Finding the Right Breed

[scorning]

A male Doberman would fit most of your criteria. They are great for protection, eager to please, very athletic, around 90lbs, short haired. They are velcro dogs so don't generally wonder, and while they can be talkers a well trained and exercised one shouldn't bark for no reason. However, they are prone to same sex aggression and are not the healthiest breed. And a female would be much smaller, my female Doberman is 63lbs.

My other dog is a Dane, I think a well bred dane would fit most of your requirements. Some breeders really focus on performance, so you could look into one of those. Chromadane comes to mind: Working Danes!

Have you considered fostering? I was always interested in Dobermans but wasn't sure if they would fit my lifestyle. So I fostered one, fell in love with her, and adopted her. I am now looking to add another Doberman from my family.

 

[Hiraeth]

Finding a good breeder for *any* of these breeds is very important. Here are some pointers:

1. The breeder should have knowledge the breed.

2. The breeder should be able to discuss with you the health issues, genetic defects and health testing required for the breed.

3. The breeder should be doing something with their dogs. Sports (recreation or professional), showing, therapy, etc. The breeder should not be just breeding for the sake of making money.

4. The breeder should invite you to see the kennel, meet the puppies and the bitch.

5. The breeder should (in a vast majority of cases) not own both parents. It is highly unlikely that an ethical breeder has the fortune to own both adult dogs who would make a good match and produce quality puppies.

6. The breeder should be able to provide a pedigree, OFA rest results AND test numbers that you can look up on the OFA website. That being said, AKC papers are not a guarantee of a quality litter.

7. The breeder should be able to outline their plan for socializing the puppies with you.

8. The breeder should never allow the puppies to leave before 8 weeks of age.

9. Anyone breeding extra large or extra small versions of their breed is an unethical breeder. The dogs should be bred to the standard that was written for them.

10. I prefer breeders who only produce 1-2 litters a year and, while extenuating circumstances happen, only have one litter on the ground at a time.

11. Ask about a sales contract that will include rules about age at which to spay/neuter and a return clause. Any ethical breeder will have a clause in the contract that states the puppy must be returned to them if it is to be rehomed.

12. The breeder should not allow you to pick your own puppy. The breeder should perform a temperament test on each puppy at six weeks of age and should be able to accurately determine which puppy's personality best suits yours. This idea doesn't sit well with many people, but if you think about it, you would be choosing a puppy based on looks, which doesn't equal a good match. Your breeder should have spent six weeks getting to know each individual and should have a much more accurate idea of their developing personality than you would in the hour or two you visit.

There are breed specific qualifications for an ethical breeder, as well. For instance, Great Dane breeders should not cross color families, which are fawn/brindle, blue/black and mantle/harlequin. Anyone breeding a fawn to a harlequin is a backyard breeder. Also, the breeder should carefully monitor bloat in their lines and not breed a dog who has parents who have bloated, or has bloated itself. For Rottweilers, I'd want to know about the cancer history of the lines, as they're the single most cancer-prone breed.

The biggest favor you can do for yourself is to go to a few dog shows. Check out the schedule, see the ring time when the breeds you're interested in are showing, and hang out by the ring about 30-45 minutes beforehand. Then, try to talk to some handlers. Some may not have time for you, but many will stop to chat for a few minutes. Get on the breed club websites and read about the breeds in detail. Most breed club websites also have breeder directories that are not 100% foolproof, but should provide you with a starting place to begin locating a breeder.

If you have some questions or would like some feedback about breeder websites, you can feel free to PM me. I'm not an expert on many of the breeds you're considering, but red flags are pretty easy to spot no matter the breed involved. Good luck with your search!

 

[7121548]

(Neo's while not nearly the same level as a Fila, Are generally very aloof and distrusting of strangers.

This is true of my Neo. He takes a very long time to warm up to people, and is not friendly at all to strangers. He's met my parents' a few times and still doesn't allow them to pet him. He also HATES the heat. It's been 100 degrees (dry heat, not humid) the past couple of days, and he very reluctantly goes outside to do his business. He's miserable every second he has to stand there and pee. His body is not overly wrinkly either.

