Shannon_C

[color=darkred]Anyone who breeds there dogs, whether from a pet shop or rescue is totally insane. Unless a responsible breeder doing it for the breed, then those irresponsible should be kicked up the backside and not allowed any pets[/color] :evil:

[color=darkred]Courtnek. My little Westie had kennel cough at a year old when he went missing and ended up at the RSPCA, it sounds quite deep if I remember right, like a whoozing kind of noise. Your vet will give her an injection etc and will tell you to keep her isolated, away from other pets hun, but don't worry Im sure she will be fine. My love and thoughts coming your way.[/color]

[color=darkred]Abker looking at your previous post. I would advise anyone not to allow there dogs to sleep with them on the bed or in the same room....dominance is a problem in dogs, not just in pedigrees but mongrels too! I feel that dogs have a tendancy of getting there own way if allowed too, this doesn't come from spoiling them but from the owner themselves, dogs can get too attached to there owners and will get in the way if any person or animal tries to come between them. For example both my dogs Charlie (Bullmastiff) and Penny (Border Collie mix) sleep in the kitchen together, they were sleeping in the same dog bed untill Penny started to rip the cover I put over, she now sleeps in the cage, still in the kitchen. Patch (Westie mix) sleeps in the hall because Penny cannot be trusted to leave him alone vice versa if he were to sleep in the same room as them...plus I know it would be chaotic if they were all together. However allowing them to have there own room is much better than sharing yours with them...occasionally they are allowed in the room but you can see jealousy there with both Charlie and Penny, when one jumps on the bed you can guarantee the other will....now with a large breed like Charlie it is not ideal for them being the boss over another dog, not because of there bite but sheer strengh....holding a Bullmastiff back would be like holding a Lion back. So my idea would be is to let your dogs sleep in a seperate room with there own water, and toys when you leave and when you go to bed....let the dogs out together when you wake up and return home....all the excitement will be towards you at first, a little fuss is all that is needed for both then in a firm voice say GO AND PLAY or OUTSIDE, if that doesn't work....shout louder, if you see one attacking the other say NO again and encourage the one who started it to play with a ball. (Feed them in there own rooms at feeding times so they get to know the right way.) Both mine play together usually hanging on the end of a rope pully or either pulling at each other..Penny growling etc, but Patch isn't allowed as he is an old man now and Penny is quite rough when she starts. Charlie can handle it and enjoys her being rough with him, but if I see either of them getting carried away...then is the time to STOP and they are told to lie down, works with Charlie but not Penny which I have to be more firm with. But knowing how to deal with it is much easier than not knowing...my dogs know Im the boss and if I say NO they know I mean NO Follow these rules and you won't go wrong, the key is not to allow your dogs to do as they please, you have to be firm with them from time to time, this doesn't mean smacking them but a firm NO usually works wonders! GOOD LUCK [/color]

[color=darkred]Stacer you will find people like that who do nothing but critise what others have. You are best to not get involved with this man unless he seems nice about it, it seems strange that he as never made any attempt to fuss your dog at all, having had one himself...and it is those owners who can be bothered that have a well behaved dog. It seems he never had time for his dog or lack of interest to train it etc if it was that much of a disaster. Its quite understandable if his Weimaramer came from a rescue because they do need work but from a breeder...those sort of people I dont have time for, its just waste in my eyes to why have one in the first place. Just do your own thing Stacer, unless you want to ask him about the dog he had....ignore what he says if he says something really nasty about the breed..a dog is what you make it not how it was born. Some people will try and convince you that certain breeds are a bad idea....but if that was the case, there would'nt be any good breeders around would there ? Take people with a pinch of salt. GOOD LUCK [/color]

[quote name='Daisysmom'] Not really, they had no idea they were any different (bigger :lol: ) then any one else. [/quote] :lol: [color=darkred]Thats the problem they don't[/color]

[color=darkred]Awww lol, I know what its like having a dog who hates water so much. Patch tembles when I put him in the bath, his legs and whole body start to shake. I keep talking to him to calm him down but its worse when trying to wash the pads of his feet.....he grips the side of the bath so you can't get to them :roll: He will have to have a bath soon and clipped down again....I snip bits of his hair to keep it short so it doesn't tangle.[/color]

[color=darkred]Wow, now you have seen the Bullmastiff for yourself Daisymom. I bet they were walking close to there owners ? Please get a photo of them for me if you can LOL[/color]

