Bullmastiffs

[Oh Little Oji]

Some more thoughts on the American Mastiff:

I found this thread on a forum from about a dozen years ago – 2007/2008. (FYI, I believe the AM was recognized by the CKC in 2000)

The people on this Mastiff forum were sort of foaming at the mouths about the AM. Some folks were so incensed or disgusted by the fact that the AM's founders can't/won't provide exact details about what went into the breed. The people so up in arms over this were English Mastiff people. They were talking about how they, the EM folks, could trace back their dogs' lineage and so forth. Of course, someone brought up that sometime after WWII I think they said the breed needed to be rehabilitated and some crossing-in occurred. The short-haired St. Bernard was mentioned. This, in my book, takes some of the wind out of the sails of the stuffy EM folks. The EM is claimed to be this breed from antiquity – ancient times.

So yeah. On the AM, some brought up the confusion over the Anatolian "Mastiff" vs. the Anatolian Shepherd. Someone also posted a pic of a Turkish Kangal dog, implying it might be what was used. In addition to folks positing that there was the potential of temperament problems – implying dangerous aggression – they were just impugning the breed on its uncertain breeding and ancestry.

In my mind, the AM has been breeding true to type for over two decades now, and we have no shortage of legitimate-seeming testimonials on the website of the breed's founder from owners who are absolutely in love with their AMs. Some of these are in memoriam. Most of the dogs look very much the same, consistently. Most of the testimonials speak of the lovely temperament and many show kids laying on/with the massive dogs. It appears these dogs have lifespans generally longer than the Doberman.

I realize that any negative testimonials would not be put up on the website. I would like to get my eyes on some.

So yeah, it's found to be so unacceptable by some of the purebred Mastiff folks that we don't know exactly what went into the making of the American Mastiff. I wonder how folks felt back around the turn of the 20th Century about a young breed of dog that had been started by a man who chose dogs from what he got his hands on through working as a dog catcher – the breeds of which nobody really knows.

 

[JanS]

Sort of OT but I came across this page today. Dobermans and Corsos.
https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.sullina?fref=hovercard&hc_location=none&__tn__=,dH-R-R

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I have never learned just what "hashtags" do, but a Corso breeder that I am most interested in puts a bunch of them at the end of their f-bk posts. I am concerned by some of them like "big dog" and "puppy love" and names of other breeds.

Again, I don't know exactly what hashtags do, but I'm guessing it helps searches for "big dog" and "puppy love" direct the searcher to that site. ? Which, of course is concerning.

Thoughts?

Here are the hashtags from a recent post:

#canecorso #canecorsopuppies #canecorsofans #canecorsolove#canecorsotraditional #traditonalcanecorso #canecorsoitaliano#canecorsoworld #molloser #mastiff #bigdog #dogoargentino #pitbull#abkc #englishmastiff #englishbulldog #presacanario#doguedebordeaux #rottweiler #puppies #puppy #puppylove#dogsofinstaworld

 

[Lizbeli]

My understanding is they help the site get more views by adding key words. It looks like they added other large or powerful breeds hoping to attract someone searching for those things. I wouldn’t assume anything from it if they do the proper screening for potential puppy buyers.

 

[MyBuddy]

I have never learned just what "hashtags" do,

I never did either and just ignore them.

 

[JanS]

I have never learned just what "hashtags" do

They are one of the most annoying things I see on the internet and key words without all of the #bs are so much more professional.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Just like I signed up for facebook some years ago solely to get up to date information on local breweries, I may be on the verge of signing up for the "Insta" because I see that the breeder I've been interested in has a bunch of pictures there and there are a lot of comments on them. I should be able to learn some things by reading the comments.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I have poked around "Insta" a bit on that Corso breeder's pics. One thing I've gleaned already is a surprising thing the breeder revealed in responding to a comment. Someone asked where they can find a puppy application. The breeder responded "We don't run on applications..."

This breeder has indeed seemed to be pretty eager to sell pups.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

One thing about Cane Corsos that I've noticed that I really don't like is:

The black Corsos – while they are pretty awesome looking – they tend to have pink anuses. Funny sounding, I know, but I don't like the look of that! The Doberanuses on our Black Dobes come in nice tasteful shades of grey!

What's up Corsi?

 

[Lizbeli]

Thats hilarious! I guess if you are getting a dog with a docked tail, or a dog that holds the tail high that would be a concern. Thats all people would be looking at haha!

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I continue to float around and land on the very small handful of islands that comprise my next-dog plan.

It's been Cane Corso for weeks now. I've found the type I like the looks of, and a breeder less than 2 hours away; but I know nothing of the temperament of their dogs and the breeder (who I've been in text contact with a few times) didn't follow through on my invitation to talk on the phone about temperament. He also seems much too willing and eager to sell pups.

So I'm looking for a breed that barks a lot less, and that has powerful respectable appearance and doesn't take half its lifespan to achieve it. I want a short coat, and I'd like cropped ears. Of course, great actual guarding ability is a must.

My mind has gone to: What about a Doberman not from working lines? Hopefully a nice big powerful intimidating looking one? That is the type of deterrent factor a Corso could get me.

