Mastiff or Bullmastiff !!! Please help me choose

[Aniz]

Hi guys !!!

Brand new to the forum so please forgive me if this has been discussed before.

Im a dog lover and have kept Labradors all my life. My last dog (5 years ago) was "Bruce" a Bullmastiff , as i was really bored with Labradors and after my Lab of 14 years died, I wanted to try something else - I fell in love with Mastiffs and settled on a bullmastiff pup that i kept for 8 months. I gave Bruce to my friend to adopt as I moved to a different city and couldn't take him with me.
Five years later - I am married and have a 3 year old son and an 8 month old daughter and my son has been begging me to get him a pup since a year. I really want to get a mastiff again (as i loved the temperament and was able to train and socialize Bruce successfully!! I even had a dog trainer come in and spent that hour with bruce and him everyday). Now im torn between a Bullmastiff and an English Mastiff. I really want a BIG dog!! but I want one thats safe for my kids also !!! I know its all about the training and I am very certain and hopeful ill be able to train the dogs but whose personality would suit me better.
Also I have a big house with a big yard (my parents live with me) so the dog will have a yard to roam and play in but cant come indoors- also he will have a person to walk him everyday and kids to play with him but since I work I wont be able to spend more than two hour with the pup over the weekdays.
I have a loving house so the Pup will be interacting with my mum and the help and my kids (my wife doesnt like dogs but has agreed for my sons sake).

The question is with kids and limited time over the weekdays and NO indoors for the dog- But with help and help with training and walks and socilizing for the dog (and LOVE) what breed should I get?? English Mastiff or Bullmastiff.

Im leaning towards English Mastiff cause I really want a BIG DOG (no i dont want a showdog or a attack dog or even a gaurd dog but a companion for me and the kids) but ive heard the english mastiffs are very clingy and need constant companionship with i cant give.

Please help

Ps I really love the lazy element in the mastiff !!! Dont want a hyper dog

 

[Brinsdad]

Bullmastiffs like there human company also


No love like a bully love

 

[WhenAutumnFell]

Does anyone else in your family live outside?


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[cj-sharpy]

Neither.
They are indoor dogs.


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[Aniz]

Outside as my wifes terrified of all dogs. Big or small doesn't matter but she's agreed for the sake of my son. My labradors lived mostly outside too. They were loved companions and were with us for 12 years and then for 14 years before they died. They had a huge yard and a spacious dog house that this pup will also have. I don't mean to sound mean but with my job i really won't be able to give more than two hours on weekdays but that doesn't mean the dog will be locked up or alone. My kids will be there playing with him and i have house help who has been part and parcel of our family and involved with my previous dogs. Ive just heard that the English mastiff needs constant company and supervision. For my kids me which dog will suit me better

 

[Brinsdad]

If u get a 8 week old pup should give ur wife time to bond with it and sure she would soon fall in love with either


No love like a bully love

 

[irina]

Man, you are not hearing what people are trying to say. Mastiffs, any mastiffs, HAVE TO BE CLOSE TO THEIR HUMANS. Labs are different. It is not about being mean, no one is accusing you of that. These breeds are simply not suitable for living in the kennel. Yard, no yard, dog house, no dog house, does not matter. They are not going to be happy being away from their humans most of the time. Look at some other breeds. There are lots of large breed dogs that do not require as much human interaction. Please do not pick a mastiff, any mastiff, because it will be very unhappy living in the situation you described. Don't be selfish, think about the dog's well-being as well. It includes emotional well-being as well, not only physical.

 

[WhenAutumnFell]

If you wouldn't leave a child or your best friend outside, don't leave a dog outside.
The REASON I'm getting a BM this spring is because I want a dog that will lay in my lap while I watch tv, and at my feet when I eat, take up the majority of my bed while I sleep.
If you want a dog that you can leave outside, I recommend a statue.


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[vadersmom]

These guys are right-I have had 4 bullys and they all live(d) inside with me. These dogs require indoor living as they can really suffer in a thousand ways when they are away from their "people". I would encourage another breed all together if it has to be an outside dog. Don't know what that breed would be though....

