My little girl is wanting a bull mastiff, I was wondering if they are good dogs for children.
2007-02-02 23:17:50 · 9 answers · asked by ladybug27 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
The Bullmastiff is courageous, loyal, calm, and loving with those it knows. It has a very strong protective instinct and will defend its people against anything it perceives as a threat. However, it doesn't normally attack to protect. Instead, it simply knocks the intruder over with its massive size and pins them to the ground, or, will simply stand in front of the stranger/intruder and refuse to let them pass. Bullmastiffs become intensely attached to their families and do best when they can live inside with their people. Their protective instinct combined with their great size and natural wariness of strangers means that early socialization is a must. The Bullmastiff may or may not get along well with other dogs. Often, male Bullmastiffs do not tolerate other males, regardless of breed. Occasionally, females are also intolerant of other females. The Bullmastiff, in general, loves children and is very patient with them. Parental supervision should be maintained when they are with children because these dogs are so big that they can easily cause accidental injuries while playing with them.
Enjoy the info! Look up on the source i gave for more info on size, appearance, color, working life and even history!
2007-02-03 00:14:15 · answer #1 · answered by the smooth talker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mastiffs are WONDERFUL dogs. Bull mastiffs won't get as big as some other kinds however it'll still be way over 100lbs and will be a lot of dog to control.
Unles YOU and your children are willing to put forth a lot effort in training and discipline then this would be a great dog. You MUST create an established hierarchy with bull mastiffs. They are stubborn (though very smart) and need a stable home and a good leader. If not they can be very dangerous dogs and act out aggressively and destructively.
Do some more research on the breed for health and behavioral tendancies. They have a Mastiff for dummies book, talk to your vet and a trainer.
Good Luck
2007-02-03 07:43:29 · answer #2 · answered by sillybuttmunky 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dog is apparently a good one and docile a little large for kids to play with, but a good keep safe for children.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/bullmastiff/index.cfm
Bullmastiff Breed Standard
Working Group
Temperament
Fearless and confident yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a dependable family companion and protector.
General Appearance
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but active. The foundation breeding was 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The breed was developed in England by gamekeepers for protection against poachers.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--Dogs, 25 to 27 inches at the withers, and 110 to 130 pounds weight. Bitches, 24 to 26 inches at the withers, and 100 to 120 pounds weight. Other things being equal, the more substantial dog within these limits is favored. Proportion--The length from tip of breastbone to rear of thigh exceeds the height from withers to ground only slightly, resulting in a nearly square appearance.
Good Luck!
2007-02-03 08:25:04 · answer #3 · answered by LucySD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
St. Nino is very confused or has never met a Bullmastiff! These dogs are very calm & gentle. Every one I have ever met has been a sweetheart of a dog!
If your daughter is small or under 10, she would need to be supervised on walks for a few years, as these dogs are very big & strong & it could pull her down the street. Obedience training is a must, to have control over a dog this size. Go to www.akc.org & locate the breed club chapter closest to you - buy from one of these dedicated members who OFA or Penn Hip certifies the parent dogs against hip dypsplasia - very important to ensure a healthy companion for life.
This breed is a guard dog, but not in the 'attack' sense - they were trained to 'catch & hold' on big estates. Literally, they would knock down & straddle the intruder till guards came along - not ever bred to bite!
2007-02-03 08:06:39 · answer #4 · answered by mustanglynnie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The breed of dog will not determine wether or not it will be a good dog. Get one as a puppy and raise it right, train the dog. I myself got into a relationship with a man who has 3 pits, i was scared of them, just from what u hear about the breed. these dogs have been trained and sleep in there bedroom with my 2 cats, breed doesnt matter as long as you teach the dog right from wrong. but rember they are big dogs and they slobber alot lol
2007-02-03 08:36:29 · answer #5 · answered by Jessica B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, they can be. The key with a big dog like that is early socialization and proper training. You might want to go through a reputable breeder who can help you choose a puppy that is more submissive and of good temperment. Good Luck!
2007-02-03 07:27:58 · answer #6 · answered by Truth B. Told ITS THE ECONOMY STUPID 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have been around a few of them at dog shows and they seem to be gentle i hope this helps. you might go to a dog show and talk to people that own them or look up the breed on the internet.
2007-02-03 07:25:56 · answer #7 · answered by Skyhoss 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
how experienced are you wirh dogs, this one cannot be recommended for ANYONE who never had a BIG dog, these ARE not to be underestimated, as docile dogs!! they can & will be dangerous dogs at any given moment! so ask your local vet, or someone you knows about them
2007-02-03 07:26:36 · answer #8 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes they are gental. And very cute, I might add!
2007-02-03 07:55:06 · answer #9 · answered by Emily 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