As some of you know I was wanting a pitbull puppy, but with further research and such I also found I may like a bullmastiff, my mom's friend breeds them and said she would give me one and I could work it off at her store. I have a lot of information on pitbulls but know I want some opinions on bullmastiffs (Preferably from owners, or someone who has experience with the breed)

--I just can't decided what breed I want, I am going to be stuck with it for quiet a while so I want to be happy with my decision

I have a friend with one and it very much has a mind of its own - needs to constantly be reminded who is the boss. Plus she can't get homeowners insurance without paying an extra premium.

Why a mastiff? In my area they guard drug houses.

I am wanting a Mastiff because from what I have read there a great family pet, but also will give there life guarding you and your property. My house has been broken into a few times in the last month or so but they never got passed the entry point because we had a Dalmatian that wouldn't let anyone in the house if we didn't say it was okay, and now that he is gone, I am scared to go to sleep, I am constantly checking locks on windows, and doors. If I hear the slightest noise I am terrified for the rest of the night. I am wanting a dog that would easily scare off someone before they even got in and personally, if a bull mastiff came running at me growling I'd defiantly be running the other way. I have a peke/jack Russel, but he is a sad excuse for a dog :p He doesn't bark when someone comes over, usually he runs and hides, sometimes though he will greet whomever is at the door with kisses (Especially door-to-door salesmen, he seems to just love them)

There also not very active, they only need a few short walks a day, which will be a lot easier to manage with school.

If you are planning the mastiff to be an attack dog of some sort I trust you have the time and stamina to train AND control it.

These are powerful dogs and can be territorial - what about your other dogs?

Would you consider one of these guys or are you after a 'tankier' looking dog?
They require not a lot of exercise (half hour to an hour a day) and they are quite happy to be couch potatoes but are also big enough to scare anyone off who tries to go onto your property.

http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/hevener/greyhound2.jpg

I am not wanting him to be an attack dog, I am just wanting one that will look scary and bark. I would never want my dog to actually harm someone. He would be going to obedience courses for sure, I do not want a 150 pound dog that is out of control running my house. My other dog has been around my moms friends mastiffs and there is never any problems. Since it would be her that I am getting the pup from my dog could meet it the same time I did and be able to get used to it before it comes and lives with us. My moms friend has a little poodle cross and he gets along great with the other dogs.

My dog is only aggressive to dogs he doesn't know, he is really protective when it comes to other dogs coming near me, but not people.

Shaz, this is embarrassing but what breed is that? Absolutely gorgeous dog! I would love a dog with short hair. My two dogs (GSD and Gordon Setter) look like they are exploding because they are shedding hard.

Anyway, gorgeous dog.

And I go back to homeowners insurance/"dangerous breed."

I kind of like the look of the pitbulls, mastiffs, rottweillers, american bulldogs... I like the bigger musular looking dogs. But what kind of dog is that? And any other suggestions is fine, I will research all of them and figure out the ones I like and go on a little journey to find a few to meet in person.

That would be a Greyhound Judy ;) Gorgeous dogs and very placid contrary to popular belief. There are always a lot of ex-racers in need of rescue.

I don't really know much about Mastiffs or Pitts. We had a Rottweiler when I was younger, we had her for 3 years I think, then she tried to bite me when I went to touch her ball. That was the end. She was rehomed with a family with no children.
Other than that incident she was a lovely dog, my parents first show dog actually. They bought her after a spout of break-ins at their old house.

Also, I've looked into the home owners insurance when I wanted a pitbull, they don't have that. I can purchase a license for my dog for $250 a year.. It is "admitting" I have a dangerous dog and that if anything was to happen on my property (The dog harming another animal or person) I would not be help liable and my dog would not have to be put down (but would have to be quaranteened for rabies). I also have to have some sort of sign posted in view from the street stating I have a dog.

I've always like the Mastiff's, but like Judy mentioned they need a firm hand and a dominant leader. They can make very docile and wonderful family pets if they have the right temperament.

They are a natural guardian of the home and will not back down from a fight. To strangers they are rather standoffish, but they are loving toward their owner. Bullmastiffs are normally very gentle, cheerful and calm. They make a devoted, gentle companion.

They are best suited to a mature and even tempered family.

The Bullmastiff can be a bit lethargic, so it is important for owners to encourage activity (daily walks at a minimum) and monitor the dog's meal size. Without proper care, this breed will put on weight very quickly. When purchasing food, make sure it is specifically formulated for larger breeds, as a Bullmastiff does best with a relatively low fat / low protein diet. Because this is a large breed, it is important to keep the dog's nails short and to check the footpads regularly for cuts and other injuries.

If you like big beefy dogs, then check these guys out.. WEST COAST GOTTILINE | HOME (http://www.westcoastgottiline.com/) They're a new breed... a hybrid almost.. They were bred to be more docile then reg pitties.. They're pretty cool.. I plan on getting one some day ;)

I have had two Great Danes (Harlequins). They were superb dogs, and also wonderful with children. The bad thing is, more often than not, the larger the dog, the shorter the lifespan. And Mastiffs are huge.