 

[Boxergirl]

I'm sorry to say this, but if your wife is afraid of dogs and is only doing it for your child, then that's a disaster waiting to happen. You say that you won't have more than a couple of hours with the dog. Your children are three years old and 8 months, they will not be any help and someone will have to supervise them 100% of the time with the dog for years to come. Both of these breeds are large, powerful, stong-willed breeds. Leaving the majority of the care of either of these breeds in the hands of someone that really doesn't want them, has no experience with them, and is afraid of them is dangerous. These are not outside dogs. I don't personally think any dog is an outside dog, but I have seen some dogs be perfectly happy living that way. A mastiff is not one of them. To be happy they need to be with their people. To be balanced and socialized they need to be with their people. My bigger concern is that your wife is "agreeing" to the dog. I don't honestly know of any responsible breeder that would let their dog go to a family where everyone wasn't 100% excited about the pup. And that would leave you getting a pup from someone less than responsible, which is just another mess. Please think long and hard about this. I strongly feel that there's a tragedy waiting to happen here.

 

[Aniz]

I dont get your logic! "If you can't leave a child outside"! I mean hey if it works for you but don't impose your opinion on others and dont be rude. Ive traveled most of the world and know a lot of people who only have their dogs outside and their dogs are loved and well behaved. I mean just because ur behind a computer screen and have a nickname doesnt give u the right to be rude. Im going to sebd my kids to colkage also should i send my dog also? ?
Also the answer to ur previous question ... No no one from my family lives outside but no one from my family sniffs ass holes either. Im sure its different with your family eh???!

Jerk!

 

[AR-HICK]

I suggest another lab, not a mastiff. Now if you can talk your wife into a inside dog...I reccomend a bullmastiff.
I really doubt if she will be able to get past the drool, snoring, following you around the house and laying next to you just to be close to a human. Mastiff's are not yard dogs and as far as your children playing with them, only if your wife lets them.

Please rethink what you want in a pet and make a better choice than a Mastiff. We are not trying to keep you out of the "Mastiff club", we just love the breeds and want the best for all of them.

PM me and I will give you my phone number and we can talk more about the differences. Not a jerk hiding behind a nickname.

 

[karennj]

I have to agree. I am NOT a fan of keeping dogs to live outside. Why get a dog if it is not going to be part of your family? Perhaps a cat or bunny might be a better choice for you? Something that does not require as much companionship? I have a house bunny and he is awesome and my kids just LOVE him. I would be happy to talk to you if you want to go that route. Why not get something your kids AND your wife can enjoy?

Honestly all of my pets are for me. I NEVER will get a pet for my kids because kids love something one minute then can't be bothered by it 4 days later. A 3yr old and a 8mo old are WAYYYYY to young to be buying a dog for. If your child was like 8+yrs old that would be a bit different. Also, small kids generally don't love huge dogs. My kids dislike my dane a lot at times because he knocks them over, steps on their feet, drools on them (my 3yr old HATES my danes drool), etc. They LOVE little dogs and that may be something else you should consider. I have a 3, 6 and 8yr old and all of them said we should take our Dane home (we met him at 10mo old). They pet him the first couple days but now even trying to get them to play with him or do training with him is hopeless. They throw the toy for like 3min and are done (especially my youngest). When we visit other peoples homes they will play with their dogs longer but it is different when the dog is in your own house. Your kids are too young to own a pet. If your not getting the dog for you and your wife, don't get a dog.

So back to the whole outside thing. Some breeds are very independent and can be outside for long periods of time. a Mastiff is NOT one of them. If you do not create a good bond with your mastiff you could end up with a huge dog who does not respect you or your family which is dangerous. Lets say you have a trainer come 1hr every day. Then you come home from work and spend 1hr (let's be honest, are you really going to sit outside for 2hrs with the dog after working all day), Your kids will probably spend the 1hr outside with you because they should NEVER be left alone with a dog and your wife is probably not going to go near it to watch them. If they are with the dog with your mom let's say then I would bet they will be done with the dog after 10 minutes (if they are anything like the kids I know). So let's say on a good day the dog gets 2-3hrs of interaction (with only 2 of those hours being with it's family). 2hrs out of a 24hr hours day. Does that seem fair? It would be different if the dog could at least come in during the evenings after you were home from work and hang out with the family but it sounds like that is not possible.

