The Raven Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Im getting a dog in the next few months. I have a small holding so exercise isnt a problem and the dog will have the run of the land 24/7. We keep horses too and kids are around alot. Ive got the choices down to 3, Boxer dog, (had 2 before) American bulldog And a Bull Mastiff. I know boxers suffer from hips and eye issues. Anyone own any of the other types? Good with kids? Problems with the breeds? Im reading up on them but theres nothing like someone that owns one opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 CW is an expert on this as well as Supras Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECK Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 my sister breeds her bullmastiffs she loves them has two rotties too:blink: to be honest i love bullmastiffs they look so good "beau" is a blonde bully bitch with alot of energy and she has the run of the grounds too but she still bounces around like a puppy (yea a bloody great big puppy!) still a great breed lovely animals alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garethr Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 My dad had a boxer some years back. When my daughter was little he used to follow her everywhere and sleep outside her bedroom door when she stayed over. Very amusing to watch a four-year old toddling about with a 70 lb boxer shadowing her every move. However, he was about 3 years old before he stopped being a puppy...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 My dad had a boxer some years back. When my daughter was little he used to follow her everywhere and sleep outside her bedroom door when she stayed over. Very amusing to watch a four-year old toddling about with a 70 lb boxer shadowing her every move. However, he was about 3 years old before he stopped being a puppy...... Thats what i love about them, mine was still a total arse till he was 10. However the problems he suffered where quite bad, if you crossed one with one of the other dogs would it breed out the issues? Or would the poor puppy get both parents problems? I should add that other dogs will be around. So id need one that would mix well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Bull mastiffs are lovely dogs, but can and do slobber a bit, and they can be dominant, even aggressive. After all, they were bred for fighting originally, then used as a game keepers dog to drive off poachers. No grooming problems, though, nice short coats, like the boxers. I have always fancied one myself. I don't know anything about American Bulldogs. You obviously know your boxers. There will be LOADS of info on the net, as well as breed clubs, rescue centres, blah blah. If you have kids i am always sceptical of rescue dogs where they are a large breed. I know to my cost that an unsuspected trigger can set them off, if you want something that size I'd reluctantly have to say always get a puppy if you have kiddies about. What about Bouviers? They are nice, great with kids, but need grooming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 I wouldnt touch a rescue dog, Unless it was a puppy to risky. Bouvier are nice but in winter with muddy fields it would be a nightmare. Read about bull boxers? Boxer cross American bull dog. More reading up more or less says that both american bulldog and Mastiff can be dog agressive which is a shame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edge Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 Ive also found in many ways you get what you pay for when it comes to dogs. As chris mentioned it may be a risk getting a rescue dog. If your willing to pay the money for a boxer with good blood lines it may save you a bit in the long run. I have 2 dobes. One is a show dog/pet and the other just a pet. I payed £1000 for one and £650 for the other. So far its just been vets bills for the cheaper one. And the temrament differs quite alot. I think boxers are one of the funiest dogs around and there characters are just something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 If you need something that isn't other dog aggressive you need to be looking at the gundog, utility and hound groups. Avoid all pastoral and most of the working groups. What other dog(s) does the new one have to get on with? We have 9 dogs, only 2 of the males (young brothers) are trustworthy together, and none of the bitches. They are all of a breed and size where a fight is a major incident, and unless you are dedicated living with such animals it is a nightmare. If you are planning a multi dog household that live in harmony it needs careful thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazboy Posted September 22, 2007 Share Posted September 22, 2007 I know this is the default "recommend what you own" but what about a Staffy or if you want a bigger dog a Bull Terrier? The staffy is fantastic with kids and if socialised properly is absolutely fine with other dogs, mine has played with 6-7 other staffies with one toy between them with no problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted September 22, 2007 Author Share Posted September 22, 2007 There is a wire hair terrier in the house right now. He used to live well with my old boxer handy at rat killing, however the little git has taken to rabbit killing now. He is a lovely dog and loves all other dogs he meets. I had my heart set on an american bulldog when i saw one out at the beach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supragal Posted September 23, 2007 Share Posted September 23, 2007 Are you planning on getting it neutered? That will help with the agression side but nothing more than a god upbriging and lots of socilisation from the day you take them home. Are you planning on taking them out with the horses? In which case go for the breeds that can cope with and enjoy lots of exercise. The hip etc problems you will find some issue with all purebreds. Make sure you go for a good breeding line with a clear history with the particular problems and don't overdo the exercise when they are young. At the time it seems like forever you are waiting but you'll be glad you did as they get older!!! Lastly, get a Ridgeback, they RULE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n boost Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Dogs are just like humans and two dogs of the same breed might have totally different personalities. I have had a few different breeds before and currently have a neopolitian bullmastiff which i got from my local rescue centre. She was 2 yrs old when i got her and i have had her for 3 yrs now. She was really aggresive in the dogs home but as soon as took her home she was by the far best behaved dog i had. I bred her with a american bulldog and have a pup which is 1 yr old now. He is aggresive and very nippy with his teeth and has none of the characteristics of his parents as they are both calm dogs. Also with these dogs they dribble alot and can be messy. I would not want to trust them around kids unsupervised as they are very powerfull dogs and being so large they can get carried away just messing about and cause injury. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smiles181 Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 I have a beagle,beautiful dog but hard work.However id your have land it would be alot easier for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Raven Posted September 24, 2007 Author Share Posted September 24, 2007 Looking to be an old english mastiff. I will wait till after xmas , then find myself a good breeder. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaughany Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Hello Mate I have a German Shepherd, these are great dogs, loyal, obedient, intelligent and great working dogs. I have two small children and the dogs gets on fine with them. The dog is protective of them and when we go for walks will keep an eye on the kids and not let them stray to far. As stated before, there is a risk getting a dog that has been rehomed, ask pleanty of questions, find out the history of the dog. Go and meet the dog and take the kids to meet the dog also, see how the dog reacts, is it shy, aggressive, does it approach you and the kids with no hesitation and is it friendly. I got my shepherd from a registered breeder when it was 12 weeks old so paid alot more. This is no guarantee that the dog will be sound but at least this way I met the breeder, met the puppies and met the puppies parents. I could assess the temperament of the puppy and then look at the dogs parents to see how they were, this gave me an idea of how he would turn out when he was grown. With kids in the house, their is always a risk, you need to educate the kids not to pull at the dog or poke it etc especially when the dog is new. Once settled the dog and kids will learn each other boundaries and dog should be more at ease. Just be aware with a rehomed dog, depending on the history, this could take much longer. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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