My wife actually said something about looking for a Dobe not from working lines. Of course, my greatest fear lies on that Island – winding up with a wimp. My last two Dobes from working lines have delivered in the courage department.

There is actually a Dobe breeder whose mission and and beliefs about the breed I very much agree with. They believe in working ability, and are a thowback – believing in what the breed was intended to be in the earlier days. They also care about aesthetics. And, get this:Speaking of old-time, and working ability: Your pup comes with a medium crop! These are Euro Dobes by the way.

This is where I am sitting now, though I am still worried about having a barky, high strung, high exercise needs Dobe; but what're you gonna' do?

 

[Oh Little Oji]

Oh shoot. I forgot that I pasted in that video link with my last post. I wanted to share that vid, but that is by no means showing Dobes from the breeder I was talking about.

I've viewed this woman's videos on other breeds, and they're entertaining. She seems to like to put out there sensational dollar amounts that the fully trained dogs cost. Another breed was $100,000.

But yeah, the Dobe in this vid does not impress me much with its working/biting, or its conformation. It's decent looking. The dog gets fed the sleeve – it's shoved into its mouth. No way to promote a good bite.

 

[JanS]

There is actually a Dobe breeder whose mission and and beliefs about the breed I very much agree with. They believe in working ability, and are a thowback – believing in what the breed was intended to be in the earlier days. They also care about aesthetics. And, get this:Speaking of old-time, and working ability: Your pup comes with a medium crop! These are Euro Dobes by the way.

Not a bad thought. You don't need a high drive Euro with strong working lines to have a nicely built Euro (or even SA) Doberman who can still seriously kick butt when it wants/needs too.

 

[Lizbeli]

I don’t think you could go wrong with a cane corso, or a doberman. The one thing that I thought hard about was that cane corsos are a healthier breed than our dobies (unfortunately).

Jasper has been a fantastic dog to live with. A pretty easy keeper as far as the breed goes. Definitely keeps the creeps away just in looks. He is wary with strangers unless he sees me interacting with them. Im not sure if he would bite someone to protect me, but I take precautions in public just incase.

However, I do worry about his health. Every once in a while I will randomly think about DCM. I can’t fathom losing him at a young age. I was so close to getting a cane corso just because of DCM. But, I love my Jasper!

 

[Rits]

Every once in a while I will randomly think about DCM. I can’t fathom losing him at a young age. I was so close to getting a cane corso just because of DCM. But, I love my Jasper!

I believe the best idea is to test them young now (yes even pets) Catch it early and you have a much better chance at a longer life with medication. I think two is the earliest for an echo. Not sure about the holter. And then it's every so many years until a certain age. Then every year? Maybe someone can chime in that does test @GennyB @strykerdobe

 

[GennyB]

I believe the best idea is to test them young now (yes even pets) Catch it early and you have a much better chance at a longer life with medication. I think two is the earliest for an echo. Not sure about the holter. And then it's every so many years until a certain age. Then every year? Maybe someone can chime in that does test @GennyB @strykerdobe

Age 2 is correct for starting the testing for a baseline. Annually on the testing and then biannually when they turn 5.
There are lots of ways to make it less expensive that I think @strykerdobe and I have posted in several threads. I highly recommend doing the testing as it can add years to your dogs life. Not to mention it could give valuable information that may led to a cure or finding the key to eliminating this horrible disease.

 

[Lizbeli]

I definitely plan on testing. I haven’t looked at the prices yet. The good thing is we have pet insurance. I assume that I pay for testing. But if we find anything and he needs treatment I can use the insurance for that. Still- not a pleasant thought. Only 6 more months until Jasper can get his first test. Unfortunately I do not know much about the longevity in his lines, im pretty worried they aren’t that good. Thats part of where I failed when I chose a breeder.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I definitely plan on testing. I haven’t looked at the prices yet. The good thing is we have pet insurance. I assume that I pay for testing. But if we find anything and he needs treatment I can use the insurance for that. Still- not a pleasant thought. Only 6 more months until Jasper can get his first test. Unfortunately I do not know much about the longevity in his lines, im pretty worried they aren’t that good. Thats part of where I failed when I chose a breeder.

You know what? Jasper is a wonderful, smart, fun Dobe and he's gorgeous! If he lives to at least around 8 years you've done well, I say! Seems to me that 8 is about the magic number for Dobes.

 

[MyBuddy]

I was out mowing this morning when my friend came by with my boyfriend! She said, you spoil him! I said, how do I do that? She said, you actually stop mowing just to say hello to him! But of course! I love that little guy!

And he loves me! Before I can even get off the lawn mower he's climbing up to me!



He's such a good boy. He just turned 6 the other day. I hope he lives a long time cuz I will be just as devastated as she will when he's gone!

 

[JanS]

If he lives to at least around 8 years you've done well, I say! Seems to me that 8 is about the magic number for Dobes.

That's not nearly long enough for me but I know what you're saying with so many premature deaths from DCM. Della's mom is over 13 and our two are getting up there but when the quality of life is there, I'm happy.