Please help us say hello to a new addition to our household. This is Marrok!
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Marrok is a 2 year old male. His mother is a Japanese Mastiff (as known as a Tosa Inu or Tosa here in the States). His father is a Bulldog (a common crossing with Tosa's to produce a dog with less wrinkling and a shorter, broader stature).
We have been talking about purchasing a Mastiff breed, originally we had decided on an English Mastiff pup sometime next year. Recently, however, we had a break-in at our home while we were out for a few hours one evening. Thankfully our dog Bella the Labrador was not hurt during the home invasion or the snakes or our cat, Mya. However, other than the loss of personal property it left the family, me in particular, feeling suddenly unsafe in our new home/neighbourhood. Mike and I started searching immediately for a mature dog of a more protective breed to add to our home.
Fate stepped in I guess because Marrok needed a new home. His family, who had him since he was 4 months old are moving and cannot house him appropriately any longer. They are lovely people and truly sad to give him up but wanted a better situation for him. They were particularily worried about him ending up in a fighting situation as this is sadly far too common in this area.
What a face! Who could make this dog suffer in a fight ring for sick amusement?
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The big tongue drooly tongue. He's trained to not lick at people but if you invite him to give you a kiss by putting your forehead to his - game on! You end up with a dripping wet face wash LOL
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Marrok's been raised around young children and cats but also being a Mastiff provided his previous family with the security of his presence. He has only been here one day but is already showing his ability to alert to movement near our home. He will give two low woofs and then look to us for a reaction. If we give him the command that all is fine in our world he immediately relaxes back having done his job to his satisfaction. :)
He is very female bonded so "escorts" me around the house. Not intrusively but he wants to know where I am at all times and will sit patiently while I complete something in a room then follow me to my next destination. As I type this he is quietly resting at my feet. What a wonderful sense of safety this lovely dog is already giving me and my family.
Home protector or not though he adores the kids and is showing a natural gentleness around them. He is more dignified with Mike, myself and the big kids - but a loving goof with young Michael who is only 8. He's obviously missing his little boy from his other family but is bonding already to young Michael. Marrok will not go on furniture except to cuddle with "his boy".
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...arrokMikey.jpg
Lastly he is wonderful with Bella. She's actually a far more high energy breed than he is and playing out in the yard this morning she brought him to a panting, drooling standstill while she was still full of play. We will have to watch that as Mastiffs tend to overheat easily. He's not of the giant Mastiff type but still you can see he can't keep up with her for the hours she's capable of playing and running hard.
Bella & Marrok playing...
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With Bella's favorite yellow ball....
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Playing hard is thirsty work!
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