Acceptable behaviour in mastiff breeds

[Jayne]

Jadotha

I agree 100% - If i wanted a lab i would have got a lab!!
I wanted a DDB. I got one and a DDB she will stay.
Think i am just peed off with the comments from thick people asking if she is a Pit bull and shaking there heads. - The "why have you got a dog who eats children?' was the worst ! - That comment came from my friends daughter who has a GSD a Collie and ...... A jack russell - Now there is an aggressive dog if ever there was one - see 100% agree!! But they are knee high to a grass hopper and don't add to your street cred like a 'big' dog.

There was a dog attack last week where a child was killed - the authorities haven't named the breed So we KNOW it wasn't a Mastif - Rottie or GSD - As the authorities are doing all they can to diswade people from keeping these dogs.

I have a Weim who is wappy and daft and bounces about like a kangaroo
A Mastiff who is calm sleepy, smelly snoresl like a trooper and no doubt will have a stubborn streak.

They are both loveable and i wouldn't change them for the world !

 

[Jadotha]

I have a Weim who is wappy and daft and bounces about like a kangaroo
A Mastiff who is calm sleepy, smelly snoresl like a trooper and no doubt will have a stubborn streak

Oh, lol!! what a pair!

I can see why you would get really cross with comments such as you related -- especially the 'eat children' one. Fortunately, where I live when I'm in the US is a fairly tolerant suburban area. There are show American Staffordshire Terriers down the block, and some very nice family pet rotties, and dozens of ubiquitous goldens. People love our IWH, and don't yet know what to make of our EM puppy. When my Harle GD was alive, though, I did get two comments that had steam coming out of my ears. At one point, he had severe fear aggression issues that we ultimately worked through, but for a short time I was walking him with a muzzle. In one case a 20-something skin head with tattoos galore and a denim jacket and shades shades said: "Your dog looks awesome! I'll bet he's something when you take that muzzle off. Wanna sell him?" Another pair of construction workers saw him. One was going to approach us, but the other grabbed him and said, ' Stay away from them, Dude! That is a giant pit bull and he will tear your arm off".

Crikey, I just HATE media reporting of dog attacks. There was a recent one in which the dog involved was first identified as a mastiff, than as a pit bull/mastiff mix , then as a bull mastiff/cane corso cross, finally as a 'designer bulldog'. Of course, the press never publish corrections as to what the breed actually was.

 

[M & M]

WOW WOW & WOW Just enjoy yours don't analyze or compare..... I have two male EM 4 months old now & both totally different but one thing I do know & respect...... They were breed to guard & they do in their own clumsy, awkward & shy way now even..... when they get spooked by geese taking off from the water or someone knocks on the door, stranger walking towards us, they are right by my side..... We are protecting each other, that's how I see it..... Me I'm their safe place but they will some day be the manly men in my life..... So I calm them, reward them for good behavior & say NO when wrong Amazing intelligent loving dawgz & I have had a golden, rottie & mixed chow/cocker/akita (he was super protective)...... I can't tell you how awesome this breed is, you have to learn, live, eat sleep it before you know..... This breed is only as good as it's owner, who better have lots of patience love & kindness.... Ohhhh & a big pooper scooper......

 

[Jadotha]

That is wonderful, M&M!!!! However, if you have read the thread, it is not about comparing, and it is not about EMs. The thing is we are talking about the gamut of Mastiff breeds -- EM, BM, DDB,CC, TM, PC, Filas, DogoAs, and I am sure I am forgetting some -- their temperaments, and whether we can turn them all into happy, friendly labs.

 

[M & M]

I read quite a few but it was going all over the place in some posts..... Oh hell no, they are not to be turned into anything but who they are.....The way it should be..... They have their own happy friendliness with their families but always with an aloof awareness of what is going on..... Again a dog is only as good or bad as it's owner... It's amazing to watch them grow & be who they are meant to be...... Mine think they are lap dawgz, 70lbs on my uterus hurts.... LOL

 

[Cody]

