Your thoughts about adopting an adult molosser

[Elana P]

If the rescue lies about bite history, then in my opinion it's not a responsible rescue. That's the #1 no-no with every group I've worked with. If those in charge of the organization had ever found out a foster home was lying then that foster would be let go. The ones I worked with also did not allow foster homes to place dogs on their own. They may take into consideration the foster's opinion, but the final decision would be made by those in charge. It's my opinion that any organization that allows placements like you described with the little dogs, Hector, gives other rescues a bad name. I don't mean to offend, as I know you work closely with this group, but that's honestly how I feel.

I myself was let go as a foster from one rescue because I pulled a dog without authorization. His adopter put her hand in the middle of a cat/dog fight and was bitten. I pulled the dog without approval because the shelter staff called me, the local breed rescue contact, and told me the story and said he was on his way to be euthanized as was the policy for a dog that had bitten unless I could come get him immediately. The staff didn't feel it was right, so they called me. The bite history followed him and the rescue refused to take him. I was given a choice. I could return him to the shelter where he would be put to sleep, or I could keep him and not foster for them. I refused to return him to be euthanized because I didn't feel the bite was intentional or his fault. I was let go and I never held a grudge because I understood that they had certain rules in place that must be followed. I thought they were being a bit strict in this instance, but I couldn't really fault them.

 

[Elana P]

Sad that you were let go as a Foster especially when Fosters are usually in such high demand.

But, you LEFT US HANGING WOMAN! what happened to this dog, did you end up keeping him???

~Elana~

 

[Boxergirl]

Haha, sorry. I forget that not everyone knows the story. I've told it before. The dog was a boxer that had his ears cropped with scissors at home when he was about 8 months old. His ears got severely infected and he was dropped off at the shelter where someone else adopted him. A day or so later the cat/dog fight happened and the woman reached in and was accidentally bitten. She brought him back. I pulled him without authorization and chose to keep him as a private foster rather than return him to be euthanized. It turned out that Vince (Vincent Van Gogh - cut ears) had a few other issues. Not aggression issues, but fear from what I assume were from whatever happened with those first owners. I kept him for just around three years, working with him and waiting to find the right people to take him.

He was a character. He could unlock his crate. He would then go and unlock my other boxer boy's crate and leave the bitchy girl in hers. One day I came home and they'd flipped my queen size mattress off the bed and against the opposite wall. I ended up having to use a carabiner so he couldn't get out.

Finally I found the right family. They thought he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. I spent the last few hours pacing the house and deciding that I wasn't going to let MY dog go. Then they showed up and he trotted out the door, jumped in the car, and never looked back. It was a perfect match. He lived a long life filled with tons of outdoor activity and lots of love. I've fostered a lot of dogs, but Vince was pretty special. I loved him lots and he deserved a special family.

To be fair where the rescue is concerned, I was given a choice. I was a good foster home and they didn't want to let me go. I got all the special needs dogs, be it behavioral or health. I made the choice to leave when I wouldn't return him and I've never been sorry. Vince was worth it.

 

[Elana P]

Haha, sorry. I forget that not everyone knows the story. I've told it before. The dog was a boxer that had his ears cropped with scissors at home when he was about 8 months old. His ears got severely infected and he was dropped off at the shelter where someone else adopted him. A day or so later the cat/dog fight happened and the woman reached in and was accidentally bitten. She brought him back. I pulled him without authorization and chose to keep him as a private foster rather than return him to be euthanized. It turned out that Vince (Vincent Van Gogh - cut ears) had a few other issues. Not aggression issues, but fear from what I assume were from whatever happened with those first owners. I kept him for just around three years, working with him and waiting to find the right people to take him.

He was a character. He could unlock his crate. He would then go and unlock my other boxer boy's crate and leave the bitchy girl in hers. One day I came home and they'd flipped my queen size mattress off the bed and against the opposite wall. I ended up having to use a carabiner so he couldn't get out.

Finally I found the right family. They thought he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. I spent the last few hours pacing the house and deciding that I wasn't going to let MY dog go. Then they showed up and he trotted out the door, jumped in the car, and never looked back. It was a perfect match. He lived a long life filled with tons of outdoor activity and lots of love. I've fostered a lot of dogs, but Vince was pretty special. I loved him lots and he deserved a special family.

