We have posted a fews days ago and got some good feedback(thanks).  Well we are interested in learning more on the following breeds temprements etc. GSD, ROTTWEILER, BULLMASTIFF, MASTIFF, AMERICAN BULLDOG, DDB, CANE CORSO AND NEOPOLITAN MASTIFF.  We only would like to hear from currant owners or people who have had direct experience/contact with and of the above breeds.

We live near the south downs and walking is a big part of our lives.  We would like a protective dog that protects/respects and is a companion for the whole family (children) we have experience ourselves with goldens, newfys and dobermanns.

Are we better off looking at a dog or a bitch? We have plenty of time for training - the dog would be kennled next to the house - which breed is most suitable?

Thanking you in advance - JG&SG
 

I would not recommend that you have an American Bulldog with a Retriever , and i would not recommend that you kennel one right next to your house , they are very vocal dogs , and would keep you awake probably most of the night.

Then we move on to their prey drives , but thats a different story , maybe for another topic , they are people dogs , and like close contact with the people that own them. 
I think buying one for the very reason that you desire , would be the wrong thing to do , and would give the breed a name it really dont deserve , its already been in the firing line , and this is once to often , for undeserved reason.

I know a lot about the breed having researched it before i brought our American Bulldog , and for inexperienced Molosser owners (which you are ) it would not be a good idea for you to have one.

have a look at this, it is all the dog breeds information from a to z ...hope it helps :)

here

What exactly do you want the dog for? If as in your previous post, purely as a guard then I stand by my post on that thread. Any of these dogs, left to their own devices could be lethal weapons

John

And lethal wepons they would be John , you have took the words out of my mouth.

American Bulldogs and other molosser breeds are fantasic dogs , but get lots of bad press but thats due to inexperienced owners wanting a dog the *looks hard*.

And it sounds like the reason that these people want one , if these people knew how much training in the last eight months my American Bulldog had been through , i think that they would change their minds.

A lot of work has gone into my American Bulldog to make her a sociable and friendly dog with everyone , i would not wish for her ever to be a guard dog or a family protector , for fear of what she could ever do to someone in that kind of situation. 
That would be wrong for me to expect that , and unfair to my dog.

I'm with John.

I only have experience with German shepherds out of the breeds you mentioned, and they're not a breed you should even consider unless you know what you're doing or you've had previous experience of them.

They tend to have natural guarding instincts, but they need a strong, experienced handler, because, believe me, if they think they can get away with something, they'll do it.

You say you want a 'protective' family dog....what exactly do you want it to do?  Where will it live?  Do you really have the time to train one of these dogs?  Do you have the temperament/personality to own a dog like that?
I'd have a good think about it....it's not an easy decision to make.

Lisa

Hmm, I just re-read your post.

A GSD would be no good for you, they adore constant companionship, and a kennelled dog/bitch on it's own would only be unhappy.
I have to say, I think it would be the same with all breeds.....it's unfair.
If your dog is going to be a family friend/companion....why couldn't it live in the house?

Lisa

Well Guest,

Almost everything I would have said has already been said beter than I could say it.

Could I ask though how would a dog ANY dog be a family protector is he/she lived in a kennel?
You also have a wide base of dogs from as you have said; GSD, ROTTWEILER, BULLMASTIFF, MASTIFF, AMERICAN BULLDOG, DDB, CANE CORSO AND NEOPOLITAN MASTIFF. which do you prefer and why?

The dogs you have chosen, are ALL totally different? have you meet  any of the breeds of dog you mentioned, gone to a show a trainning class or seen in the flesh any of the dogs you have mentioned.    

Karen

I have Dogue de Bordeaux's and I would not think that they would be any use as a guard dog, they only way mine might deter people is by licking them to death, they are very intimdating in looks but they are not a openly aggresive breed and most of the good breeder in this country are breeding for good temprement and a sociable dog not a guard, they are not easy to train and are not a breed for a owner that has not had  mossoler breeds before.A fully grown bordeaux will challange for pack leadership at quite an early age and I would not keep one with a retriever as if there was any dispute a retiever would be no match, If you would like to find out more about most of the breeds that you have asked about you would do well to try to get to Boston show on Sunday that is to be held at Newark and Nottingham show ground where there will a very large selection of the breeds that you have asked about