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The Mastiff Boxer - A Mix of Similar Breeds in One Dog |
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 Occasionally in pet shelters, you may find some dogs of mixed descent and you might still find them appealing. Now, if you don't mind adopting what some people call a mutt into your family then there's really no problem about mixed breed dogs. They can still be great pets especially if they've inherited traits from their parents which are in-tune with the lifestyle you and your family live. And while it is not always the case, these dogs more commonly do inherit the good traits from their parents. One example of a good mixed breed would be the Mastiff Boxer, which is the offspring of two very similar dog breeds.
What is good about mixed breed dogs like the mastiff-boxer is that their temperaments are usually great. Many are even easily trainable, and through giving them some of your time, training them, caring for them, and most especially giving them love, you'll also be able to correct some problems in behavior that they might have. It might take some time, but once you get them used to your lifestyle you'll find that they'll become pets that are only eager to please.
As for the Mastiff Boxer, you will find that this mix breed as a pet will become attached to you, its master, very quickly. This is because the two breeds that it is a combination of are very alike in temperament. Both the Mastiff and the Boxer are breeds which are very loyal to their masters, and are friendly - which makes them great with children. They are also fearless and are known to be very protective of their owners.
On the other hand, both breeds are also known to easily mistrust strangers so your mastiff boxer might find it difficult to get along with other animals and it might be too wary even of your own friends and relatives. Still, even though it may look intimidating it does not usually resort to biting to prove its point. This is probably from the Mastiff trait, since Mastiffs are not known to bite. What it would commonly do is to knock the person they perceive to be the intruder over.
Essentially, what you can expect from your Mastiff Boxer is that it will basically be a pet that will love and protect you and it will always remain very loyal. Now, isn't that just the definition of man's best friend?
Of course, so that you are sure that it won't cause any problems stemming from a conflict between your lifestyle and its temperament you will have to train your Mastiff Boxer.
Since they are head strong and stubborn, you must train it so that it will learn what is right and wrong - what it is expected to do, what your commands mean, and what it should not do. Also, because it is not used to other animals and strangers, you will have to help it become more sociable by gradually exposing it to the presence of some of your other pets, if there are any, and to your friends and relatives.
With that, you can be glad that you decided to adopt a Mastiff Boxer. It is one of the most loyal dogs you'll find out there and it will probably one that will only be so willing to follow you anywhere you go.
photo by llamaporn |
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The Fila Mastiff - What You Need to Know |
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 The Fila Mastiff, also known as the Fila Brasileiro, Cao de Fila and Brazilian Mastiff, is best known as Brazil's national dog. The first Fila Mastiffs were bred from the Mastiff and the Bloodhound, giving it the strength and bravery of the Mastiff with the scenting ability of the Bloodhound. Because of their unique traits, they were primarily used as working and guard dogs to protect cattle from cougars.
One of the unique traits of the Fila Mastiff lies in their joints. They have very loose leg and spine joints, which enable them to change directions very quickly, even while running full throttle. This combined with their scenting abilities and their ability to hold on to their prey makes them very good game dogs. At one point, they were even used to track escaped slaves!
Fila Mastiffs are solidly built, with big bones and loose skin. They have short, smooth coats that are very easy to take care of, and are often tan, brindled, or yellow in color. These dogs are typically very large, reaching up to 30 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 110lbs. Their size has not only made them very formidable as guard dogs, but as favorites in family homes and the showroom.
What people really love about the Fila Mastiffs, however, is not their appearance but their temperament. Fila Mastiffs are fiercely loyal and protective even as early as their puppy stages, and tend to be very wary of strangers. These dogs were specially bred to be unfriendly to strangers, and will protect their master from any and all harm. In some dog shows, one of the criteria for judging Fila Mastiffs is that they should not let the judges touch them.
What you have to remember when it comes to the Fila Mastiffs is that they are not dogs for beginners. Owners always need to be the dominant partner in the relationship to be able to control these dogs, or they will become undisciplined and may even attack random people off the street. There are some countries where the breed is banned for their rough nature. Fila Mastiffs also tend to be very energetic when they are young, and only quiet down at adulthood.
If you plan on getting one, then make sure that you exactly what you're getting into: you will need to get them used to socializing and wean them out of the instinct to chase after prey. Fila Mastiffs can be aggressive to other dogs when not socialized properly, so remember to go out often.
