Bullmastiffs

I guess the think with those Tibetan Mastiffs is all that hair adds to their size and their spectacular appearance; and they seem to be one of the few giant breeds that can tend to act aggressively.
 

This dog does it for me! Look at this guy's head size. He is nice and square in body (not sure if the breed is required to be) and he's not too high in the hips.

I do wish Bullmastiffs were taller though.

What do y'all think of the breeder Crimson King Bullmastiffs?
It seems that in addition to a female, the male in that video is now dead. I don't know details.

In my communications with the breeder, he told me that that male is one that they were going to use for their breeding. They don't have many dogs at all, and they are certainly loved members of their family. I feel badly for them of course. Their other key dog is a dark brindle female that is on the taller end.
 
Someone inquired about where I'm at with my exploration into Mastiff-type breeds. So here's where I'm at:

I've been going back and forth, bouncing around a few of my top breeds of interest. I find it entertaining to look into these things and sort of fantasize while hopefully gaining knowledge.

For several weeks, Corsos were number 1 on my list of interest (in terms of breeds other than Doberman). There are actually a few Cane Corso breeders not all that far from me (in the Columbus, OH area) and I like the look of most of what they have – the old-style Corso, supposedly what was brought here from Italy and not what has had Boxer (or Dane?) mixed in. The key drawback to the breed, for me, is that they are currently pretty popular (at least in terms of large guarding breeds) and I really don't like to do or have what is popular :D I also don't like that they seem to be associated with a sort of "ghetto" image or from "the hood" or "gangsta'" or whatever. (Sorry if that offends some). My wife doesn't like them though.

Ultimately, if I were a bachelor I would get a S.A. Boerboel. I think they are pretty much the real deal when it comes to a Mastiff that is likely to protect, not just be big. With Boerboels, though, it seems the breed might be not totally breeding to type – or at least it might be hard to know what you're going to wind up with. I mean, on paper, that isn't the case. They have that rating system, which I actually quite appreciate. A dog is assessed and given a percentage rating – a good one scoring in the high 80s or in the 90s. My wife doesn't like this breed either.

Then there is the Bullmastiff. Big, and a good one is just awesome looking to me. But they're one of the breeds on my list that is most known for drool. In my opinion, this breed is not very capable in terms of actually doing something about a threat. I have the impression they are bred down to a pretty ineffectual but imposing breed. I expect this about the Corso, but to a lesser extent. The Bullmastiff, actually, is the breed that my wife least recoils at.

Then there is the American Bulldog. Lately, I have actually been thinking that I would go all-in and get a Johnson Type. This is the American Bulldog that has the most Bulldog-like head and tends to be somewhat larger and just kind of beastly. Look up Bybee's American Bulldogs for examples of what I'm diggin' on. My wife probably feels more favorably about this breed than most I'm exploring besides the Bullmastiff. We fostered an American Bulldog / Pit Bull female and we just loved her. Her temperament was sweet, cuddly mostly calm but also intense (with high prey drive which I am so done with).

All the above breeds, except the American Bulldog, have breeders I know of that are not too far from us. Well, some at the other end of Ohio, but that's not too bad in terms of finding a breeder.
 
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Out of all your selected breeds, I would have to go with the Bull Mastiff. I have a friend who had a mix of some of those. I think Cane Corso and some kind of Neapolitan Mastiff. The dog was HUGE. Only lived to about 7 and was VERY protective. But to the point that no one was really safe but the owner. I know you might be looking for this but I didn't. I don't want a dog that I have to put away or hold back every time someone drops by. They loved him of course and being out in the country, it was a great watch dog. The UPS driver wouldn't even get out of the truck. :D Of course, I've had that happen a few times with Buddy too, so. :whoop:

Now, the Bull Mastiff like my neighbors can be protective too. He LOVES me. Loves! But one day I was out with my sons oldest when she and her dog were walking by. (We both walk the perimeter of our properties, so we 'share' the one side where our properties meet. We call it 'the walk path'. :D ) I was in my golf cart with my grandson and she was walking her dog. Always on a leash. My dogs are never on a leash. :D It works. lol Anyway, we stopped to talk and we got out of the cart. I was carefully watching her dog, 'just because'. I wasn't sure how he would react to my grandson. She has often told me that there is probably only 2 people that could come to the door and he would let them in. A friend of theirs that does a lot of work for them and is around a lot. And me. And we haven't really even tested that! But she thinks he would. (Do I want to test that?? LOL)

