Question About Mastiffs...

[angie8023]

Hello. I have a friend that owns a 7 month old English Mastiff. She is super sweet but not getting any exercise, so she tends to get hyper and get in people's way. My friend said she cant walk the dog because her joints can't handle it. I thought all dogs can be walked even if they are that large. Can mastiffs not be walked until they reach a certain age?

 

[*blackrose]

They can be walked. They shouldn't do strenous exercise (like, jogging or agility) until they are older due to their joints, but walked? Defenitally. If he is that concerned have her walk on the grass and not on the pavement, or better yet take her to a beach and let her run in the sand and swim.

 

[Romy]

Walking a giant breed puppy to the point where it's actually tired out from walking is VERY dangerous though. Yes they can be walked, but doing it to tire them out puts them at high risk of joint damage that will cause arthritis.

The danger to their joints is in muscle fatigue and repetitive movement. Walking exercises a limited number of muscles to begin with. When those muscles get fatigued, they can't stabilize the joints any more and the soft ends of the long bones are damaged.

The safest way to tire out giant breed puppies is to turn them loose in a fenced area with other large puppies and let them run each other into the ground. It seems counter-intuitive, but when they are running/playing with each other on grass they will stop themselves if they feel tired and rest for a few minutes. If you've got them on a leash they will push themselves past the point of pain (and bone damage) to make you happy.

Your friend is right to limit her dog's walking on leash. He might not be getting enough of the right exercise. Or he might just be excited when guests come over. My crew will mob house guests no matter how much exercise they've had.

Edit: Blackrose's suggestion to let him play on sand and swim is excellent. Swimming overall is an excellent way to exercise a dog.

 

[milos_mommy]

They can be walked, and exercised, of course.

However, like everyone said, with a large breed you have to be very careful not to cause joint damage, especially before age 2.

It would be best to walk the dog on soft ground, grass or dirt, instead of concrete or the street. Also, make sure he/she is getting plenty of "free" exercise, running around at his own pace in an enclosed field or park or yard.

 

[stafinois]

More a bit of commentary than anything, but doesn't anybody find it really sad that you can't really exercise a puppy until its worn out because it will cause physical problems?

 

[Renee750il]

You can wear a pup out by making it exercise mentally as well as physically Try puzzle toys and treat balls.

 

[Pops2]

a springpole is nice also.

 

[stafinois]

With a springpole, wouldn't you worry about them falling and hurting themselves? Or would you have it so low that all four feet touch the ground?

 

[Romy]

With a springpole, wouldn't you worry about them falling and hurting themselves? Or would you have it so low that all four feet touch the ground?

That's what we do with the borzois. You can totally exercise a puppy until it's worn out, just don't keep pushing them. That's another facet of why walks are a bad idea, if it get's tired halfway through you can't just carry them back several blocks.

We're lucky to live on the water. While the borzois don't like to swim, Charlie LOVES it. That was seriously the only way to tire him out. It's low impact on their joints, same as free play.

 

[Pops2]

yes keep the springpole low to start by the time they are 3-4 months you can move it up so their front feet are off the ground. by 6 months let them swing free just barely off the ground at 9 months give them more height.

 

[angie8023]

Thanks for all of the input! I'll pass the info along.

 

[mastiffsmom]

I started my Abbi on the leash when she was 6 months old. I would walk her about maybe a 1/4 mile knowing this because I would take her to the High School and walk her around the track once. Sometimes a bit more, depending on the position when we started.
Abbi is now 16 months old and she is now walked about 1 1/2. She can handle it because she is kept lean. I have been criticized by some breeders because they said that she should be a lot bigger than what she is. My Vet says that she is healthy and that she has another 2 or 3 years to fill out. She is very active with my rescues and they tend to play a lot outside. I have never had a problem with hips or joints and she has a nice muscular rear. That is just my 2 cents.

 

[Renee750il]

Excellent advice, MastiffMom. Keeping one lean is so good for them long term -- once they've gotten past the baby puppy stage. I see way too many fat Mastiffs. People have this idiotic idea that they have to have the "biggest dog," even if big is just obese.

 

[MandyPug]

Excellent advice, MastiffMom. Keeping one lean is so good for them long term -- once they've gotten past the baby puppy stage. I see way too many fat Mastiffs. People have this idiotic idea that they have to have the "biggest dog," even if big is just obese.

Renee you mean this dog isn't supposed to look like this?!

:rofl1:


Keep 'em lean and mean (figuratively), no matter what breed! Good on ya mastiffsmom from one owner of a lean member of a fat breed to another!

 

[mastiffsmom]

thanks Mandypug and Renee750il,

here are couple if pics taken when she was 11 months old in December before we got snow. sorry for the poo in the back ground. i took the pic with my cell phone while i was out cleaning up. the little brown head in the bottom of the pic is my rescue pitty.

 

[Renee750il]

She looks GOOD!

And how about some shots of your rescue Pittie?

 

[MPP]

Renee you mean this dog isn't supposed to look like this?!

OH. MY. DOG!!! They both need Jenny Craig like NOW!!!! *looks at picture again and gags* EMERGENCY!!!

 

[DanL]

I'm not so sure the guy needs Jenny Craig, he looks pretty muscular to me. Not ripped like a bodybuilder but built like a powerlifter or strong man. I agree, the dog is atrocious!

 

[angie8023]

LOL!! That pic is hilarious My friends dog is at 100 lbs and by now she is 7 months. I know nothing about the breed so I'm not sure how much she should weigh. All I know is that she isn't walked at all. They do let her out in the backyard while they're at work. When they arrive home she still has so much energy. They might play fetch for a few minutes but that's it. Then they wonder why people get irritated when she jumps on them and gets on the couch while they're eating. I told her to try walking her for maybe 20 minutes a day and I got scolded. At the root of it all I just feel bad for the dog.

 

[Pops2]

i am so glad to see an EM w/ a head like that. all the showdogs i've seen look like giant pugs. that gyp is gorgeous and definitely looks like a descendant of Terror.