Hi :D

I'm just about to get myself a staffi pup with the intention of showing her. I love them and it's the ideal dog for our situation (space/money)

A few years down the line tho I really want a mastiff of some sort. Danes were my fave as a kid, then I met an adorable bullmastiff as a teen and now I've come across the only blue cane corso in Ireland and she's great too!

I know you'll all tell me that your breed is the best but could you give me an honest list off pro's and cons on your breed? Also roughly how much they cost to keep on a day to day basis - special feed for giants etc?

This is just for interest as I'm going to have my hands full with kids and staffi for a couple more years :)

Hiya, well i have Bullmastiffs had this breed for years and years also got Bulldogs had them for 6 years and i have Cane-Corsos had them for 2 years so there you go. The Corso i have at home is a Blue male you can see a picture of him on Carla's web site, they like to work to be doing /obedience they are like a border collie need to be doing. only take notice of one owner / sorry post name for Carla is ChloeH.

Hiya Wishfairy,

I have owned Bullmastiffs for two years and can honestly say they are easier to deal with than the two labradors that I grew up with, which I did not expect. I always thought double the size, double the trouble but it's not the case at all.

Whilst they do have their stubborn streaks it nothing that you can't deal with as long as you nip it in the bud at an early age. The comments I always get from small dog owners or non dog owners is god they must cost a fortune to feed. Well that really depends on whether you want to feed them on the best food for their health and well being.

I've just put my pup on Eukanuba, but that's because I want her to have the best start in life making sure she has access to glucosamine for her joints and cartilages. There are plenty of different food types out there and if you research them I'm sure you'll find cheaper foods that provide the necessary nutrients for your dog.

Hope this helps.

Sarah
xx

:D :D :D

I know I want a staffi and one of the mastiff breed but I'm nowhere near deciding which one! I'll probably wait untill my old girl leaves us :( By then we should be in a better position and the kids will be that bit older.

I was told that the corso aren't as slobbery as the others which is a bonus. And the thing that puts me off Danes is their short lifespan but I'm hearing tales of them living to 15 sometimes so maybe that was not knowing about what food etc they needed to thrive?

Thanks for your replies btw :)

i think you would find that the C.C.slobbers as well.

Hi WishFairy.

I too own a Bullmastiff and have done 4 years now, (going along with what Sarah say's) yes they are a stubborn breed and if bought up properly from a pup, they are wonderful dogs.
I don't even know I have got mine somedays, if hes not outside in the garden....hes sleeping lol, but they are lovable and so gentle.
They love children but having a 9 stone Bully around you do have to be careful, because they can do harm without meaning to for the love and affection they give for that child.
They are also very loyal and protective of there family....plus being very strong, so not ideal for the novice.
Males tend to be more dominant than females so a careful watch around other dogs is a must.

The breed is not a slobber, this only happens when the Bullmastiff as had water or gets hot...those are the only times, we always have a towel handy for this.
There is always the health to consider when choosing this special breed.

lol - I'll put plastic rain coat on the list of essential buys then ;)

Obviously I'll be finding a good breeder when the time comes (for checks and advise etc) but what are the common health complaints?

lol I should.

The most common health problems that Bullmastiffs have is Bloat which is serious given the circumstances of a greedy pup/dog or one that is exercised before or after there feed. (a low fat diet, would also be helpful) There should be at least 1 hour of rest before feeding and exercising. Stress can also play a part in bloat. Dog Shows. Long Journe'ys can trigger and upset gastric mobility. They do have to be watched very carefully and please (NO RAWHIDE) for this breed as they are leathal and can get lodged in the intestines, I nearly lost mine because of it and a couple I read about lost there Bully after giving him a Rawhide Chew to go to bed with.

Hip Dysplasia is also a common problem but obviously can be prevented if the pup is bought up carefully, i.e over exercising the puppy while its bones are still growing and maturing can cause this serious condition that can be serious which means life threatening, once the bones are damaged there is nothing that can fix this problem, other than having a permanent damaged Bully for life. Obese can also cause Hip Dysplasia.

These are a few to consider when owning this very special breed (THE BULLMASTIFF) :0)

I agree with what you all say about Bullmastiffs being great dogs, I've had two myself and I have never had a more pleasurable owning experience however, I do believe that they suffer more illnesses especially Bloat and HD than other breeds and I maybe wrong and not trying to contradict the previous poster but I thought that HD may be hereditry, also cancer is quite common in this breed. I would also not advise this breed for a very energetic person, unless you're sure that their hips are sound. I'm not trying to put anyone off just trying to give some of my experience. The pros of owning them do outway the cons by far though.

Hi Gt.

No one really knows what causes Hip Dysplasia, but breeders who have there Bullmastiffs x-rayed should make sure there dogs are clear before going ahead and breeding there dogs.

Hi yes i would have to say that cancer is rife in the breed these days that kills more than any thing else, but a lot of breeder will not admit it.all bone problems can be abit of both hereditry/ and the way they are reared by new owners. and they are not all soft and love children, when i was doing the rescue for the breed we got a lot of young stock in that had taken a dislike to the kids you have to remember they are dogs and some are nice some are not.

