Breeds

Re: Bullmastiff

Spicy_Bulldog — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:27:18 GMT

Yes they can have aggression towards other dogs but when well bred and raised right this is not very likely to be with your own dog. If you have opposite sex it is less likely too. Your BM could have a problem with strange dogs around his/her territory. While I'm sure some can be more prone to DA most I have met get along fine with their own dog pack who they live with, not many problems. If you start adding more packs can get out of order and maybe cause fighting but you will just have 2 dogs right?

sillysally:
brandy76:
I hate the whole marking thing that many of my friends deal with their male dogs (even the ones who are fixed).

My female marks just as much/if not more than my male....

I wouldn't say more but just the same.

I'm sure she hiked and marked at least a dozen bushes, pants, spots and poles today. She also pooped on 3 poles then kicked her legs behind her.

Re: Bullmastiff

chelsea_b — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:01:16 GMT

luvmyswissy:
And if you have a nice lawn how about the fact that females urine kill the grass!! We have little round yellow grass all over.

Meh. My yard is covered in yellow spots too, but not until Jaz (male!) moved in! Cherokee alone never killed grass. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the two of them literally have pissing matches, peeing on the same spots over and over again, because the other one peed there last...but certainly IME female urine doesn't kill grass any more than male does...

I prefer female dogs as well, even though my female lifts her leg on every vertical surface. Why? Honestly..it's a bunch of silly little things... IME males are more velcro, and while I enjoy a velcro dog to a point, it gets a little old when the dog's literally under your feet at every second. Male, IMO, tend to be a tad pushier when they want affection. They're also kind of...doofus-y.. again, just IME. Obviously these are all individual traits, and all males don't fit this, I just tend to prefer females. And this may be the silliest reason of all..but...I HATE rubbing male dogs' bellies! Their penis is just a touch too high for comfort. And I'm sorry, but unneutered males are just...unpleasant to look at. They need some pants.

Thankfully, my dog-aggressive female dog actually prefers other females. So if/when I get a second dog, as long as I get it as a puppy, I forsee fewer problems between Cherokee and a female than a male.

Re: Bullmastiff

Dog_ma — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 15:18:37 GMT

sillysally:
brandy76:
I hate the whole marking thing that many of my friends deal with their male dogs (even the ones who are fixed).

My female marks just as much/if not more than my male....

*nods*

Eko is still young and may come into his own, but Sasha is a marker and a half.

Re: Bullmastiff

luvmyswissy — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:52:39 GMT

sillysally:

brandy76:

I hate the whole marking thing that many of my friends deal with their male dogs (even the ones who are fixed).

My female marks just as much/if not more than my male....

OT: And if you have a nice lawn how about the fact that females urine kill the grass!! We have little round yellow grass all over.

Re: Bullmastiff

sillysally — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 14:48:29 GMT

brandy76:
I hate the whole marking thing that many of my friends deal with their male dogs (even the ones who are fixed).

My female marks just as much/if not more than my male....

Re: Bullmastiff

BlackLabbie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 23:32:26 GMT

Just a tid bit of info I came across...

"The known history of the Bullmastiff begins about the year 1860 in England. The problem of keeping large estates and game preserves free from poachers was an acute one. The gamekeepers enlisted the aid of a dog to aid in guarding off poachers. They needed fearless dogs that would attack on command, for those needs they crossed the Mastiff with the Bulldog, the Bullmastiff was founded. Dogs of dark brindle color were preferred for the work at night. They were referred to as the Night Dog.

The English Kennel Club recognized the Bullmastiff as a purebred dog in 1924. The American Kennel Club recognized the Bullmastiff in October of 1933. " - http://www.akc.org/breeds/bullmastiff/history.cfm

Re: Bullmastiff

DumDog — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:32:35 GMT

Chuffy:
BannedBreed Lover:
DumDog:

i was thinking mastiffs (english and bull) were used in packs? they were anti-poaching-theft-trespassing dogs...?

Mastiffs (English) were used for guarding castles and estates in Britain, while Bullmastiffs, were used to prevent poaching on estates. That's where they developed the moniker "Gamekeepers Night Dog".

Therefore, Mastiffs were more likely to be used in packs, to patrol the property, but Bullmastiffs had a more solitary purpose. Often, poachers would have dogs of their own, which Bullmastiffs would have to contend with, along with the poacher. Gamekeepers needed a dark colored dog (hence why brindle BM's are the preferred color) that was aloof to both strangers and other dogs. It is because of this inherited trait, why some BM can have same sex dog aggression.

As a side note, even some Mastiffs can have dog agression, but it isn't as prevalient as it can be with BM's.