To be fair where the rescue is concerned, I was given a choice. I was a good foster home and they didn't want to let me go. I got all the special needs dogs, be it behavioral or health. I made the choice to leave when I wouldn't return him and I've never been sorry. Vince was worth it.

 

[Elana P]

@Boxergirl
Oh boy, he sounds like you could have named him Houdini, lol. I sure got a good laugh out of his 'special talents' story. What a darling boy.

I could have never let him go.....
Maybe that's why I can't foster. You've heared tales of crazy cat ladies, well I would be the crazy dog lady. I simply get too attached to anything under my roof for more than 30 seconds.

However, I'm glad that he ended up in a great and loving home .

~Elana~

P.S.
To bad Vincent Van Gough, couldn't have gotten a hold of your boy's former owners, pair of scissors in one hand and a paint brush in the other. Maybe the girlfriend would have responded better to a box full of ears.... evil cackle heh heh heh .

 

[nadelwald]

It sounds like you really love your Dogos . Are you by any chance considering adopting the particular Dogo boy that you write about ? I would love to see a picture of him, if you happen to have one.

I am assuming that you are personally involved in Rescue work, or seriously thinking about it (?)

I must say, that I have the greatest respect for people who are able to do this type of work. It is heartbreaking in so many ways, and must really make a person look at humanity and wonder, what is wrong with people ?

I am very fond of dogos, yes... I have a male, though, so adopting another male is out of the question.

I'm not directly involved in rescue, I just foster (already fully vaccinated) females from time to time, I housetrain them and teach them to walk on leash, etc. It's easier cause my dog is very disciplined about those things, and always takes an alpha role in front of the foster dog, and the foster dog takes after him. Plus, he enjoys the company...

I am from Romania, btw. The situation with stray dogs is tragic around here. State shelters are a drama, won't even open that can of worms. Private shelters, as I said, never euthanise on behavioral issues. There are no employees to do behavioral tests on the dogs, but a lot of trainers do vulunteer work for very problematic dogs... sometimes things improve. Sometimes not. But if these dogs find little joys in their segregated lifes... like... having a counch of their own or having toys, or visitors who bring them barbeque and blankets... I don't think enuthanasia is the right choice for them.

I'll give you an example when I think behavior problems are severe enough for putting a dog down- half paralysed dog who doesn't accept his condition, and self mutilates. Some private shelters take in paralysed dogs. Most of them want to live and enjoy life, as they have it, they play, they run, they smile,etc. Few of them can't take it, even if their health is good, the fact that they can't walk on all feet destroys them.

Moving to a more happy subject.

7121548 , you with the mastino. YOU'RE A HERO. Wear the alpha cape with pride. )

 

[nadelwald]

Such a nice happy ending story. Boxers are so sweet. And they can be quite a handfull in their junior years, so much energy. Trauna to such sensitive and sweet dog as a boxer... who would do that? I wouldn't even cuss in front of a boxer, they're sweet like candy...

Happy to hear sweet Vince is fine and HOME.

 

[7121548]

Haha, sorry. I forget that not everyone knows the story. I've told it before. The dog was a boxer that had his ears cropped with scissors at home when he was about 8 months old. His ears got severely infected and he was dropped off at the shelter where someone else adopted him. A day or so later the cat/dog fight happened and the woman reached in and was accidentally bitten. She brought him back. I pulled him without authorization and chose to keep him as a private foster rather than return him to be euthanized. It turned out that Vince (Vincent Van Gogh - cut ears) had a few other issues. Not aggression issues, but fear from what I assume were from whatever happened with those first owners. I kept him for just around three years, working with him and waiting to find the right people to take him.

He was a character. He could unlock his crate. He would then go and unlock my other boxer boy's crate and leave the bitchy girl in hers. One day I came home and they'd flipped my queen size mattress off the bed and against the opposite wall. I ended up having to use a carabiner so he couldn't get out.

Finally I found the right family. They thought he was the most beautiful dog they'd ever seen. I spent the last few hours pacing the house and deciding that I wasn't going to let MY dog go. Then they showed up and he trotted out the door, jumped in the car, and never looked back. It was a perfect match. He lived a long life filled with tons of outdoor activity and lots of love. I've fostered a lot of dogs, but Vince was pretty special. I loved him lots and he deserved a special family.