 

[marke]

Marke: You're Bullmastiff is beautiful! I've always loved the darker looking fawn coats. Have you owned more than one Bullmastiff? (It looks like it from the pictures, but I could be wrong!) If so, have your other BM's been heat tolerant and/or athletic? I love the pictures of the three BM's playing!

To the best of my recollection , I’ve had 3 bullmastiffs , 18 ddb , 2 weimaraners , 2 neos , 2 pitbulls , a maltese , a springer spaniel and a miniature poodle ………… the only dogs I’ve had that weren’t athletic were ones with health problems ……….. all dogs overheat , dogs are built to retain heat . the bigger the dog the more heat they produce …….. a fit dog will be more heat tolerant than an unfit dog …………. My dogue izzy would run an unconditioned “heat tolerant breed†of similar size to death ……….. heck , if it’s above freezing for the Iditarod it’s too hot for the sled dogs ……… I’ve run with dogs since I was 14 yrs old , me and mine have run past a lot of heat tolerant breeds …… it’s been above 90 degrees for the last 3 days , we can easily have a summer with a month of days 90-100 degrees , our humidity starts out about everyday above 70-80% , I have 5 ddb , they’ve never been in air conditioning in their lives , they got shelter , shade and water , I’ve never had a thought of the weather having any detrimental effect on my dogs ……… a dog will take 90 degrees and 20% humidity a lot easier than 70 degrees and 80-90% humidity …………

 

[MissJoy]

Gilles:
Thank you for sharing some personal information on the CAO's! So far they sound similar to our old Pyr-- which makes sense. I know most LGD's have some similarities between them. Having a dog with some independence would work really well alongside my Newfie mix, who does enjoy playing but also likes being on her own to go 'hunting' the grounds for rabbits, mice, badgers, etc.


Hiraeth
Thank you for your responses! I'll also address a couple points you made to hopefully explain what I'm looking for/expect.
In your first post:

1. That's good to know! I haven't looked into Agility that far yet, but I will keep that in mind if I do get a more athletic large breed!

2. Yeah, that is one thing I noticed when I first made the post and put the list down-- that most things were contradicting each other. Honestly, the only aspects I would really like are protection/companionship, short hair, and possibly the 90+ pounds because of my Newfie. Doing agility or any other kind of sport depends on if the dog needs more mental and physical stimulation. If the dog does well with just walks then that's good for me as well! As for trainable-- again, depends on the dog. I'm good with both teaching the basic commands or going more advanced.

3. That's my experience as well. Settling down inside is something that can be taught.

4. A wandering LGD is something I'd expect-- that and the independent characteristic that goes along with it. Getting information about the LGD's on the list would probably be for later in my life, if I ever decide to have some livestock.

So far I think it's still close between either a Cane Corso or a Bullmastiff.

As for your second post about the breeders, I thank you for taking the time to write all that out. There are a few that wouldn't have even occurred to me-- such as the breeder not owning both parents. I also agree that having AKC papers is not enough to guarantee a quality litter.

Right now all I can do is make a simple thread like this and ask others for their personal experiences with some of the breeds listed-- or bring other breeds to my attention. I don't plan to hop on a waiting list until after I can visit a few shows to meet the breeds and the people who breed them. If I decide on a breed and do my search of breeders, I'll be sure to send you a PM! It's always nice to have another opinion, to see red flags I may be blind to.

Would you prefer PMs if I have a couple questions at the moment? I may have one or two quick ones that I can ask here on the thread.

Scorning
I actually had considered a Doberman when I was first thinking of a going through a breeder! They sounded wonderful in temperament. The same sex aggression, however, is a big concern. Right now there are 2 males and 1 female. The other, of course, are the health problems. As I understand, Dobermans are a very delicate breed. My last concern was that my heavy chested Newfie mix would just crush one if she accidentally tripped(she's known to have her clumsy moments)and fell on top of a Doberman.

I've silently had my eye on the Great Dane! They fit a lot of my wants from what I've read. Took a look at Chromadane, and am really surprised to see pictures of Danes herding sheep! It never occurred to me that they could.

