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Opinions on protective mastiffs

Mr. Hank

Member
So my Hank is the friendliest dog I've ever had. Too friendly in fact :) Now obviously I don't ever want him to become aggressive. I always read that mastiffs are protective by nature, which is one of the reasons we chose this breed. Loving, loyal, gentle, great dogs....you know the rest :) My question is in everyone's option here, have you had a friendly dog step up when they needed to? I'm sure he is still to young (10 months) to have protective nature. Just curious if maybe I'll be able to count on him. I live alone with a 2 year old. Just looking for some input :) And just to make it clear, we did not choose him to be a guard dog. Thanks.
 

Geisthexe

Banned
Some mastiffs have a natural protection about there personality from a little pup.
Some mastiffs have a very good / soft side about them.
Some mastiffs can be both
Some mastiffs grow into a protective nature and some do not

As dogs have changed bc of show, companion, protection, working etc
The temperament of the dogs have changed with it. Our mastiff of today many could not do what they originally were designed for. Many have been produced to be bigger which works on there ability to actually work. Many have been produced to be a more athletic structure where they continue to have the ability to actually work.

Many folks buy dogs bc they fall in love with the beauty of the animal not it function.

A small amount still want the athleticism of the original breed. Most folks could not handle the true temper of a Mastiff breed from when originated.

Hope that helps a bit
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
Kryten is just about the friendliest dog you could imagine away from home. He wants everybody to pet him and be his friend. At home he is much more wary of who is around the yard. There are some people that he is still the super friendly pet me dog but most of the time he stands and watches people go by. He is aware of how I feel about a situation and has gone from friendly to watchful (standing right next to me) in the blink of an eye if I'm not comfortable in a situation. His behavior has been modifying and maturing since he was about 4-5 months. I'm like having a friendly EM most of the time. Hank is still young and if he has never been in a situation that needed him to truly guard he may not have shown his guarding nature yet.
 

rachieb00

Well-Known Member
When we first got our bullmastiff we got him for the same reasons as you, loyal,loving but a bit of a challenge and also because they are supposed to be protective so we has that reassurance of him letting us know if someone was breaking in etc! So for the first couple of months he was just a dopy little puppy that didn't show any sign of letting us know anyone was at the door so we thought it just wasn't in his nature. Then we moved and since then we can't shut him up! Any little noise, like a car door shutting, and hes letting everyone know there's someone outside! And if he's on the sofa looking out of the window he'll bark at anyone walking past! Still can't believe the change in him but I also know that if someone got in he'd be hopeless and probably just dribble all over them! Still it's nice to know he's guarding us in his own way!
 

Kujo

Well-Known Member
Kujo's a "one and your done" kinda dog. He barks once, then he's done. Would really love to have a friend who he's never met come over and act like they're trying to break the door down and see how he reacts. That's about as far as his protectiveness has gone though, after that first bark he wants to meet the stranger and be friends. Such a goof :)
 

Robtouw

Well-Known Member
My boy Buddy was the most loveable lug you have ever met, no one to him was a stranger, he loved everyone. We took him camping with us at 1.5 yrs old and he was friendly to everyone until late at night in the dark, I took him with me to the restrooms. We were surprised by a man standing in the dark by the restrooms, kind of creeping around. When the man approached me, Buddy sounded off! He pushed me backwards, stood in front, stuck that chest out and barked so loud the entire campground heard! He made sure the guy knew that if he moved towards me he was toast! Buddy went from cute and cuddly to loud & protective quickly and was very impressive. So yes, your em will protect you if needed. We had two other experiences where Buddy stepped in to guard without being asked.

My current pup has defended me from an evil snowman, a flying leaf, the mailman and my personal fav an open umbrella!
 

artgeek09

Active Member
We haven't had Tank (EM) for a very long time, but he has shown that he is definitely a "guardian" breed.
When strangers come into our home, Tank always stays back at first and looks to me for approval. After he gets that approval though he's the biggest love bug. He isn't aggressive at all.

