to overly playful they have gotten into 3 good fights let me tell you breaking up 2 80lbs dogs from a fight is hard.. and I worry about them fighting when he gets full grown...I know what sets it off and make sure there are no bone's around..my golden is protective about bones ... nothing else has set them off...but I dont know if the golden mix was still a pup if they would be the same..but my routine is after my work out at home I take the golden mix for his 20 min walk then it's Leo's turn for his 20 min walk then after dinner another 20 min walk and not to mention in between play time with his toys and training for about 15 min out front ..just remember when you are training one will have to hang out by him self which he will get the hang of it and then you are training the other ...no one is saying it cant be done..but remember they have to be fed 3 times a day so you are not going to be able to just go hang out to when ever cuz that would not be fair for them to have to wait to be feed..my vet bills just for my Neo has been around $1,200 and I have had him since Feb 2013..I have to take him back in for cherry eye again cuz the tuck did not work...I wish I did more research on Neo before I fell in love with Leo...now that I have him I give 100% of my time to him...we are going to Disneyland in a few weeks guess who has to go with us yes you guessed it Leo cuz he is going thr this growling at people and I dont want him to hurt my friend when she comes over to take him out plus he needs more then 1 time a day to go out... we are telling you the worse side of it..the good side is ...loving on 2 puppies and laughing at them cuz the are silly ..getting there unconditional love no matter how you feel..if it was me...I think I would do it..good luck let us know and we want to see photo's

 

[Gaff]

Hi guys


Finally, I've decided to delay the adoption of another puppy. With all the pros and cons you posted, I thought that I'm not ready for the cons and wouldn't want to risk the wellness of both puppies.

I can always get a puppy, why should I rush.

Thank you so much guys. You've surely helped me in getting a logical decision. Though I didn't get a new baby mastiff, I'm gonna be sure that my Buruma will get all the care she deserves.

 

[Gaff]

Again, thank you so much guys! You're all too kind in helping me out. I wouldnt have seen how incapable I am right now to take in another pup if it wasn't for all these suggestions. Especially the consequences I will have to deal with. If I did, I would have made either the pup's life or mine miserable. Thank you so much!

 

[Gaff]

And when I thought I was ready to say no, the breeder called earlier to see if I'm still interested with her Pup. And guess what I answered,

"Hi yes, I'm still interested. Can we go down there by Friday to see her and finalize our decision?"

*Face palm*

I have to read all over your thread again guys so I can get a firm decision to really say no!

My bank account is endangered again!

 

[cairee]

Im glad you decided no. a neapolitan puppy all by itself takes up all your time, having 2 puppies would be a disaster. the neo is not a breed for beginners. by the time they are 8-10 months old they start showing aggression, and if you dont know how to tame it down properly by the time they are grown you have a problem rather than a family member. enjoy your bullmastiff, she is a beautiful girl, and maybe when you can call yourself an experienced mastiff owner you might find yourself looking at a neapolitan again.