Say Hello to Marrok

[frankykeno]

Thanks everyone! Judy, that's an awesome idea and one we'll definitely follow-up on.

Marrok just discovered the dogs next door and we just discovered our fence isn't high enough for him (nobody got hurt but wow can that dog jump without even needing a flying start). It'll have to be on lead or on cable tie out for now for him.

Also Marrok isn't fixed so I'm waiting for the vet's office to call back to schedule his appointment for ASAP. He's a lovely dog and doesn't need the hormones of an intact male to distract him. I think that's why he just hopped the fence as the pitbull next door is an intact female. Poor Marrok isn't going to know romance in his life but that's best really.

[West Coast Jungle]

He is quite a handsome boy!
Congrats on the beautiful new addition to the family. His color reminds me of my boy Harry.

Looks like you will all be real happy together,

[frankykeno]

Thanks so much Raul. I may be calling on you with questions about working with this type of breed as I know you have a lot of experience with these more serious minded dog breeds. I'm so used to big goofy Labradors that Marrok's work first play later attitude is a new one to me. It's lovely though how he can go one moment from staring out the window obviously monitoring things and giving the occasional and deep warning bark to being a total joyful I love you let me wash your face with my huge tongue darling. He calms down so fast though if you tell him enough of that. With Bella I'd be hauling her off me six times and saying NO to get the point across that I don't want to be loved to death. One word to Marrok and he immediately knows we're done with kissy face time and it's back to business.

When Mike got home from work this morning and Marrok heard a car in the driveway he alerted me, went from the window to stand at the door in a watchful sort of position. However, when I went to him, touch his head and told him it was okay it was just Mike he immediately went into his OMG DADDY'S HOME wiggle. Poor dear though has a case of happy tail so I have to clear the entire front door area to avoid him further hurting his tail tip when he's greeting family members. Apparently this tail damage issue is quite common to most Mastiff types.

[Laooda]

I HEART Marrok!

Congrats on such a wonderful new addition to the home... I had Neos for a great part of my life, and really miss having a monster(s) sitting at my feet... (My Bostons think they are huge, but it's not quite the same thing... lol!)

I'm very sorry to hear about the break in, I might consider putting a guard dog sign somewhere in view, between that and hearing a beast behind the door... it might help detour another incident?

I really think you'll love a mastiff mind. As you already know, they are very serious about what you need them to do. My dog's whole mind frame was, "What are we doing? Do you need me to take care of that for you?" I will say... one great piece of info that I got, and will never forget from a mastiff breeder I met at one of the shows I used to attend with my male told me to never- NEVER yell or show frustration towards a person or animal in front of the dog... unless you REALLY mean it. Example, if your cat hops on the counter, and you run towards it yelling to scare it off... then there is a good chance that your guardian will take the job of cat removal upon him/her self. Not only that.... but that cat might be forever on the "Mom needs me to take care of you" list.
Of course, that is all pending an individual dog, personality, history, etc.... Just something that I'll retain till I'm not retainable any longer! Hahaha!!! Again, huge congrats!!!

[frankykeno]

Oh thanks for the Mastiff advice and the good wishes, Laura.

I've joined a Mastiff forum as well as Mollosser breed forum to learn as much as I can about life with Marrok. So far he's moved seamlessly into our family in a very short time period. He's reserved but given the opportunity to hand out huge wet tongue licks he's very game for it. Unlike Bella the Lab though he waits politely to be asked to give kisses instead of throwing himself at you (Bella is just really, REALLY sure you want her attention at all times LOL ).

It was an awful thing to get broken into and stuff we saved up for stolen like that. With Marrok in the house though I sleep very well at night even if Mike's on nightshift. His presence is enough I think to put anyone off attempting to enter our home with bad intentions in mind. I'm just amazed the Mastiff temperment. As much as I adore and always will adore Labrador Retreivers I must say the Mastiff temperment is a refreshing change.

I did read a lot about watching how rough the family plays with each other around him and even one hilarious account of a parent trying to spank a naughty child and their Mastiff didn't care for that. The dog in that case didn't get pushy or anything, he simply stood calm and resolute between the parent and child with an attitude of "I'll take the spanks for my kid".

[jglass38]

So cute Jo! Bring them over so Shea can play with them!

[littleindiangirl]

He is gorgeous Jo! I love that rust color on him, and mastiffs are one of my favorite breeds. I'm so glad you we're able to get him and that he has meshed so well. Congrats on the new pup!

[frankykeno]

So cute Jo! Bring them over so Shea can play with them!

Speaking of Shea have you posted any new pictures of her lately?

He is gorgeous Jo! I love that rust color on him, and mastiffs are one of my favorite breeds. I'm so glad you we're able to get him and that he has meshed so well. Congrats on the new pup!

Thanks Connie. My crummy camera isn't great on capturing true colors unfortunately so it doesn't really show his lovely deep red coloration off all that well. He and Bella made quite a pair, if I do say so myself, on our walks today. He's a solid red guy and she's such a light colored yellow Lab that she appears to be almost white. One lady even stopped us to say what lovely dogs they are. Marrok gave her a regal sort of glance, Bella of course wanted to immediately leave with the nice lady and see if the nice lady maybe had treats for her. Poor Bella, lovely dog but totally clueless really about strangers.

[jglass38]

Speaking of Shea have you posted any new pictures of her lately?

Not in a while! I'll have to do that later

[frankykeno]

Oh I'd love to see them Jamie. She was such a cute pup. I bet she's maturing into just a gorgeous dog.