Post # 1
Member
5788 posts
Bee Keeper
Both of my daughters got puppies in the past two weeks and I have to admit, I’m kind of nervous at how big they’re supposed to get once full grown. One is a Bullmastiff and is supposed to get as big as 150 lbs., and the other is a grey Pitbull…only 60 lbs. I’m pretty nervous around big dogs (mine is 11 lbs.) so is there anything I need to know about the large breeds? I’ve been around both already several times and of course all puppies are sweet, but I must admit I’m worried about not only myself but all the small kids in the family.
This is the Bridesmaid or Best Man and he’s 22 lbs at 11 weeks!
9 week old Pit at 14 lbs.
Post # 3
Member
94 posts
Worker bee
Oh my goodness! I love the bullmastif puppy! Adorable! I had a co-worker who had a bullmastif. He was a great dog- well behaved. However, I think the owner worked really hard with him to make him as good as he was. I know they used to go on 3-5 mile runs every morning.
Post # 4
Member
7429 posts
Busy Beekeeper
Aww they are totally adorable!!! They are gentle giants, I assure you. I have a pit/american bulldog mix and she is 65 lbs of solid muscle, and a big baby. She is protective us when need be, but very friendly and great around kids. Just make sure they are trained and socialized properly, and early!!! Make sure they know who the master is
Post # 5
Member
256 posts
Helper bee
Be careful! My sister was bit in the face by a bull mastif. She has permanent damage to her tear duct!
Post # 6
Member
857 posts
Busy bee
Those are both very cute puppies. I love Bull Mastiffs, but I’m not allowed to get one so long as I am married to my husband because their poops are too big. 🙂
However, the ones I have met have all been such sweeties. You just have to worry about hip dysplasia because I guess that is a very common problem for the breed. Don’t worry, I think you and your daughters will have a lot of fun with those pups!
Post # 7
Member
5788 posts
Bee Keeper
@norab2684:AACK!! My biggest fear. Her neighbor has 2 small kids and I’m beside myself waiting for them to have a taller fence installed.
Post # 8
Member
238 posts
Helper bee
AWWW! So cute! Don’t worry- large dogs, if trained well, are usually much better behaved than smaller dogs (small dogs seem to get away with a lot more). I would find out what methods your daughters are using to train their dogs and try to reinforce the training while you’re around the dogs, so that they don’t think they can get away with stuff once they are older. For example, your daughters are probably using some kind of method to train their dogs not to jump on people, so learn to do that rather than encouraging the puppies to jump since they are so cute (I am guilty of this!) Same goes for other behaviors- what is cute for a puppy or small dog is dangerous for a big dog!
Post # 9
Member
404 posts
Helper bee
There’s nothing to be worried about as long as the puppies get trained early on and properly socialized. Both of those breeds do tend to be hard headed, so making sure that they know who’s boss from the very beginnning is important! Bullmastiff’s usually do really well with kids, like a PP said, they are “gentle giants.”
Post # 10
Member
7429 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@norab2684: yes, and my brother had his ear almost bitten off by a chow chow, and I had my nose bitten by a pointer. Doesn’t matter the breed, it matters how you train it. Small dogs are much more prone to bite than big dogs, unless provoked
Post # 11
Member
256 posts
Helper bee
@ItWasntMe:As other people have said, just be sure to train them and I am sure it will be fine. This dog had already bit the owners daughter so clearly this dog has some issues.
Post # 12
Member
7429 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@ItWasntMe: I would highly recommend taking them to obedience training. Petsmart offers it, but you could also find some others around you as well. Make sure your daughters learn the techniques, and continue to enforce them.
It actually amazes me how quickly my older dog was able to pick up some things. I was watching Cesar Milan and he was talking about getting your dogs attention when they are barking or going after another dog (when walking for example). Mine won’t usually say or do anything unless the other dog does, and down the street there is a young dog who barks like crazy at the fence when we walk by. Anyway, when my dog started barking back and walking towards the fence, I tightened her leash, snapped my fingers right above her head and said her name, made her give me eye contact,and she stopped and ignored him the rest of the time. A couple times of that, and she no longer even looks at the dog. And I taught her that at 9 years old, and it works on other dogs with “fence balls” as well. Its amazing that old dogs can be taught new tricks!!
Oh, and also, PLEASE tell them to get a harness and not a choker collar for the dogs!!!! I cannot stress this enough. Choker collars make them not want to behave because they are being choked, and the harness lifts up the front legs and doesn’t hurt them, plus gives much more control. My dog is 65lbs and I can easily stop her in her tracks with the harness.
Post # 13
Member
376 posts
Helper bee
Don’t worry about the size of the dog. They can be trained to be very good around the children. Please know that they are puppies till 2 years old. They should both be neutered to reduce any possible territory guarding issues. And with both those breeds they may not be good with other animals or small animals due to high prey drive. Eventually they may not be able to visit at the same time. Maybe they will be great and fine with other dogs and small animals it really depends on the individual dog and their socalization. I would be worried more about their interaction with other animals then wich children. Big dogs are just more to hug 🙂
Post # 14
Member
13094 posts
Honey Beekeeper
Most all big dogs I’m met are gentle giants – basically big old teddy bears! So long as they are properly trained and socialized (as any dog – big or small – should be), there should be nothing to worry about.
ETA: That bull mastiff puppy is about the cutest thing ever!
Post # 15
Member
529 posts
Busy bee
I agree with the other girls, I have a boxer and he literally thinks he is my child he sits in my lap like a toddler, he would not hurt a fly, I made sure I had him around other animals and people from day one, he was so cute I couldnt really keep people away anyways lol
Post # 16
Member
3620 posts
Sugar bee
My SIL has two bullmastiffs, they’re very friendly, but HUGE! They drool a lot and think they’re lap dogs, but they’re really good dogs.