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thinking about getting an english

jaupro

Active Member
My girlfriend and I dont have the extra cash to throw down on an expensive breed of dog, but we really want one. my ex's sister is now pregnant, and has a young english mastiff she need to get rid of. I work 9-5 and my g/f works 12-8. so shed be able to spend time with it til noon, and id be able to spend time with it when i get off work. its not a huge apt. but not tiny. 1 story 1 br with a livingroom dining room and kitchen. I figured we could walk her once-twice a day. and also run with her in the park a lil. and i figured just while she is a puppy leave her in a deccent size cage while at work/and in bed so she doesnt chew everything up. does anyone see any problems with this situation/type of thinking?

also how much food would be the proper amount of food to feed her? we want to put her on a strict scheduled diet without any table scraps so she will be in great health.

any other advice? tips? ideas?

also we dont just want a mastiff cause we may get this one for free. a mastiff is one of the dogs we have discussed owning. and we just got lucky here.
 

Jasmine

Well-Known Member
4-5 hours is probably the max i would leave a puppy in a crate, just make sure it has some toys in there and make sure it goes poop/pee before you put your dog in and you should be fine.
 

Mdawn

Well-Known Member
That isn't a bad schedule that you guys have in terms of how long the dog will be left alone.

Mastiffs, in my opinion, require a lot of preventive care. Regular checkups (that every dog, regardless of breed should have), joint supplements and a lot of thought given to their joints, just to name a few concerns. I don't know how well you've researched the breed, but they *can* be a little challenging to own. They are extremely stubborn, inclined to do what they please. You need to be extra vigilant in terms of training. My EM has, what I refer to as "selective hearing", meaning he listens to me...if there is something in it for him...otherwise, he may listen to a command or he may not. He doesn't mindlessly follow commands like my Lab does. My Mastiff has to think about everything and determine if its worth doing. lol...its kind of frustrating but I also love it about him at the same time. They are huge dogs, very strong. One of the most IMPORTANT things that you have to work on training wise is leash training and socialization. They are crucial. If a Mastiff pulls on the leash to get at something he wants...you WILL NOT be able to stop him. I don't care how strong or big a person is...the dog will be stronger. So leash training is vital.

As for feeding. I'd look into and research some high quality brands. The amount varies...a good thing to keep in mind though is that you will be buying A LOT of dog food...haha Mine doesn't eat all that much when you consider how big he is but it is still a lot of food all the same. He eats about 6 cups a day; sometimes only 5; it depends on how hungry he is. However, when he was growing, at one point he was eating 9 cups a day. They are just in general expensive dogs. Everything for them costs more from food costs, crates, collars, medications...everything.
 

jaupro

Active Member
That isn't a bad schedule that you guys have in terms of how long the dog will be left alone. Mastiffs, in my opinion, require a lot of preventive care. Regular checkups (that every dog, regardless of breed should have), joint supplements and a lot of thought given to their joints, just to name a few concerns. I don't know how well you've researched the breed, but they *can* be a little challenging to own. They are extremely stubborn, inclined to do what they please. You need to be extra vigilant in terms of training. My EM has, what I refer to as "selective hearing", meaning he listens to me...if there is something in it for him...otherwise, he may listen to a command or he may not. He doesn't mindlessly follow commands like my Lab does. My Mastiff has to think about everything and determine if its worth doing. lol...its kind of frustrating but I also love it about him at the same time. They are huge dogs, very strong. One of the most IMPORTANT things that you have to work on training wise is leash training and socialization. They are crucial. If a Mastiff pulls on the leash to get at something he wants...you WILL NOT be able to stop him. I don't care how strong or big a person is...the dog will be stronger. So leash training is vital. As for feeding. I'd look into and research some high quality brands. The amount varies...a good thing to keep in mind though is that you will be buying A LOT of dog food...haha Mine doesn't eat all that much when you consider how big he is but it is still a lot of food all the same. He eats about 6 cups a day; sometimes only 5; it depends on how hungry he is. However, when he was growing, at one point he was eating 9 cups a day. They are just in general expensive dogs. Everything for them costs more from food costs, crates, collars, medications...everything.
TYVM for your input. what you have said as far as leash training is something I have thought about. because I used to own a lab and I remember she would be super excited and she would try to walk us. however she was only a lab and we could control her and stop her. I know I'd have no chance in stopping our EM. I was also thinking about training as far as not to jump on people/other dogs. I'm not so much worried about it doing tricks or anything like that. just don't want it to show respect with other dogs and new people and not pull me on the leash. also a good heal command would be good incase it tries to "protect me" from someone who means no harm if you know what I mean. I read they are top 5 in guard dogs. I know the care will be exoensive..but I am looking at it like this....it's a dollar breed that I'm getting for free. also we are looking at it more like a child than a dog...cause we are only 23 and have no kids. :) oy worry is we already have a cat...and I'm hoping everything goes well when we introduce them.
 

Barb

Well-Known Member
For input on introducing your cat. We always give our cats a safe place they can go to where the dogs can't. This way, it will be on the cat's terms when it wants to get close to the dogs. Our now all live together peacefully. We do have one spare bedroom with the cats' litter box and food so the dogs don't eat it. We have a metal gate across that has a small door at the bottom you open so the cats can go in and out. I got it at a pet store. If the dogs get too playful with the cats, we tell them to "leave them alone" and they do.
 

jaupro

Active Member
ty again for your response. I got the puppy now. She is only 5 months and a real beauty. She is very very well mannared as well. As far as the cat introduction the cat is the only one doing any damage "little" hazel with all her curiosity very slowly no pws up or anything just slowly and cautiously approaches the agry kitten and got a few scratches to the face. That was at first the cat was growling all night. She since has calmed down and came over checking the dog out when she was asleep but she still hisses if the dog gets toooooo close. And did swat at her one thime. I'm hoping they learn to socialize with eachother.
 

Mongo

Well-Known Member
Well just sitting around isnt going to solve your socialization problems.... we have a Ragdoll that we got before Mongo. Bailey(cat) was 3 years old when we brought Mongo home... its been almost 2 years now and Bailey still hates the dog and wont come around very often... its kinda sad but I try to help by giving Bailey some time with out Mongo and having him sit in my lap and pet him while Mongo is in the room.... but ones Mongo gets close he takes off!
 

jaupro

Active Member
well I'm not just sitting around. I am making an effort to give them both attention but the dog isn't going to hurt the cat she has shown no signs whatsoever of even a playfulness with the cat just a curious sniff. And with this in mind I feel its prolly best to let them greet eachother in their way. I think she's just scared of the dog because she seems curious of her. And she really doesn't even hiss unless the dog gets up real close sniffing now. At first we would spray the cat with a water bottle what she was exceptionally mean to the dog. Like if she would scratch the dog for just walking by and she has since relaxed and I think in a few weeks all will be well and if not its not a big deal as long as they aren't intentionally hurting eachother.
 

Barb

Well-Known Member
I just want to add to make sure the dog's face doesn't swell after being scratched by the cat. This happened to one of my dogs twice and I had to get antibiotics from the vet.
 

Mongo

Well-Known Member
I understand that they should greet when they are ready... but you need to show your cat that you still love her and that its safe/good to be in the same room as the dog.
 

jaupro

Active Member
got ya. She will be in the same room as her now. And she will even lay in a submissive stance. She will even cautiously walk up to the dog if its asleep or walk by the dog if its awake. She just still gets kinda scared/aggressive if the dog sniffs her face. But then again she doesn't even let us kiss her face/head