[color=darkred]Chews like Rawhide is another danger to dogs, they become very soggy and unchewable and can be leathal if swallowed. A Bullmastiff swallowed one while his owners were in bed, the next morning they found there dog lying on the floor gasping to breath, they rushed him to the vet but it was too late. Although larger breeds are prone to this, smaller breeds can also if not watched at all times, even a second can be fate. [/color]

[color=darkred]Crested my Bullmastiff had a problem with his anal glands but this was due to laziness of not emptying them regular. He used to be fed on Pedigree also but since I have changed the brand due to allergies. He is fed on Hero Complete now, (a supermarket brand) if you have an Asda Superstore in your country, they might have it there. It works wonders for my dogs and they haven't had any problems since![/color]

[color=darkred]Awww you are getting me jealous now lol, as much has I would love another Bullmastiff puppy....I can't have one for a while :roll: CONGRATULATIONS She is soooo adorable[/color] :D

[color=darkred]Rott'n'Pit I so much agree with you there, dogs are like children they become part of your family and if family or friends don't like it, they can go and take a hike. At the end of the day its the dogs home, a place they are bought up in just like a human baby. You wouldnt get someone saying (Im not coming in your house if you have children running around) now would you ? Yes maybe dogs leave a few hairs and dribble on clothes, but it soon washes off...many times I have told my mother that when she visits (which isn't often) to wear clothes that don't pick up the hairs but honestly its like talking to a brick wall. Amojority of the time the dogs are outside playing, anyway if its a nice day, if not they are in the kitchen asleep. As Im expecting a baby in eight months it helps with the dogs being in another room or in the garden....but they have been like this a while now. They would rather be outside than inside, they never bark to come in or whine. Im not house proud by all means but the house is kept clean, and has to stay that way with our baby on the way. However like most mothers who turn there dogs away, give them to someone else, I couldn't how can you do that to your own pet you have bought up over the years. When the baby is older the dogs will be introduced carefully and watched at all times. It also gets children used to being around dogs, I see many terrified to walk past dogs, all because of there parents attitude towards them.[/color]

:x [color=darkred]Some people, makes you wonder if they were born without a brain, they do anything to get in the papers (idiots)[/color]

[color=darkred]Our Bullmastiff is walked on the lead since that day with the Alsation puppy when all he wanted to do was play with it not do any harm, but not realising his size and strength its enough to do damage. No amount of calling will get a dog to listen when a bitch is in season (this was the case that day with Charlie) which is beyond me why the pups owners walked her off lead in that condition, knowing that she would attract the male dogs. However although Charlie is neutered it doesn't stop his dominance, the neighbours Boxer was in season a while ago....everyday he was up the fence. Any breed if bought up properly and from a good experience breeder will be a joy to own, but they will all have there off days just like us humans..which is why we should make sure that nothing happens. Dogs get hot and bothered like us and need to be left alone otherwise they get irritable, especially with children. Charlie now sleeps with Penny in the kitchen, we have seen how nice they play together in the garden...Penny hanging off his ears, Charlie getting down to her level, shows what a gentle dog he really is! Bairing in mind this is another dog not a child. Dogs can communicate well with each other. Some dogs can see a child as a threat and will attempt to get rid if provoked in anyway that the dog doesnt like. This is why there are so many attacks, if only people were to understand there dogs better and know how to prevent such an attack, will this world be a much better place for those who take responsibility That incident with the Bullmastiff when they invited there neighbours round, that dog was doing his job....protecting his property from strangers, especially when some stranger walks through the back gate. I dont think Charlie would like a stranger walking through our gate uninvited. I don' know what his owners were thinking, the dog should have been held by his collor or put on a lead......introduced carefully. Thats what we do however much pulling and jumping around he does, we make sure hes fine with people.[/color]

[color=darkred]Awwwww K (((((hugz)))))[/color]

[color=darkred]Awww Daisymom, how sweet :D ....Penny loves the water (with a little encouragement at first) LOL, once she is in you can't get her out. However Charlie hates water, we only got to get the watering can out and he runs (wimp)[/color] :roll:

[color=darkred]Hiya Hollywood. Good to hear your Pitbulls are doing very well :D As they say there are no bad dogs only bad owners. Keep up the good work [/color]:wink:

