Children and first time owner

[JWarren]

I am beginning our search for our next family dog. We have a toddler and the mastiff breed appears to be what we are looking for. I've read up on the breed, but wanted actual owner and breeder input to see if this is in fact compatible with our family. This will be our first large breed dog. We've mostly owned medium size, border cookies mixed breeds, etc. We are a laid back family that lives on several acres. We are looking for indoor. My main questions are temperment for a first time large breed owner, chidren and other pets, any special care required, etc. The bullmastiff and the English mastiff are both on our research list. Thank you any responses provided! I would love as much info as possible.

 

[tmricciuto]

I am new to the breed also, but jumped in and got two EM puppies a few months ago. I would say, depending on the age of your toddler that a puppy might not be the best choice. When they get the zoomies (running around like crazy) they could knock a little one over. And the tail is very powerful. And they are starting to get their drool on so we are getting bandanas to put around their necks.

They are pretty laid back, except for the several hours in the AM and PM where they run around like puppies. I love them so much, they are exactly what we were looking for. We take them on a short walk in the AM and once the temps get down we will take them on one in the PM also.

 

[cj-sharpy]

Mastiffs are a type rather than a breed. If you got a Tosa youd have a completely different dog to an EM.
Both BM and EM are known for being very living towards children and defo would be my pic but thats personal preference. I think they know how powerful they are and tread very carefully (apart from the tail, they forget that that bit can hurt).
I'd also think about breeding and parental temperament.
it's not a hard and fast science but you want to set your self up for success.

Temperament wise I'd say that the stand out thing you'll see is stubbornness.
They are more intelligent than their faces let on but they will dig their heels in with a why should I attitude at times.
this is normally cured with treats.
I think the important thing to remember is that they are guardian dogs.
Once they are bonded to their family you'll never have to worry again. They are fiercely defensive of those they love. which can be a bit hard work when out and about if you don't get socialisation sorted form the start.

I'm sure others will chime in with better advice than I can offer but good luck with your hunt and here's hoping you pick a winner.


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[tmricciuto]

This is them a few weeks ago.

 

[cj-sharpy]

Oh Ps I worked in a family home where they had an autistic son.
they had a young bully who was the bounciest thing ever but when the son was about he calmed right down and followed him about to make sure he was okay.


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[AR-HICK]

My preference, Bullmastiff completely bias and he is great with kids and WOMEN, loves them! I don't know about toddlers, but he is clumsy and might knock them down accidently. He is total handful when he doesn't want to do what I want him to do. Stubborn, smart, clumsy and loving. Not the smartest dog I have ever seen, but the stubbornness makes up for what he lacks in intelligence.

Not scared of anything, except thunderstorms, fireworks, plastic bags, dog food sacks, buckets, and things that go bump in the night! LOL When scared:scared2: he hides under the end table with his back half sticking out

 

[DDSK]

I also think with young children in the house I would look towards a female, only in the respect that when grown they have a tendency to get that mothering instinct and they are watchful of their family.

 

[JWarren]

Thank you for the replies! I've contacted vet and groomers in my area, but my small town doesn't see very mastiff types so I haven't gotten very much information on that front. We are still debating getting a pup now (raising with small child) vs later (raising with a little older child). We aren't first time pet owners, but I am considering ourselves first time in that instance because going large breed, I do want a novice friendly dog. We just really want to make the right choice for our family and future pet. The more I research, the more I fall in love with this breed. We would like to get an older puppy...maybe 6 months, but I know older ones may be harder to find. I currently work full time, but we do have a family member child sit in home. She's a dog lover as well, so she's on board should our dog fit happen sooner rather than later. We plan on choosing a female and spraying will be a must.

tmriccuto your dogs are BEAUTIFUL! I love the brindle, but my husband is partial on the fawn.

 

[tmricciuto]

I wanted an apricot originally, but just fell in love with the gentle-confidence of these girls specifically.

