"Your dog will eat your daughter".. UGH.. Just a vent..

[Mama-to-Elle]

Okay, so this is really just me being irritated, and venting.... Thanks in advance if you take the time to read it..

So we got our Fila Brasiliero puppy a week ago, she is 11 weeks, and a total love, but yes, most puppies are.. We HIGHLY researched the breed prior to purchasing her, and felt very confident in our breed choice.

Small recap "We" are myself (26) my boyfriend (26) and our daughter (almost 4)
We own our home, big fenced yard, both dog experienced, etc.

Well fast forward to Wednesday night... I get a call from my dad...

He proceeds to start ranting about how he can't believe we would buy a "Bullmastiff" after trying to explain to him that while yes she IS a mastiff, she is not a bullmastiff... Anyway, he tells me that mastiffs are HORRIBLE dogs, and that it was SO irresponsible to buy a dog that he can GUARANTEE will bite and severly hurt our daughter.... Umm, how can you guarantee that? Can you see the future? Ugh. :madgo: Anyway, this goes on until I cant communicate calmly with him any longer, and he says, "well just remember that, that dog will be fine until 8 months or so, then would rip apart and eat your daughter at the drop of a hat"........ :argue:

Some people, I swear....

Oh and in case anyone wasn't aware, apparently ALL mastiff's are bred from Agressive bulldogs and boxers... :doh:

 

[Renee750il]

Welcome to Bizarroworld

Look up some of Filarotten's stories of Brutus and her granddaughter, lol.

Now, my Kharma's not terribly fond of children, especially rowdy ones -- but neither am I. She doesn't eat them (although I've offered them to her with gravy), but she does skooch up next to me and look at me with her "MAKE IT GO AWAY" pleading face

What you WILL need to be watchful of is that if your child is playing with other children, your Fila could get the impression that roughhousing was more than play, so it's really not wise to leave a Fila at large with non-family children.

 

[Linds]

Well, it's a story to pull out and tell to other dog people as an ice breaker...that's my silver lining

It's so frustrating when you have to listen to that and nothing you say will make them change their mind. Even when your dog is 10 and has been nothing but wonderful it's only because you were lucky.

I had to sit and listen a pharmacist I work with go on and on about how Kaylee would mistake a kids head for food because she's a pit mix and I feed her raw.

Just enjoy your puppy

 

[Renee750il]

Heheh . . . tell your dad he needs to get to know your puppy now -- before she grows up and thinks he's an after dinner mint

Seriously, my mother thought I had lost my mind when I brought home Tallulah (APBT). "Why did you bring one of those monster dogs into the house?" Now she's the first one to jump in and defend the little monster when someone else says something derogatory about the breed. She and my dad thought I was nuts to go through all the hell I did to bring Kharma home with me -- a big, drooly, droopy, scary dog -- and she will now tell you that there is no dog anywhere like Kharma -- the only dog who is possibly any better is Bimmer, lol.

Luna will win your dad over, if he gives her even a tiny chance.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I'm so sorry that your dad feels that way. You may never be able to convince him. My dad is the same way about dogs like pit bulls (APBT). I'd personally love to own one, but I don't think I ever will, only because of the closed-mindedness of my dad. I know he would never trust my dog, and would always think of him/her as a "ticking time bomb". It's a sad thing, but sometimes you just can't change peoples minds or opinions.

You just have to find peace in the fact that you know you did the correct research before getting Luna, and that you trust her not to hurt your daughter, and that the fact that she is a "bullmastiff" (lol) isn't reason to believe that she is some wild demon.

SAVE THE POOR BOY FROM THE DEMON DOG! LOOK AT THAT EVIL SNARL!

 

[Mama-to-Elle]

Now, my Kharma's not terribly fond of children, especially rowdy ones -- but neither am I. She doesn't eat them (although I've offered them to her with gravy), but she does skooch up next to me and look at me with her "MAKE IT GO AWAY" pleading face

Hahah, Yes, kids and gravy are delicious!
My daughter isn't overly rowdy, but is 4, LOL, at this point, Luna is more rambunctious then all of us combined..

I had to sit and listen a pharmacist I work with go on and on about how Kaylee would mistake a kids head for food because she's a pit mix and I feed her raw.

:yikes: Yes, because childrens heads highly resemble raw meat.... LMFAO! :lol-sign:

 

[Mama-to-Elle]

I'm so sorry that your dad feels that way. You may never be able to convince him. My dad is the same way about dogs like pit bulls (APBT). I'd personally love to own one, but I don't think I ever will, only because of the closed-mindedness of my dad. I know he would never trust my dog, and would always think of him/her as a "ticking time bomb". It's a sad thing, but sometimes you just can't change peoples minds or opinions.

You just have to find peace in the fact that you know you did the correct research before getting Luna, and that you trust her not to hurt your daughter, and that the fact that she is a "bullmastiff" (lol) isn't reason to believe that she is some wild demon.

SAVE THE POOR BOY FROM THE DEMON DOG! LOOK AT THAT EVIL SNARL!

I totally agree with you, we don't see my dad enough to make his opinion a deal breaker for us. It was just highly irritating, because i could have read him a MILLION success stories, and it wouldnt have mattered, because our demon dog IS going to eat my daughter.


And SWOOON... that puppy is ADORABLE!!

 

[SizzleDog]

I get the comment, "You're not going to want those dangerous dogs around when you have kids!"