I think the job was for the dog to LIE ON the poacher, not attack them. Just "hold" them until the gamekeeper got there. Hence why they are rarely aggressive but they are a massive size.... and, as someone else said, aloof to stranger. As I say, I THINK

i've heard that too but i SERIOUSLY doubt it. i know how much like history books these days will clean things up...... poachers were dirt beneath the land owners feet.... most of them, if the dog didnt kill them, were jailed or killed anyway... so i have heard.

i need to read up on that too.

Re: Bullmastiff

Chuffy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:20:46 GMT

BannedBreed Lover:
DumDog:

i was thinking mastiffs (english and bull) were used in packs? they were anti-poaching-theft-trespassing dogs...?

Mastiffs (English) were used for guarding castles and estates in Britain, while Bullmastiffs, were used to prevent poaching on estates. That's where they developed the moniker "Gamekeepers Night Dog".

Therefore, Mastiffs were more likely to be used in packs, to patrol the property, but Bullmastiffs had a more solitary purpose. Often, poachers would have dogs of their own, which Bullmastiffs would have to contend with, along with the poacher. Gamekeepers needed a dark colored dog (hence why brindle BM's are the preferred color) that was aloof to both strangers and other dogs. It is because of this inherited trait, why some BM can have same sex dog aggression.

As a side note, even some Mastiffs can have dog agression, but it isn't as prevalient as it can be with BM's.

I think the job was for the dog to LIE ON the poacher, not attack them. Just "hold" them until the gamekeeper got there. Hence why they are rarely aggressive but they are a massive size.... and, as someone else said, aloof to stranger. As I say, I THINK

Re: Bullmastiff

BlackLabbie — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:57:16 GMT

swamper:

I've met a lot of calm males and a lot of non-calm females. It depends on the individual personality of the dog. And my female dog marks by lifting her leg on things. Gender does not guarantee anything but reproductive parts.

Oh yes, I walk 2 female dogs (1 Lab, 1 Golden), both spayed, and both lift their legs to mark like a male!

Re: Bullmastiff

swamper — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:53:03 GMT

brandy76:
I'm definitely in the very beginning stages of getting another dog, so will read up on those great links posted. I had a Golden growing up so know about the cost of food & obedience, but understand the mastiff is in a whole other category!!!

I love the female breed because, in my experience, their calmer. I hate the whole marking thing that many of my friends deal with their male dogs (even the ones who are fixed).

My current cockapoo is 1yrs old (spayed) and very submissive. As soon as we enter the dog park and the dogs come around to smell her, she immediately goes on her back with legs open & tail wagging, letting them do whatever. She is not aggressive at all & doesn't even know how to defend herself when the little dogs bark or nip at her, she just runs away (a very timid, scary dog around other dominant dogs).

Thanks again & now after reading everyone's posts will seriously consider this one!!

I've met a lot of calm males and a lot of non-calm females. It depends on the individual personality of the dog. And my female dog marks by lifting her leg on things. Gender does not guarantee anything but reproductive parts.

Re: Bullmastiff

brandy76 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:25:06 GMT

I'm definitely in the very beginning stages of getting another dog, so will read up on those great links posted. I had a Golden growing up so know about the cost of food & obedience, but understand the mastiff is in a whole other category!!!

I love the female breed because, in my experience, their calmer. I hate the whole marking thing that many of my friends deal with their male dogs (even the ones who are fixed).

My current cockapoo is 1yrs old (spayed) and very submissive. As soon as we enter the dog park and the dogs come around to smell her, she immediately goes on her back with legs open & tail wagging, letting them do whatever. She is not aggressive at all & doesn't even know how to defend herself when the little dogs bark or nip at her, she just runs away (a very timid, scary dog around other dominant dogs).

Thanks again & now after reading everyone's posts will seriously consider this one!!

Re: Bullmastiff

BannedBreed Lover — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:24:51 GMT

DumDog:

i was thinking mastiffs (english and bull) were used in packs? they were anti-poaching-theft-trespassing dogs...?

Mastiffs (English) were used for guarding castles and estates in Britain, while Bullmastiffs, were used to prevent poaching on estates. That's where they developed the moniker "Gamekeepers Night Dog".

Therefore, Mastiffs were more likely to be used in packs, to patrol the property, but Bullmastiffs had a more solitary purpose. Often, poachers would have dogs of their own, which Bullmastiffs would have to contend with, along with the poacher. Gamekeepers needed a dark colored dog (hence why brindle BM's are the preferred color) that was aloof to both strangers and other dogs. It is because of this inherited trait, why some BM can have same sex dog aggression.

As a side note, even some Mastiffs can have dog agression, but it isn't as prevalient as it can be with BM's.