I have considered fostering! Although that would likely be a little later rather than sooner.

7121548
I hope you don't mind me asking some Neo related questions!
In your experience(I don't know if you've had more Neo's), how is it when training a Neo? Are they stubborn, very focused on the environment, independent, etc? And I assume Neo's aren't a dog that just go walking in public, or are they? Is there same-sex aggression at all? And I'm guessing they also don't handle winters well?

Marke:
That's quite the doggy resume! I don't think I've really considered the DDB, now that you mention them. How about the flip side-- assuming you also have winters. How do they fair in the cold?

 

[I3rendanG]

Miss Joy,You really sound well equipped to handle any dog. Everyone will have their preferences, and no breed is necessairly better than the other. What it really comes down to is Puppy Selection. Essentially dogs are basically the same, and operate under the same principles. They operate both as individuals, and display varying drives as a breed. What it comes down too is your selection measures and the dogs upbringing. You seem pretty sold on the Cane Corso or the bullmastiff. Marke has quite the resume.......I'd say go that route. They are a modern reconstruction based bandog. So expect a lot of prey drive and defense drive. Like all working breeds they can be stubborn, but combat that with discipline and consistency you'll be fine. You've handled large breeds before, you know the drill.Exercise Discipline Affection. Pick your pup accordingly. Try to use a variety of tests. Test prey drive with a rag or a t-shirt. Introduce it excitedly to the litter and observe bite style, enthusiasm and tenacity. Pop open an umbrella suddenly, observe who runs away, who comes back, who barks, who comes back to investigateRoll a can full of rocks into the litter, make similar observations above.And hold your favorite picks on their back. Who struggles the most, fights, bites, growls, maintains eyecontact, or looks away. Having a general sense about the individual will allow you to make a pick thats best suited towards your lifestyle. And what type of dog to expect come adulthood. They all push back during adolescence. High drives can help or hinder your training/ownership goals. All your doing is planning ahead. You seem capable. Dedicated. and Committed towards maintaining a postitive relationship with your dog. Out of all yoru choices you can't go wrong. Adequate Exercise. Socialization and Consistency is necessary for any dog breed. Just be choosy with the selection of the individual.Cheers

 

[I3rendanG]

*The Corso - being primairly a modern reconstruction, not the bullmasiff

 

[gilles]

Miss joy: you are welcome... i agree with everybody above and with you... a CC or a BM is a good dog...i dont want to sound like i am lecturing anybody but i am glad to share some info with this respectable forum because i have so much passion towards my dogs! although the CAO shares some similarities with the Pyr and with many lgd molossers, however its a rustic very old untouched breed for thousands of years and guarding instincts are much more developed than any other breed and training them is slightly different, they are extremely resistant and strong and extreme in all aspects ...also extreme in their love to their owner and their family. if you want they sometimes looks and act slightly as a species on their own and they look at you with almost human eyes.

 

[Hiraeth]

HiraethThank you for your responses! I'll also address a couple points you made to hopefully explain what I'm looking for/expect.In your first post:

1. That's good to know! I haven't looked into Agility that far yet, but I will keep that in mind if I do get a more athletic large breed!

2. Yeah, that is one thing I noticed when I first made the post and put the list down-- that most things were contradicting each other. Honestly, the only aspects I would really like are protection/companionship, short hair, and possibly the 90+ pounds because of my Newfie. Doing agility or any other kind of sport depends on if the dog needs more mental and physical stimulation. If the dog does well with just walks then that's good for me as well! As for trainable-- again, depends on the dog. I'm good with both teaching the basic commands or going more advanced.

3. That's my experience as well. Settling down inside is something that can be taught.

4. A wandering LGD is something I'd expect-- that and the independent characteristic that goes along with it. Getting information about the LGD's on the list would probably be for later in my life, if I ever decide to have some livestock.

So far I think it's still close between either a Cane Corso or a Bullmastiff.

As for your second post about the breeders, I thank you for taking the time to write all that out. There are a few that wouldn't have even occurred to me-- such as the breeder not owning both parents. I also agree that having AKC papers is not enough to guarantee a quality litter.

