Which one?

[OwlSong]

Ive been considering getting a mastiff breed after I fell in love with some picutes of Cane Corsi, and I was curious on the different breed drives. Which breeds are more drivey and which are more mellow. Which would you suggest for a first time dog owner and why?

 

[Robtouw]

None of the mastiff breeds are mellow as pups, they are usually energetic and will challenge you from the beginning. I'm an Old English Mastiff owner and love the breed. While big in stature, they are babies at heart. They follow you everywhere, are emotional and require loads of attention, they are warm and attentive and watchfull and have "human like" qualities. My guys copy things that you do and how you do them, like sitting on the couch butt on the cushions, feet on the floor, getting ice, opening doors, your habits, etc. They are a bit protective but non-aggressive. My boys have never understood aggression, are confused by loud, mean dogs and prefer to be happy playmates. They do well indoors with regular exercise but do not make good outdoor dogs because of low tolerances to heat and cold. All of my mastiff boys have been fierce couch potatoes, my current pup is addicted to TV. My boys have all loved people and are friendly until given a reason not to be, anyone can walk up to them and pet without fear. Because of their size, keep in mind that they are more costly to upkeep properly then smaller dogs, vet checks, heartworm, flea preventatives are a bit expensive. They require a premium, steady diet that can be expensive and its a bit more difficult to find crates, collars, leads, etc in the right sizes. Overall they are a fantastic breed that both myself and my husband have fallen hard for! I would suggest finding a breeder that will allow you to visit and spend time with their dogs so that you can experience the breed before even thinking of puppies. When I introduced my husband to the breed, I did just that. I found a breeder in SC that was willing to allow us to spend the day with her adults just so my husband could see what they were like, we made several trips before we decided to find a pup. A good breeder should be open to visits, questions and want to educate you on the breed & proper care without hesitation.

 

[Pauly]

Iv not got great experience but my bullXpresa is a couch potatoe.... But only if she's been taken out for a good hour or two each day... She also gets to run around my back garden whenever she wants... And I take her to work with me alot so they might be factors as to why she is right on the couch in the evening.

 

[Geisthexe]

First and for most you need to decide what you plan on doing with this dog?

You ask about drive.. do you plan on doing something with a dog to have to make sure it has a certain drive?

Do you understand the different drives.........
Defense drive?
Flight drive?
Fight drive?
Pack drive?
Prey drive?
Play drive?
Do you know the difference in these drives?

All dogs have these drives but some are better developed in by birth. A very confident puppy can have prey, defense, play and fight, but also another puppy in the litter can have play, prey, flight, pack.

Robtouw speaks about cost of owning a big dog and he is very much correct.

It doesn't matter what breed as much as it depends on what your plans are with that dog, so by knowing what your plans are you can define the breed to fit your lifestyle or new lifestyle.....

If you plan on doing protection sports like PSA for example.. you are not going to take a EM, But you could do it with a CC, Presa, Dogo. If you plan on weight pulling you can do it with any of the breeds. If you plan on showing the same any breeds. If you plan on just having a pet then you really should not worry about drives in a dog but what you need as a pet.

JMO & advice

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

What drew you to the Corso besides appearance? Not saying that are not for first time dog owners but its something you might want to consider. What is your lifestyle like? I would say the English Mastiff would be a good choice as they are more "laidback" than other molosser breeds. Corso can be good but it depends on how committed you are.

 

[Kate Williams]

I adore my Corso but he's high energy. He has a very strong pack drive. It's second only to play and then prey. I work with him all day, everyday. He's the best, so smart. This is where my warning comes into play. They need constant attention. I don't know if that's something that they grow out of or not, but if I weren't home for the teens, I wouldn't attempt to raise a Corso.

 

[OwlSong]

First and for most you need to decide what you plan on doing with this dog?

You ask about drive.. do you plan on doing something with a dog to have to make sure it has a certain drive?

Do you understand the different drives.........
Defense drive?
Flight drive?
Fight drive?
Pack drive?
Prey drive?
Play drive?
Do you know the difference in these drives?

All dogs have these drives but some are better developed in by birth. A very confident puppy can have prey, defense, play and fight, but also another puppy in the litter can have play, prey, flight, pack.

Robtouw speaks about cost of owning a big dog and he is very much correct.

It doesn't matter what breed as much as it depends on what your plans are with that dog, so by knowing what your plans are you can define the breed to fit your lifestyle or new lifestyle.....

If you plan on doing protection sports like PSA for example.. you are not going to take a EM, But you could do it with a CC, Presa, Dogo. If you plan on weight pulling you can do it with any of the breeds. If you plan on showing the same any breeds. If you plan on just having a pet then you really should not worry about drives in a dog but what you need as a pet.

JMO & advice

great advice. I think I have a good grasp on what the different drives mean.

Right now Im not sure what I want to do with a mastiff breed. I do know that I want to get an AmBully or two and Ch them out and work with them a little bit.

