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Biggest pros/cons in your breed?

Zoom

Well-Known Member
Why would you recommend your breed to someone?

Why would you vehemently argue against someone getting your breed?

And something fairly unrelated, what is the average life-span of your breed and why do you think that is? I've been thinking a lot about lifespan in relation to size and things just don't quite add up. Horses can live up to 40+ years with proper care, Elephants live longer than that and they're both much larger than our dogs, yet Mastiffs are considered "extraordinary" if they make it past 8-10 years.
 

Tailcreek

Well-Known Member
I don't know that I would ever "recommend" anyone that the English Mastiff would be the right dog for them. I leave it up to individuals to discover that for themselves.

As for reasons not to get an English Mastiff...I have more reasons than I have time to write :D some big ones for me would be people who place a lot of importance on having a very clean house lol! Anyone who is not willing to commit their time to properly training and socializing their dog, people with young kids that do not teach the kids the proper way to treat a dog. A person who wants a big, tough, macho, protective/aggressive dog.
Also, this may sound judgemental, and I might be opening up a can of worms here.....but I think it's important to mention that care of these dogs is expensive. I think owners need to be financially prepared for the expense.

As for their lifespan, I have known Mastiff's to live well into their teen years. It is possible! Ditch the processed foods, the constant flea & tick meds, over-use of antibiotics, wormers and steroids, vaccination overload, early spay/neuter and return them to a natural state of health, you will be amazed and the vigor and longevity your can acheive.

Jennifer
www.tailcreekmastiffs.com
 
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pitbullpony

Member
Central Asian Shepherd - Cons - most likely to be High defense; females are barky; never shut up about anything; leaves blowing, cats walking. Hairy, humidity sucks for them - desert heat/cold is better, cat-like in obedience, pyometra, droopy eyelids, hd/ed - but there are lines that have been stringently tested. Long lived; they are said the "die walking".

Pros - living with a wild animal that will not eat you in your sleep, laid back enough to hang out with you, athletic enough to conquer all of Mongolia with you; if that's what you want, will guard whatever they place as theirs; kids/house/car/cat/horse, etc.

Boerboel - Cons - temperaments are strange - Africa has the hot dogs; some are untouchable and Africa likes them like that, N.A. has bred lab temps; but sometimes to the surprise of their owners; their african ancestry shows through, dog aggressive/reactive is possible depending on the strength of temperament, vaginal hyperplasia, wobblers, hearts, hd/ed, but again many lines have been tested; just make sure that's what you are buying. Long-lived; bitches are routinely bred 8-9 years of age, there was a boerboel that passed on at 19 years old.

Pros - hard bond to owner; always within hands reach, defend against all, probably gets cold in winter although like most bully types wouldn't let you know it
 

Mdawn

Well-Known Member
I also don't like to recommend English Mastiff's to people. Normally, when I talk to people that are thinking about getting a dog, I recommend that they go online to research breeds or go to the local shelter. Don't get me wrong; I talk about Uallis ALL the time to people and a few of them would like to someday own a Mastiff as well...but I just don't think that a breed of dog that happens to be perfect for me...will necessarily be perfect for them. I don't know the little things in their lives that a Mastiff may not mesh well with...only they know that.

There a TON of reasons why everyone shouldn't own a Mastiff. One of the biggest with me is that, I believe, that Mastiff's can be very challenging dogs in some aspects. For example, Uallis is STUBBORN. He has the mentality of "I'll do what you want...but when I'm ready to..." It's one of the things that I love about him but some people who don't understand would think negative things about him...but they just don't understand him. Also, when training, he requires a different motivation than...say...my Lab. My Lab is simple...offer him food, play or even simple praise and he'll immediatly do what I want/need him to do and he'll love every second of it. :rolleyes: Sometimes with Uallis...a food reinforcer won't work if its not high enough value...or maybe he just needs me to be a bit more enthusatic in my praise, etc, etc...Motivations change with him. Also, I don't think that some people realize just how big they really are. When Uallis was a little younger, he used to get into things he shouldn't and tear them up whenever someone would leave him in a room alone; so some valuables I "put up" on top of a large, old piano that we have...thinking that he'd never be able to reach them to destroy them...I couldn't have been more wrong...he'd just stand up on his hindlegs and pull them off the piano. We can't leave things out on our counters because he WILL be able to reach them if he's inclined to counter surf and we have to be very careful to make sure that medications, especially, are were he can not get into them if he were inclined to be nosy. There is a difference from even meeting a few and loving them and seeing them in person that way...to actually having one in your house and seeing how much room they really do take up. The drool is another thing...I don't have to tell you guys how it really can get everywhere...even on ceilings...but the person has to be prepared to not freak out when they get it on themselves as well. When I come home from work, I bet that its not 2 minutes before I have drool on my clothing somewhere...I don't have enough clothes to run and change every time it happens so I just live with it. Expense was already mentioned but I'll mention it again...they are expensive to keep. They eat a lot, medications for them are pricey (I've never had a vet bill with Uallis under $200, even a general checkup). Crates for them are expensive, collars big enough are expensive...everything for them costs more in general. I really could go on and on about what the cons to the breed are...to me it is worth it but I know that they aren't "right" for everyone.
 

