Apologies for the long post.  Brother in Law has been wanting a dog for years and has always liked the bully breeds.  He has got a small library at the moment to do with all sorts of different dogs. Now that he has split up with his long term girlfriend of 25 years (she has never liked dogs) he has started looking. (He is 40 years old)

He is going to look at an English Bull Mastiff tomorrow who is 2 years old (I haven't managed to find out why they are re-homing him yet as BIL is out) he says he is just looking around at the moment so he won't come home with him tomorrow or anything like that.  He is also going to Wood Green at the weekend to have a look.

My OH is going with him, and I have told him to go armed with loads of questions, ie, why they are rehoming him, has he got any thing that spooks him, what's his veterinary record like, what sort of temperament, he's got, I know that he has been brought up outside which makes me think that he may have been wanted as a guard dog (perhaps that is just making assumptions), but BIL would have him in the house, has he been socialised,

What other questions does he need to ask?

Jane

Is he good with children?

Is he good with other pets?

What is his veterinary history?

Why is he being re homed?

And before you go to look at this dog check with your vet for any health issues the breed may have or check with the breed club.

Take your questions written down on a paper, so you do not forget to ask anything.

assuming he is being rehomed by present owner -
what is he like out on a lead (if he was poss guard how used is he to walking out on a lead)
were parents health tested for anything.
has he had contact with other dogs, cats, kids if so is he ok. also maybe a 'test drive' outside the home round usual traffic people etc?
If he was fed outside is he happy for people close when he is eating.
Is he house trained????????.
prob be lot more ideas from others but this is a start.
Chris

and, a big and, if he is a kennel dog has he been house trained?

Sorry you posted as I wrote and ate my fried egg sandwich :-)

I would want to know why they are calling it an English Bull Mastiff, as far as I'm aware there is only the 'Bullmastiff', I would be very worried about getting a large powerful dog from people that don't know about the breed names, it would suggest naive owners. I doubt a reputable breeder would part with such a potentially dangerous dog (due to size & strength) into the hands of somebody that hadn't done thier research on the breed and if that is the case I would be very wary of temperment and health.

BUT I could be completely wrong and 'English Bull Mastiff' may well be a correct term for a breed -'Astarte' will be a good help here.

One thing definately to consider - a 2 year old Bully is not mature and highly likey to be in a pushy/exitable 'kevin' phase, a very tricky phase for training and I would not want my introduction to the breed to be with a hard-to-handle teenager.

> I know that he has been brought up outside which makes me think that he may have been wanted as a guard dog (perhaps that is just making assumptions)

this would be a major concern for me, if a guarding breed has been used to guard then you really need to know what you are doing if you are going to handle one safely without putting the public at risk. Bully's are very similar to Mastiffs in that if you want a loving, loyal family pet they need the company of thier family, not to be shut outside.

Hi Jane ,
Most other things to say have been said before-and I hope I don't come across as putting a dampener on this visit and I can see where you are coming from on the right sort of questions to ask these people about this dog they don't want any more- but asking lots of really good questions might not be the answer to sussing out these people. Firstly they might just reply with what you want to hear - not the true story? I would go with caution and wait to hear what they have got to say about this dog and what sort of vetting they do to your BIL & OH first.

Are they selling this dog or giving it to a good owner?- what vet has he used so maybe contact them? One good question is why didn't they contact breed rescue for this popular breed? It might of been stolen ?

Seems a shame that it is a yard dog and not a member of their family IMO.  It would make my heart skip to save this dog and give it a good home.
Glad to hear that he is just looking and is planning on going to a shelter at wood green- lots of guidance given for life with any dog you acquire from them in the long run a better plan.

Your right mastifflover no such breed as a English Bull Mastiff its just a Bullmastiff (we have 3 here).

I would be asking a lot of question, if he has lived outside and has not been well socialised you could have a very large powerfull dog with lots of problems and at 2 years old can be going through the kevin stage and pushing his luck at every chance, has your BIL had any experiance with large bull breeds? if he really thinks this is the breed for him there is loads on rescue and they could match him up with a dog that could possibly be more suited to him.
Also as said before are they selling or looking for a good home? Too many of this breed are used to guard and when the owner start to seam unsure about the dog they then will try and pass them on because they can no longer cope with a dog who has got too big for his boots. Also i would be asking if he is still entire or if he has been done.

>Your right mastifflover no such breed as a English Bull Mastiff its just a Bullmastiff (we have 3 here).

I thought it sounded like the same sort of confusion that happens with Mastiffs (some people insist they are English Bull Mastiffs) and it makes me very worried about the parentage and reason behind the dogs breeding in the first place.

> if he really thinks this is the breed for him there is loads on rescue and they could match him up with a dog that could possibly be more suited to him.

That's a good idea :) I know if I was going to get an adult/teenage Mastiff, I would be looking at a breed rescue, as they can provide an experienced assesment of the dog they have and not just rely on the story the dog came in with, they also heve the dogs best interest at heart (not like some people who just want to 'get rid' or make a quick buck) and as such will be honest about the suitability of a paticular dog  - as in all breeds, some will be more laid back and some will  be more chalanging and only suitable for homing with an experienced owner.

i would be very careful because i took in a 2 yr old bullmastiff bitch i was told that she was good with children which she is i was also told that she was good on lead and good with other dogs.

my girl has not been so good with other dogs and has cost me quiet a lot of money in behaviorists and retraining she is much better than she was a year ago but i have to watch her very carefully with other dogs as something that simply starts as play can get to rough and if the other dog snaps she just turns on them.

sorry to say that most people re homing a 2 yr old bullmastiff have just found that this large powerful breed is to much to handle.

also remember that male bullmastiffs can be dominate and even male dog aggressive.