So anyway, I'm watching him and his tail was up and he seemed to be in that 'stare' and stance that just made me feel like he didn't like something. I told my grandson to get into the cart. As I did, the dog made a little growl and seem to charge forward a little bit. I couldn't tell if he would have if not leashed or not. Put the fear of God in Me. Not for me but for my grandson. I couldn't tell if he was thinking he had to protect me from my grandson or what. But I am very aware of it now and so is she. I wouldn't trust him at all with my kids there. There's actually been times that my husband has petted him that I watch carefully for any sign that the dog doesn't like it. But so far he's been fine with him. I think they are supposed to be good with kids. I just wonder if for some reason he felt the need to protect me? Other than that, he's a great dog and I bet he would be a great family dog.

And I'll tell you one thing, I never hear him bark! Never. Now the slobber might get to me too. :wtf3:

A side note on that incident. No correction was given. I think for myself I was taken by surprise and could only think of protecting my grandson. Maybe she was too but I think something should have been done in hindsight. Even if it was just a HEY! I can't remember if.... no I don't think I did anything. I was too focused on putting my grandson out of Harm's Way and surprised at the dog's reaction. You know how it is, within seconds your mind thinks a million things and I was trying to figure out what the hell was going on. LOL but I love that dog. Like he was my own. He's a happy little dog and he always makes me smile when he's pulling her over to me LOL:love:
 
Thanks for answering hehe. I pretty much know my next dog will be some sort of mastiff. I am not one to stick to just one breed. I love my Jasper, but I want to experience other breeds in my life.

Take a look at the health issues that Bullmastiffs are prone to. I was a little drawn away after looking into the health, but yes I am sure if you find a good breeder as with any breed you would be a bit better off. Cane Corso is still on the top of my list as well, and I agree on the Italian look (in fact I am sure you saw Senza Tempo Cane Corso on youtube, Preacher is a fantastic looking Cane Corso imo).

The Boerboel... talk about an imposing extremely large dog. Definitely a dog that someone should do extensive lengthly research before getting. I looked into Black Iron Boerboels. They seemed to have decent dogs but I didn't go too far in seeing what the health testing and temperament was like. Some breeders have females that have these terrible top lines. My coworker had a male years ago and I asked her about him. He didn't like visitors at the house, but other than that she said he was great. I ultimately didn't get one because I have a small yard right now and I was concerned that there was a chance I could end up with a massive dog with a poor temperament and no way to exercise him.

I looked into Dogo Argentinos also. I was close to getting one but I was concerned I wouldn't be able to provide for all its needs. Mostly the drive to hunt, since they are mainly used for boar hunting. I just felt like it was bred specifically for that job and having one in a small home and yard would be almost neglectful. Beautiful dog though. I would even consider one without its ears cropped.
 
Our one trainer has two cane corso's from the same breeder and actually had them in beginners agility :woot2: Beautiful brindles with their ears done, very sweet but generally unmotivated (at least in agility class hahahaha).

I don't know anything about the Boerboel but they have a much more... Intelligent? Aware?... looking face than the Bullmastiff pictures I find online.

I feel like American Bulldogs can either look really good or really off; not unlike many other bulldog of snub nosed breeds. Interesting choices!
 
Thanks for answering hehe. I pretty much know my next dog will be some sort of mastiff. I am not one to stick to just one breed. I love my Jasper, but I want to experience other breeds in my life.

Take a look at the health issues that Bullmastiffs are prone to. I was a little drawn away after looking into the health, but yes I am sure if you find a good breeder as with any breed you would be a bit better off. Cane Corso is still on the top of my list as well, and I agree on the Italian look (in fact I am sure you saw Senza Tempo Cane Corso on youtube, Preacher is a fantastic looking Cane Corso imo).

The Boerboel... talk about an imposing extremely large dog. Definitely a dog that someone should do extensive lengthly research before getting. I looked into Black Iron Boerboels. They seemed to have decent dogs but I didn't go too far in seeing what the health testing and temperament was like. Some breeders have females that have these terrible top lines. My coworker had a male years ago and I asked her about him. He didn't like visitors at the house, but other than that she said he was great. I ultimately didn't get one because I have a small yard right now and I was concerned that there was a chance I could end up with a massive dog with a poor temperament and no way to exercise him.