Right now all I can do is make a simple thread like this and ask others for their personal experiences with some of the breeds listed-- or bring other breeds to my attention. I don't plan to hop on a waiting list until after I can visit a few shows to meet the breeds and the people who breed them. If I decide on a breed and do my search of breeders, I'll be sure to send you a PM! It's always nice to have another opinion, to see red flags I may be blind to.

Would you prefer PMs if I have a couple questions at the moment? I may have one or two quick ones that I can ask here on the thread.

Of course you can send me a PM if you have a few questions

Honestly, what you're doing right now is one of the crucial first steps that many puppy buyers miss. Asking questions, getting information and being willing to wait. So many people think that the *decision* to get a puppy should take the longest, and after they decide they want one, they want one NOW. That's just not how buying puppies from ethical sources works. With popular breeds, I think a 3-9 month wait can be expected. With rarer breeds, I don't think having to wait 9-18 months is at all uncommon. I'm personally on the waiting list for a 2018 puppy, and have been for about six months.

I think you're really setting yourself up for success by getting all of this information and you'll do well no matter which breed you choose!

 

[gilles]

As Hiraeth stated , take your time when you want to buy a puppy, try to meet the breeder the parents etc...see how the breeder treats his dogs ...check puppies of previous litters if possible

 

[marke]

Marke: That's quite the doggy resume! I don't think I've really considered the DDB, now that you mention them. How about the flip side-- assuming you also have winters. How do they fair in the cold?

i've never had a mastiff that didn't prefer the winter ..... i'm in zone 6b-5a .......... like l3erndanG said , it's pup selection ....... if you get a shorter faced dog make sure you see the parents when they're hot , if they don't breath clean , odds are the pups won't ....you might not have the opportunity to see both parents , at least make sure the dam is a clean breather .... you shouldn't hear an obstruction when they're hot and breathing hard ......... myself personally i've never paid any attention to temperament aside from i wouldn't ever consider a shy dog or pup , my dogues have been selected for 6-7 generations on how strong and good moving of a pup they were , my dogues all looked like mini adults as pups ...... imo a long backed dog is way more athletic and a better mover than a short backed dog .........

 

[7121548]

7121548I hope you don't mind me asking some Neo related questions!In your experience(I don't know if you've had more Neo's), how is it when training a Neo? Are they stubborn, very focused on the environment, independent, etc? And I assume Neo's aren't a dog that just go walking in public, or are they? Is there same-sex aggression at all? And I'm guessing they also don't handle winters well?

My experience might be a little different than others who have neos since I adopted Dozer from a shelter when he was 3 and he had never been trained or socialized. He is the only neo I've ever had. I'd say basic training, like potty training and obedience, wasn't difficult, but behavior training has been a little challenging. They definitely require a high level of structure and very strong leadership. Ordinarily, I don't think neos are dogs you'd just casually walk out in public, but since I live downtown in a large city with no backyard, I do have to walk him in public in a very dense neighborhood. He wears a muzzle as a precaution, just in case someone tries to pet him without asking me first (the answer is always no). I don't know about same sex aggression because he's an only dog and I don't let him meet other dogs (one member here, teodora, has two female neos though--hopefully she sees this post!). I think they do ok in the winter, but our winters are never colder than 50 degrees. From what I've seen, they actually enjoy romping in the snow. They definitely don't do hot weather though.

Also, I agree with the doberman suggestion. I grew up with two of them--one male and one female (not sure if that was to avoid same sex aggression or for some other reason); they were very sharp and trainable, but also good family dogs and natural protectors. They did have health problems though, and a very high prey drive.

I'm happy to see you're doing lots of research early on! There's probably no better mastiff information source than this forum. It sounds like you'll be well prepared by the time you're ready to get a dog. I really, really love the fostering idea though, and you might even decide you want to adopt one of the foster dogs. I'd love to know what kind of dog you end up getting so I hope you'll stick around and let us know!

