kricketkricket
Member
Hello All,
My first post, though I have been lurking for a bit.
I was looking to get some insight and perspective from those of you with Mastiff breeds. Several years ago, I decided I wanted to get a Boerboel. I had searched for a while and wanted something larger than a boxer, less hyper than a boxer, docked tail, protective nature, good companion, with a look combined between an English Mastiff (larger than I wanted though possessing many of the qualities I liked) and a boxer (smaller and more hyper than I would like). I stumbled across the Boerboel, and started researching. Emailed a few breeders, started following the breeders on facebook to sort of learn more about them as a breeder, as well as to learn more about the breed. I knew when I started looking for dog, that it would be some time (years) before I purchased one due to living in a small house at the time, and already having two dogs (Yorkie and Lhasa Poo). I was essentially just putting out my feelers. Now, my Yorkie, he's 11 and has lately become extremely grouchy, incontinent, and is losing his teeth (which smell bad so I'm assuming there's an infection) - I fear that we will be saying good bye to him within the year, so I've started researching again.
I'm just not sure what breed will be best. I have two small sons, age 4 and 6. I want something good with children, something that is protective but not prone to aggression. Something where size in itself is a deterrent. I get nervous being home alone, and want something that I know will not bark at everything (as my small dogs do) but will alert me if something seems off. Not a ton of shedding or excessive drooling. Something that will be able to go on a walk or jog with me. A breed not prone to roaming out on it's own. Currently, there's always someone home at my house (I work third shift,my husband works during the day) but eventually I hope to get a job in the school system and I am hoping separation anxiety is not too big an issue as the dog will be home by itself during the day. I know many big dogs are prone to hip issues, bloat/stomach issues and some bone cancers, so I'm hoping to avoid most major health issues, and have a decent life expectancy unlike an Irish Wolfhound which only lives 6-8 years. We have a larger house and live on a little over an acre. We get packages frequently so I'm hoping to avoid something that wants to eat the mailman Now, I'm petite, I have two small children, I have not had a larger dog in a long time, as I've had two small dogs the last 10 years. I am planning on and am willing to do consistent training with the dog and socialization. I plan on also doing professional obedience training with the dog. I also prefer a docked tale and ears that are NOT cropped. I also do not want to pay a huge price, I'm comfortable with $1500 but over that, I'd like to stay away from. I would even consider a mixed breed, but honestly - I'm worried about rescue dogs of this size, due to having children in the house. I'd rather have something that I'm getting from a reputable breeder, and know and trust the breeder, and be the puppies primary caretaker after the breeder.
SOOOO all that being said I'm still looking at breeds. I still am in LOVE with the Boerboel, but honestly, I'm a bit intimidated by sheer size and mass...not for myself, but for my children IF it should (god forbid) become aggressive, though I realize that's a risk with any dog. I've also started looking at Cane Corso, Bullmastiff, and (not a mastiff) Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. I also stumbled across "Nebolish Mastiff" but I've really only found VERY limited reading, so I'm not positive it's even a legit present day breed.
I know it seems as though I'm all over the place, but I am just trying to make sure I make a well informed decision. Honestly, ideally I would like to narrow it down to two breeds or so, and then go visit some breeders to familiarize myself with the breed. I can identify dog breeds by looking at them, but reading and looking at pictures is much different than being in front of the real thing. Any input anyone could give would be helpful. I've been reading tons of articles about all the breeds and it sounds like they all have a lot of similarities. I just didn't know if anyone had any input (having owned the dogs) what may work better or what may not work at all for me and my family.
Thank you all!
My first post, though I have been lurking for a bit.
I was looking to get some insight and perspective from those of you with Mastiff breeds. Several years ago, I decided I wanted to get a Boerboel. I had searched for a while and wanted something larger than a boxer, less hyper than a boxer, docked tail, protective nature, good companion, with a look combined between an English Mastiff (larger than I wanted though possessing many of the qualities I liked) and a boxer (smaller and more hyper than I would like). I stumbled across the Boerboel, and started researching. Emailed a few breeders, started following the breeders on facebook to sort of learn more about them as a breeder, as well as to learn more about the breed. I knew when I started looking for dog, that it would be some time (years) before I purchased one due to living in a small house at the time, and already having two dogs (Yorkie and Lhasa Poo). I was essentially just putting out my feelers. Now, my Yorkie, he's 11 and has lately become extremely grouchy, incontinent, and is losing his teeth (which smell bad so I'm assuming there's an infection) - I fear that we will be saying good bye to him within the year, so I've started researching again.
I'm just not sure what breed will be best. I have two small sons, age 4 and 6. I want something good with children, something that is protective but not prone to aggression. Something where size in itself is a deterrent. I get nervous being home alone, and want something that I know will not bark at everything (as my small dogs do) but will alert me if something seems off. Not a ton of shedding or excessive drooling. Something that will be able to go on a walk or jog with me. A breed not prone to roaming out on it's own. Currently, there's always someone home at my house (I work third shift,my husband works during the day) but eventually I hope to get a job in the school system and I am hoping separation anxiety is not too big an issue as the dog will be home by itself during the day. I know many big dogs are prone to hip issues, bloat/stomach issues and some bone cancers, so I'm hoping to avoid most major health issues, and have a decent life expectancy unlike an Irish Wolfhound which only lives 6-8 years. We have a larger house and live on a little over an acre. We get packages frequently so I'm hoping to avoid something that wants to eat the mailman Now, I'm petite, I have two small children, I have not had a larger dog in a long time, as I've had two small dogs the last 10 years. I am planning on and am willing to do consistent training with the dog and socialization. I plan on also doing professional obedience training with the dog. I also prefer a docked tale and ears that are NOT cropped. I also do not want to pay a huge price, I'm comfortable with $1500 but over that, I'd like to stay away from. I would even consider a mixed breed, but honestly - I'm worried about rescue dogs of this size, due to having children in the house. I'd rather have something that I'm getting from a reputable breeder, and know and trust the breeder, and be the puppies primary caretaker after the breeder.
SOOOO all that being said I'm still looking at breeds. I still am in LOVE with the Boerboel, but honestly, I'm a bit intimidated by sheer size and mass...not for myself, but for my children IF it should (god forbid) become aggressive, though I realize that's a risk with any dog. I've also started looking at Cane Corso, Bullmastiff, and (not a mastiff) Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. I also stumbled across "Nebolish Mastiff" but I've really only found VERY limited reading, so I'm not positive it's even a legit present day breed.
I know it seems as though I'm all over the place, but I am just trying to make sure I make a well informed decision. Honestly, ideally I would like to narrow it down to two breeds or so, and then go visit some breeders to familiarize myself with the breed. I can identify dog breeds by looking at them, but reading and looking at pictures is much different than being in front of the real thing. Any input anyone could give would be helpful. I've been reading tons of articles about all the breeds and it sounds like they all have a lot of similarities. I just didn't know if anyone had any input (having owned the dogs) what may work better or what may not work at all for me and my family.
Thank you all!