Wow, how did I miss this entire thread? Seriously been working too much!
Ang aka OHF I love you, lol, as usual you hit the nail on the head and did so with eloquence.
At Glasgowdogtrainer, I am the member OHF was talking about earlier. I have a well socialized, well trained Cane Corso who does therapy work at the Children's Hospital. She is a rock solid dog, as stable as they come BUT she is still a Corso.
She is great in the hospital, it is her job and she loves he kids, they are no threat.
However adult strangers in day to day life she has nothing to do with. She doesn't avoid, she doesn't approach. She feigns that she is ignoring them, yet is aware of their every movement. A car slows down while we are out front and the kids are playing, she stands alert and observes until they have passed. She misses nothing, nor should she. She is a Corso, a guardian breed NOT a retriever or a lab. I love that I can take her everywhere, yet I am still ALWAYS aware of her body language and potential triggers. She is always looking out for that potential threat, and I am looking out for her. These are not dogs for everyone and I am the first to tell people that. My girl, although seems to be a breeze required HUGE amounts of work and dedication by first off her breeder/his family and continued by my family. No amount of training will EVER make her a retriever.... Thank god!
This is not the forum to try to sell yourself or your techniques, you will end up embarrassing yourself.
There are great people here with different levels of knowledge, but one thing in common, none of us want our mastiffs to be labs.

 

[Oak Hill Farm]

Lol Cody, wondered why you were so silent.....very unlike you


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[Cody]

Lol Cody, wondered why you were so silent.....very unlike you


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I know right! Damn no idea how I didn't see the 7 page thread. Lmao, it is a ridiculous statement, regardless of where one is from and shows a surprising lack of breed(s) knowledge from one supposedly involved with a guardian breed for years.

 

[Jadotha]

@ M&M

Mine think they are lap dawgz, 70lbs on my uterus hurts.... LOL

LOL! I can relate. Mine won't even fit on my lap any more; the last time he tried the chair fell over with both of us !

@ Cody
Very well said

 

[ToniC]

WOW,I just want to add That EVERY DOG BREED before u commit too for the next 18 years or so of its LIFE and yours, you should RESEARCH FIRST obviously.I Firmly believe in Adopting (not Against good standard breeding at all or anything)But their are TONS of Mastiff breads mixes and purebreds that die in shelters that could be less or more aggressive for some peoples liking.So if some one really wanted a mastiff breed,but didn't want all the protection it be an option.If some one was truly using this forum to learn more about the breed in all.It could even help decide if it was a too protective breed for them.By seeing their true character on site while spending a few hours with him/or her at the shelter or rescue organization.I believe in the perks of adopting a adult dog for the most part for a first time breed owners.What u see is what you get especially from a organization.who has taken the training and care to mold/train the dog how they wish.Which could be to your liking and advantage.I personally absolutely love My corso mix.He is willing of people petting and approaching him outside even gets along with strange dogs big and small ,but once inside the home and my RV no one comes through the door with out meeting him first.Which is what he and most mastiff breeds do Basically if some one wants a mastiff breed you have to accept it or leave it.They are a huge protection breed.To train it out of them would just be almost wrong and would not be easy at all.It is their job.

 

[Smokeycat]

I can understand the desire to have your dog accepted and liked by the public. That said even if all dogs could be trained to be lab or golden-like, I don't agree that all could be, their are breeds that will never be as acceptable to the general public simply due to physical appearance. Labs and goldens are what I refer to as smiling dogs, they almost always appear to be smiling and happy. Other breeds have a more somber/severe expression which can be made worse when ears are cropped, I'm not condemning cropping, that naturally causes them to be less aproachable to strangers.

The only way to have all dogs accepted as well as labs and goldens is too have only labs and goldens.

smiling dog
happy face EM

Both my boys are friendly and love to see people and dogs but more people are leery of Kryten (EM) than they are Jiggers and comments that I have received is that J looks friendly while K doesn't.

 

[ToniC]

I can understand the desire to have your dog accepted and liked by the public. That said even if all dogs could be trained to be lab or golden-like, I don't agree that all could be, their are breeds that will never be as acceptable to the general public simply due to physical appearance. Labs and goldens are what I refer to as smiling dogs, they almost always appear to be smiling and happy. Other breeds have a more somber/severe expression which can be made worse when ears are cropped, I'm not condemning cropping, that naturally causes them to be less aproachable to strangers.

The only way to have all dogs accepted as well as labs and goldens is too have only labs and goldens.

