Opinions on protective mastiffs

[ruthcatrin]

Mooshi you have experienced what it is I refer to as "Turning on" . To me that shows some sort of natural protection drive. When a Fila turns on you would have better luck getting a brick wall to sit and be soft. I would think TM's would be one of them dogs that just have it in them to stand in the paint.

Pretty much. Individual dogs vary of course. Apollo is generally less proactive than Mooshi, he will "plant and warn" and not allow me forward and with one exception every person so warned has backed off really quick. The one exception was a drunk who stood there weaving and staring and finally said "thats a damn big dog" to which I responded that yes he was and how about you stay right there and not move while I walk him by you, and the guy did. SO FAR I've not had anyone stupid enough to push it.....

 

[Tiger12490]

Ruger the social I was talking about means friendly nothing to do with socialization.

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[Geisthexe]

Chuck, First let me say this is why I put MOST. I didn't go into each breed. I also can say I have caught Filas in my decoy career. And both I guarantee you did not have the protective state you are stating. But again I have not caught many only a couple. Also you can not take the history of a fila and put it against oine of the EM or Bull etc b/c they are just not the same in most cases.
It would be like the Presa, many Presas have the same type of traits as the Fila does when it comes to fight vs flight.

Defensive Fight is what I stated in all cases - putting this to human it is no different if you are stuck into a corner by a intruder .. you gonna give up in that corner or are you going to fight for your life.....? I know I would fight!

 

[Geisthexe]

Ruger the social I was talking about means friendly nothing to do with socialization.

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You are correct...
Socialized - in the Man Work world means the dog can be around people / animals but doesnt need to be aggressive
Socialization - means has been worked with people and animals to be friendly

Like my dogs .. I dont have them with a bunch of socialization, I see NO need for it. All but Conan who did things with other dogs (coon hunt w/ hounds) or therapy work.. My other dogs dont care for them to be I like them socialized ONLY I can go somewhere and they do not need to meet anything!

 

[chuckorlando]

I would say most Fila owners would say the fila you seen were on the very soft side. A fila should only ramp up and never back down. Of coarse, like I said before, even having a fila is just a un proven theory till the real world pressure is on. Even temp tested filas in my opinion. Untill someone actualy fights back and hurts your dog, ANY dog, none of us really know

---------- Post added at 04:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:14 PM ----------

I would say most Fila owners would say the fila you seen were on the very soft side. A fila should only ramp up and never back down. Of coarse, like I said before, even having a fila is just a un proven theory till the real world pressure is on. Even temp tested filas in my opinion. Untill someone actualy fights back and hurts your dog, ANY dog, none of us really know.

TT you dont want no trouble with the crockagator

 

[chuckorlando]

I would say most Fila owners would say the fila you seen were on the very soft side. A fila should only ramp up and never back down. Of coarse, like I said before, even having a fila is just a un proven theory till the real world pressure is on. Even temp tested filas in my opinion. Untill someone actualy fights back and hurts your dog, ANY dog, none of us really know.

TT you dont want no trouble with the crockagator

 

[Geisthexe]

I would say most Fila owners would say the fila you seen were on the very soft side. A fila should only ramp up and never back down. Of coarse, like I said before, even having a fila is just a un proven theory till the real world pressure is on. Even temp tested filas in my opinion. Untill someone actualy fights back and hurts your dog, ANY dog, none of us really know.

TT you dont want no trouble with the crockagator

I agree with your statement and I would also agree they were soft. Its nice that there are a few breeds out there with the desire to be what they are in history ..

Its funny you say crockagator b/c I call my two male pups .....
Aedh (Malinois) which most have this nick name "Maligator"
Anabis (Presa) He nick his Presadile b/c he is all bite like my Malinois .. he has so much Prey drive & is so agile for a 100 puppy (9.5 months)

 

[Mr. Hank]

When I posted this I was just wondering what opinions were on EM overall when it comes to protecting their family. When I said "step up" it didn't necessarily mean defend to the death. It could be anything. Barking, growling, biting, becoming a barrier. As previously stated, I didn't not choose him to specifically become a guard dog. If that's what I wanted there are a handful of other breeds that would have fit that bill. I have a 9mm seconds away from me, so I don't need a viscous attack dog, nor do I want one. I was just curious what people had to say. Yes, natural protector sounded nice, but it was everything else that sold the dog to me.

