Hi Has anyone got a French Mastiff dog, my OH son and his girlfriend are going to view one tomorrow as they always wanted this breed. They live in a very small house with another dog (a boxer) who will be around 1 years old. I wondered what the mastiff was like as a pet i have only the film turner and hooch to go by. Would this breed get on with another dog in the same household and rabbits as well and are they an aggresive breed, i heard they have been used as a guard dog and a fighting dog in previous years. Would like to hear anyones view if they own this kind of breed.
I don't own a french mastiff, but i have worked with one and know a couple of people who have them. They are generally docile dogs, but need lots of consistant training as they can seem to be stubborn and kinda lazy. Always use positive reinforcement training with these dogs, you wont go anywhere by using negative reinforcement. Just make sure that it is really well socialised with everything as a puppy, and that it gets plenty of excercise. They make lovely (but big!) slobbery dogs.
slobber is amazing!! just check its not going to gross you out too much cos there is alot of it and you cant train them not to!! but when socialised and trained they make the best most loving docile of dogs. but they are stubborn and infuriating, we are attempting rally training at the moment with ours, she will be perfect for the first couple of tries and then thinks to herself, why on earth should i do it again? however they do need health tests including heart MAJORLY important in pups, also hip scored obv, and they are quite prone to ear problems due to how heavy they are. they can also have eye problems. they are not a cheap dog their life expectancy is not great but as long as you go in with your eyes open you'll never regret having such a special dog in your life, there really is nothing like them and i wouldnt be without her.
being socialised well as puppies is crucial,although we did,ours still didnt like strange dogs or people once mature,he did accept any dogs of ours.we lost our dogue 2 weeks ago,he had a series of fits,one after another,was rushed to the vet and they suggested not bringing him round as the fits being so close together wouldve resulted in brain damage.he was 5,we know his mum died at 3.thats the downside. the good side was he loved his family more than anything,always did everything over the top and had a real sense of humour.he was loved by everyone he accepted as a friend,snored for england and swamped the kitchen every time he had a drink!lovely dogs but they can be heartbreaking when they go before their time..