I do get them groomed once a month, and nails dremelled. I also bath them every other week. Both have short coats, but the lighter colored dog has an undercoat that is shedding quite a bit. I do swiffer the floors they mostly are on and around their crates on a daily basis at bed time.

Also know that most Mastiff's (as evidenced on the nutrition thread) have issues with chicken and grains in kibble. I have ours on chicken/grain free and their tummies appreciate it. I am looking to move them to raw beginning of the new year and have heard this may really help with the shedding. I do also wipe them down with unscented baby wipes every other day and brush them almost daily. I also clean their ears out with the baby wipes when I wipe them down. I mostly wipe them down because they are coming into their droolyness and the wet gives off an odor if I don't keep on top of it. I also keep their water outside so they get a jowl wipe before coming in the house.

 

[tmricciuto]

This is a more recent pic of them from about a week ago. They were sitting pretty for some banana. The frong one (Bella) has a serious obsession with Banana's...they are like crack to her. The other, Sage, just wants everything Bella has.

 

[JWarren]

They are so beautiful! Thank you for that information! Very informative. The more I read about them and see them, the more I fall in love. I just don't want my heart to get in the way of making the right choice. I want to be fully informed and have realistic expectations for our next family member!

 

[Nik]

tmricciuto - I always love seeing pics of your babies. I don't blame you one bit for going home with two instead of one. I almost did the same when we picked up Diesel but Sean wouldn't allow it. :/

 

[tlov]

We have a female EM puppy, Xena. She is almost 8 months and we got her at 14 weeks. We have 5 kids with the youngest being twins that are 7. Xena is great with the kids. She absolutely loves them especially the twins. They can get her wound up and running around but she has never been rough with them.

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[Oscar'sMom]

I'm biased like AR-HICK except I vote EM all the way . We got our boy just over a year ago at 8 weeks. I will never own another breed. He is a lover and easy going...he just loves to be loved and with his humans. He was so easy to train and listens well for the most part . He ha never chewed up toys or destroyed anything and has had the run of the house since 7 months old (we both work full time...although different hours slightly). While we don't have children, our good friends have a 16 month old and he's been around her a lot with no issues. He is extremely calm around her and lets her pet him. When we are out and about, he's not super keen on strangers but is much more open to children and always sits for a pet!

 

[tmricciuto]

Oscar is so handsome.

 

[Oscar'sMom]

Oscar is so handsome.

Aww thanks!! He's finally growing into his paws!
After seeing your girls, I'm always thinking I should've gotten another!

 

[tmricciuto]

Two is a bit more work but they do enjoy each other. Instant company. And when we don't have the energy to play they have a sibling to play with.


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[JWarren]

All these pictures are making it so hard!! They are all such beautiful babies!! The breed almost sounds too good to be true sometimes. They really seem like the gentle giants!

 

[Nik]

JWarren- Don't forget about the bit about how stubborn they are. That is no joke. ;-)
In my opinion worth it for all the other wonderful mastiff traits. But, that stubborn streak is legendary.

 

[babyjoemurphy]

Oh the stubbornness is nuts. I once got chewed up by mosquitos because Linc decided to sit in the grass and not budge when I called him. I actually think I heard his thoughts and he said NoNoNo make me!!!!!!

I am all the way EM but I wouldn't say no to a CC. These guys are truly almost too good to be true lol. I had spent years 8 to be exact reading up on English mastiffs. I had went to breeders etc. And after all the stuff I read and seen didn't prepare me for actually owning one. They are way more then the words on a screen or words of people that have them. I still find myself in complete awe 3 yrs and 2 mastiffs later.

My guy is very careful around little dogs and kids. But like said earlier the tail is absolutely a weapon. My husband will cover his tender spot when Linc is happy. I have had bruises left on me and one of our friends kids got the tail wag in the head (all was fine)
They are loyal and they love completely.
Please please make sure you are in it for the long haul. Mastiffs do kot do well being rehomed. And also remember their lifespan is shorter.
Vet visits generally cost more and spay/neuter is done after 18 mos if at all.
Good luck and keep us updated

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