I then inform the rude person that...
1. I'm not having kids
2. My dobermans aren't dangerous unless you have bad intentions
3. Even if I did have kids, my dobes are well trained enough that it wouldn't be a problem.


Sheesh, people need to let us cool-dog owners let us own our dogs in peace!

 

[Renee750il]

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t27233/

http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t100045/#post1398263

 

[Linds]

sheesh, people need to let us cool-dog owners let us own our dogs in peace!

Amen!

 

[Doberluv]

Just think what sweet revenge you'll get to have on your Dad when your dog grows up and is well socialized and wonderful with those in the family. I got the same thing when I got my Doberman, ("They're untrustworthy." "What if he bites YOU?") who proved my Dad and a few others 180 degrees wrong.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

Parents. I would have said, "no, but she'll eat you". I kid, I kid. He should let go of that preconceived notion, because she'll feed off of his distaste for her. Filas are incredibly loving and gentle, which is why socialization is so important and he needs to start getting to know her now so he'll be in her "inner circle".

 

[Mama-to-Elle]

Thanks for those links Renee, I liked reading them, Brutis and his Mckenzie sound so sweet

I also liked reading about Fila's and kids in general.

We have been socializing her as much as we can, we take her everywhere we can, but she really is already not at all fond of strangers, she stiffens up, and doesn't wag her tail when they approach to touch her.. We have been letting them pet her and just assuring her "its okay".. Is this the best thing to do? Or should we follow her lead, and not have people touching her?

 

[Mama-to-Elle]

Parents. I would have said, "no, but she'll eat you". I kid, I kid. He should let go of that preconceived notion, because she'll feed off of his distaste for her. Filas are incredibly loving and gentle, which is why socialization is so important and he needs to start getting to know her now so he'll be in her "inner circle".

Thats exactly what My boyfriend and I joked about... Well, if she doesn't eat Elle, then guess we know who she will eat... opcorn:

:rofl1: kidding... kidding..

 

[Renee750il]

Don't force it A few pets here and there are good, but it's important she not learn to resent being touched. Brag on her when she lets someone touch her, and let her know that this is something you want her to be comfortable with. As she gets older she'll be learning more and more about the differences between people acting normally and someone acting suspiciously. The best insurance you can give your Fila is giving them that education!

Anything you can do to bolster her confidence is great, too. Do things with her where she can succeed. Make sure every new adventure ends on a positive note. Keep a pocket full of animal crackers, lol.

And one day you, too, can have a FilaDiva who understands that the world is there to worship at her paws

 

[Mama-to-Elle]

Don't force it A few pets here and there are good, but it's important she not learn to resent being touched. Brag on her when she lets someone touch her, and let her know that this is something you want her to be comfortable with. As she gets older she'll be learning more and more about the differences between people acting normally and someone acting suspiciously. The best insurance you can give your Fila is giving them that education!

Anything you can do to bolster her confidence is great, too. Do things with her where she can succeed. Make sure every new adventure ends on a positive note. Keep a pocket full of animal crackers, lol.

And one day you, too, can have a FilaDiva who understands that the world is there to worship at her paws

Thank You Renee! We really appreciate your expertise! :cheers:

 

[Romy]

You need to show him the pics at the bottom of this link. They crack me up every time I see them.

Our Kennel: Chica De La Luna Cerro Do Huinouri - Kennel de la Luna

My MIL was like that when I tried to get a greyhound while pregnant. She'd keep flipping out on us and say that because one bit the neighbor boy 11 years ago it would eat our baby. Even though I brought the neighbor over and he explained to her that the dog in question was mentally unstable and NOT like a normal greyhound (it was his first day off the track, but he turned out to have some major probs beyond that).

Anyway, we got a borzoi. I found a picture of a red sable borzoi with a white collar, showed it to her, and said, "We're getting one of these, they're related to the Lassie-dogs." She bought it hook line and sinker. Even though they are far closer to greyhounds than collies. And that folks, is why renting from your MIL is a BAD idea.

Maybe you could play up the bloodhound lineage of the fila, and he'll be put at ease a bit? Hounds are sort of known for being laid back and good with families. Just so she doesn't pick up on his hostility while she's so young anyway.

 

[Danefied]

I'm sorry you're having to deal with this kind of ignorance. Our daughter sleeps with a 130 pound great dane in her bed who according to some will do the same thing. Apparently if DD rolls on her wrong while she sleeps, the demon dog will snap and maul her.
And even if she doesn't eat my daughter, she'll give her some rare disease or asthma or something. Yeah...

All I know is that Breez is just turned 2, daughter just turned 8. The way I figure it, I have at least through most of high school (all if we're lucky) with a great dane in her bed. Need I say more??

On a more serious note, do make sure your pup gets lots and lots of positive interactions with kids.

 

[Romy]

All I know is that Breez is just turned 2, daughter just turned 8. The way I figure it, I have at least through most of high school (all if we're lucky) with a great dane in her bed. Need I say more??

:rofl1::rofl1::rofl1::rofl1::rofl1:

Sadly our borzoi will be gone by the time my daughter is in high school. Will definitely make sure the kuvasz sleeps in her bed when we finally get one.

 

[HayleyMarie]

I hear yah!

My parents are not too keen on my choice of getting a mastiff in the future. I just shrug it off, because I know when I do bring home a Mastiff puppy my parents will fall head over heels inlove with it.