To be fair where the rescue is concerned, I was given a choice. I was a good foster home and they didn't want to let me go. I got all the special needs dogs, be it behavioral or health. I made the choice to leave when I wouldn't return him and I've never been sorry. Vince was worth it.

Honestly, they should wish there were more like you!!!

 

[Elana P]

I am very fond of dogos, yes... I have a male, though, so adopting another male is out of the question.

I'm not directly involved in rescue, I just foster (already fully vaccinated) females from time to time, I housetrain them and teach them to walk on leash, etc. It's easier cause my dog is very disciplined about those things, and always takes an alpha role in front of the foster dog, and the foster dog takes after him. Plus, he enjoys the company...

I am from Romania, btw. The situation with stray dogs is tragic around here. State shelters are a drama, won't even open that can of worms. Private shelters, as I said, never euthanise on behavioral issues. There are no employees to do behavioral tests on the dogs, but a lot of trainers do vulunteer work for very problematic dogs... sometimes things improve. Sometimes not. But if these dogs find little joys in their segregated lifes... like... having a counch of their own or having toys, or visitors who bring them barbeque and blankets... I don't think enuthanasia is the right choice for them.

I'll give you an example when I think behavior problems are severe enough for putting a dog down- half paralysed dog who doesn't accept his condition, and self mutilates. Some private shelters take in paralysed dogs. Most of them want to live and enjoy life, as they have it, they play, they run, they smile,etc. Few of them can't take it, even if their health is good, the fact that they can't walk on all feet destroys them.

Moving to a more happy subject.

7121548 , you with the mastino. YOU'RE A HERO. Wear the alpha cape with pride. )

 

[Elana P]

@nadelwald

So no more Dogo boys for you .
Glad to hear though, that your boy enjoys the company of the ladies. Was your boy a rescue as well?

Here in Calgary (the city where I live), we have a very good Animal Services department, a great Humane Society, and many rescues. In the city, the stray dog population is very small, but outside of town (especially on the Reservations), the problems are much bigger. We have our fair share of idiot pet owners, who will drive their unwanted dog out of town, and leave it tied to a tree in the forrest, dump it on the side of the road, or on Reservation land.

These poor dogs are left to fend for themselves against wild animals, and on the Reserve, astablished dog packs, who don't take kindly to newconers. So if not found by some kind soul on time, these poor creatures, either starve, become someone elses meal, are shot, or are run over by vehicles (accidently or for sport).

We definitely don't live in a perfect world , sigh....

~Elana~

 

[Bigdoglover4]

Depends on the breed.. some Molosser breeds are harder/easier to handle then others. What breed are you thinking?

 

[TWW]

I would say meet the dog and go from there.
Be truthful about what you can afford and handle.

(Not to offend)
Though you may have dog exp, kinda doubting how much exp you have with mastiff breeds in general.
Your bottom list looks like you been looking at to many youtube videos.

Your safe breeds is highly wrong, DDB's and BM are powerhouses there way stronger in a compact body and able to produce power in short bursts that will hurt anyone. EM's along with being the largest breed mass wise is also the strongest. Any of these of the wrong temper or reactivity can do as much if not more damage than any of your bottom list.

A Dogo's jaw where designed to hold not crush or tear, and a rottie has far less bite force than any of the rest.

I would warn you a fila of true temper will be a handful for someone with a ton of experience with the breed.

A Bully Kutta while called a breed is more of a mutt than a breed and you must learn if there are temper issues.

 

[TWW]

Depends on the breed.. some Molosser breeds are harder/easier to handle then others. What breed are you thinking?

I would disagree, none are harder.
It is more of what breed fits your life style.

 

[NYDDB]

"Your safe breeds is highly wrong, DDB's and BM are powerhouses there way stronger in a compact body and able to produce power in short bursts that will hurt anyone."

Exactly so. Especially when they get zoned in/locked in on something-- which could either be a squirrel, or an enemy wanting to settle a score... Very powerful breeds.

 

[Boxergirl]

"Your safe breeds is highly wrong, DDB's and BM are powerhouses there way stronger in a compact body and able to produce power in short bursts that will hurt anyone."

Exactly so. Especially when they get zoned in/locked in on something-- which could either be a squirrel, or an enemy wanting to settle a score... Very powerful breeds.

A boxer too, actually. They pack a lot of power into a smaller package and have other personality traits that would never make me call them a "safe" choice.