dogs

[max]

I'm looking for a big dog. Not like a great dane, more of a thick dog instead of just a tall one. Tall and thick would be best. I was thinking maybe a rottweiler. I saw a dog the other day who was half rottweiler and half something else, not sure what it was but the dog was huge. Any comments on big dogs, a good mix or pure breed.

[smwalton4102]

Just my opinnion but maybe look at a Boxer or maybe a bulldog my uncle has both of those and they are good dogs in my opinnion

[RG570]

mastiffs are hyooooooooooge. make sure he gets enough cals too,dont no one want no scrawny ass dog

EDIT::::::!!!!!! i forgot St, Bernards, the resuce dogs whith the whisky and everything.. those are huge too.

[MrWebb78]

i vote for the mastiff

[Dkm911]

my advice... go purebred all the way if possible. My dog we got for free from a local animal rescue place. Problem with big dogs is a lot of times if they dont have great genetics they can develop hip problems. My dog required two surgeries total came to 5 grand at about a year old. At that point he was already a member of the family and putting him to sleep was not an option. If we had paid say 600 bucks to get a top quality dog that would not of been an issue.
Another thing if u get a big dog they need lots of exercise for their hearts. Otherwise they dont live as long as they could. A great dane could live 15 years with lots of exercise to keep his cardiovascular shape up.. or like 8-10 without.

[GhettoSmurf]

chalk another one up for a mastiff

[IceRgrrl]

Whatever type of dog you are thinking of getting, do your research/homework and learn about that breed. Visit several breeders and educate yourself about what kind of care and training that type of dog will need. When you do get your dog, sign up for puppy/obedience classes...you'll BOTH learn a lot and your dog will grow up to be well behaved and you will understand how to communicate with him/her.

Rottweilers can have agressive tendencies and due to their popularity, the worst traits may be passed on due to indiscrimate breeding. These dogs need firm and consistent discipline. You must be willing to be the bad guy, be the alpha animal and assert your discipline. If you let the dog take control, you'll never get it back.

Also, keep in mind that adopting a pet is a committment for the life of the animal. It's not a car that you trade in when you're tired of it or a piece of furniture you give away because you're moving and don't want to tote it along. Think hard about taking on this responsibility. This animal is depending on YOU for it's quality of life.

That being said, having a companion animal can be a wonderful experience...they are your best buddies that give unconditional love and affection and are wonderful to have around. I can't imagine my life without pets...

One more thing...seriously look into getting pet health insurance. Proper ongoing vet care and the occasional emergency care plus the ailments of aging pets can really add up to a lot of money. Based on my experiences with my two dogs and three cats, if I had it to do all over again, I'd definitely get pet health insurance!

[big_geek]

Well put, IceRgrrl.
Owning a dog or almost any pet for that matter is almost like having a kid.
Forget about going away without it, you have to take him everywhere you go. You have to get up in the middle of the night if it needs to go, every day you need to take it out for some fun in the park. Weather it rains or snows you have to be ready to take it out.
It's a lot of work, but in return you will get a pet's lifetime of unconditional love and commitment.
Damn, I love my dog. Anyone else sleep in one bed with their pet?
My vote goes for an american staffordshire terrier. They are a medium buit dogs, can weight anywhere from 50lb to 80lb. Very thick and muscular looking, great with people.

Oh, and go for a pure breeds. There is a lot of inbreeding going on and that is what will destroy even the best of breeds. You'll avoid a lot of headaches. When you are ready make sure you ask to see the mother and the father of the dog you are about to buy. Make sure they are approchable, friendly and are/look healthy.
One more thing, DO NOT BUY A DOG FROM A PET STORE. They have a lot of health problems and are misstreated most of the time. Best option is to go to a reputable breader.

[Ironman8]

Ya, mastiffs are cool.

[Strats]

You want a big dog? Get a newfoundland. I swear, they are huge. Biggest dog I've seen in my life. Its something when the dogs head is almost as big as your body and the dog weighs as much as you do.

[pusher]

I vote for a Bullmastiff. I have a 140lb 4 year old and he is the best.

[IceRgrrl]

Originally posted by Strats
You want a big dog? Get a newfoundland. I swear, they are huge. Biggest dog I've seen in my life. Its something when the dogs head is almost as big as your body and the dog weighs as much as you do.

And they have very good, friendly temperments...very loving and playful.

