some questions

[Ashelee]

ok, so I have a few questions for anyone, I am open to all information and all opinions.

I have a 10 month old boston terrier, and am thinking about getting another dog. not right now, the soonest would be this summer, but want to get an early start on researching breeders etc. I am looking at either a bullmastiff or an American Pit Bull Terrier. I know quite a bit about APBTs as a general breed and personally love them, but I also love bullmastiffs but dont know as much about them as APBTs. I am looking for a dog to do possibly schutzhund, and also looking into conformation and therapy work, and a running partner.

And yes I know that my dog is a smaller dog, but he doesnt play well with other smaller dogs, but seems to LOVE playing with the bigger dogs.

I just wanted to get opinions about getting a second dog and opinions about either breed from personal experiences etc. One thing is that my boyfriend thinks a large dog will just pull me around (im 5'1" and weigh about 115lbs) and that I will have no control over the dog. Mind you I plan on taking the dog to obedience classes just like I did with my boston (who walks perfect on a leash).

 

[Maxy24]

well you have to take into consideration dog aggression which both breeds exhibit so if you get a puppy you won't know if you'll be getting a dog who will grow up to be a danger to your Boston. If you get an adult you won't have this issue since you'll know the temperament but that would normally mean getting a rescue which won't allow for conformation competitions. Between those two breeds I'd say an APBT would be a better running partner, due to the Bull Mastiff's short nose, they don't tolerate heat well. APBTs are great running partners actually, very active. I know Bull Mastiffs are protective of their home but am not quite sure how they are with strangers outside the house such as they would meet as a therapy pet. If they are good with strangers outside the home then I think both breeds would be wonderful therapy pets as I know APBTs love people. APBTs however are probably even more dog aggressive than Bull mastiffs but both are DA by nature. If you are sure you want one then be prepared for that and to keep them separate when you cannot supervise or get an adult so you can already know he's not DA. I don't know about either breeds in regards to Schutzhund other than I've seen APBTs do it but not Bull Mastiffs as of yet but that does not mean they don't!

How are you planning to handle possible dog aggression with your dog?

And you don't need to be big to have control over your dog, it should not require force just training

 

[Amstaffer]

Not complicate things....but check out the Boerboel. If you like the look of APBT and BMs, I think you'll really like Boerboels. I also think that Boerboels would be better Schutzhund dogs that either APBT or BMs. They would also make fine running partners if you wait until their reach maturity.

I also think that Boerboels are healthier than BMs.

Boerboels (as the other breeds you mentioned) are handfuls and need a strong owner.

 

[Romy]

The dog aggression is going to be something to keep in mind like Maxy said. A bull mastiff isn't a very good candidate for a running partner. You wouldn't even be even be able to take it for long walks until it was a year old.

It sounds like a pit bull may be a very good dog for you. If you found a very good reputable breeder who shows their dogs, most of them will take an older puppy or adult back if the buyer can't keep it. You could contact them and tell them that you want a show prospect pit, for therapy work. If they had an adult return that was known to be good with other dogs, you may be able to get a show dog that way.

If you go to a really reputable pit bull breeder who does show dogs you will probably increase your chances of getting a less DA pit anyway, as many of them are breeding that trait out of their lines. If I am wrong about this someone please correct me.

Maybe a boxer would be a good breed? Even though they have shmushed noses it doesn't seem to slow them down, I think (though I could be wrong) that there is less dog aggression in the breed.

 

[Amstaffer]

If you go to a really reputable pit bull breeder who does show dogs you will probably increase your chances of getting a less DA pit anyway, as many of them are breeding that trait out of their lines. If I am wrong about this someone please correct me.
.

You are correct, even more so with Amstaffs

 

[Ashelee]

thank you all for the replies. I dont plan on ever leaving them out together when I am not home. I plan on crating both of them when I can not watch them. I already do so with beemer (because there are lots of things in my house that a dog can get into). I do plan on getting from a show breeder, as of right now the ones I am looking at as far as APBTs go are Nevada Kennels, Florida Sunshine Kennels, or Ivie League Kennels. So far these are the only kennels who are really meeting my standards for what I want a breeder and their dogs to be. I havent really looked at bullmastiff breeders because it seems like the APBT is more for me.

 

[Sch3Dana]

If you are really committed to Schutzhund, I would definitely go for the pit over the bull mastiff. But, you're not going to have an easy time with either breed. Bull mastiffs tend to be lazy and low drive which is almost impossible to work with in Schutzhund. Pits are very drivey, but generally want nothing to do with confronting the man behind the sleeve. You need a training helper in the protection who understands this and keeps the protection as a game. The upside- a dog worked in the "protection" like this is still a very safe, non-aggressive dog in many cases. He never believes he is biting a person and the training will not interfere with his therapy work.

 

[Ashelee]

thank you very much for the info. I dont know too much about schutzhund but I know some things. I am just looking into it for a fun sport to do with my dog and something slightly different then the norm. Plus I like a slight challenge. Do you know if most schutzhund clubs are ok with other breeds then the normal ones (GSDs, belgians, etc) doing the schutzhund training?

