Bullmastiffmum

Yes I too have to suffer excessive attention towards my boy when we are out and about. Only 2 photos but hundreds of cuddles and pats. Regular drivers toot there horn and wave, regular walkers stop to say hi to him, ignoring me, knowing his name, not mine. When out of our suburb, walking, at markets or fetes, people often stop and 50 % dont even ask if its ok to pat him before they do, I have had parents rush there children in for a pat, all are amazed when they ask what breed? I answer "bullmastiff" Then all of the usual conversations...arent they aggressive etc. He now knows at 6yrs old when people are talking /staring at him and he does seem to enjoy the attention. I not so much, but I guess if he is a good ambassador for the breed, it cant do any harm.

I own a bullmastiff, he is 5yrs old and I think only 3 people have known he is a bullmastiff! Most common guesses are a big boxer or staffy. He is my first, and I would hate it, if because of incorrect reporting that the breed could possibly be banned or just that public perception is negative towards a bullmastiff. He is the sweetest thing, 50% of people are afraid of him, other 50% (to my amazement) usually approach him, before even asking if it is ok to. Random people patting him, shoving children/babies up to him, so they can see the large puppy etc etc I could go on about how I believe some people could do with an education on interacting with dogs let alone strange ones. I feel for the families of young children and the tragicness of any attack, but I also feel that maybe a note after the article stating that it is a horrible reminder why children should not be left unsupervised and why socialisation for dogs is so important. Did I mention he is the sweetest thing, even with his unique oddities and little quirks.

Before we kennelled our boy, we inspected all the local and surrounding kennels. Our pick was playhouse pet motel wyee, David Michelle and staff are amazing. We used them for about 3yrs with no problems, issues or concerns. Then I seen an advert for terrigal pet resort and was blown away, I did an inspection and booked my boy into his own personal suite, he stayed there once and I would NEVER use them or recommend them. Then on discussion with local dog owners and in particular my local vets and their receptionists, everyone was saying nothing but praises for akuna care pet resort at sawyers gully. So I went and did an inspection and my boy has stayed there 4 times and now I too, highly recommend them. My boy is excited to get there, he comes home looking great, facilities are clean, staff friendly and a huge range of boarding packages to choose from. All I know is he seems pretty happy to go there, looks healthy coming home, staff are friendly and professional and that means all good, would recommend!!!

today i have called the ranger to report a loose dog, While walking my boy on the way to the park, a cattle dog came from no where and came straight for my boy, i quick stepped back, towards road, a car tooted there horn (didnt stop!!, but tooted) Enough to spook the cattle away from us, thank god!! I called the ranger straight away, it is a very busy road and i wouldnt want the dog to get hurt or killed, plus for any motorist to have an accident , so that was my reaction, whether its not what everyone wouldve done , its what i have done today and will do again, because i would hope someone would do that for me, if somehow my boy was to get out. he never has but things do happen.

Mr sheen, My boy drools on the windows and side of car, (pretty much everywhere) And after washing car, clean rag with mr sheen on it, it comes off easy.

i have 2 kongs, 1 x classic (red) 1 x extreme (black) All the kong range is popular with my boy, But his favourite is the kong wobbler, Definately check it out!! it amuses him for ages, I just put in his daily portion of dry food in it.

I am only commenting on how my boy first reacted to his first encounters with 2 seperately owned boxers( at different times) he was and has always been put off by their intense looks. I generally would meet for a walk so they could meet without the forcedness of confinement, focus on the walk not just play, that seemed to work, but he still doesnt like the intense staring, so i wouldnt ever introduce him to one in his own yard. If only i could tell him that boxers just want to rumble/ tumble around and the staring isnt to psych him out :-)

Hey chuckandsteve, Sorry to hear about your dilemma, But you and the dog havent failed, It is just what it is..... I too had a male rotti, that didnt like to be rushed or other male dogs in his space( which happens frequently, in my area), so for my piece of mind and to protect him from legal issues and from hurting other dogs, i chose to muzzle him in public. He didnt like it initially, but after it became routine, he accepted it, just make sure you get one fitted properly and i found that i didnt walk him for long periods, as he panted heavily after long periods with it on. I also Agree with the previous comment, because after he started wearing it ,people gave us a wide berth!!! I would also strongly reccommended seeking a behaviourist or trainer for correct advice, because there might be other issues, or something they can suggest , that may assist you in the future that eliminates the need for the muzzle Good luck

i find in my area, most people have no idea, cant control there dogs, dont understand dogs personal space, and pass on their nervousness to there dogs once they realise that they have approached my bullmastiff. I have to be ready for all circumstances!! I am lucky though.... My boy was terrified of the vets, so i went in every chance i got, just for a visit. Now he loves the vet and is completely relaxed about it. I do not want this to change, and thankfully i have built up a great relationship with the receptionists. They not only get to know most dogs and control waiting areas as need be with various temperments but also do not allow you to come into reception after a sick dog until they have disinfected floor, benches and sprayed. I only hope this never changes as our visits are always a positive experience for my boy. :-)