 

[trevordj]

Finding a good breeder for *any* of these breeds is very important. Here are some pointers:1. The breeder should have knowledge the breed.2. The breeder should be able to discuss with you the health issues, genetic defects and health testing required for the breed.3. The breeder should be doing something with their dogs. Sports (recreation or professional), showing, therapy, etc. The breeder should not be just breeding for the sake of making money.4. The breeder should invite you to see the kennel, meet the puppies and the bitch. 5. The breeder should (in a vast majority of cases) not own both parents. It is highly unlikely that an ethical breeder has the fortune to own both adult dogs who would make a good match and produce quality puppies.6. The breeder should be able to provide a pedigree, OFA rest results AND test numbers that you can look up on the OFA website. That being said, AKC papers are not a guarantee of a quality litter.7. The breeder should be able to outline their plan for socializing the puppies with you.8. The breeder should never allow the puppies to leave before 8 weeks of age. 9. Anyone breeding extra large or extra small versions of their breed is an unethical breeder. The dogs should be bred to the standard that was written for them. 10. I prefer breeders who only produce 1-2 litters a year and, while extenuating circumstances happen, only have one litter on the ground at a time.11. Ask about a sales contract that will include rules about age at which to spay/neuter and a return clause. Any ethical breeder will have a clause in the contract that states the puppy must be returned to them if it is to be rehomed. 12. The breeder should not allow you to pick your own puppy. The breeder should perform a temperament test on each puppy at six weeks of age and should be able to accurately determine which puppy's personality best suits yours. This idea doesn't sit well with many people, but if you think about it, you would be choosing a puppy based on looks, which doesn't equal a good match. Your breeder should have spent six weeks getting to know each individual and should have a much more accurate idea of their developing personality than you would in the hour or two you visit. There are breed specific qualifications for an ethical breeder, as well. For instance, Great Dane breeders should not cross color families, which are fawn/brindle, blue/black and mantle/harlequin. Anyone breeding a fawn to a harlequin is a backyard breeder. Also, the breeder should carefully monitor bloat in their lines and not breed a dog who has parents who have bloated, or has bloated itself. For Rottweilers, I'd want to know about the cancer history of the lines, as they're the single most cancer-prone breed. The biggest favor you can do for yourself is to go to a few dog shows. Check out the schedule, see the ring time when the breeds you're interested in are showing, and hang out by the ring about 30-45 minutes beforehand. Then, try to talk to some handlers. Some may not have time for you, but many will stop to chat for a few minutes. Get on the breed club websites and read about the breeds in detail. Most breed club websites also have breeder directories that are not 100% foolproof, but should provide you with a starting place to begin locating a breeder.If you have some questions or would like some feedback about breeder websites, you can feel free to PM me. I'm not an expert on many of the breeds you're considering, but red flags are pretty easy to spot no matter the breed involved. Good luck with your search!

This is just outstanding advice.

I received similar advice here and was looking at many of the same breeds you are looking at. I took everyone's advice and visited about 1 dozen breeders and went to a few dog shows. I think going to dog shows is a great way to get a sense for the breeds you are looking at and, once you have it narrowed down to a few, the decision comes down to finding the best breeder.

I had my short list down to the Cane Corso, Bullmastiff, DDB, and Boerboels. I traveled about 5 hours to a boerboel breeder and she met absolutely every mark on the list Hiraeth listed. The only exception is, for the first time in her breeding career, she had two litters simultaneously (since 2007 she has done one litter every 1-1.5 years). The only reason she did this is because the stud's semen was losing potency and required far more than expected for the first breeding. Rather than wait and risk losing additional virility, she had to do both breeding simultaneously. The sire is no longer intact and this is the last of his semen available (he was the #1 boerboel in North America in 2011, and #4 boerboel in the world in 2012).

It was the breeder and the outstanding breeding stock that did it for me.

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

Can I just say how fabulous you all are with your information! Way to go guys! When looking into breeders the AKC has a great search function (at least they did) that shows what shows are close in your area that you can hopefully get out to. Most put out a show schedule before the show (usually a week) that will allow you to see what breeds are attending in what numbers so you can plan if you want to attend.

