English Mastiff Talk? So, my hubby wants a English Mastiff. He LOVES big dogs! He loves our yorkies too, but he wants a dog of his own. LOL So I guess it's only fair because we have 2 yorkies that I got to pick out, he can have a mastiff. :) Does anyone have a mastiff and yorkies? How do they get along? Does anyone know of a forum like this, but for mastiffs? I have a lot of questions and want to learn as much about the breed as I can before we start looking for a breeder. Thanks in advance! :D |
English Mastiffs My last best friend was an English Mastiff, named Pebbles (irony, eh)...It took me a year and a half to get another pup, as I was heart-broken, to the core, when she had to go...They are the gentle giants...Mine got along w/my cat, wonderfully...They slept together, when it was cold, and my cat even mourned for a couple of weeks, and didn't eat much, when our Pebbles died...Keep in mind, they only live 6-10 years...Mine was 9 1/2, when I had to have her put down, w/hip dysplasia...She just couldn't get up, anymore, and I kept her really slim and trim...Also know, that giving them water, in the house, is totally out of the question...They shake their heads and sling what I used to call "slobber gobs"...I'm an extremely good house-keeper, but I still run across one, every now an then lol...Pebbles gave me more joy than you can ever imagine, and more sadness than I thought I could bear, when she was gone...Also, they have HUGE waste, so find a food that creates the least, and be prepared to do clean up in your yard, daily, or you'll get to where you can't go outside...Also, keep a towel, at the back-door, to wipe out her "jowls", before she comes in, as she will definitely be full of water, grass, mud, or whatever she has managed to sniff around and will give her huge head a big shake when she come in...I hope your husband treats your new mastiff w/much love and kindness, and they are so sensitive and eager to please you...One more thing, I also had my pebbles on a farm (when I was married) and she was good around the horses/cows/chickens...Never bothered anyone, but was an extremely protective dog, if anyone came near the house...She never bit anyone, but she sure convinced them she would, if they moved any closer...All the best to you, if you decide to get one, and let me know how it works out....Love Maggie & Apple:aimeeyork |
I had a bullmastiff as my last best friend (what a lovely way of putting it). I echo the sentiment of a very short life span. My bullmastiff passed away just shy of his 8th birthday, and that was with almost 2 years of chemo treatments (diagnosed with lymphoma at 6). Not a day goes by that I don't think of my Hutchy and want a giant bear hug. I also agree with the drool. Funny what used to known as drool rags are now what we use to clean up accidents in the place. Hutch wouldn't dream of using the bathroom in the house unlike some yorkies I know. :rolleyes: I should give a little backstory - my parents got two bullmastiffs, Starsky and Hutch (female and male) during my freshman year of college. Starksy unfortunately passed away from bloat (common problem in these giant breeds, especially with the barrel chests) in her sleep. It still breaks my heart. Anyways, when I graduated from college, Hutch came to live with me, but he was always "mine." We just had a connection. As far as health problems other than the bloat and lymphoma, Starsky had already had corrective hip surgery before her 2nd birthday and Hutch had eye surgery for entropion around his 2nd birthday. They were not "cheap" dogs. I don't know if Hutch was a freak of nature of what, but I never thought what he "produced" so to speak was that much for his size. He did get high quality premium dog food. After living with my parents, who had five acres and a HUGE house, he adjusted to living with me in an apartment with almost no trouble. I suppose part of it was he didn't have his playmate to chase around any longer, but they are honestly pretty laid back dogs especially by the second year. He was very content to go for a few short walks to use the restroom per day. Sometimes we'd even have to coax him to go out. I will tell you one of the reasons (besides always wanting a yorkie) that I decided to go with a smaller breed was due to the short life span. Another thing to consider (hate to be negative) was that if I didn't have my boyfriend around Hutch probably couldn't have gotten all the care he received to prolong his life, because when he was really sick there was NO WAY I could have picked him up and carried him up/down stairs or put him in or out of the car. My 6'5 boyfriend did all the heavy lifting and any type of mastiff that is dead weight is extreme. Here is a very (long) video I made after he passed if you would like to see it: I would stress the importance of socialization early on in these dogs. They can be very protective and weary of other "strange" dogs and people. Hutch didn't necessarily enjoy being petted by everyone he came across, but would tolerate it. He would almost walk up to them and wait as if to say, "go ahead." He did really like little girls (I guess because of the high pitched voices?). Hutch was much like the mastiff mentioned above - he never bit anyone, but surely gave the impression he might if you didn't leave his family be. And after rambling so long about my big boy, I will answer your question and say that unfortunately I don't know of anything like English Mastiff Talk. :( |
Thank you maggerle! Thank you maggerle! Sounds like exactly what we are looking for. A gentle giant, yet protective. We do understand they will only live 6-10 years, but isnt that common for most bigger dogs? I am so sorry to hear about your Pebbles! :( As for the poo and slobber, hubby already knows this dog will be HIS responsibilty and I get to sit back and love on him/her. :D Thank you again! I really appreciate it! |
Wow, just more affirmation about owning a mastiff...Bottom line in my decision to get a very small dog, was being unable to lift my mastiff in and out of the car, when I needed to...When I was married, I had some "brawn" to do the lifting...But everything happens for good to those that (and some of you will know the rest of the story)... Anyway, I opted for a small dog, and the yorkie choice was mostly due to the aforementioned...And MAN, are you ever right about mastiffs being an easier dog to housetrain! Although I've just about got Apple not to go on the carpet, her puddle pads are strategically located in the foyer and kitchen (ceramic tile), and it's a hit and miss, at best...I don't say anything, as the tile is easy to clean, and the carpet, not so much, but I have become a slave to my little bundle of joy, and would do it again, 'cause she is my little bundle of joy |
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Rory is pretty good about using her pad, but every now and then a tiny bit will leak off the side and of course fall right into the crack of the tile - well I don't need to tell you how fast that spreads. EWW! Lane is a shot in the dark. She is a rescue from a puppymill bust, but considering we have only had her about 2.5 months and her life prior to this was spent in a rabbit cage where I assume she just went when she had to, she is getting good about using the pad! :aimeeyork |
Thank you TresCutePiggies Thank you TresCutePiggies! Im so sorry to hear about your babies, Starsky and Hutch :( (I love those names by the way!) I really appreciate all the great information and I am very excited to watch the video when I get home. (My computer at work wont let me watch it) Its good to know they do well on 5 acres and in an apartment. I am not looking forward to the drool though! haha I don't know what my furbabies will think about the slime either. Eeewww haha Thank you for all the great information! I appreciate your honesty about the not so positive things too. These are things I need to know before we decide to get one. Thank you! |
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Extremes right? 3 Attachment(s) These are the really large extremes, right? Please tell me yes, they are HUGE!! haha |
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Awwww hes SO CUTE!!!! :D I was hoping those others were fake! lol :D |
OMG TresCutePiggies!!!! I loved your video of him! He looks like he was a big teddy bear and I just want to squeeze him! Thank you for showing me that. It must have been really hard for you to put together! He melted my heart. He was so smart and spoiled rotten! :D I love him! Thank you so much for sharing!!! :) |
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You'll have to be sure to post an update and pictures when/if you and your husband decide on a mastiff. :D |
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Lol, I hope no one ever breeds a yorkie with an English Mastiff, I would hate to see a dog the size of a Mastiff, with the typical yorkie "attitude." :eek: |
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