spiderbitten

Well-Known Member
Right, well, even though I have two CCs, I certainly don't claim to be an expert. I can, however, say what I have observed.

That being said...

Pros ~ Extremely loyal, they will love no one but you. Excellent property guardians and watch dogs, steady temperaments but will react if threatened, or if you are, but they generally do not over-compensate. Very soft around family and friends, but hard-eyed and aloof to all newcomers. Intelligent, easy to train, willing to please. Will take a bullet for you and will tell you that every day. Still athletic and active despite their size and sometimes mastino-like build. Love to be with you, just want to sit at (or on) your feet and gaze at you adoringly.

Cons ~ Can be stubborn as hell. You have to be a responsible, confident owner or they will walk all over you, and as with any large guardian breed you don't want that. Dominance-driven with other dogs. High prey drive, many will try to eat small dogs and cats - we have gotten used to cats but I still don't trust either of my CCs with small dogs. They become very attached and can get depressed if you leave them for vacation, I've heard they can be prone to separation anxiety but only one of mine is really bad with that. Generally will not listen to anyone but you...my boy tends to look at people who try to give him commands and says, "You not my mama. I no has to listen to you." (I suppose this can also go under the Pros section. :D). Oftentimes will not STFU with the barking already...sheesh, lol. And having that much dog up your butt can sometimes make tasks difficult to accomplish.
 

filarotten

Well-Known Member
Well . . . there's the whole carjacking thing . . . . :lolbangtable:

HEHEHEh I also forgot about the red head with the white capris and big wet spot on her rear, and the red head client that Brutus humped during our meeting...

Ok, well they don't call them demon dogs, hell spawn, seed of satan for nothing. :D

But, that really isn't a fault...it's extrodinary uncanny intelligence, and a really warped sense of humor.:lolbangtable:
 

Renee

Well-Known Member
HEHEHEh I also forgot about the red head with the white capris and big wet spot on her rear, and the red head client that Brutus humped during our meeting...

Ok, well they don't call them demon dogs, hell spawn, seed of satan for nothing. :D

But, that really isn't a fault...it's extrodinary uncanny intelligence, and a really warped sense of humor.:lolbangtable:

And don't forget the breed's affinity for redheads . . . Or does that fall under "uncanny intelligence?"
 

Renee

Well-Known Member
Some would try to say it was covered under the "warped sense of humor." :lolbangtable:
 

filarotten

Well-Known Member
Some would try to say it was covered under the "warped sense of humor." :lolbangtable:

These dogs are smart enough to know a "good thing" when they see it.:lolbangtable:
However they sure have a lot of fun using that warped sense of humor" on us.

The two monsters are playing as I am trying to type this. They keep slamming into the back of my chair. I swear they are wild heathens.
 

blackboerboel

New Member
As for their lifespan, I have known Mastiff's to live well into their teen years. It is possible! Ditch the processed foods, the constant flea & tick meds, over-use of antibiotics, wormers and steroids, vaccination overload, early spay/neuter and return them to a natural state of health, you will be amazed and the vigor and longevity your can acheive.

Jennifer
www.tailcreekmastiffs.com

My vet is encouraging me to apply frontline monthly and to give him Interceptor monthly for the rest of his life. Will this really effect his life span?
 

Tailcreek

Well-Known Member
My vet is encouraging me to apply frontline monthly and to give him Interceptor monthly for the rest of his life. Will this really effect his life span?

