Anyone have a Mastiff?

[Laooda]

That is excellent!! This is what I've been hearing from everyone; big, lovable spit slinging pups. I'm fortunate to have some breeders in MI that are associated with the Mastiff Club of America. I only ever buy from a registered breeder, so I hope they can help me choose the new lucky member of our family in the spring. Thanks everyone, i will def post some pics in a few months, God willing we can get one.

I really hope you do!!!! I went looking for pix and couldn't find the album with my male in it... but I found a few of my female... remember.... these are OLD!
lol This is me on the left w/ mama T back when we didn't sag as much!

I'd love to own another one one day........ I'm all teared up looking at these pix!

[frankykeno]

There was a lady back in Petoskey, MI that bred the most wonderful English Mastiffs. I remember one in particular, just the most lovely female, so gentle and dignified, really a gentle giant. I couldn't believe it when she told me it was just a "big pup" really, not an adult at all as I had assumed from its great size. Lovely, lovely dog and she sure knew the breed (a literal fountain of info).

[littleindiangirl]

You had a black brindle? Those are really gorgeous! I would either go with the traditional apricot, but I would love the black brindle. Or even the nice chesnut/brown color. (don't know term) I'm very excited at the idea, the bf is really looking forward to it as well. I should really get of my arse and start talking to some breeders here.

[Kristy]

I LOVE Mastiffs and will have one someday. When we buy a house. We thought about getting one but went with a smaller dog instead. Well medium sized dog. We live in a townhouse though so it would have been miserable for a dog that size.

I don't just want your normal Mastiff although I do love them. I want a Dogo Mastiff. They fascinate me. They are pretty rare actually and beautiful dogs.

They do require a firm but gentle handler though and do require training. They are incredible dogs though.

[slartibartfast]

Kristy, do you mean a Dogo Argentino? I saw a neat program on Nat. Geographic the other day that went into the breed history in depth, which I was unaware of. I have a friend with one that he just adores.

littleindiangirl, Laura's dogs were Neopolitan Mastiffs, an Italian breed that is a bit different from the English Mastiff. You would probably be most familiar with them from Harry Potter...Hagrid's dog Fang is a Neo. They most commonly come in black and blue, although some shades of brown and brindling are seen less commonly.

[Kristy]

Yes thats the one. They are incredible dogs. I didn't get a chance to watch that though, sorry I missed it. I have been reading about them for a while now. I would love to have one of those dogs, especially in North Idaho, lots of outdoors stuff to do.

[Shadowspider]

We had a mastiff years back and are going to be getting another one pretty soon. We "rescued" him from a neighbor who left him chained up outside in the back yard.
As was already said, they get HUGE and drool a lot. Having drool rags handy in every room of the house and in your vehicle is essential... unless you like slime everywhere.
They can eat a lot but should not eat a ton. Do NOT feed them cheap-o store brand food and NO "puppy" food. If you get a puppy, feed it adult food, even the "large breed puppy" foods contain too much protein for them and you *don't* want your puppy to grow too quickly, that will only encourage elbow and hip displasia.

They should *NOT* be over exercised as that too can encourage displaisa. 30 minutes a couple times of day of fetch or frisbee is sufficient. They are *not* jogging companions. They should *not* have to climb a bunch of stairs on a daily basis nor should they be allowed to jump into or out of a truck, van, SUV, ect. that is high off the ground.... get a ramp for them. They should not be allowed on the beds or other furniture (that's a no brainer come adulthood )
Even healthy mastiffs from reputable breeders are susceptible to hip and/or elbow displasia and excessive exercise, climbing, and jumping only serve to encourage it.

They NEED to be indoor dogs.... period!!!!!!!
If you do not have the room to have a 3 foot tall, 280 lb. dog following you around from room to room every day or are the type of person who keeps your dogs tied up outside at night or when you are not at home, DON'T get a mastiff. They are instinctual protectors and are extremely social dogs. They *need* to be around their family for proper psychological development, otherwise they will feel that they have no family and will serve you no purpose other than to be a huge, growling, eating machine. They are NOT "unruly" IF they are properly socialized and trained starting at 10 weeks of age and as long as that socialization and training are consistent.
Mastiffs and "unruly" are two words that don't even belong in the same sentence, seeing as how mastiffs are actually quite lazy and would much rather just lay around under the air conditioner rather than go for a walk around the neighborhood.

They are exceptionally good with children, just watch their tails. They can be great with other animals as long as they are properly introduced to them. However, with that said, males do tend to have dominance issues with other male dogs. They are not nearly as high strung as Great Danes, nor are they as forward in their "protectiveness" as Doberman Pinschers.... however, if/when the need arises, they *will* protect "their" people and property.

Do not EVER train a mastiff to be aggressive.... that's a disaster and lawsuit waiting to happen. Their size alone is enough to scare away all but the most intoxicated, insane individual. Oh, and do not *ever* strike or allow anyone (even and especially a child) to strike a mastiff.... not a good idea at all.

They are awesome dogs, but yes, they are giants, drooling giants, drooling, love and attention demanding giants.
Oh, and here's a link to a great site dedicated to the OEM. I don't know if it was already posted in this thread, I haven't read the whole thread.Mastiff Club of America

[littleindiangirl]

Yup, totally great advice, thanks