help sway me thy more experienced owners

[MrNiceGuy]

alright, so times comin when baby bird gotta leave the nest and im lookin to get a pup to take with me to keep my lab company while im at work and such. iv got it narrowed down to 4 (i think lol) but every post and site i read says that their breed is unlike any other and the most loyal and protective..

so heres the situation me and my girlfriend are getting a place and the area is less then ideal lol.. while ud think my 90lb lab would be a good guardian hes not.. lol will bark at the door but hide behind me when its open (super funny to watch but i love his coward butt) so im looking for a dog not afraid to engage.. defensive not offensive of course (havent seen much flameing on here but im not lookin for a macho pup)

so im looking for a protective, obdient and loyal pup with a layed back attitude (pretty much every mastiff from what iv read haha)

anyways my choices are
1)neo- iv heard there temperment are unmatchable and super loyal
2)presa- iv heard their super loyal
3)corso- absolutly love these guys have for as long as i can remmember but read diffrent things
4) boerboel- read alot of contrasting things on these guys to

so if yall could help me out and gimmi person oppinions like if youv owned more then one type id reall appriciate it because all i read is how loyal they all are which is awesome

 

[BlackShadowCaneCorso]

You have a great list of dogs to choose from and you are right there is varying information out there about all those breeds.

We have Cane Corsi, and they are our love. That being said they aren't for everyone and the temperament of the dogs can differ from line to line and breeder to breeder depending on what types of temperament the breeder prefers. There are some that are super social, some that are aloof, some that will protect you and some that will cower behind you like your lab. Ours are social but stick close to where we are, when out they are friendly but always stay within a few feet of us and are constantly watching what is going on. They are loyal and loving with us and our new daughter and are what we hoped for and wanted when getting this breed. If you decide to go with a corso research the breeders you are interested in thoroughly and if at all possible get out to meet the dog in their home environment.

The other breeds I do not have any personal experience with as far as owning so will have to let others give the info on those ones.

Good luck with your search and look forward to pictures when you get your new addition.

 

[Sabrina]

I am also a Corso owner and second what Mary (BlackShadowCaneCorso) has said...

All of these dogs are loyal, but possess their own challenges...be ready to commit to training and socialization for any of the 4 breeds listed

That being said, I love my Corso, so that's what I'm rooting for...he's the most loyal dog I have ever owned....he knows who his family is and he showers us with more love than we ask for sometimes But trust me, no one would mess with our house, especially once they hear his deep defensive bark and his piercing eyes staring at them from the window....

 

[MrNiceGuy]

yeah their strong will is actually what originally attracted me tword the mastiff family, iv always been impressed with their size but the more i read about thier intense loyalty and sometimes overwhelming love was what sealed the deal and made me sure i had to have one lol, iv worked with other dogs from rots to pits, gsd to mutts of all sizes and while i havent actually found a breed i havent liked a DB, neo and corso stole my heart at a local park, they where engaging with the other dogs but not more then 10 feet from their owners and all where very intelligent. and training is what im looking foward to most, me and my lab have a blast learning new tricks goin for car rides and goin on hikes through the woods

 

[Cody]

Seems all the CC people are jumping in.
Lol, I will say any of the above breeds. My favorite are the Corso, Neo, DDB, Presa and Boerboel...oh and all mastiffs really...lmao
As a Corso owner I of course say our breed is the greatest, but I am sure the owners of the other breeds will say the same of theirs.
When looking into any of the breeds all I can say is, from experience, do your homework. There are a lot of websites that make a lot of claims in the Corso world, I am sure is the same in the other breeds, talk to as many people as you can. Get different ideas about different lines, and try to see as many as you can. Just because a kennel claims to be showing, working and temperament testing their dogs, doesn't mean they are really doing it. Ask to see titles, certificates and proof to back up claims.
Good luck on your search. Hopefully you find the right dog for you.

 

[Ripsmom]

While i don't own any of the breeds on your list I am familiar with some and I think that all of them require someone with a fair amount of dog experience and someone willing to commit to professional training with a trainer that has some experience with the breed. Working in the animal field and having dealt with many individuals that get in over their heads with the wrong dog my only advice is to research each breed thoroughly and maybe contact someone who is involved with rescue for the breed or someone in the parent club to pick their brains about each breed. You may even want to ask some trainers their opinions if (if they've had some experience with the breed). Then once you make a decision research potential breeders as "Cody" suggested.

 

[Cody]

That is funny Ripsmom, I was actually going to suggest calling a member of the parent breed club. Since you are in PA, I noticed MrNiceguy, I would suggest maybe talking to Firehorse Cane Corso. Ron Hoser is on the BOD of the Cane Corso Association of America, as well has working therapy dogs, is very active in showing and runs the big Paws, Big Hearts Cane Corso rescue. He may be a good place to start when it comes to breed information on the Corso.

 

[ElJayBee]

Well as a boerboel owner, I'll have to root for the boerboels, lol! I had been in love with the breed for quite some time and researched them for 2 years before finally getting one. I decided to adopt my current boerboel Eisha and my mother adopted Eisha's brother Bruno at the same time. The rest of my family fell in love, too, so now my grandad and my uncle also have boerboels. Even my vet was so impressed with our dogs he got a boerboel of his own as well, LOL. they're like pringles, haha

if u want to know more, just let me know... but i think almost any mastiff type would be fine for your situation.

 

[mastiffluva]

I have an 87 pound lab and a 170 pound English Mastiff. You are right about the lab being noisy but useless for protection. The mastiff is very protective of the family and property. Most of my neighbors are scared of her just based on her size. She is loyal and a great dog. She is a mush with the family. This is my second mastiff so I can tell, what ever kind of dog you get be ready for intense training for several months. They grow so fast, you have to train them whle you can. Good luck.