 

[CharlieDog]

Most are, yes. But you will find some Schutzhund clubs are big breed snobs. The one I was at had a APBT, a PUG!!! :yikes: (she could do the work though!!!!) and and English Mastiff as well as the usual assortment of GSD's, Mals, and a Dutch Shepherd.

They even let me work me JRT/Australian Shepherd mix.

 

[Ashelee]

hehe thats really neat. I watched a video on Youtube the other day with a JRT doing schutzhund, bite work and getting hit with the stick, etc. Quite amusing. I really appriciate all the information you guys have given me and the opinions, I am taking it all in.

 

[Georgygirl]

Well, I don't really have any advice to add, but I demand to see pictures of your boston!

 

[Ashelee]

ok as I was ordered to do (hehe) here is a little slide show of pictures of my Beemer hehe (click on the picture to see the slide show):

 

[Georgygirl]

Awww! Beemer is such a cutie! I love bostons, for obvious reasons. I think I'm going to end up with a house full of them some day!

 

[Ashelee]

hehehe, they are great dogs, he is my first and I absolutely LOVE him. Just for my next dog I am looking at a more of a running partner. But I know at some point in my life I will def. have another boston! hehe

 

[Georgygirl]

yeah, I try not to run unless its absolutely necessary. :lol-sign: I like long walks though and Joey's pretty darn good at those.

 

[Ashelee]

Beemer is good at walks if its winter here. But its starting to get warm outside and its not even summer. He doesnt tolerate the heat here in florida too well so we get about halfway around the whole neighborhood before he just lays down and doesnt move until I pick him up lol (and believe me he is in no way in bad shape, he does sprints around the house every day at 10 am and 10 pm for about 30 min).

 

[Amstaffer]

Nevada Kennels, Florida Sunshine Kennels, or Ivie League Kennels. So far these are the only kennels who are really meeting my standards for what I want a breeder and their dogs to be. .

The first two kennels make me feel uneasy. They ship their puppies via air. I know people do this but I don't think it is an ethical thing to do IMHO. I don't think it is a healthy thing to do, I think it is traumatic for the dog and above all else....do you really know the person you are selling your puppy to?

 

[Ashelee]

I do not plan on having my puppy shipped. If I do chose one that is out of state I will be flying up to get the puppy and plan on talking to the breeder way beforehand to get to know them and so they get to know me, etc. I am trying to find a good breeder not too far away but I am highly doubting I will be able to find what I want. Maybe down in the southern part of the state. But I am still looking

 

[Amstaffer]

I do not plan on having my puppy shipped. If I do chose one that is out of state I will be flying up to get the puppy and plan on talking to the breeder way beforehand to get to know them and so they get to know me, etc. I am trying to find a good breeder not too far away but I am highly doubting I will be able to find what I want. Maybe down in the southern part of the state. But I am still looking

I wasn't saying anything about you, but rather the breeder. If a breeder is willing to ship their puppies to people far away that they haven't met or verifiied their quality as an owner, what else are they willing to do?

I like breeders who say in big letters "WE DO NOT SHIP OUR PUPPIES" does this mean they are good breeders....of course not but it is one less red flag for me to worry about.

 

[Miakoda]

ok, so I have a few questions for anyone, I am open to all information and all opinions.

I have a 10 month old boston terrier, and am thinking about getting another dog. not right now, the soonest would be this summer, but want to get an early start on researching breeders etc. I am looking at either a bullmastiff or an American Pit Bull Terrier. I know quite a bit about APBTs as a general breed and personally love them, but I also love bullmastiffs but dont know as much about them as APBTs. I am looking for a dog to do possibly schutzhund, and also looking into conformation and therapy work, and a running partner.

And yes I know that my dog is a smaller dog, but he doesnt play well with other smaller dogs, but seems to LOVE playing with the bigger dogs.

I just wanted to get opinions about getting a second dog and opinions about either breed from personal experiences etc. One thing is that my boyfriend thinks a large dog will just pull me around (im 5'1" and weigh about 115lbs) and that I will have no control over the dog. Mind you I plan on taking the dog to obedience classes just like I did with my boston (who walks perfect on a leash).

APBTs are not the best dogs to use for Schutzhund. In fact, it's rare that you find one with the appropriate drive for the sport. It's just not what they were bred to do.

As for your Boston liking to play with larger dogs, the majority of APBTs are DA and their kind of play isn't equivalent to your or your dog's kind of play. If you are looking for a playmate for your Boston, the APBT is NOT the way to go.

However, with all that said, if you truly want to stick with the bully breeds (although all are known for DA), I suggest you check into the American Bulldog. They are larger than APBTs and a more guardian type of breed, there are many that excel in Schutzhund, Ringsport, and PP, DA isn't quite as bad as with APBTs, and they are extremely athletic. However, just as with APBTs, there are many a breeder out there breeding for every wrong reason in the book and there are numerous AB's out there with serious issues ranging from severe hip dysplasia to those with the temperaments of rabid rattlesnakes.

But if you are seriously interested, I can direct you to an internet friend of mine who owns AB's and competes in Schutzhund with them.