Now we haven't had a threatening situation arise, but Tank does watch over the house when we're gone. I sometimes work very late hours, coming home around 2am. If my fiance isn't home, then Tank chooses on his own accord to lay at the front door and deny entry for anyone he doesn't recognize.

I hope we never have a threatening situation arise, but i can't lie, I'd LOVE to hear that deep bass rumble growl from him.
 

rachieb00

Well-Known Member
Loved this!!bronson once protected me from a rugby ball that was about 6 feet away,you never know I suppose!haha
My boy Buddy was the most loveable lug you have ever met, no one to him was a stranger, he loved everyone. We took him camping with us at 1.5 yrs old and he was friendly to everyone until late at night in the dark, I took him with me to the restrooms. We were surprised by a man standing in the dark by the restrooms, kind of creeping around. When the man approached me, Buddy sounded off! He pushed me backwards, stood in front, stuck that chest out and barked so loud the entire campground heard! He made sure the guy knew that if he moved towards me he was toast! Buddy went from cute and cuddly to loud & protective quickly and was very impressive. So yes, your em will protect you if needed. We had two other experiences where Buddy stepped in to guard without being asked.

My current pup has defended me from an evil snowman, a flying leaf, the mailman and my personal fav an open umbrella!


---------- Post added at 09:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:07 PM ----------

And the postman and any couriers definitely know that he's not happy about them being at his front door!
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
Jade does not wait she moves forward and stays in between me and the others unless I stop her. She doesn't bark or growl unless it's something strange then she will growl and rumble bark. We have not had an outright attack situation yet. This is why we don't want the Boerboel to become a registered Show breed. There are a lot of people trying to prevent this from happening.
 

mklamcc

Well-Known Member
Leo barks at anyone above the age of about 12 that dares walk past our house or near us on a walk.
 

Mr. Hank

Member
So when I posted this question....just a few days ago....he had no signs of being a protector. Now all of a sudden when I have him out on the porch with me on his leash and someone walks by, he barks like crazy, even if they are on the other side of the street. If someone comes to the door though when we are inside, its a whole other story. Can't wait to hi. Even to strangers. Same with walks and in public. Friendly as hell :) Crazy dog. And he is an EM.

---------- Post added at 02:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:36 PM ----------

I'm sure he scares the hell out of my neighbors with that bark though. Its amazing how they sound!
 
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dmouse66

Well-Known Member
I have the perfect story got this question! My almost 2 year old is a total people fan..... He lives everyone! Well, about a month ago my best friend came to town for a visit, Raistlin had never met her. I see her in the drive before he notices she's here and opened the inner door so she could just walk in. He heard the door and comes to investigate as she's walking in.... Because I didn't meet her at the door and open it for her, he gets between us, starts barking his protective bark and using his chest against her belly starts walking her backwards! Once we established that she was friend, not enemy, he was back to being the lovable attention hog he normally is! Made this Momma proud!

---------- Post added at 05:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:16 PM ----------

Forgot to mention.... He's English/Neo :)
 

chuckorlando

Well-Known Member
There are very few breeds that inherently stand in the paint. Maybe long ago they all did. Unless you buy either a breed that is known to instinctively protect (very few) or you find a breeder in the type of mastiff you like that has hard lines. Other than that, your just rollong the dice.
 

Duetsche_Doggen

Well-Known Member
There are very few breeds that inherently stand in the paint. Maybe long ago they all did. Unless you buy either a breed that is known to instinctively protect (very few) or you find a breeder in the type of mastiff you like that has hard lines. Other than that, your just rollong the dice.

Yeap.....
 

Mr. Hank

Member
Well I guess only time will tell if that situation ever does arise...let's hope not. I know there is one thing I can count on. If someone is brave (or dumb) enough to come in after seeing him, his sheer excitement will either knock em down or keep them at bay long enough for me to grab my gun :)