 

[MrNiceGuy]

yeah been reading about these guys for quite a few months, the corso almost a year now. id actually never heard of a boer till i saw it on the dog whisperer one day tho and he really peakd my interest because i wasnt watching but the bark of the dog turned my head quick lol and neos i forget where i first saw them but it was seriously love at first site, i tink my biggest battle is between either the corso or the neo, just gotta keep reading..

and of course trying to convince the girlfriend that dog slobber is actually good for your skin haha

 

[acoz47]

All are good choices ask your breeder for the personality your looking for in a pup. I own two Corso and If someone isn't invited in my house they will let them know.

 

[Hunnibunni]

Hi: Noob here

My advice would be to visit each of the breeders & pick the dog that strikes you as the "right dog." You may LIKE a Corso but may find a better Neo. You may prefer a Boerboel but find a Mastiff that's perfect. For the long-run, having the best dog from a "type of breed", ie the Mastiffs, is better than having a mediocre dog from a specific breed.

 

[shelby2535]

all are good choices. I am not a owner of any of those but I am a owner of a french mastiff. I have grown up w big dogs and always have had a dog, but I have never had a dog that has been as protective as my dogue de bordeaux. He is not good with strangers. My german shepard was protective but still not as much as my mastiff. He has never attacked anyone but every time we walk past a stranger he growls at them or barks, its just enough to let the person know that he does not like being petted. He is very protective of me. At the dog park the other day a person w a dog came up to me and my dogue de bordeaux ran full speed across the whole park just to be by my side. I am not used to a dog that doesnt like strangers since my other dog would let any one pet him. It is kinda nice though because my husbands gone a lot and it makes me feel better that my neighbors know I have my dog. I am working on him obeying on his leash more, since we live in a apartment he is on his leash all the time when he has to go outside. When I go to take him outside I check the windows to make sure there is no people around w dogs because he will bark at them and a few times has tried to run up to them.

hahah thats funny that ur dog hides behind u. When I open the door my DH has to hold our dog back or he will run at the person full speed. We lived in not such a good area for about 5 months in TX and my dog knew it was bad. I could tell how he was acting all the time, he looked anxious a lot, he did not like it at all. When we moved to FL he went back to normal and became a lot calmer

---------- Post added at 11:04 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:43 AM ----------

I wish I was on this site two years ago to get more information about my dog. I was told that a dogue de bordeaux was a gentle giant. While in reality hes only gentle to family and people he knows, but hes my baby so I love him and were working on his aggression towards strangers!

 

[shelby2535]

I wish I was on this site two years ago to get more information about my dog. I was told that a dogue de bordeaux was a gentle giant. While in reality hes only gentle to family and people he knows, but hes my baby so I love him and were working on his aggression towards strangers!

 

[agno3]

I have a Presa. He's pretty neat, but if you're not experienced with dog with a strong guarding instinct you may want to get something else. He's a really loyal, loving dog but, he's very high energy and extremely territorial. He is okay with strangers but the second I get nervous, annoyed, or mad he starts posturing and "defending me". If that person is intimidated or nervous around him he goes into defend mode too. There are things I can do to redirect him, but it's not for everyone to have to deal with this stuff.

Honestly, if you've never had a guarding breed dog, you should skip the puppy phase and get an older (1 to 4 year old) dog so that you can see it's temperament, energy level, and training. When you start looking for one you will also get to see how the different breeds behave. This way you don't have to worry about the crazy socialization you have to do with some of these guys, just so you can have friends come over once and a while.

 

[The Ricardo]

Owner of 3 dogs with newest a 7 month old Corso, Did a year of research before we got him and has been an AMAZING addition to our family. Extremely playful, fun , and always needs to be in same room as you. At just over 70 lbs he still believes he is a lap dog lots of times which is amusing. Very smart and has excelled at Obedience classes for last 4 months.


Good Luck in whatever you decide but as you can tell my Vote is for the Corso!

 

[LadyDogLover]

None of the dogs mentioned are for a novice. Two of the four you listed I have owned and they do not like strangers and are very protective...Neo's and Presa's...both are extremely devoted and don't like change. Socialization is very
important...those guys don't even want a change in vet. They were ok going to malls and shopping centers, even
PetSmart, but they won't take a treat from anyone...PetSmart loves to give treats but my guys wouldn't take any. They
love our vet, but any new Vet can't touch them.

 

[lolisnme]

I have to root for my dogue de Bordeaux..SHe is AWESOME. She is ¼ Pit 3/4 DDB. Super friendly and super loyal/protective..Best of both Worlds. Do consider properly mixed breeds because they can be just as great as a purebred

So many options but research is the key!

 

[Bantu]

Presa or Neo. Make sure of the lines though. Its hard to find a good Boerboel and Corsi these days are mostly glorified boxers.

---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------

I have to root for my dogue de Bordeaux..SHe is AWESOME. She is ¼ Pit 3/4 DDB. Super friendly and super loyal/protective..Best of both Worlds. Do consider properly mixed breeds because they can be just as great as a purebred

So many options but research is the key!

Very good to hear that. I like a good DDB as well.

 

[Bantu]

I have to root for my dogue de Bordeaux..SHe is AWESOME. She is ¼ Pit 3/4 DDB. Super friendly and super loyal/protective..Best of both Worlds. Do consider properly mixed breeds because they can be just as great as a purebred

So many options but research is the key!

Very good to hear that. I like a good DDB as well.