 

[TWW]

Can I just say how fabulous you all are with your information! Way to go guys! When looking into breeders the AKC has a great search function (at least they did) that shows what shows are close in your area that you can hopefully get out to. Most put out a show schedule before the show (usually a week) that will allow you to see what breeds are attending in what numbers so you can plan if you want to attend.

AKC and Breed groups generally have a 3 or 4 month out calendar
Did 2 Corso Shows and the major EM. Last year. Do to Trish's issues missed the big Mastiff meet and greet in Cleveland
There are actually a lot of mastiff breed shows. It just doing a little research and driving sometimes.

 

[MissJoy]

I3rendanG:
Yes, the Cane Corso and Bullmastiff are still high on my list, though I have a couple others I'm thinking about as well. I'd like at least 5 top breeds to really research, so when I do get the chance to go to dog shows, I can look out for multiple breeds. It's also a precaution as one never knows-- the Cane Corso could sound really nice on paper, but I could have a very different impression when speaking with the breeders and/or meeting the dogs. Same goes with the other breeds.

The other question that keeps floating around for me is how much of a prey drive or defense drive do I want? How much can I handle?

Those temperament test suggestions are a good idea, I will keep them in mind! I've known about the test where you put the pups on their back, but I've never thought of, or heard about, using an umbrella or rocks.

Thank you for your response and suggestions!

Gilles
If I am in need of a good LGD breed down the road-- who knows what the future holds-- I'll be sure to contact you about the CAO's! Thank you for bring the breed up and discussing a little about them!


Hiraeth
Thank you! I'll send a small PM as soon as I can! Been buzzing around here lately, haven't had terribly long to sit down.
If I were doing this a couple years back, actually, I think I wouldn't be so willing to wait. Recent experiences and reading through threads, however, has quickly changed my old view. So I'm hoping this first time goes well!

I think I have a good idea of the breeds I'll be checking into. Would it be a good idea to make separate threads in the breed specific forums? (Ex:Making a thread in the Cane Corso forum to ask breed specific questions) Not straight away, I'd like to collect information and sources before making a thread like that.

Marke:
I will remember that! Listen for clean breathing in short faced dogs(from the parents), a long backed dog may be more athletic.... I am also in the same mind of not wanting to consider a shy dog/pup.

7121548:
Hm, I'd have to look through the Neo more to decide if it's truly a breed I would consider. Thank you for taking the time to make a response explaining his temperament! Every little bit counts. I was also looking for Neo temperament because of our 7 month old pup, trying to figure out which temperament he's taking after.

Doberman's are very elegant, I would love to either buy or rescue one in my lifetime. Right now, however, I don't think it would be very smart of me to have one if same-sex aggression is high, plus the health issues.
I've already dealt with a person aggressive, same-sex aggressive dog. I'd rather not again-- at least not right now.

Thank you! I'm trying to be well informed before making a decision, which is something I haven't done in the past when I really should have. Latte, my Lhasa Apso, is a perfect example. I'm trying to learn from my mistakes.
I'm keeping fostering on the back burner for now. In the future, I'm hoping to volunteer/or foster at a local no-kill rescue, and they don't just do dogs. They have horses, donkeys, cows....

And don't worry! I plan to stick around. From what I've seen this is a really nice forum, very informative.

Trevordj
You have me intrigued-- are some breeders okay with people coming to visit their home and dogs? From a couple sites, I got the impression that you don't contact a breeder unless you're getting a pup, or something like that. Is it a situation where some breeders are okay with it while others aren't?

I'm glad you brought up the Boerboel as well! Looking at several sites, they sound like a nice breed. A little heavier and still a bit athletic. Plus they might be more tolerant to humidity?

BlackShadowCaneCorso
Hm, I think I remember that feature. I'll have to go back and see if there are any events near me! I've never been to a dog show, I look forward to being able to attend one!
You seem to own and breed Cane Corso's, would it be all right to ask a couple CC related questions?

TWW:
I do love road trips! I shall do some more digging, see what pops up. Is the Mastiff meet in Cleveland a private event, or open to the public?