I looked into Dogo Argentinos also. I was close to getting one but I was concerned I wouldn't be able to provide for all its needs. Mostly the drive to hunt, since they are mainly used for boar hunting. I just felt like it was bred specifically for that job and having one in a small home and yard would be almost neglectful. Beautiful dog though. I would even consider one without its ears cropped.
Yeah, Black Iron is the breeder I would look into. They happen to be located just outside the city in which my in-laws live. I did contact them and ask if we could pay a visit sometime when we are in Bloomington, but I did not hear back from them at all.

Yes, I have seen the Senza Tempo Cane Corso videos. I actually enjoy watching them. The breeder does fancy herself quite the dog behavior expert. Maybe she is, but my style is different. Then again, I have not tried to control a pack of several dogs at once!
 
Yeah, Black Iron is the breeder I would look into. They happen to be located just outside the city in which my in-laws live. I did contact them and ask if we could pay a visit sometime when we are in Bloomington, but I did not hear back from them at all.

Yes, I have seen the Senza Tempo Cane Corso videos. I actually enjoy watching them. The breeder does fancy herself quite the dog behavior expert. Maybe she is, but my style is different. Then again, I have not tried to control a pack of several dogs at once!

I tried contacting Black Iron Boerboels via facebook when I was looking for a dog. They never replied. Im thinking its an old link and I would call them directly next time if I am looking for a dog.

Senza Tempo has some nice looking dogs. Seems like she is getting into showing too, I just hope it doesn't change the structure she was aiming for. I think the AKC prefers that boxer look more I am not sure. She does have quite the pack living in her house. Im not sure I would be able to handle that many dogs!
 
I’ve met a couple Cane Corsos that I really liked, I also like their colors. Generally dark. I do not like the boxer faces and prefer the heads that are more streamlined. Of course even those are still very bold but not overly so (to me). I’ve also met a couple Bull Mastiffs and while nice dogs, I found them to not be the brightest bulbs out there. And the slobber! I have a lot of experience with bully type breeds and I just love them... so adoring of their family and just clowns in general with a zest for life that is infectious. My Odyssey is a do all dog she can sleep on the couch all day or go on a five mile run, go 40 miles offshore fishing, whatever you want she is down and there! The boys on the other hand... good luck expecting them to just sleep all day and be happy lol
 
One plus with Corsos is I'd get to have a dog with cropped ears; and I tend to be in-your-face on the crop thing – not literally, but I'm like: Some people have such a problem with it? I'm gonna' love me some cropped ears – maybe even a battle crop. I like taking things all the way (again, figuratively :purps:) But, oh, that popularity factor! They seem to be one of, or the, "it" dog in large guarding breeds lately :thumbsdown:

Yeah, I was actually wondering if Senza Tempo's Corsos were the new style so to speak. Yes, Preacher and Batista, their two adult males, look pretty large and substantial with good sized heads, but they maybe don't look as big, coarse and as one breeder describes it "rustic" as a couple of the breeders I'm looking at. What's more, I was shocked at how quick, fast and prey-driven even big Preacher is in those videos! A 100 lb. + mastiff that moves like that? Wow! Yes, Cane Corsos are on the smaller end for a mastiff breed and are supposed to be kind of athletic, but those look like they could keep up easily with a typical 90 lb. Doberman.

In terms of American Bulldogs, I know I mentioned the breeder Bybee's out in CA, but I ran across another breeder in TN. You know how I said I am currently thinking I'd go "all in" and get a Johnson Type AB? Well, Bybee's is that, and I love a nice big head, but it almost seems they do it up a bit too extreme; and extreme comes at a cost in dogs. This other breeder in TN is in fact named Johnson and in reading their website it sounds like their ABs are the actual stock that is what the Johnson Type was/is. Their heads are nice and big and their bodies are quite big and stocky but the heads are a touch less extreme in size, and they are less extreme in the brachycephalic effect (pushed in snout).

The description of these ABs includes: "These tasks required a dog that feared no man or beast alive, but was still loyal and obedient to their master and keeper. These traits still exist with the Johnson American Bulldog."

The breeder is John D. Johnson Kennels


I know these type of dogs, like most Mastiffs (maybe not as much in the Bullmastiff?) have what I call "high hips" but this first pic look like too much. The second pic maybe a bit better. I know a lot depends on how a dog is standing and also that all dogs (even Dobermans!) can very often look bad in some pictures, and great in other pictures.
JohnDJohnsonHighHipMale.webp JohnDJohnsonBetterHip.webp
 
Oh, and yes, Dogo Argentinos I considered too (can have cropped ears on these too).

Seemed to be not too many breeders, but I guess that's true of a lot of breeds. One breeder claimed to be the authentic original line or whatever.
 

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