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 Any advice?
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| Author | Topic: Any advice? |
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Lucky Member  Posts: 77 |
posted 10-14-2003 09:44 PM
 
Hi, My neighbour just got an American Staffordshire Terrier/ Mastif cross puppy (8 weeks old, already 10 pounds - very adorable). Does anyone have some good advice that would be specific to a cross like this. An Am-Staff is a type of pitbull isn't it? Thanks! IP: Logged |
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Angie Member Posts: 171 |
posted 10-15-2003 11:45 AM
I think amstaff is short for American Staffordshire Terrier (think spelling is right) yes, it is a type of pitbull IP: Logged |
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Ahkahna unregistered |
posted 10-15-2003 12:18 PM
Yes an American Staffordshire is of the pit family. I can't imagine how large this dog is going to get, but I'm sure it will be an interesting mix :} All dogs are good dogs, it's all in the up-bringing. With any luck at all, your neighbor will have a very devoted friend Good luck IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 10-15-2003 01:12 PM
Do pit bull's tend to be dominant dogs - or is that just part of the myth? IP: Logged |
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Ahkahna Member Posts: 93 |
posted 10-15-2003 01:22 PM
If one has two or more together it is possible, but if someone is new at the pitbull breed it's reccommended that someone keep only one pit or pit mix since there is that chance of dog aggression. I will say that there are pits & pit mixes who are just fine with other dogs (such as my own). If you'd like more info on pitbulls, check here [This message has been edited by Ahkahna (edited 10-15-2003).] [This message has been edited by Ahkahna (edited 10-15-2003).] IP: Logged |
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Angie Member Posts: 171 |
posted 10-15-2003 01:25 PM
My brother has 3 females and 1 male and they get along great. Even though 2 females stay inside and 1 female and the male stay outside, they are all together often. You just have to keep a close eye on them. And its better if they are raised together. I heard its bad to keep two males together though. IP: Logged |
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goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 10-15-2003 10:27 PM
The problem with these type of mixes is that they sometimes get the size and guardy, aloof temperament of the mastiff, and the tenacity, agility, strength of the bully component (minus the bull breed bite inhibition). That can make for a huge dog with tons of determination and tenactity and a "not friendly" (maybe not necessarily UNfriendly, though some are, but often not as friendly as most purebred APBTs) temperament with more inclination to bite a person than the typical purebred APBT or AmStaff. Depending on the cross, some (APBTxDogue De Bordeaux being one that comes to mind as having this happen a lot) can be VERY dog aggressive as well. What type of mastiff is the neighbor's dog mixed with? If English Mastiff, I would think they might be less likely to have temperament problems than with some of the other possibilities, as EMs have had much of the hard mastiff temperament bred out of them. As far as dominance, APBTs and other "pit bull" breeds (with the exception of ABs, which are sort of between bully and mastiffy in temperament) are usually pretty soft in temperament towards people. In an AmStaff x mastiff cross though, you could get a temperament anywhere from completely AmStaff, to completely mastiff, to anything in between, or different specifics may seem to be from the different components. It's hard to say where this particular dog's dominance level will end up, but the parents and other ancestors (if you know anything about any of them) should be a pretty good indicator of what he/she will be like. The dog very well may end up aggressive to other dogs, as this trait is common in bull breeds, and not UNcommon in mastiffs. Best to prepare for it and maybe talk with them to see what they plan on doing if that does come to be, before it happens. Growing up together will not help keep two dogs from fighting when they mature, and they are more likely to have problems if they are of the same sex (male/male or female/female, both have about the same likelyhood of problems). Amstaffs... some say they ARE the same as American Pit Bull Terriers, some say they are closely related, some say they are like "cousins", some say they are NOT the same at all. It depends on who you talk to. They were the same breed until the AKC started accepting APBTs as AmStaffs in the 1930s, and some are still registered both as UKC APBTs and as AKC AmStaffs (and win at conformation shows as both breeds), yet there are some slight differences between the breeds. I'm sure that's more than you needed to know, as either way, yes, AmStaffs are considered "pit bulls" in the general sense of the term. IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 10-15-2003 11:44 PM