So sorry, Cannot imagine what you must be feeling, To loose a loved one in those circumstances is just unimagineable, so sad I think many of us have read these messages through tears I think everyone will be giving there loved ones an extra cuddle tonight Our thoughts are with you Buddy looked like an amazing dog, No doubt, many memories together through all those years.

thats good to know ,cause he LOVES apples!! i guess he has helped himself to alot of things i dont know about, and he is still ok.

I know i have been an awful, selfish, uncaring mum , when i have to get up and leave for work at 5am and he has to be woken up and put outside. Just dreadful that his sleep has been disrupted, he has to go out to 3 options of trampoline beds with cushions and sheets, numerous kongs and treat containers and treats hidden around the yard. I know i couldnt put up with such attrosities!!!!!

My boy is also a thief/ hunter gatherer!! , i thought birds were stealing my strawberries when they ripened but then busted him in the act. The occassional cucumber will disappear, and he also gets into our tomatoes, but also waits for them to ripen, he now has his own strawberry patch, so everyone is happy. He is also partial to mangoes, pineapple, bananas and most mornings we share an apple, yoghurt and toast. I did catch him stealing apples off the tree, and thank god i did, because i have been told that the core/seeds are not good for them. So i had to get rid of them, not worth the risk and obviously cant trust him, not to help himself to an apple or 2. I do speak to the vet on our visits about his unusal additions to his diet, but says its ok and obviously after reading these threads he is not alone.

I have had my boy and girl cremated, Both in beautful boxes with there photos on top, with plaques engraved. I have them on top of a cabinet in our living area, so they are still with us, knowing they are there is a nice feeling, i think of them often, plus every week when i dust, i get to hold them and think of them and the memories we have. Just my way of dealing with their loss.....

I am for and against them ........ There should be much more areas that dogs are welcome, parks beaches off leash, but there needs to be a bit of thought and consultating with dog owners. Open paddocks for the high energy and fenced areas included for training or the not so confident yet on recall, bins for doo doo and taps for water refills. My problem is that i cant recall the amount my boy has been rushed at , bitten ,stalked by uncontrolled dogs, and i keep him on a long lunging leash. And poop is really bad in offleash areas aswell as just around our park areas, so for that reason we dont really use any off them. But if it wasnt for those bad unthoughtful dog owners they would and could be a fun, friendly untilized area.

due to circumstances, my partner and i now have christmas-new years off work. We wanted to catch up with friends on the nsw south coast somewhere. Lots of searching and ringing around and as expected, places booked out, only allow little dogs or no dogs in that period at all..... We understand and have no issues with that , only that after finding what seemed like the perfect place, "turon gates- capertree" no need to book, dog friendly and advertised so in numerous listing, the lady sonya told my partner all was good until she asked what type of dog....bullmastiff...then she said no way we dont allow dangerous dogs! he did try to explain maybe she was thinking of a different breed, and that our boy would be no trouble, but not getting through to her, thanked her and hung up. I was quite upset at her reaction and rang to talk to her, she called back and was quite abrupt, not liking large dogs, bull breeds etc etc. I shouldnt of bothered but tried to explain that our boy has completed four years of training, is very socialised and amazing with people and loves children, i wouldnt of chose the breed if i wasnt going to put the time into him. we have stayed at numerous dog friendly places and never had a problem, i know that being a dog i cant 100% guarantee no issues and that there are dog owners that give others a bad image, but so frustrating to be blantely desciminated against so rudely. Just venting :-)

Sooo cute Congratulations on your new addition May or may not be helpful but.... when my boy was a pup, i would divide his daily dry food into small containers and leave them around the place, so i could access them easily and quickly, then through out the day i was able to recall him to come and be able to reward him. He then learnt his name, to come and that rewards didnt just come from my treat bag when training. Good luck and have fun!