Re: Bullmastiff

DumDog — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:11:28 GMT

i was thinking mastiffs (english and bull) were used in packs? they were anti-poaching-theft-trespassing dogs...?

i'll tell you this based on MY experience.... if you got a female BM pup, get both dogs spayed. obedience train this pup a LOT. and keep to a solid functional routine. it really depends on your older dog's attitude. if she's still a puppy at heart and loves to play... then its likely when/if you get a BM pup they'll get along famously.

now i will ALSO tell you this from experience... when i lived at home we had three dogs. Doberman mix(m), Collie mix(f), and a JRT mix(f). the two girls got along because they had to. However Amber, the terrier, would aggressively guard her crate from the female, along with other toys and blankets. if Maggie, the collie, walked past those items the terrier got snarly. once i moved the crate to the bedroom the tension eased.... but only a little. there were a couple of fights between them because the terrier wanted to suddenly guard the toy EVERYONE was playing with. she never attacked the male dog... he could do no wrong! but Amber did NOT like Maggie. Maggie was non-confrontational. if Amber growled, Maggie would turn around and leave.

I dont like owning same sex dogs.. i really do prefer male/fem combinations because it just works better.... HOWEVER!! if the pups are fixed and raised together there isnt likely to be a problem. it also depends on breed! bulldog types tend to be a lot more aggressive towards their own gender. i own American Bulldogs and have seen this happen before. i was dog-sitting my cousins male bulldog and my own male bulldog just decided one day he didnt like Bo anymore. "Big dumb block head was moochin in on my treats and my people's petting!" so while i was handing out treats .... Ben just nailed Bo... and poor Kaydee was right in the middle! she got flattened by these two hippos.. i was an idiot for doing it, but i had to reach in and grab one... the invisible fence line was only a few feet away.. once i crossed it Ben let go of his attitude. after that day i couldnt risk the two being together... thankfully Bo finally got to go home but yes.... forcing two adult dogs of the same gender together can be hazardous!!! especially the bull breeds.

and since you dont want a male, i may not be helping you decide on one, but listen... females are just as bad, if not worse..... it all boils down to the age of the pup, your dog's personality, and how much time you put into helping them get along...and yes, hormones!!

Re: Bullmastiff

BannedBreed Lover — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:45:06 GMT

Bullmastiff's are a truly beautiful breed, and were actually one of the three breeds that we were very seriously considering. Their wonderful around family, and children (provided there is supervision), and sometimes they get along wonderfully with other dogs and small pets: However...

There are some issues concerning same sex parings. Usually it's males who are unneutered that can have dog aggression, but other wise they're tolerant dogs, when properly socialized and trained**. They are a dominant breed, and with a stubborn attitude mixed in, you definitely need to have a firm (yet gentle) hand when training.

We had the pleasure of knowing a couple of BM, and both (males) had absolutely wonderful temperaments. The one especially had a penchant for children and would have given his life for them. He was tolerant of the neighbourhood children playing with him, as well as other dogs. The owners also were well protected. In the four + years that they so far had their BM, not once did they ever lock their front door. () The other was owned by a police officer who had small children and needed a dog noted for it's gentleness.

**This is where finding a reputable breeder comes into play. Some have never had any issues with aggression, others may have some who are more dominant, and need a more experienced handler. Plus too, seeing as BM are prone to several health conditions, an experienced and knowledgeable breeder will have screened for the usual health suspects.

You mentioned that you have already been doing some research , but here's a site that really is loaded with info:

http://bullmastiffinfo.org/

Their beautiful dogs, and I wish you lotsa luck in your search!

Ashley

Re: Bullmastiff

luvmyswissy — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:00:27 GMT

brandy76:

I've started reading up on this breed and love the way they look. But it seems like you can't have this type of dog with another dog is this really true? I have a 1yr old female cockapoo and eventually wanted another dog. Would having a femal mastiff cause a problem??

Being a owner of a Giant breed I would highly suggest you research this breed and hang out on the Mastiff dog forums. You have no idea .. there IS a big difference between having a Labrador, German Shepherd, Cockapoo and a Mastiff. A grown male often weighs about 200 lbs. It is not unusual for a male to weigh even more.

I am sure no one has ever bought a Mastiff without being impressed or attracted to the breeds size and massiveness. It is also a fact that large dogs eat more than small dogs. This means more money for dog food. Large dogs also need space and Mastiffs druel – big time, all the time and everywhere! Large dogs need to be trained, unless you want to live with the feeling of having no control when you walk the monster. Are you strong enough, or rather experienced enough, to train a fast growing giant pup? What about your car? How do you plan on bringing the dog with you? Do you have the room for him at all?

There are several things to consider when you're looking for a new dog, most of them apply whether you want to buy a puppy or a rescue dog. You can get some more input about this by reading the puppy-page at MASTIFF-WEB. You should also take the survey "Is the Mastiff the right breed for you" at MASTIFF-WEB, in order to get an idea of whether getting a pup is a good decision or not. GOOD LUCK!