Need advise ... Non fitness

Ricky1103
Ricky1103 Posts: 68
edited December 2024 in Chit-Chat
I really wanna get an English mastiff male puppy I feel it's a good step for me as I wanna be more active as I like to sleep a lot when I am not working.i am a commercial pilot flying for a corporate firm so I don't fly much in a month. It's just currently we have been based out of my city for a week. Otherwise I am very much in the same city so I can take care of e puppy when I get it. I really really want to have an eng mastiff puppy. I think it will be great for me to grow as a person and be more responsible(don't get me wrong i am a responsible guy but I feel I can be more responsible and more active on my off days).

I would love to hear what you guys think about this. N I haven't had a dog before. It would be nice to hear what people have to say especially the ones with such breeds.
Thanks
Ricky

Replies

  • mostein
    mostein Posts: 200 Member
    I do not have an english mastiff but I would seriously consider getting a different breed if you really want to get a dog. These dogs get HUGE and require not only exercise but lot's of room. Dogs are a huge commitment both of your time and finances so you want to make sure you get one that is right for you. Good luck whichever way you decide to go!
  • FitBunnyEm
    FitBunnyEm Posts: 320
    hi,
    ive got a staffordshire bull terrier and i did had an english bull terrier...dogs are a big commitment but also amazing company.I got mine to get me out and about...i lost one due to a disease but still have the staffy (in my pic).
    Mastiffs are huge so you need loadsa space as you know i guess. You will need to train the dog as they are so big they need to know whats right and wrong. My dog isnt tall but he is so strong and weighs loads because of his muscles, i took him to training classes else he would run me! hes soft as a brush now, even though people think hes illegal. ridiculous.
    let us know if you get one. personally i love mastiffs.
  • baxgilter
    baxgilter Posts: 246 Member
    I really wanna get an English mastiff male puppy I feel it's a good step for me as I wanna be more active as I like to sleep a lot when I am not working.i am a commercial pilot flying for a corporate firm so I don't fly much in a month. It's just currently we have been based out of my city for a week. Otherwise I am very much in the same city so I can take care of e puppy when I get it. I really really want to have an eng mastiff puppy. I think it will be great for me to grow as a person and be more responsible(don't get me wrong i am a responsible guy but I feel I can be more responsible and more active on my off days).

    I would love to hear what you guys think about this. N I haven't had a dog before. It would be nice to hear what people have to say especially the ones with such breeds.
    Thanks
    Ricky

    Mastiffs are a great breed but like some of the other posters have said they get big and require alot of work! I wouldn't recommend one for your first dog or if you want to be super active. Most mastiffs I know do not like to be active for long periods of time. Short spurts and then they lay around. Ive seen owners put leashes on their mastiff and watch the dog refuse to move, and they are so big that if they dont want to move it isn't going to happen. I recommend a lab or pitbull, neither have a lot of health problems or require a ton of grooming. Both can get pretty energetic but if you find a good breader you can get ones with a great temperment without tons of hyperness. Just my two cents.
  • FitBunnyEm
    FitBunnyEm Posts: 320
    agreeing with 'baxgilter' ...i had a lab for my first dog...very easy to handle...two bull terriers i had next...needing some experience else u got a monster. LOL.
  • ket_the_jet
    ket_the_jet Posts: 1,257 Member
    Mastiffs are my favorite kinds of dogs; however, they're also the least active. They just want to relax and eat. And eat. And eat. And eat.
    -wtk
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    They're very sweet dogs, but I implore you to look for one through a rescue group instead of buying from a breeder.

    That said, what is your plan for the dog when you're flying? They get extremely large and puppies especially need a LOT of attention and training. It's almost like having a human infant.
  • Roadie2000
    Roadie2000 Posts: 1,801 Member
    First of all, why do you want to get a mastiff? Is it because they fit the lifestyle you are living or hope to live, or is it because you like the way they look? Please do not get a certain breed of dog just because you think it's cute, do some research and find the type of breed that is right for you. Dogs are pets, not accessories. I'd like to help you in this regard but the only thing I know about mastiffs is that they drool a lot.

    Also make sure you have a good idea of what you will do with the dog when you are working or out of town. Hopefully you have a decent sized house and a fenced in yard as well. If you don't, I would strongly recommend getting a dog that doesn't require as much room.

    Also, puppies are cute, but their cuteness is canceled out by the fact that they chew on everything and aren't potty trained. Maybe consider rescuing an adult dog if you're new to the whole dog ownership thing.
  • Delaina1
    Delaina1 Posts: 168 Member
    I have a Great Dane and a Lab. If this is your first dog DO NOT go with such a large and demanding breed. They are adorable and super sweet, but such a hand full if you are not an experienced dog owner. My Great Dane was my first dog and I still have her. She was so sweet and loving, but so destructive as a puppy! Her whole first year was crazy. She needed undivided attention and keep this in mind if you ever have to find a dogsitter while you are gone. People cannot easily accomodate such a huge animal. Once she hit about 1 1/2 years old she did start to calm down and she is now one of the most well behaved dogs I've ever seen. She has to be because I couldn't handle her if she wasn't! They must be leash trained also. My lab was a completely different story. He is so easy and laid back and all he wants to do is please me all the time. He is very active, but doesn't wine or anything if I don't feel like playing. He is a great size also. Remember, big dogs cost big money. You have to give them flea, tick, and heartworm meds every month which costs between $75- $100. My Great Dane eats 7 cups of food a day and would eat more if I let her. Your mastiff will need more. Plus, they have to go to the vet at least once a year (a few hundred dollars). If your dog gets sick in any way it will be VERY EXPENSIVE. Big dogs also have pretty short life spans (heartbreaker). All in all, for a first dog go with a retriever :) Great size, healthy, fun, laid back, and easy to train. All dogs are great though! My life wouldn't be the same without my babies!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Also, puppies are cute, but their cuteness is canceled out by the fact that they chew on everything and aren't potty trained. Maybe consider rescuing an adult dog if you're new to the whole dog ownership thing.

    I want to highlight this!

    I have had dogs my whole life and I know how to train them and handle them. But I will NEVER get a puppy on purpose! (Animals tend to just show up at my door, so I don't always have the option of choosing one. lol) I don't want to have to devote so much effort to house training. An older, already trained dog is going to be so much easier.
  • JPod279
    JPod279 Posts: 722 Member
    You really need to research the type of dog you want and maybe talk to some people at a local animal rescue to see if they can help you pick out a dog that is right for you. I have had dogs all my life. I currently have a German Shepherd pup that is about 12 weeks old. Even though I work with her daily she is a handful but we also have another dog that she can play with during the day. I like what the other poster said. You may want to consider getting an older dog that is already house broken and won't be in that chewing phase. I can't even begin to explain how cut up my hands and arms are from my pup. And again, I have worked with her EVERY DAY since I got her and we have a ton of chew toys, but I realize puppies are going to get things and chew on them.
  • lauralizzy829
    lauralizzy829 Posts: 215 Member
    Yea, I am planning almost a year to getting a puppy (welsh corgi). I'm timing picking him/her up from the breeder beginning of a school break so i have almost 3 weeks to train it. Then the next term I'm only enrolled in 1 class so I will have plenty of time to spend with him/her. Unless you have a set time to spend with the puppy, do not get a puppy. Find a nice shelter dog that is already trained.
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