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Mastiffs and hunting?

JuneBugg

Well-Known Member
This might be an interesting/weird thread, but I was just curious.
My boyfriend's father is an avid hunter, and recently brought home a "Bayer". He obviously has hound, but is larger and has the blocky head known to the mastiff and on the larger side. My thoughts at least Haha.

So, this got me thinking. Has anyone seen/heard of/used any Molosser breeds while hunting?

I know that many of the Molossers were bred to be guard dogs, or used as war dogs. And that some were historically also used to hunt large wild game; such as dear, boar, wild cattle, and Lions, and also many (too many) used as bull/bear baiters, even fighters.

I've done my research on most breeds, just curious.
Haha.

Tonight, I've looked on Google, and came across a kennel who breeds Tosas, and reccomend them as catch dogs.
But the majority are just talking about boar dogs, such as the Dogo Argentino; whom is well known, and also the Great Dane.

Any thoughts/input/stories?

By the way, I'm not a hunter by any means, nor am I entirely against it, or own any hunting type dogs

Thank you. :)
 
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DDSK

Well-Known Member
Cane corsos are used all over the world as are Dogo Argentinos for wild boar hunting.
Cane Corsos are the only true corsing Mastiff they are usually used as catch dogs to catch and hold the boar until the hunter can get there to dispatch it.
Except in California where our Department of Fish and wildlife have outlawed the use of catch dogs so they are no longer used for hunting here.
There are several Youtube vids that show Cane Corsos hunting.
 

DDSK

Well-Known Member
Cane Corsos, Filas and Dogo Argentinos are all used for wild Boar hunting.
Except for here in California where you are not allowed to use a catch dog.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Boerboels have been used in Hog work and big cat hunting. They have a very keen sense of smell are fast and have good eyesight and hearing. They actually make very good hunting and tracking dogs. Many of the mastiffs at one time or another have been used in hunting. The livestock guardians hunt for themselves so they could probably adapt readily.
 

JuneBugg

Well-Known Member
Oh thanks for the replies. :)

I'm familiar with the history of those breeds. Very impressive.

I'm wondering, are modern day mastiffs occasionally use as more than just boar hounds?
Hunting along side us humans.
Obviously I'm not saying they're used as trackers or anything like that, but do some hunters choose the mastiff for hunting deer, elk, moose, etc?
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
I don't know of anyone using any BB as a fetch and return dog or even a tracker these days just Boar work. The BB has too powerful of a bite for fowl work I think but any dog can be trained to be a soft mouth.
 

alejandro

Well-Known Member
I think longe range firearms has make them obsolete for that and animal rigths advocates made it look like something barbaric.
 

Tiger12490

Well-Known Member
Alejandro that just isn't true... hogs are fast smart and vicious.... the safest way is with dogs... in the south where the woods are thick they are almost exclusively tracked and held by dogs.. they are still extremely needed where you cant just snipe them off

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
 

JuneBugg

Well-Known Member
Oh definitely! Hogs are vicious. They can make a cougar look like a kitten. Haha

I do know that prey drive is important, and some mastiffs still retain that throughout their breeding, such as the boerboel, and dogo.

I think I'd like to see a hunting mastiff again.
I find it really interesting. I could see a well trained trio of mastiffs taking down a deer, especially since some breeds are supposed to be naturally quiet. A problem I see is the low stamina you see in many these days.
My dogs never seem to run out and love to run and hike, but my neighbors bullmastiff is more than content to just lounge around.
I suppose it would all depend on the dogs chosen, and he training. could be done for more than just boar work. Less dangerous too.
 

spritemk3

Well-Known Member
My Neo thinks she's a lab...lol Raised since 7 1/2 weeks with a 9 yr old Lab. She loves to retrieve dummies and all kinds of toys. Only problem is, I'm afraid she'd eat any game we sent her after. Still pretty cute to watch.
 

JuneBugg

Well-Known Member
Oh my gosh. Haha that's sweet.
I would honestly love if my two caught they're own prey, being raw fed and all.
I don't have the knowledge or time to find out if they would though. Haha
Still, Its an interesting idea though.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Actually you just reminded me last year a Boerboel breeder reported her pair brought in a fresh deer from a morning potty break. So I think they would have either had to run it down (doubtful) or they had to work together as a hunting pack to do this. To me this is the ultimate in coolness. How would it be to be out in the wilderness and your dogs bring you home fresh meat all by themselves.

Oh definitely! Hogs are vicious. They can make a cougar look like a kitten. Haha

I do know that prey drive is important, and some mastiffs still retain that throughout their breeding, such as the boerboel, and dogo.

I think I'd like to see a hunting mastiff again.
I find it really interesting. I could see a well trained trio of mastiffs taking down a deer, especially since some breeds are supposed to be naturally quiet. A problem I see is the low stamina you see in many these days.
My dogs never seem to run out and love to run and hike, but my neighbors bullmastiff is more than content to just lounge around.
I suppose it would all depend on the dogs chosen, and he training. could be done for more than just boar work. Less dangerous too.
 

alejandro

Well-Known Member
I know Mike, when i post i was thinking about other animals besides hogs, like deers,stags and others cause it seems to me thats what JuneBugg was asking about. I know hogs are viciuos and dogs are the best and safer way to hunt them and even when i am no hunter i think that hunting with dogs just isn´t wrong but even a necesary skill for mankind as a species.
 

fila4me

Well-Known Member
I have friends that use their Filas with bear and mountain lion on their ranch.

my Dogos and Filas, along with my dad's GSD's would keep bear and coyote's out of
our property. pretty cool to see the team work.
 

NYDDB

Well-Known Member
A friend has an Airedale that is kept on their orchard in Oregon (6 months of the year), specifically to keep it free of deer-- he will either kill it himself (usually by breaking their legs) or run it into their fence (in which case they break their necks in the process of frantically trying to escape.)

*I know, he's not a Mastiff, but he's one of Mateo's best friends... :)

Mateo has a pretty strong prey drive and will stalk and run after squirrels with unusual intensity and focus. Not sure if he would go for bigger prey, though, lol.
 

JuneBugg

Well-Known Member
Actually you just reminded me last year a Boerboel breeder reported her pair brought in a fresh deer from a morning potty break. So I think they would have either had to run it down (doubtful) or they had to work together as a hunting pack to do this. To me this is the ultimate in coolness. How would it be to be out in the wilderness and your dogs bring you home fresh meat all by themselves.

Wow. That's really awesome. I would much rather prefer that then going put and hunting myself.
Besides, its a dog acting how supposed to. Haha.

I'd love to hear more about mastiffs hunting.
In particular, because most people don't ever seem to think of them anywhere near the subject.
 

fdchampion

Well-Known Member
My Corelina is the same way...she stalks squirrels everytime we go out for a walk!! I actually found half of a squirrel in their outside pen a few months ago!!
A friend has an Airedale that is kept on their orchard in Oregon (6 months of the year), specifically to keep it free of deer-- he will either kill it himself (usually by breaking their legs) or run it into their fence (in which case they break their necks in the process of frantically trying to escape.)

*I know, he's not a Mastiff, but he's one of Mateo's best friends... :)

Mateo has a pretty strong prey drive and will stalk and run after squirrels with unusual intensity and focus. Not sure if he would go for bigger prey, though, lol.