I would definently report it do not want to think what could of happened if you didnt help out. so sad and scary for everyone involved Hope times have changed though because 2 years ago my bullmastiff was attacked by 2 staffies , incompetant owner, staffies off leash and he had no control, he took off and i got his car rego and description and notified police and council, no one was interested:-( My boy req. $1000 vet bill, shots etc and after hours fees. So as a minimum the guy should pay for a check over by a vet. A top job for going and helping her out,

No he didnt seem interested in anything particular, just casually walking ,sniffing ,weeing on occassion. But when i tried to go in a different direction he would just stop and not want to move!! He was desexed at 6 monthes , this was so out of character

Just after some opinions on why the change..... 2 days ago, we headed off on our morning walk when my 5 yr old male bullmastiff abruptly dug his heels in and wanted to head in a direction around the neighbourhood that we have never been to. i sort of found in humourus to follow his lead as he seemed to have a plan on where he was heading... Right and left down certain streets, stayed on certain sides of the road etc etc He has never done this before and is most of the time a pleasure to walk with. We do have a variety of routes we walk but never in that area, and he has never been there or escaped from the yard. The problem is he didnt seem as if he wanted the walk to finish, and i am not sure how to deal with him, as he is usually very obedient, but he wasnt budging and he did it again today?? (and i do carry treats, but even they werent of interest!!) Any insight would be great Thanks in advance:-)

Check first incase it is a medical condition, But my bullmastiff gets eye gooba, (aswell as plenty of drool and foamy froth plus things hidden in his gums !!) But he has his own face washers in the laundry , and i also keep a box of baby wipes at the back door for quick freshen ups:-) He does seem to do the.....awe do you have to.... But he knows the routine and i think its better then when he tries to wipe his face clean on me or my pants:-)

I am so sorry to hear about cooper Just passing on my one and only experience with hd Not an expert and we didnt do a lot of research,we just trusted our vet and the specialist he recommended, but my boy had a limp at around 11 monthes after xrays we found out he had really bad hips. Told he would be better off waiting till he showed further issues of discomfort before full hip replacement or we could do a triple pelvic op. (i believe thats what it was called?) They cut in 3 places and bolt back together, but could only be done safely up until 12 monthes old. His hips were really, really bad and with no guarentee, it was a huge decision to make, so quickly, plus we didnt have pet insurance as my partner had thought it a waste!! Mmmmm.. They also found arthritis in his elbows..... We went ahead with it right elbow scraped and left hip cut and bolted then i think it was 4 weeks later left elbow and right hip... He handled it amazingly , seemed to take it all in his stride. (i was freaking out the whole time!! Did we do the right thing???) He is now 5, his hips are now perfect, with no signs at all of any issues or complications. Would i do it again?? Yes, yes and yes And all thanks to david lidbetter in sydney Amazing man and specialist, the entire staff there are fantastic. :) Whatever decision you make for cooper will be the right decision, No easy choice either way good luck and i wish you both well Big hugs for cooper

Great work :) Thats awesome :) :) If ONLY we knew what went on in their brains... Now that would be scary!!

I agree it is something we all have to be prepared for, a plan in place, financially and emotionally. It is very interesting thread to read as i wasnt ready with my previous dogs, 2 x rottis. Found out they both had cancer 1 week apart,passing within 2 monthes of each other. my boy died naturally in his sleep, my girl i had to make the decision to put pts. In hind sight i should of pts earlier but i just couldnt do it, my vet at the time (i have since moved) was amazing and wouldnt charge me for their last visits, and with my girl allowed me time to say goodbye in his only consult room while he used his office for other patients. I had them cremated and like knowing they are still with me......they were 11 and 12 but i still wasnt prepared to loose them. But it is awful to think people might take advantage financially at this time.

Hey wobbly sorry about her injury, glad to hear she is recovering well I am not qualified and can only talk of experiences with my bullmastiff but one incident was an empty truck driving past him a corner away from home and scared the jeepers out of him! He wouldnt walk that way for a month. Took lots of patcients ,encouragement ,treats, no pressure and probably a month to get around that corner. Another time (yes my fault ) a little terrier bit him through a fence and scared him so much it took 3 monthes to walk down that street and that was still only on the other side of the road!!! All i can say is dont rush it, let her feel comfortable with each step closer and be very happy with any progress, she will get there. My boy struts his stuff around that corner and down that street, now no worries :) She is gorgeous, and that looks like an amazing place, i can see why you like it so much.