Those With Big Dogs...

[Meeko]

Mastiffs, Saints and Newfoundlands are called the "gentle giants" for a reason. Newfies are considered the number one dog with kids because they are so incredibly gentle.

Our 209 pound Newf went to the local elementary school on a regular basis. He got very excited when we pulled in the parking lot and he would stand there while DOZENS of kids mauled him all over, crawled under his legs etc. My day care kids loved him and he loved them. He was so gentle and soft with them.

Big dogs are MUCH more patient with children. Small dogs tend to be more highly strung and more yappy/snappy. Of course, a large breed can accidently knock over a toddler, so care must be taken....but I would worry MUCH more about bites etc with small breeds.

[Blackcat31]

Mastiffs, Saints and Newfoundlands are called the "gentle giants" for a reason. Newfies are considered the number one dog with kids because they are so incredibly gentle.

Our 209 pound Newf went to the local elementary school on a regular basis. He got very excited when we pulled in the parking lot and he would stand there while DOZENS of kids mauled him all over, crawled under his legs etc. My day care kids loved him and he loved them. He was so gentle and soft with them.

Big dogs are MUCH more patient with children. Small dogs tend to be more highly strung and more yappy/snappy. Of course, a large breed can accidently knock over a toddler, so care must be taken....but I would worry MUCH more about bites etc with small breeds.

You asked to see some more pix of Ozzie...I added a slew of them to an album in my profile......

https://www.daycare.com/forum/album.php?albumid=47

[Willow]

Mastiffs, Saints and Newfoundlands are called the "gentle giants" for a reason. Newfies are considered the number one dog with kids because they are so incredibly gentle.

Not to pick at this but holy wrong......

Mastiff's are NOT Saints or Newfoundlands. They aren't even on the same planet when discussing temperament and inherent drives.


I also disagree with your assertion that they are considered "the number one dog with kids," but that's not what this thread is about.

[Meeko]

http://youtu.be/6Bg9XTPsz4Y

[Willow]

I'm sorry, but a youtube video doesn't prove or disprove anything about a breeds general inherent temperament or drive.


Sure individuals can break molds, that doesn't mean they should ever be the assumption.


Not that we're even talking about Newfoundlands here, it's the Mastiff that's being discussed. Newfoundlands are not Mastiff's.

[Blackcat31]

"The Mastiff temperament:

Originally valued for their abilities as a fierce guard and fighting dog, today's Mastiff is a gentle giant. It is a self-confident, watchful, and patient dog who is gentle-natured towards his family. Intelligent and dignified. It rarely barks, but it is in its nature to defend its territory and family. Calm, steady and docile, this dog is normally excellent with children, (not recommend for toddlers though, because of their great size). Good natured, but very large and heavy. Responds well to gentle, patient training. This breed loves to please and needs lots of companionship. The Mastiff's dominance varies widely depending on the lineage. A born guard dog, brave and loyal. When strangers visit, it is likely to refuse to let them in unless they are accepted by its handler. The Mastiff generally holds intruders at bay rather than attacking. Protection training is unnecessary for this naturally protective breed. It is very possessive of home, family and car. It may be combative with other dogs if not very well socialized as a puppy, so extra effort should be given to socialize a Mastiff puppy. If properly socialized it will get along well with other dogs. The Mastiff tends to drool, wheeze and snore loudly. They can be somewhat difficult to train."
********************************************************************************
....sounds ALOT like my Saint.

[Kiki]

Burying ones head in the sand pretending what they've done for generations upon generations never happened isn't responsible or ethical.


As for the Mastiff - there is loads out there on the topic of English/Neopolitan Mastiff's not being recommended for homes with small children, much less homes where a bunch of non-family members are constantly coming and going because they are inherently very territorial. Most will not appreciate or tolerate your daycare parents coming and going. House and yard will be viewed as theirs, their obedience response time is slower by nature (this is fact) and their sheer size alone makes them a liability to have out and about around kids.

I'm not 'burying my head in the sand', I just don't agree with you deary.

Akita's are said to be very territorial as well, but I have one, and she has no problem with my day care parents, or my day care children, she loves them just as much as she loves my immediate family. I could tell you loads of other things that Akita's have supposedly done for 'generations and generations' that I personally have never witnessed with mine.
I'm not in any way arguing that the evidence isn't out there that x dog has done x x times, but I am arguing the fact that people think just because it's happened before, it will happen with yours, or with this persons or that persons.
You can talk about 'general inherent temperament or drive' all you want, but each dog is their own. And while they might posses some of those inherent traits, they might not. You just never really know.

Honestly? I think we are going to have to just agree to disagree here.

[WImom]

Well luckily I have an 8 and 9.5 year old so no toddlers here and I wasn't planning on allowing the dog in my seperate daycare space.

I've also never heard a single bad thing about Mastiffs and I've been researching the breed for about a year now. I'm also willing to pay the high price to get one from a championship line since they are so big. I want to know the history of the parents, etc.

Thanks for all the replies. Love those Ozzie photos! He is a cutie!

Yeah, I'll have to agree to disagree as well.

[Blackcat31]

Well luckily I have an 8 and 9.5 year old so no toddlers here and I wasn't planning on allowing the dog in my seperate daycare space.

I've also never heard a single bad thing about Mastiffs and I've been researching the breed for about a year now. I'm also willing to pay the high price to get one from a chapionship line since they are so big. I want to know the history of the parents, etc.

Thanks for all the replies. Love those Ozzie photos! He is a cutie!

Thank you....

When you do get your mastiff.....please please please post some pictures as I am super excited! I love puppies but REALLY love the big breed ones! lovethis

[Willow]

I'm not 'burying my head in the sand', I just don't agree with you deary.

Akita's are said to be very territorial as well, but I have one, and she has no problem with my day care parents, or my day care children, she loves them just as much as she loves my immediate family. I could tell you loads of other things that Akita's have supposedly done for 'generations and generations' that I personally have never witnessed with mine.
I'm not in any way arguing that the evidence isn't out there that x dog has done x x times, but I am arguing the fact that people think just because it's happened before, it will happen with yours, or with this persons or that persons.
You can talk about 'general inherent temperament or drive' all you want, but each dog is their own. And while they might posses some of those inherent traits, they might not. You just never really know.

Honestly? I think we are going to have to just agree to disagree here.

I don't understand what you're disagreeing with...

Are you saying Labrador Retrievers being first bred to retrieve nets and then downed birds shouldn't be expected to have intense retrieving instincts today because one here and there might not? Or that APBT's being first bred to bait bulls and bears, and then being bred to be ratters and dog fighters shouldn't have any aggression issues with other animals today because one here and there might not?

Akitas were never bred to be territorial, to the contrary they had to have amicable temperaments as their primary purpose was to roam and hunt.


Each dog isn't their own. It's exactly why there are many breeds and not just one. If they were all the same there would be absolutely no point in breeding specific lines. It's exactly why people know if you breed a show line Labrador of today it'll be a couch potato while to the contrary if you breed a field line Labrador you'll get a machine that'll destroy your house if it's not given appropriate outlets for it's intelligence and energy.

It's not merely my opinion that those traits are extremely predictable. It's basic principles of genetics at work.

[Meeko]

You asked to see some more pix of Ozzie...I added a slew of them to an album in my profile......

https://www.daycare.com/forum/album.php?albumid=47

Oh he is GORGEOUS!!!! Makes me miss my big babies....