 

[TWW]

Free but believe it is held in a different state every year.
This year big EM show was in Texas, so suspect it will be there somewhere this year.

The annual "Nothest Ohio Mastiff Picnic" is held in Media, Ohio in Sept. (This is mostly EM's).

 

[gilles]

Miss joy: you are welcome i will post some new pics soon

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

I3rendanG:
Yes, the Cane Corso and Bullmastiff are still high on my list, though I have a couple others I'm thinking about as well. I'd like at least 5 top breeds to really research, so when I do get the chance to go to dog shows, I can look out for multiple breeds. It's also a precaution as one never knows-- the Cane Corso could sound really nice on paper, but I could have a very different impression when speaking with the breeders and/or meeting the dogs. Same goes with the other breeds.

The other question that keeps floating around for me is how much of a prey drive or defense drive do I want? How much can I handle?

Those temperament test suggestions are a good idea, I will keep them in mind! I've known about the test where you put the pups on their back, but I've never thought of, or heard about, using an umbrella or rocks.

Thank you for your response and suggestions!

Gilles
If I am in need of a good LGD breed down the road-- who knows what the future holds-- I'll be sure to contact you about the CAO's! Thank you for bring the breed up and discussing a little about them!


Hiraeth
Thank you! I'll send a small PM as soon as I can! Been buzzing around here lately, haven't had terribly long to sit down.
If I were doing this a couple years back, actually, I think I wouldn't be so willing to wait. Recent experiences and reading through threads, however, has quickly changed my old view. So I'm hoping this first time goes well!

I think I have a good idea of the breeds I'll be checking into. Would it be a good idea to make separate threads in the breed specific forums? (Ex:Making a thread in the Cane Corso forum to ask breed specific questions) Not straight away, I'd like to collect information and sources before making a thread like that.

Marke:
I will remember that! Listen for clean breathing in short faced dogs(from the parents), a long backed dog may be more athletic.... I am also in the same mind of not wanting to consider a shy dog/pup.

7121548:
Hm, I'd have to look through the Neo more to decide if it's truly a breed I would consider. Thank you for taking the time to make a response explaining his temperament! Every little bit counts. I was also looking for Neo temperament because of our 7 month old pup, trying to figure out which temperament he's taking after.

Doberman's are very elegant, I would love to either buy or rescue one in my lifetime. Right now, however, I don't think it would be very smart of me to have one if same-sex aggression is high, plus the health issues.
I've already dealt with a person aggressive, same-sex aggressive dog. I'd rather not again-- at least not right now.

Thank you! I'm trying to be well informed before making a decision, which is something I haven't done in the past when I really should have. Latte, my Lhasa Apso, is a perfect example. I'm trying to learn from my mistakes.
I'm keeping fostering on the back burner for now. In the future, I'm hoping to volunteer/or foster at a local no-kill rescue, and they don't just do dogs. They have horses, donkeys, cows....

And don't worry! I plan to stick around. From what I've seen this is a really nice forum, very informative.

Trevordj
You have me intrigued-- are some breeders okay with people coming to visit their home and dogs? From a couple sites, I got the impression that you don't contact a breeder unless you're getting a pup, or something like that. Is it a situation where some breeders are okay with it while others aren't?

I'm glad you brought up the Boerboel as well! Looking at several sites, they sound like a nice breed. A little heavier and still a bit athletic. Plus they might be more tolerant to humidity?

BlackShadowCaneCorso
Hm, I think I remember that feature. I'll have to go back and see if there are any events near me! I've never been to a dog show, I look forward to being able to attend one!
You seem to own and breed Cane Corso's, would it be all right to ask a couple CC related questions?

TWW:
I do love road trips! I shall do some more digging, see what pops up. Is the Mastiff meet in Cleveland a private event, or open to the public?

You are welcome to ask me anything you wish.

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[fila4me]

I mentored with my Fila breeder for 2 yrs before I decided that I could provide the right home and that I absolutely couldn't live without one! My breeder was more than happy to answer my crazy questions and help me learn the ropes of being a responsible Fila owner. This was all before most had websites and emails, so I was writing letters and calling as many breeders I could get my hands on.