The upside to it is that they are easy to maintain, especially when they reach adulthood. They do not shed, are not picky eaters, tend to be quiet in adulthood, and are not fussy in nature. If you don't have any problems controlling your dog and keeping them occupied, then you'll find yourself a good and protective partner in the Fila Mastiff.
Fila Mastiffs are best bought from breeders to ensure the purity of the line. There are many breeders now that breed Fila Mastiffs with the English Bullmastiff to give them a gentler temperament. This line of Fila Mastiffs are better for households with young children, but people who want their Fila Mastiffs pure and true should take this opportunity to examine the family tree of their pup of choice.
photo by Crucsou-Barus |
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French Mastiff Breeders – 4 Qualities to Expect in a Good Breeder |
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 Each breed of dog has certain common characteristics that may prove to be very endearing to one type of owner and be a nuisance to another. To best know of the characteristics and special quirks that you're French mastiff (Bordeaux mastiff) is bound to have, it's best to get in touch with a reputable breeder so that you know that the dog you're getting is perfect for you.
To make sure you find a good breeder, you don't really need to contact a lot of private sellers and check out their backgrounds. What you could do is ask a veterinarian, pet groomers, boarding kennels, and even some other French mastiff owners and you'll definitely get to know a few good French mastiff breeders that are near your area. Narrowing down your search, you may now get in touch with these breeders and visit their kennels.
What you should also remember to do is to ask the French mastiff breeders many questions so you find out all the details you need to know about them, their experience as a breeder, and the dog you are getting.
From these questions you'll be able to spot if the breeder you are talking to is indeed a good choice. To help you, here are a few qualities that will indicate a good French Mastiff Breeders.
1. The Breeder has a load of knowledge
Ask him about what you can expect from the dog you're getting and good breeders should be able to tell you nearly everything about the breed - from its temperaments to the standards.
2. The Breeder Asks Questions
you might notice that your French mastiff breeder is also asking you a lot of questions about yourself and your family. Do not be alarmed. You can take this as a sign that the breeder is also checking you out to see if you'll be perfect for the dog.
Aside from this, the third quality you might expect is that the breeder won't stop at just that. Some good breeders might ask you to sign a contract to ensure that you're going to be responsible of taking care of your new pet. If this is the case, you can expect that he'll be checking up on the dog every once in a while.
3. Good French Mastiff Breeders Will Keep Pups Until a Preferable Age
Ask about the puppy's age and when they release them. If the breeder sells you pups younger than 6 weeks, you might want to consider a different breeder.
4. The breeder provides you with recommended professionals who can help you in taking care of your new pet.
Vet, Kennels, dog walkers and trainers; your breeder should be able to provide you with some good referrals to people that can help you take care of your new French mastiff.
In Summary
Looking for a French mastiff requires a little discretion and attention on your part to sift out a good breeder. Once you a breeder that meets these types of criteria you'll know you find a winner of a puppy.
photo by kerri9494 |
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Mastiff Sale – Where to Buy the Perfect Mastiff |
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Hey before you go all crazy and just go out and buy a mastiff you should be aware of the pitfalls. Finding a mastiff sale is one thing, finding the mastiff that you can be happy with can be a totally different thing. I want you to find a mastiff that's perfect for you; so here is some advice on places to avoid and places to check out when in the marking for a mastiff.
There are various places where you can find a mastiff for sale but not all of them are going to give you the dog you're looking for. Some of these suppliers are downright unethical. Here are the big four mastiff providers that you are likely to encounter.
Breeders
There are basically two types of breeders; the reputable one and the backyard one. The reputable breeder is someone that has a passion for their mastiff breed, tracks pedigree, and should be easy to deal with. For the reputable breeder, mastiff breeding is a passion and a serious business; they will deliver you with a quality mastiff with a health guarantee and sustain a relationship with you.
The backyard breeder on the other hand can be a little snaky. There motive is usually tied to making a quick profit, even with little or no experience. You want to avoid the backyard breeder because you can really end up with a low quality mastiff puppy.
The fact is, buying from a reputable breeder is the best way to get a mastiff puppy. You can learn more about screening out a good breeder by reading: finding mastiff puppies for sale
Rescue Operations and Shelters
This option is a very honorable one. Every year hundreds if not thousands of mastiffs are abandoned, abused, and left without a home. These poor creatures end up in shelters or in foster care where they are rehabilitated and then put up for adoption.