[big_geek]

They are messy though, go for it if you like the drooll.

[Alex.V]

I'd echo IceR and big geek, excellent comments. It is NOT a responsibility to take lightly.

You are completely, 100% responsible for another animal's life and well being. Never underestimate the commitment.

English Mastiffs are excellent dogs. I love mine to death. They are also the single biggest breed out there.. Newfoundlands max out around 160-190, the sire of my dog was a hair over 240.

But please, don't just get a big dog to get a big dog. That's weak. Get a big dog because you love the breed. Do your research, find one that's a good match. English mastiffs are very friendly with their people, but often not so sociable and cheery with other dogs and other humans. Rotties are very smart, but will always be testing you... they're much harder to control, and can have a HOST of attitude problems if you don't dedicate yourself to working with them . Newfoundlands are playful, like IceR said, but they SHED.

And yes, go to a breeder. You're taking in an animal for life... and in this case, you're getting yourself a dog that could be as big or bigger than you are. You don't want to get a damaged animal, make sure you know what the line is like.. temperament, overall health, etc. etc.

Basically, you can't do too much research. Don't be one of those guys that gets a big dog just to get a big dog, gives it a butch name, uses it to show off, but couldn't be assed to vax it, train it, or care for it. Because you'll end up hating the burden of an ill-behaved behemoth, and it'll end up on the street.

[Berserker]

I agree with IcR.
Do your homework. Just don't get a big cause its big. Also make sure you can handle it. Where do you live how long you gonna be there?
I a found of german shepards. A friend of mine has a rot, good dog, but it does require more attention it does have aggressive tendancies.

I pretty much disagree with everyone here on purebreeds. Mutts make great dogs, usually have better temperments. Also you tend to get MORE genetic, hip, problems with pure breeds. You have to be very careful and go to a very good breeder, paying high end. Where as mutts usually breed out such problems.

[max]

Don't worry about me giving up on my pets. I've had 3 dogs and 6 cats growing up. Everyone one of my pets were from the pound or where found at my grandparents ranch, where people got rid of the pets they didn't want by throwing them out in the middle of no where. This will be my first dog but i know the costs and how to handle them from having lived with so many and by helping train seeing eye dogs. And the reason i want a big dog is for a couple of reasons, i like the look, i don't like high pitched barks, and one of my dogs was a rottweiler and i loved to wrestle with him the most just because he had a lot of weight behind him.

[Rock]

Welcome to the world of molosser dogs, these are strongest, fiercest dogs in the world today, they are the remain of the gladiator dogs of the ancient world, war dogs, fighting dogs, guard dogs, manhunting dogs, they all come from the great molossi dogs.

http://www.moloss.com/001/ptxt/breed.html

those are the biggest dogs, you can also ask an expert on each breed on the molosser forum.

the dog breed that is the sharpest and most true to its origin in the world today, is the south African Boerboel, its an agile more muscular version of the english mastiff, its a very big and powerfull dog, white farmers used these dogs to protect their farms, kind of an extreme guard dog that had to fight of the intruders or the farmer would kill it and replace it.

Ive read so far that your used to dogs, thats great, just remember that a big dog can easily try to dominate you, so you must be firm and show some tough love, and as always love is the keyword.

great advice in this thread so far.

the presa or cane corso are also intrestring dogs, the american bulldog is cool too.

[MonkeyBoy]

My dog rules!

[Paul Stagg]

Shelties RAWK!

[Coleman]

How about a Japanese Akita? My neighbour has 2 of them and both are fairly large and very very strong dogs. My neighbour is a 75 year old lady and she has had the breed for over 20 years without a hint of agression against her. However, one of them attacked and almost killed one of my dogs. They are very agressive against other dogs unless exposed to other dogs at a young age.

[JustinASU]

Ok Im offcially in love with Boerboel's...Im getting one after I graduate...

http://hometown.aol.com/lionsdens4/B...LIONSDENS.html

[Gyno Rhino]

Go to the pound and save a dog. Or get a rotty/shepard/doberman.

[Kayak_boy]

Yeah, the pound is a great call, save some poor little dude from a bad needle!

[Dkm911]

thats true there is a problem with to many stray animals.. adopting a pet and saving its life is the best thing u can do.. all 3 of my cats and my dog are all straight from animal shelters

[BadKarma]

mutts rule- visit the animal shelter...
otherwise, get a japanese tosa