My personal opinion....yes it will affect your dogs health and lifespan negatively, but you need to weigh the risks for yourself. Is there a high prevalence of fleas/ticks and heartworm where you live? Ticks are the ones to be concerned about as they can infect dogs with Lyme disease.

There are toxic ingedients in frontline to kill the parasites. Your dog can most definately be harmed by these substances as can humans having contact with the dog.

Look into non-toxic products that repel parasites. If you do choose to go the chemical route I would only use the products during the warmer months when these parasites are actively looking for hosts.

EPA Cautions Pet Owners Using Spot-on Flea and Tick Treatments for Pets Apr 17, 2009 – The US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and Health Canada have commenced investigations into the use of spot-on flea and tick treatments for pets. Both agencies have seen an increase in reported incidents using spot-on flea treatments that are causing considerable concern to pet owners. Adverse reactions have ranged from minor skin irritations to seizures. In a number of cases, spot-on flea treatments have proven fatal to pets. Watch the ABC news video

Jennifer
www.tailcreekmastiffs.com
 

RERM

Member
Well, I have a two year old female English Mastiff, Sunshine, and she's, well you all know...

Pros: Love and affection, temperament unlike any other breed, they hardly ever bark, they are easily trained (with love, praise and treats), very sociable (when properly introduced to people and other animals), low maintenance when compared to other working breeds.

Cons: it takes $$$ to properly feed and care for them, all the vet bills are GIANT sized, you HAVE to properly socialize and train them when they are puppies, not doing so is simply (due to their future size and strength) not an option, not all vets are knowledgable of Giant Breed care.

I would only argue against someone having a Mastiff on a case by case basis if I feel they cant afford the care and upkeep, if I don't think their willing to take the time and effort to properly train, socialize and care for them, or if the person believes in hitting their dogs (bad with any animal, but potentially life threatening when dealing with a dog of this size and strenght).
 

monkeys23

Member
Well, she's not a mastiff BUT I end up giving people the "husky" talk con's far too often not to chime in!

Sibe Pro's: Always cheerful, very chatty (I love the woowoowoo), greet everyone with a smile, always ready to run, always pushing the envelope, stubborn as hell and opinionated to boot, VERY economical to feed, spastic husky zoomies and happy curly tail, and very snuggly.

Sibe Con's: Well they were bred to run ALL day pulling a load. I'd say more than 90% of pet homes aren't equipped to handle that. Ever. If you aren't going to run it miles a day, it will eat your house/yard/etc/etc. and find very 'interesting' ways to amuse itself. Also, never trust a sibe off lead. Ever. Especially around squirrels and other small mammals. It will chase them, no matter how much you've trained it not to. Will invite burglers into your house, assist them, follow them to the truck, and then be confused when they are miles from home... definitely NOT a guard dog.

Luckily Lily is also half GSD and the reason why I am hoping to get a working line GSD soon! But I can't tell you how many people out there, even people who already have huskies or mixes, are like "oh she's so calm, does that mean mine will calm down?" ... um no, I run the crap out of her every day... Or the random people who just want a Sibe because they think they are pretty. Oi...

pitbullpony: your description of you boerbel totally reminds me of a lot of the traits in the Rhodesian Ridgebacks that I've lived with. Those African dogs are certainly unique. I like them a lot!
 

anyeone

Active Member
Well, I have a two year old female English Mastiff, Sunshine, and she's, well you all know...

Pros: Love and affection, temperament unlike any other breed, they hardly ever bark, they are easily trained (with love, praise and treats), very sociable (when properly introduced to people and other animals), low maintenance when compared to other working breeds.

Cons: it takes $$$ to properly feed and care for them, all the vet bills are GIANT sized, you HAVE to properly socialize and train them when they are puppies, not doing so is simply (due to their future size and strength) not an option, not all vets are knowledgable of Giant Breed care.

I would only argue against someone having a Mastiff on a case by case basis if I feel they cant afford the care and upkeep, if I don't think their willing to take the time and effort to properly train, socialize and care for them, or if the person believes in hitting their dogs (bad with any animal, but potentially life threatening when dealing with a dog of this size and strenght).


I would pretty much say all these things. I don't think it is bad at all to emphasize the expense so people know what they are getting into. I am looking for a second dog to keep Brownie company during the day since he gets lonely, and I would love to get a second English Mastiff...but I don't think I make enough money to feed two mastiffs the high quality food I prefer to feed. So I'm looking for something a bit smaller (but not TOO small) that is still friendly and lazy!