If you're looking for a brand new mastiff puppy - then a shelter or mastiff rescue would not likely be the answer. But if you're looking for a new mastiff companion, that can be a few years old, and would love a second chance at life I recommend looking further into local Mastiff Rescue and Shelters in your area.
Pet shops - Don't Fall for this Trap
I don't even consider this an option anymore; as many pet shops buy their dogs from people with unethical breeding standards. The cute adorable puppies in pet shops are often supplied by "puppy-farms" or "puppy-mills" where there is little or no consideration for proper purebred bloodlines and the well being of the mother dog.
Pet shops actually sell low quality puppies that can have many health problems in the future; ranking up huge vet bills. Pet shops almost directly support the continued devaluation and degrading standards of the mastiff breed. Stay away from pet shops that are supplied by these practices.
Previous Owners
Buying directly from a previous owner is a bit tricky; you often find them in the classifieds ads selling their mastiff they can no longer keep for whatever reason. Buying from an owner is not necessarily a bad choice if the owner bought directly from a reputable breeder; you could even end up with a pre-trained dog. However it could spell trouble if they got their pet from a pet shop, and they neglected to train their pet
If you do go with this option, ensure you know where they got their mastiff and their motivation for selling the dog. You don't want to end up falling in love with a dog that has huge list of health problems with bad habits; vet bills and rehabilitate training can be expensive and time consuming.
There you have it! This should give you a better idea what to avoid and where to buy your new mastiff. I got even more advice about finding the perfect mastiff and taking care of your new family addition in my free 10 day mini-course. You can sign up by going here. |
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Bull Mastiff Rescue – Top 5 Reasons |
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If you're considering using a shelter or rescue service to find your new bull-mastiff; have I got a treat for you! You're on your way to making an excellent decision and making a new friend and I encourage you in your pursuit. In fact here are five additional reasons why adopting a bull mastiff from rescue is one of the best decisions you'll make in your lifetime.
5. A Bargain Buy
Sure money is a factor when it comes to making a decision on a new dog; but it's not everything. In the case of a transaction with a rescue organization the cost is significantly lower when you compare it to buying directly from a reputable breeder.
You should know (if you don't already) that rescue operations will require a minimum donation to be made to cover the costs of the mastiff's rehabilitation. It is also courteous to donate more to this operation, as your contributions will be used to provide further servicing to the mastiff community; a shelter will also work on this principal.
So it's not free but it will be certainly be a huge discount on a pure-bred bull mastiff; not to mention that it sets an example to others...
4. Setting an Example
There are a lot of nay-Sayers out there when you mention pure breed adoption from shelters and rescue operations. But sometimes you just got to do what you know is right and this type of example sends out a powerful message. By adopting a bull mastiff, other people will see the charity you extended to a bull-mastiff that turns out to be a great pet; and this opens up a whole new possibility in the minds of others about adoption and rescue services.
So lead by example by doing something that feels amazing...
3. It Feels Amazing
You know, that bull mastiff that was once abandon, hungry, and then eventually found will love nothing more than to belong to someone. It's every dogs nature is to establish companionship, and the mastiff breed is no exception, in fact it's even more socially sensitive. Imagine being that owner to a once lost dog. You become the sole reason of a life continued, a second chance for this mastiff to live healthy and happy; Wow, doesn't that feel great.
Feel even better knowing that you'll be supporting a good cause.
2. Support a Good Cause
There are literally hundreds of mastiffs rescued every year by various organizations; the bull mastiff is just one part of that. By adopting from rescue organizations you're not only contributing to a good cause, but you're also subtracting from an evil one.
The "evil" Puppy farms and pet-shops are major contributors to the devaluation of bull-mastiffs. If you where to purchase from a pet-shop your "vote" in terms of money goes to line the pockets of those who unethically practice breeding solely for profit. But if your rescue a bull mastiff from a rescue center or shelter, these types of unethical breeding practices will no longer be funded by you.
1. You Win the Most; Without Trying
It's not a service and it's not a duty to rescue a bull-mastiff; it's a pleasure. You may be a hero for giving that cute brown eyed creature a home. But it's hard not to be humble when you know that your new companion adds so much more to your life.
Imagine for a minute, how your bull mastiff will get you going out of the house more, socializing and becoming more active and healthy. You will realize the warmth that comes with an addition that makes your family feel more complete. You will know what it's like to be celebrated every time you come home and meaning of un-conditional love.
That's it; those are my top five reasons to use your local rescue organization. Now go out there and find you new bull mastiff! |
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