shadedingray
Member
Hey there everyone, long time no see.
I need a little help as it seems my indecisive personality keeps getting the better of me. Please don't read indecisive as flaky, as that's not how I'd like to be portrayed and that is not what I am. I am deeply dedicated and very research-minded which has led me through my past 5 years of researching dog breeds until my eyes are tearing and my fingers bleeding from being hell-bent on the computer, searching for whatever information I'm looking for. I've researched everything from Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Catahoula Leopard Dogs to Fila Brasleiros and Cacuasian Ovcharkas. My heart is really with the Fila. I attended the 2011 CAFIB show and met Dogman (I know he's on here) and a lot of other great people in the Fila world. I could no doubt handle a Fila but my lifestyle just isn't a good fit and it may not be for a long, long time.
Mastiffs are my heart dogs, but choosing just one breed, especially one to take the place of a Fila is not easy. The breeds I've been most attracted to are the Presa, Corsi, Tosa, and Boerboel. I think by explaining my situation and lifestyle to you, I might be able to hear some good advice and a push in the right direction. I'd happily own any of these breeds as I think they are all magnificent. I'd probably fall in love with each in their own way, given the chance to own each one respectively. I am young, strong, emotionally stable, loving, firm, with a dominant personality. I work around horses so no dog can get under my skin, trust me. I am at the barn 4 days a week around horses, other dogs, and a family of a team there. Strangers do come and go as well as children as far as the barn goes. Home life would be fairly quiet, company would mostly consist of close friends, not a huge circle of random people. I'm not a people person, trust me. I'm active and work out regularly and spend my time on a farm.
What I need and want is a dog that is not dog aggressive or at least manageable with dogs he is raised with as the dogs at the farm are consistent. I don't care about getting along with strange dogs on the street, I wouldn't prefer that. I don't want a breed washed of its protective instincts. I am not one of those people that believe an untrained dog won't protect. But I do know most breeds out there boast a standard of protective qualities but all those dogs can do is run. Protective to me is not just territorial over property, but would do something under a dire situation. I am up at the barn late and typically alone. I can train a dog and this won't be my first but I will admit I have never owned a molosser, but I have not a single doubt in my mind I can handle it. I just want a ridiculously loyal, affectionate companion that can survive around a small group of familiar dogs and around livestock, and be protective should the situation warrant it. Anyone have any suggestions? I will answer any questions I just don't want to let this thread get more long-winded than it already is.
I need a little help as it seems my indecisive personality keeps getting the better of me. Please don't read indecisive as flaky, as that's not how I'd like to be portrayed and that is not what I am. I am deeply dedicated and very research-minded which has led me through my past 5 years of researching dog breeds until my eyes are tearing and my fingers bleeding from being hell-bent on the computer, searching for whatever information I'm looking for. I've researched everything from Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Catahoula Leopard Dogs to Fila Brasleiros and Cacuasian Ovcharkas. My heart is really with the Fila. I attended the 2011 CAFIB show and met Dogman (I know he's on here) and a lot of other great people in the Fila world. I could no doubt handle a Fila but my lifestyle just isn't a good fit and it may not be for a long, long time.
Mastiffs are my heart dogs, but choosing just one breed, especially one to take the place of a Fila is not easy. The breeds I've been most attracted to are the Presa, Corsi, Tosa, and Boerboel. I think by explaining my situation and lifestyle to you, I might be able to hear some good advice and a push in the right direction. I'd happily own any of these breeds as I think they are all magnificent. I'd probably fall in love with each in their own way, given the chance to own each one respectively. I am young, strong, emotionally stable, loving, firm, with a dominant personality. I work around horses so no dog can get under my skin, trust me. I am at the barn 4 days a week around horses, other dogs, and a family of a team there. Strangers do come and go as well as children as far as the barn goes. Home life would be fairly quiet, company would mostly consist of close friends, not a huge circle of random people. I'm not a people person, trust me. I'm active and work out regularly and spend my time on a farm.
What I need and want is a dog that is not dog aggressive or at least manageable with dogs he is raised with as the dogs at the farm are consistent. I don't care about getting along with strange dogs on the street, I wouldn't prefer that. I don't want a breed washed of its protective instincts. I am not one of those people that believe an untrained dog won't protect. But I do know most breeds out there boast a standard of protective qualities but all those dogs can do is run. Protective to me is not just territorial over property, but would do something under a dire situation. I am up at the barn late and typically alone. I can train a dog and this won't be my first but I will admit I have never owned a molosser, but I have not a single doubt in my mind I can handle it. I just want a ridiculously loyal, affectionate companion that can survive around a small group of familiar dogs and around livestock, and be protective should the situation warrant it. Anyone have any suggestions? I will answer any questions I just don't want to let this thread get more long-winded than it already is.