Honestly, it just doesn't sound like you have the right environment right now for a mastiff. Maybe when your kids are a bit older? My dog is a teenager and I could not imagine him only getting 2hrs of my attention in the day. I am a stay at home mom with 3 kids and the dog takes a LOT of time. Between exercise, training, play, etc. Just be realistic about the situation and what is right for your potential fur kid. Please consider a different breed that is more independent or a different type of animal (I'm telling you a bunny or a ferret or a cat may be perfect for you guys right now).

 

[Aniz]

Thanks guys. This makes a lot of sense. I'm try to get my wife on board first and then get the dog. I'm glad i got this view before I bought my pup and realised it was a disaster. Sad cause i really had my heart set on a mastiff /bullmastiff.

Ill touch base with you all in a month after I've taken her to see some pups. Maybe it'll melt her heart.

Thanks u all.

 

[Penelope's Mom]

I don't understand people who buy a dog only to dump it outside and leave it there. It doesn't take long - in many cases - for the dog to be forgotten. People get busy and the dog doesn't get the attention and love it deserves. I would never, ever have an outside dog, especially a mastiff.

 

[cj-sharpy]

A mastiff will always need human companionship. And j know he'll have it on an evening but you can't then take him back outside to sleep away from his family. They are fiercely loyal and incredibly needy when it comes to affection. Mine won't relax unless he can touch me. Even just his nose on my toe. But they NEED that contact.
These breeds were from day one bred to be in doors with their family. It's how they bond and know what to do and who to guard. If you kept one out doors he won't bond as he should and won't know who he is supposed to be guarding and looking after. I can see this creating 8st of strength fear an confusion. An that's something I'm sure you don't want around your family.
Yes blabs can live out doors. But then they were bred to b outdoors all the time working in all weathers.
A mastiff will also suffer greatly from temperature extremes. They can walk in hot or cold but they do not cope well with extremes. So if you get snow where you live there's no way he could sleep outside safely. Same goes for extremes in heat.

No ones trying to be nasty or exclude you or judge you but you came here to ask a question because people here have owned these breeds and have collectively done more research, reading and learning from mistakes than any one person could ever do.
I hope you take this advice as it is intended. Helpful.


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[karennj]

Try to find a responsible breeder who has well mannered dogs to visit or maybe go to a show. Those dogs are a pretty safe bet because they are used to being around lots of people. Talk to breeders and let your wife ask questions.

I have done the whole getting a pet thing without my husband being 100% on board and it just creates issues. Every time the pet misbehaves or costs more money than expected it all the sudden becomes "my" dog. It can create tension so having your wife be on board would be much better all the way around. Plus, don't you want a big old mastiff sitting on the couch with you watching TV at night while you relax?

Maybe you can come up with a compromise that during the day while your out the dog is outside (with a walker coming during the day) and when you get home the dog is inside and then crated in the house or put in it's own room over night.

 

[Ginurse]

@Aniz, another couple of things to consider:
- English Mastiff's tend to be heat intolerant and should not ever be "outdoor dogs" because they can over heat so easily.
-This breed is very family oriented and NEEDS this interaction. I have a labrador and an english mastiff puppy; my EM puppy ALWAYS needs to be around us, where my lab at that age liked to take nap breaks away from us there is a huge difference between the two breeds. Please oh please don't get one and leave him outside, because they need so much more attention than that would provide.
-Another thing, is they can be very stubborn and difficult to train; if your wife isn't totally on board with this, getting a stubborn breed wouldn't be fair to the dog or to you?

I think it's wonderful that you came here to do some research and ask some questions.

 

[WhenAutumnFell]

Hi Aniz, I'm actually not behind a computer screen, and my name is Tiffany.
I'm sorry you think I'm a jerk, but when I hear that somebody fully intends to neglect (yes it is neglect) any living creature they can undoubtedly expect an unpleasant reaction from me.
Just because he isn't human doesn't mean his needs are less important. We're all trying to tell you that this is a bad idea, I posted a topic a while ago asking if everyone thought I was ready to be a mastiff mom and I was prepared for the worst responses. no one is trying to be mean or cruel, we're all just concerned for the wellbeing of all involved.
You need to think this through. If not given the proper attention and training, your dog will have the power to harm your children. Then he will be the one punished for your mistake, as well as your [human] child.


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[Smokeycat]

One thing no one else has mentioned is how sensitive these breeds are to the emotions of the people around them. They will know your wife is afraid of them and that will affect their mental wellbeing and stability.