Pros/Cons of getting a 2nd Mastiff? Need Help Quick please.

[rfcviper]

Hey Everyone,

I just became a member today. We currently have an Irish Mastiff which is a hybrid of an Irish Wolfhound and an English Mastiff. I didn't see Irish Mastiff on the list for this forum, but I really don't know where else to look. He will be 2 years old on April 24. Our friend has a 3 year old male English mastiff, brindle in color. Our friend is relocating to China and can't take him with and wants us to have the dog, but I want to know the pros/cons of having 2 very large dogs? We keep ours inside (3000 sq. ft. house) and take him for walks to the park a lot and he gets plenty of exercise, so that isn't an issue. I was just wondering if there might be any issues?

I don't know if they get along, but Maximus (our dog) is a very good dog, quite lazy, as most are, and has never even growled before in his life. He is very mellow and docile. The 2 dogs have never met before, but the English Mastiff, Diesel, is much the same. He gets excited when he sees new people, but besides that, he is quite lazy and lays around a lot.

I love the idea of getting another mastiff, but my wife is apprehensive. I think it would be great because when we are gone, they can hang out like buddies and not be lonely, but she thinks we may "neglect" our dog a bit because we will have 2 dogs then.

I need to let our friend know pretty soon, so if anyone could help me out quickly, citing pros/cons, I would really appreciate it!


Here's Maximus:


Here's Diesel

Please give me your thoughts, good or bad.
Thanks so much!!!

 

[Sabrina]

aw your dog is cute! are both dogs neutered?

 

[Bentley]

If both are neutered it will be likely to be easier but as many meetings for the two, prior to a decision being made will help you judge if this will work or not. I always prefer two dogs so they keep each other company though.

 

[rfcviper]

Thanks Sabrina. I was hoping I wouldn't catch any flack because he is a hybrid and not really on the list of mastiffs, but I didn't know where else to go.

Diesel (his dog) is neutered. Mine isn't. Even though they aren't recognized by the AKC, I absolutely love the Irish Mastiffs, so we haven't had ours neutered yet. I would love to have another Irish Mastiff, but I don't want to see Diesel end up in a home that doesn't deserve him. I'm so torn by all this. I prefer the Irish myself and I really don't know what to do in this circumstance.

Is there anyone in Illinois that wants a 3 year old brindle neutered English Mastiff if I don't take him? I really want to see him go to a good home.

 

[Cody]

I am a pack fan as well. I would introduce the dogs definitely and see how they go. Also be sure for the first while not to leave them unattended in the same area, like when you go to work. Keep them separated for their own safety. As far as one dog not getting enough attention, I am sure they will be fine. Is a human emotion, dogs are pack animals, they do best in that situation.

 

[sleewell]

i am kinda in the same boat, although not in a time crunch to make the decision. i want another dog, but just dont know if it would be a good idea. things are great right now, do i want to add another large dog to the equation? my house isnt as big but we do live near a sweet park for running and playing. i just dont know if yogi living there by himself for 2 years would be ok adding another dog? but part of me thinks it would be nice to have the company so i go back and forth.

tough call, wish i could offer insight but i am debating the same thing myself.

 

[PresaDogue]

Getting a second dog was the best thing i could've done for my Dogue. It really brought out the best in her and they have become best friends. I have a Female Dogue and a Male Presa, so there was no issue with dominance. Like the others recommended, have a few meetings in a neutral location and then eventually into your home, but i think you will find that they will receive equal love and attention. Good luck.

 

[moose]

I think it could work, just have to make sure they get along. We have 7 dogs, 5 of them mastiffs, so it can be done. I get most of my dogs as puppies but we did get our EM zeus at 2 years and he is doing great with the family. Just have to make sure they get along. Of course it is going to cost more to keep two large dogs.

 

[Ripsmom]

let me first say that it would be great if you gave your friend's dog a home rather than go hunting for another wolfhound/mastiff, especially since who knows where he will end up if you don't. most dogs like the company of others, in my opinion it's easier to have two males than two females, as mentioned above do the intro on neutral territory and if it works out you should still practice some separation inside the house for a few weeks like crating (if either of them is crate trained). until you are certain that they've worked things out which could take several weeks I would not leave them alone unattended. I currently have two large dogs and two 60 lb dogs in my house, two males and two females (all fixed) and everyone gets along fine for the most part...two is a breeze.. LOL. When I introduce a new dog I crate and rotate for the first couple of weeks and all interaction are done outside so there is plenty of space for them to get out of each other's way, then i will leave them loose in the house together only when i am there for several weeks until i am comfortable leaving them together alone but to be honest... with 4 dogs in the house when i go out i keep two in one area and two in another.You may want to consider getting your guy neutered at some point as this may help with any dog aggression (also, I know you mentioned really liking this breed but I would discourage you from breeding him as both of those breeds can have issues like many purebred dogs especially the giant breeds and unless you know what you're doing and have done your research on his lineage it's not a good idea)

---------- Post added at 09:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 PM ----------

the other thing is: when you do the intro I wouldn't suggest just taking them out and letting them run at each others face....you would be surprised at how you can set a dog up for failure if the intro is done too quickly. When i do dog intros i like to go walking first with both dogs on leash, there is always some tension at first but usually after they have been walking for a bit they chill out and are more interested in saying hello to each other (never a good idea to introduce dogs when they are highly aroused, they need to be calm first) once they are calm and relaxed then I would let them off leash. Technically introducing dogs on lead is not the best way since the tension the owner feels goes right down the leash and the dogs gets anxious and the pulling of the leash actually can make them more agitated (this is why i say to make sure they are calm before letting them meet) but i never have the nerve to just let two large dogs off leash right off the bat. If your friend has some time maybe you could do the walks a few times; maybe others on the forum have some other suggestions on how they've done it?

 

[Ripsmom]

the other thing is: when you do the intro I wouldn't suggest just taking them out and letting them run at each others face....you would be surprised at how you can set a dog up for failure if the intro is done too quickly. When i do dog intros i like to go walking first with both dogs on leash, there is always some tension at first but usually after they have been walking for a bit they chill out and are more interested in saying hello to each other (never a good idea to introduce dogs when they are highly aroused, they need to be calm first) once they are calm and relaxed then I would let them off leash. Technically introducing dogs on lead is not the best way since the tension the owner feels goes right down the leash and the dogs gets anxious and the pulling of the leash actually can make them more agitated (this is why i say to make sure they are calm before letting them meet) but i never have the nerve to just let two large dogs off leash right off the bat. If your friend has some time maybe you could do the walks a few times; maybe others on the forum have some other suggestions on how they've done it?