Oh dear. The more I read about this, the more I worry about the situation. They have small children in the house and neighbour kids running in and out all the time. Plus, they are not experienced dog owners. The type of Mastiff is a Neopolitan Mastiff and the dog is male. Is that a good or bad thing? These neighbours are really good people and will work their hearts out to make sure the situation works out. I have absolutely nothing against them. And the dog is the cutest thing in the world. But... Sigh - sometimes it is hard to butt out. The dog was an impulse purchase and if it's one thing I've learned about buying dogs it's research, research, research. I just don't know anyone other than on-line folks who agree with me. The dog will be well socialized. Any chance it will just be a big, good natured giant? IP: Logged |
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goob Member Posts: 552 |
posted 10-16-2003 12:48 AM
Neopolitan Mastiffs, or Neos as many call them are one of the more guardy mastiff breeds. They were bred for the purpose of guarding estates and the like, so they had/have to be willing and ready to make their own call on whether or not to bite or not since there often wasn't someone around to direct them. From what I understand, a well bred Neo will allow people into the house that they know, or that are "approved" by their master(s), but usually will guard their territory from strangers until told to do otherwise. Of course, Neos are becoming more popular with the BYB crowd, and as such, I'm sure more and more unstable dogs are popping up (I'm sure this is not what you were hoping to hear, sorry  ), as happens in other breeds the BYBs get ahold of. There are people now who are breeding these bull breed x mastiff mixes (APBT x Neo is one of the more common ones) and calling the mixes "Bandogs", after an earlier attempt at creating a new breed by that name using a similar cross. Going back to what I mentioned in my earlier message, from what I've seen/heard, some of these dogs are great working/protection dogs, some are good pets, some are complete nutcases. As with any mix, it's a crap shoot as to what traits you're going to end up with. You just hope they line up right, and deal with it if they don't. Most of the dogs that turn out well are out of good stock, and bred with a specific purpose in mind. Of course, BYBs have caught on to this new "breed", and are now pumping out their version, with little regard to anything but price tag. If it were me, I'd sit down and have a talk with the owners. Suggest they take the pup to training and get it neutered when it's old enough. You might also make friends with him now, that way if he does lean towards the mastiff side as he ages, you don't end up having problems should you come across him outside one day. Same goes for your pup (though again, that's no guarantee that they'll always get along). Do they have a fence? See how much info you can dig up on the parent dogs... did the neighbors see them? Were they aggressive? Friendly? You get the idea... If they know anything about the parents, that will help you to get an idea of what he'll be like when he grows up. Hope this has helped a bit. IP: Logged |
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desertAPBT Member Posts: 51 |
posted 10-16-2003 05:56 AM
Boy I wish them luck but I knew someone who raised Neos and they are tought dogs. Her mother was suppose to care for the dogs when she went away. Well long story short the dogs were raised with her around every day adn she could not get into the house. Personally I owuld not have that dog. APBTs shopuld NOT be mixed and people whould not buy them and help these people make money. I think it is trouble. I would not let my child pl;ay there. ------------------ IP: Logged |
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Lucky Member Posts: 77 |
posted 10-16-2003 08:53 AM
Thanks for your responses. Not what I was hoping for, but at least now I've got a sense of what might be coming. I really do think it is largely the fault of BYB who will sell dogs to anyone just to make money. A responsible breeder would have talked to my neighbours and asked why they wanted a dog. (they want a family pet, not a guard dog). I think it is also telling that the breeder was willing to sell the dog for significantly less money than advertised. It wasn't even the last pup or anything. Okay. I have to think of a way to talk to them about this. The last time I was worried about a new dog in the neighbourhood he worked out great and our dogs and kids get along fine. I'll keep my fingers crossed and give this new baby lots of treats so he associates my family with good stuff!!! (weak lol) IP: Logged |
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