I oculd do a similar thing with a mastiff: there is a local AKC and a local UKC club, and various dog sports (agility, obed, rally, bite work) in my area.


for me? I want to be active with my dogs. Im not a runner, but a jog/walk, sports, etc. I want a constant companion.

 

[Geisthexe]

I adore my Corso but he's high energy. He has a very strong pack drive. It's second only to play and then prey. I work with him all day, everyday. He's the best, so smart. This is where my warning comes into play. They need constant attention. I don't know if that's something that they grow out of or not, but if I weren't home for the teens, I wouldn't attempt to raise a Corso.

Kate .. you are causing your problem of the dog wanting all your attention. You teach the dog to be away from you and reward with bond of training .. you would not have this problem... All guardian breeds are like this. My Presa's follow me around the house but I have also taught them away time so I dont have the issues of need to be with me every minute of every day.
One thing in training a guardian dog to do it to go away ... Meaning the send .. NOT retrieve but the SEND AWAY. when teaching it in so many things and they dont want to do it like a Malinois or Border Collie.

Ex: In Protection we train the dog in whats called the FACE ATTACK this is where the dog is sent to go bite the decoy. Guardian breeds rather stay with what they are to guard YOU. So it builds more confidence to teach them the send away so they can still know they are guarding you but they can also be away.... Make Sense?

It is fully possible

Just a lil info!

 

[OwlSong]

What drew you to the Corso besides appearance? Not saying that are not for first time dog owners but its something you might want to consider. What is your lifestyle like? I would say the English Mastiff would be a good choice as they are more "laidback" than other molosser breeds. Corso can be good but it depends on how committed you are.

the thing that struck me about CCs were the regal appearance. The looked fierce and elegant at the same time. Beautiful animals.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

the thing that struck me about CCs were the regal appearance. The looked fierce and elegant at the same time. Beautiful animals.

Some of them do look nice, others though * shudders*, only a mother could love. Don't like the bug eyed look.

 

[Kate Williams]

It's not a problem. He has alone time everyday and I can leave the house without concern. I'm spending all my time training him. I wanted a guardian breed to guard. However, I do not believe a Corso is a pet that can easily be raised when both parties work full time jobs unless they have help. Corso can become destructive when bored. We exercise four times a day and train intermittently all day. That is the way, I do it. I'm not concerned about his upbringing. It was simply my experience.

 

[OwlSong]

Some of them do look nice, others though * shudders*, only a mother could love. Don't like the bug eyed look.

heh, you get dogs like that in every breed. Check out some AmBullies if you want to get angry about bad breeding.

 

[Duetsche_Doggen]

heh, you get dogs like that in every breed. Check out some AmBullies if you want to get angry about bad breeding.

Ugh that's what those things are called, those poor dogs. I like the Corso with a bit more "mastiffy" influence.

 

[Ben Curtis]

Kate .. you are causing your problem of the dog wanting all your attention. You teach the dog to be away from you and reward with bond of training .. you would not have this problem... All guardian breeds are like this. My Presa's follow me around the house but I have also taught them away time so I dont have the issues of need to be with me every minute of every day.
One thing in training a guardian dog to do it to go away ... Meaning the send .. NOT retrieve but the SEND AWAY. when teaching it in so many things and they dont want to do it like a Malinois or Border Collie.

Ex: In Protection we train the dog in whats called the FACE ATTACK this is where the dog is sent to go bite the decoy. Guardian breeds rather stay with what they are to guard YOU. So it builds more confidence to teach them the send away so they can still know they are guarding you but they can also be away.... Make Sense?

It is fully possible

Just a lil info!

My Corso completed puppy obedience class, and I will be starting basic obedience in another month. One of the commands we worked on was away. At first we would throw a prize while saying the command away. Now I just do the motion along with the command and he will run away from me. I also have worked in hiding a prize in the direction that I do the motion in to teach him to follow my direction.

I don't plan on doing guard dog training, but I am wondering what the next step would be in his progression, or is what you spoke about something completely different?

I could see the away command becoming a type of "leave me alone" command, and I think that would be useful.

 

[Geisthexe]

great advice. I think I have a good grasp on what the different drives mean.

Right now Im not sure what I want to do with a mastiff breed. I do know that I want to get an AmBully or two and Ch them out and work with them a little bit.

I oculd do a similar thing with a mastiff: there is a local AKC and a local UKC club, and various dog sports (agility, obed, rally, bite work) in my area.


for me? I want to be active with my dogs. Im not a runner, but a jog/walk, sports, etc. I want a constant companion.

When you say AMBULLY ....
American Bully?
American Bulldog?

AKC does not recognize either of these breed and NEVER will so the AKC Club would be out
UKC only recognizes ABD and you can do all the sports in it. Very athletic dogs .. I use to own the breed.