 

[chuckorlando]

Well I would like to think they would do something. Bark for sure. Thats all 90% ever need is the look and bark of any big dog. But over all I think EM are the pussy cats of the mastiffs by and large. Them and Danes

 

[Rugers-Kris]

LOL. I appreciate it,Ruth. Rugers' behaviour is definitely not an issue. He is exactly what he should be, IMO...A sweet, loving,well behaved boy that loves his people and has no desire to make new friends. To me, he is the perfect dog. I think the issue is that he is an EM.....That seems to be where folks take issue. I understand that a lot of "guardiness" has been bred out of these guys but I actually consider myself very lucky to have managed to get a pup who knows he is a guard and takes his job very seriously.

RugerKris. I don't personally have a problem with Ruger's behavior, but then I do TMs lol. I have no problem with a well socialized, but aloof dog who can be called back on command but has a pro-active protective instinct.

 

[Geisthexe]

Well I would like to think they would do something. Bark for sure. Thats all 90% ever need is the look and bark of any big dog. But over all I think EM are the pussy cats of the mastiffs by and large. Them and Danes

Then you have the crazy people like me who dont see the bark as a threat and want to see more LOL .. come bite me dammit hehehe

 

[Rugers-Kris]

What you described in your own dog doesn't sound like friendly to me. SOunds like he was tolerating to please you. He wasn't seeking people and you said that you didn't think he enjoyed it but he did it. Granted, what you described is more "social" than Ruger but if a dog isn't seeking out attention from people other than his own, I woouldn't call that friendly. To each thier own, I suppose, it is all the way you define the word. In my world "Friendly means enjoying the attention/company of people that the dog doesn't know and "socialized" would mean that your dog is capable of being taken anywhere you need to go and not only is he not uncontrollable but also isn't skiddish or easliy "freaked out" but does not care for the attentionof others outside thier "people".

Ruger the social I was talking about means friendly nothing to do with socialization.

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[Tiger12490]

I guess thats perspective compared to Athena that is social but your right I guess a truly social dog would enjoy company of people...

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[Mooshi's Mummy]

Deb I agree with bout everything you posted. Except the defensive fight being backed into a corner. Some dogs simply have a protection drive. Like Filas. It takes absolutly nothing but for them to see you to turn on. But for the most part that makes sense.

Stepping up to me means one thing and one thing only. No regard for it's own life when it comes to your life. Anything less maybe a A for effort. Like getting jumped by 3 guys and the only punch your friend throws to help is when one of their backs are turned. Yea, you did SOMETHING, but your coward-es directly resulted in my ass whooping.

Mooshi you have experienced what it is I refer to as "Turning on" . To me that shows some sort of natural protection drive. When a Fila turns on you would have better luck getting a brick wall to sit and be soft. I would think TM's would be one of them dogs that just have it in them to stand in the paint.

She certainly was turned on to the max!! And there was not a lot that could be done to break her at the time, it was easier to just hold tight and go with the flow until the 'threat' was passed.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

When I posted this I was just wondering what opinions were on EM overall when it comes to protecting their family. When I said "step up" it didn't necessarily mean defend to the death. It could be anything. Barking, growling, biting, becoming a barrier. As previously stated, I didn't not choose him to specifically become a guard dog. If that's what I wanted there are a handful of other breeds that would have fit that bill. I have a 9mm seconds away from me, so I don't need a viscous attack dog, nor do I want one. I was just curious what people had to say. Yes, natural protector sounded nice, but it was everything else that sold the dog to me.

Most EM are too "soft" as far as protection. Give or take a few dogs. Any dog can do what you describe most do without any sort of command. The difference is whether the dog will take the "extra step." So long as your dog suits your needs that's all that matters.

My breed is considered "soft" as well but I know there are gems out there. I want my dog to be a partner, yes I will have a gun, but as a TEAM, we would dispose of a threat.

 

[aceoutdoor]

My breed is considered "soft" as well but I know there are gems out there. I want my dog to be a partner, yes I will have a gun, but as a TEAM, we would dispose of a threat.

DD Are there any Dane breeders known for breeding hard temped dogs?

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

DD Are there any Dane breeders known for breeding hard temped dogs?

Nope........you'd be better off finding a leprechaun.....

There's one breeder I found in Czech, that appears to breed "hard" temp dogs. His site hasn't been updated in years though, but apparently he still trains. He's the one the hosts the seminar for the dane defensive tests.