2 years is the most common time for owners of bullmastiffs to be re homing just take a look on the free dog web sites you will find that most dogs looking for new homes are around two years old why do you think that is.

STROPPY KEVIN STAGE when you find out how good your handling really is.

Many thanks for all your replies and concerns, I also share the concerns that have been raised.  OH will be showing his brother this page when he comes round to pick him up this afternoon.

I know BIL can offer a good home to a dog, but I would like him to have the right type of dog, I have already advised him to look into breed rescue centres.

I will update you all on how it went later on this evening.

Many thanks

Jane

I have just looked at your photo-bucket, can I say what a beautiful looking dog you have, he has got such a cute kind face and makes you want to cuddle him.
Jane

Ahhh thank you :)
He's a Mastiff (English). The Bullmastiff was develpoed from the Mastiff and Bulldog, so there is a lot of similarities. The Mastiff is a bit more laid back and generally lazy compared to the Bullmastiff but they both can make outstandingly loyal family pets. Thier training needs to be firm, consistent but kind, fair and not heavy handed, it's amazing how such big dogs can be so emotionally sensitive, they really need to be loved, bless 'em :)
The biggest problem I find with the look of Buster is allthough I think he looks just completely hugable - (especially his squidgy, floppy chops) some people really do not like the look of him and think he looks nasty :(

Emailed BIL all concerns and comments this morning.  He has since rung me and has decided against going to see this dog.  I have told him to have a look at the rescue centres for bully breeds and have given him a list to go through and to do some more research.  So none of it fell on deaf ears.

Many thanks for all your help.

Jane

> I have told him to have a look at the rescue centres for bully breeds and have given him a list to go through and to do some more research.

It's great that he took onboard all the advice, he wont regret waiting and researching more.
Here's link to the Bullmastiff Association , there is a breed rescue on there. And I've found another breed rescue.

they are great places to start i know barry from the southern bullmastiff society always has dogs in need of new homes in fact he hasnt always got the room for new one being brough in all the time

mastifflover

I just love Busters coloring- absolutly love the brindle- thats the color my hubby and I want to get in the way future :-)

So adorable

I've not checked to see what's already been said.

I think as well as what  you ask also look carefully at what the breeder asks you. It should feel like to are attending an interview fir a job guarding the Crown Jewels! Is the Breeder checking you out testing you double trebble checking?   A good breeder won't let any Tom, Dick or Harry walk off with one of their pups.

 

Thing is the right type of dog for you or me may be completely wrong fr someone else.

I could not for example live with any of the Spaniel breeds, or a herding breed again.

My breed is ideal for me but their independent thinking would be frustrating for some people, but my OH likes them fine as they are not unlike in mindset to the Terriers he has always been used to.

That isn't even taking aesthetic taste into account.

> BUT I could be completely wrong and 'English Bull Mastiff' may well be a correct term for a breed -'Astarte' will be a good help here.

no your right, its not an english bullmastiff- just a bullmastiff (well i say just :)).

> a 2 year old Bully is not mature and highly likey to be in a pushy/exitable 'kevin' phase, a very tricky phase for training and I would not want my introduction to the breed to be with a hard-to-handle teenager

this is my least favorite age in the boys- they are very much in the kevins and are nearly fully grown. Tio (my lad) is just past 2 and a half and is begining to calm down a wee bit, i think by about 3 he'll be an adult.

>> I know that he has been brought up outside which makes me think that he may have been wanted as a guard dog (perhaps that is just making assumptions)
> this would be a major concern for me, if a guarding breed has been used to guard then you really need to know what you are doing if you are going to handle one safely without putting the public at risk. Bully's are very similar to Mastiffs in that if you want a loving, loyal family pet they need the company of thier family, not to be shut outside

i have to agree, i would be having a touch of the alarm bells, but of course the op's brother should get clear facts first.

(gonna reply to the op to make sure they see)

hiya jane, from what you've said about this dog your bil is probably right to give it a second thought.

bullies are a tremendous breed, obviously fabulous looking, sooo sooky with their families (as most molossers), not excersize intensive and delightful natures for the most part. what i would say about them is that they can be a dominant breed to other dogs and socialisation is vital. i don't know if you've read my posts but my boy Tio was actually my parents dog initially. we have had bullies since before i was born but my fathers health took a serious turn for the worst shortly after getting tio and he could not handle him any more on walks etc so his socialisation was rather curtailed. this has had an enormous effect on his character and he does not like other dogs at all. my partner and i took him on asap but its had an effect. as such i'd recommend that your bil make sure that if he gets a rescue its one thats been socialised as a pup etc. there are plenty out there with legitimate rehoming issues that are in great shape as pets. its not an impossible situation but for the novice owner its not a good plan.

might i also make the suggestion that he consideres a bitch first? its my feeling (and many may disagree) that bitches in many of the larger or guarding breeds are a bit easier for a first go. though i appreciate that they, while beautiful, are not quite so striking. 

i'd also mention that the breed rescues often get crosses (or what they believe to be crosses) in- thats how we ended up with a mastiff (fortuitously) in the past.

they are a great breed but get him to do plenty of reading up. if you want any specific info ask :)

Thanks for your comments and advice Kim, I think they are lovely to look at too, yes I read champdogs most days, I read your posts and you do make me laugh sometimes and you are also full of knowledge.
I have forwarded the rescue sites that Mastifflover suggested to the BIL, I find it myself very hard to look at any of these sites without crying, just the thought of looking at one can make me cry because I think what would need to happen to me to make me give my boy up for re-homing, and I can think of nothing, even if I was made homeless he would still be with me.
Thank you
Jane

aww, thanks!

its hard seeing any dogs like that. but consider, one of those sad ones will find a lovely home with you bil :)