Mastiffs .. depending on which one you are looking at getting CC very athletic dogs, and what you want in a jog/walk, sports etc can be done.
CCs are recognized by AKC & UKC so you can have loads of fun like Ron w/ Vulcan. But if you go with this breed make sure you find a BREEDER that works there CCs b/c there are a breeders (in all breeds) who lie about having working dogs and they do not work them at all .. I know 3 CC breeders who in FACT LIE about having working dogs and one of them is a show guy.
AGAIN NOT PICKING ON THIS BREED AS THEY ARE GOOD DOGS.

 

[Ben Curtis]

I'm just going to state what I think about Corso's compared to other mastiff's I have been around (english and bull), and I think that is what you were really asking in the beginning.

Yes Corso's are the best looking Mastiff. [I could not resist, and yes I am very biased ]
Corso's are on the more athletic end of the Mastiff spectrum.

- they also tend to be a bit more on the energetic side also.
-

 

[Geisthexe]

My Corso completed puppy obedience class, and I will be starting basic obedience in another month. One of the commands we worked on was away. At first we would throw a prize while saying the command away. Now I just do the motion along with the command and he will run away from me. I also have worked in hiding a prize in the direction that I do the motion in to teach him to follow my direction.

I don't plan on doing guard dog training, but I am wondering what the next step would be in his progression, or is what you spoke about something completely different?

I could see the away command becoming a type of "leave me alone" command, and I think that would be useful.

Ben if you are planning on getting into protection work .. STOP WITH THE BASIC DOG TRAINERS AND FIND A PROTECTION TRAINER NOW. I state this b/c even though Obedience in the same in all aspects most basic trainers dumb down drives and teach you before you realize you are doing it. Then when you go to PP work you have issues.
I am only stating this b/c when folks fill out my training questionnaire I have the questions what do you plan on doing with your dog(s) If I get only want an companion obedience, I do teach them to redirect the drives of prey to play, etc. If I have a person who wants to go into PP I teach how to start training the want / desire to work .. so I build up the prey drive and build confidence between the owner and dog. Make Sense?

What I am speaking about is in PP or obedience work when you want to get into more then just a companion dog.
What you have taught is great b/c you have the basic of going away and that can be used in training the send.

 

[OwlSong]

When you say AMBULLY ....
American Bully?
American Bulldog?

AKC does not recognize either of these breed and NEVER will so the AKC Club would be out
UKC only recognizes ABD and you can do all the sports in it. Very athletic dogs .. I use to own the breed.

Mastiffs .. depending on which one you are looking at getting CC very athletic dogs, and what you want in a jog/walk, sports etc can be done.
CCs are recognized by AKC & UKC so you can have loads of fun like Ron w/ Vulcan. But if you go with this breed make sure you find a BREEDER that works there CCs b/c there are a breeders (in all breeds) who lie about having working dogs and they do not work them at all .. I know 3 CC breeders who in FACT LIE about having working dogs and one of them is a show guy.
AGAIN NOT PICKING ON THIS BREED AS THEY ARE GOOD DOGS.

AmBully is American Bully, yes. Id go with the ABKC for those. The only problem with that is that most ABKC events are on the coast (Cali, texas, carolinas, that sort of thing) so showing them would be difficult. But I can still participate in GoDogs and the like because they do not require AKC/UKC registrations

Id definitely stick with AKC and UKC for the mastiff breeds. You think a CC will be good for what I have in mind? Cool. By lurking on this forum and others Ive come up with a list of CC breeders with dogs that I like (and its a big change from finding AmBully breeders, let me tell you!)

Apex Cane Corso—Maryland
Castle Guard—Colorado
Windy Pine—Wyoming
Firehorse—Pennsylvania
About Time—New Mexico


what are your opinion on these breeders in regard to working and such?

 

[Ben Curtis]

I am not going to be doing any guarding at all. Just companion and obedience.

With that in mind what is the next step in the progression from "away" to send?

 

[Geisthexe]

AmBully is American Bully, yes. Id go with the ABKC for those. The only problem with that is that most ABKC events are on the coast (Cali, texas, carolinas, that sort of thing) so showing them would be difficult. But I can still participate in GoDogs and the like because they do not require AKC/UKC registrations

Id definitely stick with AKC and UKC for the mastiff breeds. You think a CC will be good for what I have in mind? Cool. By lurking on this forum and others Ive come up with a list of CC breeders with dogs that I like (and its a big change from finding AmBully breeders, let me tell you!)

Apex Cane Corso—Maryland
Castle Guard—Colorado
Windy Pine—Wyoming
Firehorse—Pennsylvania
About Time—New Mexico


what are your opinion on these breeders in regard to working and such?

NO disrespect but the AMBULLY is the worse breed created .. why anyone wants one I do not know ... gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

I will have to look into those breeders to let you know my opinion b/c I do not just look into breeders in the CC world I only know who I know from meeting them .. so give me a few and Ill let ya know what I see

---------- Post added at 11:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:37 AM ----------

I am not going to be doing any guarding at all. Just companion and obedience.

With that in mind what is the next step in the progression from "away" to send?

Ben I do not want to hijack OwlSong post as it is not about send / away.