What's new
Mastiff Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • Welcome back!

    We decided to spruce things up and fix some things under the hood. If you notice any issues, feel free to contact us as we're sure there are a few things here or there that we might have missed in our upgrade.

What breed has been the most vicious/aggresive?

BradA1878

Well-Known Member
Devil's advocate here.
Not promoting what he is doing but I have seen Boerboels used as service/therapy dogs. But they are a little unique in that they are more biddable than many breeds of mastiff. There was also a few EMs but that seems to be a given. I don't think you could take a dog like a Toso Inu or a Kangal and turn them into a therapy dog but then again you just never know.

I dunno, my boz/kangal mix would make a great therapy dog. He LOVES people!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 

northernmastiff

Well-Known Member
northernmastiff, I don't think I am aiming to force a breed to change.

If you read through everything that you wrote, that is exactly what you are saying.

Mike, I know you are playing devil's advocate but those are the exceptions not the rule when it comes to the hard breeds. I would be the first to say that if you could improve the reputation of a breed, by all means do so but I think the OP knows very little about dogs and should spend more time researching what has gone into a breed. Some breeds have hundreds, if not thousands, of years of breeding that has made them what they are. An ideal, however noble, is not going to change that overnight. It will take generations of properly planned breeding to reverse what has already been done and not just training. It's like taking a Siberian Husky and saying, "Well, you aren't going to run...you are going to be a pretty little lap dog and nothing else." That won't last and the first time you turn your back, that Siberian Husky will be up over the fence and off running, no matter how well trained he is. They were developed for work, to run and pull, that is what they are going to go back to. As much as training can do, it can't control a natural instinct completely. Hence the rule to never allow your Siberian Husky off lead out of a fenced in yard no matter how well trained they are. Again, there are exceptions to the rule but those are rare.
 

chuckorlando

Well-Known Member
I dont think it is possible to change the breeds temp period. To do so s to create a new breed, not change the old one. Any FB folks will tell you that the temp being bad makes the whole dog bad. It wont pass mustard. Now they may call it a FB but it has to not only look but act like one to be one. Look at the neo. They never softened the neo. They changed the whole definition of what a neo is. And most folks who really like neo's will agree most these dogs aint really neo's. Least not good ones
 

northernmastiff

Well-Known Member
I dont think it is possible to change the breeds temp period. To do so s to create a new breed, not change the old one. Any FB folks will tell you that the temp being bad makes the whole dog bad. It wont pass mustard. Now they may call it a FB but it has to not only look but act like one to be one. Look at the neo. They never softened the neo. They changed the whole definition of what a neo is. And most folks who really like neo's will agree most these dogs aint really neo's. Least not good ones

I agree with you completely. You can bred carefully for generations to create a softer dog but it will end up being a different breed. That is why I stress education with the OP.
 

DMikeM

Well-Known Member
You mean we can't make a rat terrier stop chasing rats? Sheesh! :scared2:. But really I do agree with that. The dogs were bred for a purpose and a drive and temp were established. One must know what the confines of the breed are and use a dog in a matter in which it is presented to us now.
 

ZEBO75

Well-Known Member
Fila Brasileiro is probably the most aloof Mastiff type breed to strangers. They are not vicious dog but usually don’t tolerate strangers. The Fila IMHO has the most Rustic temperament out of all Mastiffbreeds. Just like others have stated any dog that bites family members with outprovocation are unstable poorly breed dogs that should be culled on the spot.
 

BradA1878

Well-Known Member
"Aloof" doesn't = "don’t tolerate strangers".

I'm not sure "aloof" is the correct term there. I'm aloof with strangers, but I don't hate them and I tolerate them.

"Xenophobic" is probably a better term. Fila are the most "xenophobic" of the Mastiff breeds.