[quote name='K']Shannon...[u]no more[/u] emptying the litter tray for you(if you have one?)!!!Just had to pop that in there!....[/quote] [color=darkred]K thankyou for letting me know LOL, my fiance is cleaning the litter tray and picking up the dogs mess.....so no worries there hun [/color] :wink:

[color=darkred]Hi Elle. I have three cats of my own. They all get on well with my dogs. I had the problem with mine clawing at the furniture and carpet. I have a scratching post now with some catnip rubbed into the post, this encourages them to use it and actually sends them crazy...so if you do use catnip only use a little LOL. The cat rubbing against furniture etc doesnt necessary mean she is on heat.....all my cats have been neutered but they still do it, even more so to the dogs. They are either leaving there scent like male cats do when marking there territory or it means there happy :D Has with cat collors an elastic one is much better than one without...if the cat was to get caught up a tree or on a fence.....the cat as more chance of breaking free, there are many on the market...also one with a good bell ring is ideal, this prevents cats from catching rats and birds. You mention she is on the thin side, this could be due to worms....most cats round here are a little thin but this doesnt mean they are neglected (even so, cats do have to be wormed. like dogs)...she could possibly be from a good home. Because we have cats of our own, we get visits from a few but we dont encourage them in anyway. One of my males Casper, is always scrounging for food off people....he has been known to help himself to some meat in there fridge. I get a phone call saying your cat is in my fridge LOL..there has also been one neighbour who kept feeding him and locking him in the bathroom....from our back garden you can see the window to bathroom, and there he was sitting there....of course I was furious and went round knocking on there door but got no answer so I put a note through there door. Apparently it worked for a while then they started again, also hearing from people that these neighbours had been telling others that Casper was there's (grrrr) how annoying is that. So eventually we had know choice but to keep him in for a while, he was putting on so much weight, he kept being sick (god knows what they had been feeding him) but thankfully they have since moved out....so Casper can go back out again :D As much has it is nice to see people making a fuss of our cats, we do not like them to feed them...its our responsibility...no one elses. Some people think that cats live on milk but infact it upsets there stomachs. Maybe if the cats owner came forward, you could have a word with her about the cats weight.....advise her to take the cat for a health check with the vet who can prescribe her with some wormers has well as neutering, preventing unwanted kittens. GOOD LUCK[/color]

[color=darkred]Oh my god Chrissie, Dakota is absolutely stunning, what a picture :D :D What kennel did you have her from ?[/color]

[quote name='IYPChrissie'] Her skin looks better but now her feet her swollen, I think she is going to have to get allergy shots at this point :( [/quote] [color=darkred]Is Dakota allowed on grass ? I find that if I keep Charlie off grass, his feet are ok....I only let him do his business where there isn't any, (like on gravel or dirt) otherwise his pads swell up like big blisters too which look really painfull :( ....so far he hasn't had any problems [/color]:D

