Dogs

[Casey Szparaga]

I know this may sound funny, but I'm looking for a dog. One of my sons wants a Mastweiler .

It's a real dog, a hybrid cross between a rottweiler and a mastiff.

I know some people breed them. Anyone know anybody that sells them?

Thanks,

Casey

[John Wilson]

I don't, but it would be a wonderful dog. My brother had rotties for years and now has an English Mastiff. Mastiffs are giant cream puffs. The only dog I've ever seen with a better temperment than Mastiffs are Great Pyrenees. Then again, my brother's mastiff has a complete and total lack of aggression to the point of embarrassment at times. Ever seen a 200lb dog back down from a Pomeranian? It's kind of sad, LOL.

[Casey Szparaga]

I know what you mean about Mastiff's. My buddy had one too. Scared of its own shadow.

I've had a few Rotts and love them. I think combining both of their temperments would make a great dog. Perfect for a ten year old that wants the kind of dog that will go outside and play rough, and then come in and lay by him while he plays video games.

[Casey Szparaga]

John,

How were the Rotts with the kids?

[Johnny Ordonne]

In about a month, I will be getting a German Shepard/Mastiff mix. I'm interested to see how big this dog will be when grown, i've seen pictures of the puppies at 6 weeks and they looked pretty awesome!

[Casey Szparaga]

Johnny,

They sound awesome. Same type of thinking with the Sheppard mix. I wonder how they will look?

[Johnny Ordonne]

Casey,

I can say this, their heads are already very big for puppies as young as they are, so if they grow into their heads they should be pretty big.

[jeddyrodrigues]

Casey- A rottie/mastiff mix would also be good because it will take away some of the genetic weaknesses the pure breeds have. I know most boxers die from cancer, but when they are mixed, that chance of dying of cancer goes down significantly. The breed I want is a Caucasian Shepherd. But since they are naturally protective and 200 pound killers, I don't think it'd be a smart investment. Last thing I want is a dog to turn on my family.

When I was a kid I had a rottie. She was great. Had to go outside because she got playful and knocked my mom down too many times. She only growled at me once, and I think it was her assessment of the situation, not her being overly aggressive or a threat.

[Bill Maenza]

Casey,
I have a pure breed boxer and could not have asked for a better dog. She is incredible at home (wife and 5 children) and the youngest is her favorite. She is most protective of him and my wife. We got a female because of a few differences with the males: A) She does not mark her area. and B) Females are generally considered to be more protective of the occupants of the house vs the house itself. As we originally got her to run with my 19 year old daughter (at the time) that was an important issue for me.

She has the best disposition we could ever ask for coupled with a stout frame and a bark that would give pause to most with ill intent.

She is my first dog and I would highly recommend boxers for anyone looking for an additional family guardian.
Bill

[John Wilson]

May 25, 2012 7:53:33 GMT -5 Casey Szparaga said:

John,

How were the Rotts with the kids?

Sorry, Casey. I just saw this.

Rotts can be hit and miss. I've never seen a female that was any concern. But a big male my brother had didn't care for kids. He wasn't agressive toward them, but whenever kids came around the dog would leave. He did not like being bothered. Kids being kids, they don't know not to push a dog that is trying to get away from them, so it was always a liability. When kids came around the dog was put away to avoid any possible situation. After all, the dog only has one defense.

Personally, I like Bill's suggestion of the Boxer. They are awesome with kids.

[John Wilson]

I would think the Mastiff end of the mix would override the possible assertiveness of the Rottie. I might be wrong, because I've never seen one. But I would be very surprised to see any form of agression whatsoever from a Mastiff.

Now, they are huge! So they can tend to bulldoze litte kids over, LOL.

[sethkardos]

I have two boxers a male and a female and also have a 3 year old girl. Plus a small mini schnauzer.

Trust me, the little dog is more of a concern than the boxers. The only issue with boxers is when they get excited they can knock a kid down; but generally boxers know how to act with small children.

[Casey Szparaga]

Thanks for the input guys. I appreciate it a lot.

Bill and Seth we looked into boxers and we really wanted one. It was actually tops on our list until my 10 year old saw a Rot and it was over. We're picking it up Tuesday.

I had a mini Schnauzer and he thought he was a little bad ass.

John I really wanted the mix of the two, but it got too hard to find one so I gave up.

[John Wilson]

The rottie will be fine, Casey. You know dogs. Just socialize the snot out of it and get it used to having ears pulled, etc.

Congrats on the new dog!

I just got a Pomeranian. Wife and kids wanted a little dog, and I figured it would be easy to take everywhere, on the boat, etc. Right now I'm hating life. It's the second little dog I've ever had, and just as I suspected it's proving darn near impossible to house train the #@$## thing. I have no idea why big dogs pick it up so much better. These little **#@##$% dogs just don't give you any warning.

You know why puppies are cute? If they weren't you'd kill them.

[Casey Szparaga]

Thanks for the input John I appreciate it.