Is giving too much calcium also something that can cause joint problems in puppies?

The difference between having a Bullmastiff puppy from a breeder and rescue are, the dogs in rescue are treated badly that is why they end up there in the first place, usually teased by children or abused by there owners so your not going to expect to get one with a wonderful temprement are you.
Secondly those breeders who sell there puppies around the world should have experience, love, knowledge as well has commitment for there stock and puppies for the rest of there lives and have them back if it doesn't turn out.....these are the dogs who have the best start in life not those who do it for gain and there puppies end up either being put to sleep or passed around from one owner to the next. Those are the dogs you should be looking at for bad behaviour, through no fault of there own.

Rescues do come from breeders that are well known and are showing there stock, it is not just the people that are breeding for money i remember starting Bullmastiff rescue years ago with a friend and we would go around the shows asking for there help with kenneling or money and most of the time we got told it was not wanted people buy there pup and thats it, and thats from breeders that breed alot and do the shows and it is still the same most will not take back a dog, i am still taking in the unwanted and yes i am still having to have some of them put to sleep but most i can retrain and if the right home comes along then i can place them. I have just had a Bulldog in that i have had to help he has now gont to a great home with a family that understands him, and i dont sell them i just ask for what ever.

Yes that is true and you would know more working at a rescue, but what I am saying is, those pups that go to good homes should have wonderful temprements, if they don't they shouldn't be allowed to be sold to anyone and besides this the parents should not have been bred from in the first place. I would only choose one or two kennels in England, maybe more in other countries and I know a lot of the kennels that have great dogs with superb temprements in England etc but unfortunately if they haven't got that certain look about them then I look elsewhere, and at the end of the day they do have to have wonderful temprements with that look to go with it.

Hi

I have Danes - 2 of. Willis doesn't slobber at all, but he does drop water all over the kitchen when he has had a drink :D. Phoebe does slobber. A lot. Egg white round the chops after exercise - then she shakes.....*hurl*. Normally though its just a stringy clear consistancy :D

I don't mind though - its a very very small part of what are the best dogs ever. They are totally devoted to their families, stunning to look at - they literally stop traffic. They are well behaved (mostly)..and personally, mine are extremely fit. Willis is very well muscled and has a good run every day - which I am hoping will extend his lifespan....Phoebe, being younger, has less exercise, but is also very fit still.

They are easy to feed (tripe), love home comforts (sofa [$ bed), clever if you develop their minds when younger, and, IMO they are quite simply the most stunning dogs ever :) Both of my dogs are smart (for Danes) and have very specific personalities. Willis is a worrier - he goes off and sucks his blanket if he's upset. Finally, there is no better burglar deterrant than a Dane at the door in full voice - wow

C

PS - I must admit I like Corso Girls Blue CC though ;)

He's yours then :-D

you don't mean it.... :D

I have had Tibetan Mastiff's for about 16 +years they do not slobber and are very child friendly,some people say they are not a true mastiff,but they are a magnificent breed, very head strong and hard to train, and cat like in there interaction with people can be very aloof and very independant. I also have Dogue de bordeaux they are very different, mine are eager to please and love to be with people, something I am getting used to, both mine are good with children and we have had no problems with training but they do slobber, mostly at feed times.Hip scoring in both breeds are a must if you ever consider buying.

Britney - I'm sure I've emailed you about something else and you directed me to this site to find out more about DDB :D

Corso Girl - just seen the photo's of our animals on ChloeH's site... you must be very proud when you take them out walkies :D

Both my hubby and myself love bulldogs too but we were put off by the awful stories of health problems and necessity for ceasarian births in the majority of litters(excuse the spelling). Was this just scaremongering or would we be taking on a 'problem' dog? Also would they fit into an 'active' lifestyle? We don't go jogging or anything but my dog gets a good few hours a week tramping through the woods or fetching a ball at the beach.

I know it's probably not fair to say so but I imagine a bulldog huffing and puffing and not enjoying the rough and tumble that we enjoy with our dogs.

Sorry I have senior moments and do a lot of looking at this site at 2.a.m. did I offer to give you the dogue de bordeaux club contact, have had quite a few people interested in the breed yes there is a problem with hips but good breeders get them score and put low score together when they breed if people say there is not need beware, have had mine hip and elbows done and having eye tests done on saturday, if any one is interested in this area of east anglia there is a eye testing session at Haycroft Kennel's Holbeach Lincs. on saturday about £16 a dog. I do not take the dogs for long walks untill they are over 18month, but take them to the coast to socialise them and for a gallop on the beach, the older mastiff's will walk you legs off no problem, I lost 3 tibetan mastiff's last year on was 14 yrs then 12 years and the younger on was 7 but she went blind and could not cope, and I can honestly say that the vet bills in that time were no more than normal yearly checks

Hello

I have Bulldogs and Bullmastiffs , and a lot of what is said about bulldogs is utter rubbish (health wise i mean) my lot play all day without gasping for air and they all enjoy long walks without collapsing!

Its all a myth , health problems can occur in any breed its not just the Bulldog , but for some reason they keep being singled out , which is really unfair as they are great dogs with big hearts and great personalities.

Dean