View attachment 10232smiling dog
View attachment 10233happy face EM

Both my boys are friendly and love to see people and dogs but more people are leery of Kryten (EM) than they are Jiggers and comments that I have received is that J looks friendly while K doesn't.

they are both very adorable <3
True the mastiff breed is not a always a accepted breed by the public its sad but true and u cant Train all or if any of their protection out.If some one was able to it be pretty hard and kinda weird and wrong in my eyes. Im going through a social non acceptance right now my self . I desperately want to travel as far as Oregon in my Rv and worry about park stays with my buddy bubs.As he is Large and cane corso and pitbull looking :/ but its what comes with the breed as people fear them.Another thing some one would need to consider if wanting a mastiff breed....
I'm even considering throwing people off to just say he is a lab and great dane, but i don't know how well that will work and what that do to his pride and mine ! I do know while I was traveling with my 4 foster pit-bulls the park managers for the most part that let us stay made it a point to MEET them all and accept them into the park ,but not all RV parks are as open minded. Especially areas in which they are banned one too close to home Miami for instance .I took in a pit-bull foster from a near by Miami organization a few years ago and It drives me nuts that its even excepted to bane the breed in Miami,FL or and these laws I hear of/read the dogs must be walked on HUGE chain leashes (in coral springs FL).I fostered a Pomeranian with more bite and aggression than the 4 pit-bulls had and u don't see people banning them or making ridiculous laws on which leash u have to use to even walk them and they are even more approachable.so, more of a bite risk!My buddy bubs is willing and ok with stranger approaching and touching him outside the home and other dogs,cats,quiet on walks so I think we will be ok.I personally love the fact though ,I can leave my home and RV and know I got bubs watching out especially in un familiar parks! I seriously love him so much and cant leave home with out him so if its a great dane lab mix he will be posed as so be it lol. If he can pass as one he does have ears that flop sometimes but when he is excited and playful they are up :/ like a pit-bull :/...so we shall find out.I plan to do my traveling soon to next year as fast as my heel and ankle will get better.I've been doing pretty good with my crutch walking to rebuild my leg strength and bubs is so gentle on walks and stays right next to me never pulls.O and to add I agree I love the big natural ears most.The cropping as some people call them I've herd DEVIL EARS is and can be less approachable looking,Which could be to some ones advantage I guess since allot of mastiff do not like strangers at all.I guess its just a personal appearance thing.I think they are gorgeous either way,but prefer my guy with the floppy ears <3

 

[Cody]

I wouldn't say they "don't like strangers at all" at least in the case of the Cane Corso, they should be indifferent to strangers, not dislike. There is a huge difference. My dog will let people pet her, she just pretends to ignore them while they do. She has no issue with them approaching or petting, she does not however seek out their attention like a lab does. There is no running up to a stranger licking their face, jumping all over them and acting like they are her best friend ever.
As for the cropping, I have had both in a CC and to be honest I find people approach my cropped dog more then they did the uncropped. People are drawn to her, I think my fav was the people that called her a gargoyle while she was in the salon having her nails painted pink

 

[ToniC]

I'm glad to hear that I hear so much of people claiming cropped ears make them more intimidating in all.I like both but prefer the floppy ears just for looks.Bubs is great with strangers but I hear allot of people with lunging at strangers and behavioral training issues in that department.I do have to agree not all of them dislike strangers .Sometimes I wish bubs was a girl to get his nails panted too cute <3 My female chihuahuas get theirs done lol.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Paint them bright blue for boy!

 

[ToniC]

heheh he does have such big nails the designs I could do is endless.Im a cosmetologist so I got all kinda fancy lil brushes <3

 

[Jadotha]

@ Ruthcatrin LOL! That would look cute and not girlie-girl!

ToniC I applaud and thank your for adopting mastiffs and taking foster bullies into your home!

 

[ruthcatrin]

heheh he does have such big nails the designs I could do is endless.Im a cosmetologist so I got all kinda fancy lil brushes <3

I want pictures when you do it

 

[angelbears]

Cody I know you said Cane Corso but I did want to make clear for others that may be reading this that there are a couple of mastiff breeds that do not tolerate strangers. It is even written into their standards. I think the vast majority of mastiffs will tolerate strangers but I think very few truly like them.

 

[ruthcatrin]

TM's aren't supposed to like them, they are supposed to be "standoffish with strangers". Apollo's an exception, as long as you're not threatening, and not on his property without invite, he likes you. But he's a nut.