Considering a DDB

[CowboyBebop]

Hello. I was wondering what your thoughts of adding a DDB (puppy most likely female) into a house with other animals would be. We currently have a 5mo BM male, 3 cats, and 3 ferrets. I have heard that DDB have a high prey drive and can be unfriendly towards other dogs. But I also heard that about Bullmastiffs too and it is FAR from the truth with Castle.
We are very active with our current dog and nothing would change. Any future puppy would be heavily socialized and supervised around the other animals. I would say that I am a strong "alpha" personality type when it comes to Castle and my fiancé is a playful but firm parent. Castle is probably medium to submissive temperament towards other dogs and not aggressive at all. He has yet to meet any dog that he doesn't like and we want to get a playmate for him in the spring. I've heard DDB are somewhat uncommon so I thought I would start scouting now. Are they drastically different than BMs, as far as breed personality, health concerns, diet and exercise requirements? Any advice would be great. Thank you.

 

[Elsadogue]

Hi, our first DDB Elsa was great with all other dogs large and small-she was dominant but very motherly to other dogs, our current DDB Tank is a whole other story. We got him from a family that did not have time for him, and we are not sure what experiences he had as a young dog. He came in to our home and our Pugo(half pekenese half chihuahu) made sure Tank knew it was his home first. Amazingly enough Pugo is still in charge and Tank is gentle with him and plays and sleeps with him. Take him anywhere near any other dogs and he is totally aggressive and will try and go after them if they get to close. So it will depend on the dog's personality and how she is raised.

 

[CowboyBebop]

Thanks for the advice, Elsadogue. I figured it would be like that, each their own personality.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Maybe some others with personal experience could answer you better, but I have heard that DDB's tend to have have same-sex aggression issues.... So, if you have a male BM, might want to consider a female DDB. Maybe someone else could confirm or refute this???

 

[Marrowshard]

I've heard that about BMs, DDBs, and a lot of other dogs and I guess you have to take it with a grain of salt. I think it's got a lot less to do with the breed itself and more to do with the particular dog. Our female BM was aggressive to any dog regardless of gender, and our EM doesn't seem to care one way or the other. I had always heard a spayed female was more likely to be aggressive than an intact female, or that same-sex was worse or opposite-sex was worse and in the end i figured it's all down to the individual dog. Sorry, I know that's probably not much help, but honestly the BM is pretty young and this potential DDB will be a pup, so even IF there was a tendency for gender squables I'm sure it would help a lot for them to grow up together.

~Marrow

 

[CowboyBebop]

Thanks guys! I figure it really is a case by case situation. I guess it might be better to ask if the DDB is still being bread for aggressive traits or if they fall into the category of so many former fighting dogs and are being bread for companionship/protection; And if they have been doing it long enough for us to have a good chance of finding a non-aggressive dog? Of course I will be looking at parents when considering the pup.

 

[Marrowshard]

To my knowledge, the DDB has never been bred to fight. Guard and protect, yes, but not fight. I may be mistaken.

~Marrow

 

[CowboyBebop]

I’ll have to look into that, thanks. I figured as with most mastiff types it had been at one point or another. That’s one reason why we got a BM, because they were never really bred to fight but rather protect.... I did a quick wiki. No mention of dog on dog, just baiting. Thanks again Marrowshard.

 

[PuppyPaws]

I've heard that about BMs, DDBs, and a lot of other dogs and I guess you have to take it with a grain of salt. I think it's got a lot less to do with the breed itself and more to do with the particular dog. Our female BM was aggressive to any dog regardless of gender, and our EM doesn't seem to care one way or the other. I had always heard a spayed female was more likely to be aggressive than an intact female, or that same-sex was worse or opposite-sex was worse and in the end i figured it's all down to the individual dog. Sorry, I know that's probably not much help, but honestly the BM is pretty young and this potential DDB will be a pup, so even IF there was a tendency for gender squables I'm sure it would help a lot for them to grow up together.
~Marrow

Yep with a grain of salt~ That is often said of many breeds and socialization of both dogs is probably the most important "sticking point". Just thought I'd throw it out there as a consideration.... Socialization is where you can prevent soooo many future issues from ever developing.