MemberThanks, everyone. Training is to begin shortly for both. Our vet didn’t suggest it until ours was 6 months old. Sooner for these kinds of dogs or doesn’t it make much difference when?
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MemberI definately agree there is nothing to worry about with large breed dogs. I prefer them myself especially since I was attacked by our family shih tzu when I was younger. Most large dogs are just gentle giants and will try to be your lap dogs as long as you let them. Just make sure they are well socialized and there should be no problem, and I agree with whoever said little dogs tend to get away with more.
MemberI wouldn’t be so concerned about the size, I have a Newfoundland dog, so he is about the size of the Bullmastiff, and I would trust kids around him more than any other dog I know.
Often those giant breed dogs, when properly trained and socialized (ie exposed to kids, many different people, and animals as early and frequently as possible) are the most gentle and kind dogs to have children around.
My Newfoundland dog as a natural affinity to children, and really likes to soothe and comfort them with kisses or by standing tightly beside them to be cuddled.
I did put a lot of work into training and socializing my dog – we did the Petsmart obedience classes, because I loved that they were in the store, with lots of distractions and people milling around. If your daughter finds a trainer she trusts, they will really help her to find the best ways to cope with her dog, like when Charlie was about 100 pounds we had some pulling issues that weren’t easily remedied, so we ended up using a prong collar to help control him – initially I was opposed, but the trainer really thought it would help, and I trusted her, so I gave it a shot, and it worked really well for him.
We also made good use of my friends and families kids and pets to socialize him. We had a few “puppy parties” as well, because I had a few friends with puppies around the same age (and all different sizes, him my Newfoundland dog, to a Bishon).
I know this is getting long, but I hope it eases your mind a bit/
MemberI have a pit bull mix and she’s the sweetest thing ever! Seriously. More gentle than my ILs Shelties.
There are a couple bull mastiffs on our block and they are so sweet and good natured.
And like all others said, like humans, it’s all in parenting.
Agreed. As soon as they have all their shots they can start obedience training. We started our pup at around 11 weeks and we got her at 10 weeks. It’s important to start socialization with other dogs and humans early on!
Your local SPCA will likely have cheap obedience class and or puppy playgroups.
MemberMy boyfriend’s family has 3 English Mastiffs and they are huge! They’ve knocked me down when I’ve played with them because they don’t realize how strong they are. But they are all gentle giants, with any breed I think it all depends on the training. The sooner the better!
MemberSooner rather than later is always good when it comes to starting training. Getting them well socialized to children and other dogs is really easy to do when they are still puppies.
That being said, there is a Bullmastiff in my neighborhood dog play group and she (her name is Lily hahaha) runs around with the little kids and my 25 pound Corgi like it’s nothing. Super gentle and very sweet. Huge and drooly, but really a pleasure to be around.
MemberWho cares the size (in terms of personality and temperament) but the type of dog.
At my small dog park there are the most annoying dogs and yappy ill-behaved dogs! (mos are chihuahua sp?)
Training is key.
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogprofile.do?id=2380
Good news Bullmastiffs are easy to train and low energy, but tend to not be friendly to strangers, so early socialization is key
Pitbulls I wont comment on because it is a highly debatable, but I do not like them.
MemberI’d like to throw out there that BREEDING makes a huge difference. A reputable breeder that is known to produce quality dogs with good temperament is your safest bet. Second to that is your socialization, exercise and training!
MemberI grew up with a Boxer, who took a few chunks out of a few dogs when he got loose, but was gentle as anything around us. Everyone I know has big dogs that are well behaved, but when my kids were little our neighborhood had a few nasty ones that took the pleasure out of even going for a walk. I guess they turned me off to larger breeds for myself, but my girls and their husbands love them.
My one daughter was bitten by two Cocker Spaniels (in different states) and was terribly afraid of all dogs for the longest time. She’s the one with the Bull, so it kind of surprises me they decided on one so large. I’ve read all about the gentle giants too, so I guess only time will tell about how well they do with training him.
Thanks again for the reassurance. 🙂
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MemberI didn’t read through all of the other remarks, so I’m sorry if I’m repeating what someone else said 🙂
I have a great dane and a ridgeback, and I’m a lover of big dogs. I’ve been around many of them and I have to say that, although the size of them can be daunting, it seems to be that the bigger the dog, the bigger the heart… and the more they think they’re a lap dog. They have the opposite of a Napoleon complex, in that they tend to be big scared-i-cats haha. But, the biggest thing to know is, as with all breeds, you need to make sure you start training with them young, and keep with it as they go through the adolescent stages. And include your children in the training so the dogs will know their place. It’s so worth it in the end!
LOVE those pictures!!!!
MemberYou can feel the way you want, but please don’t put up a site that targets certain breeds, and don’t target ALL breeds. I think if you looked elsewhere, you would find that pits are much more docile than a lot of other vreeds
MemberMemberexample 1) a friend that had pitbulls for his entire life (hes nearing 40) he had two siblings and one turn on the other after 6 years. They had to put one down. They were from reputable breeders
example 2) A friend that is rescued 3 pitbull puppies less than a year old at different times. She can not keep two of them anywhere near each other or they will go at each others necks.
I have never known another dog to attack to kill, bite yes, but not attack to kill. Both these people were avid pitbull advocates until these things happened. I witnessed one of the attacks of example 1.
They are bred to fight in many areas, which means those that don’t fight well die. Which means those that do fight well live on to breed, which helps to define its DNA in some aspect. Its the Darwinian theory with a human involvement. Something from the ASPCA.
“When two dogs fight, the conflict is usually ritualized. The objective is for one dog to win the disagreement with little or no bloodshed. The participants try to intimidate each other by engaging in plenty of dramatic-looking behavior, which may include posturing, circling, growling, showing teeth and snarling. Bites delivered during a fight are typically inhibited because the point is to cause pain but not necessarily to inflict serious injuries. Pit bulls have been bred to behave differently during a fight. They may not give warning before becoming aggressive, and they’re less likely to back down when clashing with an opponent. When provoked, they may become aggressive more readily than another breed might. Sometimes they don’t inhibit their bites, so they may cause injury more often than other dogs.”
http://www.aspcabehavior.org/articles/193/The-Truth-About-Pit-Bulls.aspx
And its not to say there are not GREAT pets that are pitbulls. I know several that I love but I will not allow those owners to pet sit my dog. Just in case.
EDIT: I only mean I dont trust pits in relation to other animals… not towards humans (for the most part as long as they are not instigated- like most dogs)
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