[quote name='nea']I love my Birk puppydog. I really do. But I don't know if he is the right dog for me. When we got him I made a whole lot of mistakes. First of all, I wanted a dog [i]then[/i]. I didn't want to wait, or look at several dogs before I decided. That was really dumb. I know. And I've learned that now. Another mistake was that we should have gone out for a walk with him, and then gone home and thought hard and analyzed what we liked and didn't like with him. Instead, I said I wanted him there and we set a time to get him. That was stupid too. And also, I think his former owner could have been a little more honest with us and told us he had a slight problem with agression. She implied it a little, but the way she said it it sounded to me like Bir would just go and want to be by himself if people were visiting, and that there were just a very few dogs he didn't like. That is not the way it is. When people come he is right there and barks/growls and is not pleasant. Even to me and my mom he occasionally growls not nicely at if he is wanting to be left alone but we happen to pet him, or if we are taking a walk and want to stop to talk to someone. Then he barks in a bossy way. With other dogs he is terrible most of the time. So he does have a problem with that. Another thing we should have done was have him for a trial period of a few weeks or so. There are so many should haves. And not thinking of them but of the now, I am completely confused. He has his agression problem, and we are taking him to see a trainer really soon. But still, there is something about him that I just... don't feel comfortable with, or don't like, or something. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is. There is just something. The first or second day we had him I became aware of it, but when I mentioned it to my mom she became angry. And no wonder, we'd only had him for a day or so. We talked, and I pushed that feeling back and have ignored it as much as possible these almost 4 weeks now. Yesterday my mom said something about it, and we have talked alot. She's not angry at me now because we have had him for a while and know him now. She thinks it might be something linked to him being slightly... unpredictable in his reaction to being petted, even if it is very rare that he growls, or something to do with his agression. It might be, yeah. And if this trainer can help us stop that then great. But I'm not sure it is something connected to that. There are some dogs that I love nomatter what, no matter how short I've seen/known them and that I feel totally and completely at home with. Then there are dogs that I like, or even love, like Birk, but that I don't feel that same closeness too. Its just something that is that way with me. And when we met Bir, I think I was just too thrilled with the idea of getting a dog that it clogged part of my brain and I just didn't want to see that. I don't know. If I think back now, I do think if I'd been less in a hurry to have a dog right then, I would have probably never gotten him. But then again, I can't be sure. I want the best for all of us, Bir, me and my mom. If, in a couple of weeks, if I still feel like this, my mom has said that we could try to find him a new home that is better suited to him. She says I can make that decision. And I don't want to decide anthing at all untill we see the trainer and talk to her. But I'm so very confused now, I feel so increadably guilty and bad. I have a hard time thinking of much else. And, if, we do find him a new home, I still want a dog. I really do, and I know that we can give a dog a good home. Bir is happy here, I honestly think so. And even though I'm thinking this, I still love him and am paying him just as much attention as always. He is in no way suffering from this. I also wonder, if we keep him and I don't feel he is right, that there is something in his personality I don't feel at ease with, or can't connect with, or whatever, if eventually it won't be good for either of us. I want him to be happy. I myself want to be happy too. I wonder what you think. In these few weeks I've been here I have seen that you really care about, and are very knowlegable about dogs. Please, be honest. If you think I'm a terrible person please say so. I want to know. I don't know what to do.[/quote] [color=darkred]Hi Nea. You are not a terrible person...quite the opposite, you are one of those people who get excited when looking for a dog to become your own..its natural and I am sorry you to hear you have gone through this terrible ordeal with a dog you love so much. When people have a dog and there's a problem they dump there pets on someone else, it doesn't matter to them anymore they see it as we don't have to worry about the damn thing, its someones elses responsibility now, therefore the new owners have to suffer because of the previous owners ignorance and lack of love. I went to a rescue years ago as I wanted to add another dog to our family but I could not make up my mind whether I wanted a puppy or a older dog, this one rescue allows people to walk the dogs to see how they are and bond. I walked this German Shephard who was friendly but he had no lead training whatsoever, he pulled me up the lane...and was so strong my fiance who was with me took over. It put me off looking at the others so we left and looked somewhere else. We eventually got a puppy from a Sanctuary! Its a damn shame the dog is like this and I feel for you, you are the ones suffering as well has the dog really. I just hope he finds a loving home. I know he will and I just hope those people you had him from never have anymore pets.[/color]

[quote name='Debbie']Hi Shannon and Chrissie, I've been reading your posts and it's amazing that the bull mastiffs are quite the same with the allergies. :o I too have a friend that has a bull mastiff named Bruce. :oops: (after a football player on the Buffalo Bills) He has such bad allergies they have to feed him a special food that costs alot of $$$. I'll get the name of it on Monday. I babysit for her. He also has an under bite. His bottom teeth jut out over the top. Personally I think Charlie is just the most beautiful Bull Mastiff I have seen in awhile. Of course I haven't seen Dakota yet....... :wink: Sassy,Maisy,Gretchen and Kato send their love to your furry gang ! :buzi: Sassy and Maisy say they'd like to come visit their homeland !! :lol:[/quote] [color=darkred]Hiya Debbie. Yes unfortunately they do suffer with allergies it comes from the Mastiff breed and I suppose the Bulldog!! Although the Bullmastiff differs in looks they are all gorgeous and when someone buys one for the first time its always wise they have a good look round as many kennels as they can for the type they want. Some prefer them with the look of a Mastiff where others prefer the Bulldog, bairing in mind the breed should look like both those breeds they originated from with 40% Bulldog and 60% Mastiff. Centuries ago the Bullmastiff looked what different from today with longer faces, so they are changing all the time. A friend of mine as two a male and female, Zak and Poppy....Zak is well over the standard, he is nearly as tall has a Mastiff with long fleurs and Poppy is the opposite....under the standard for a female, she is hoping to breed them soon so I am looking forward to see how the puppies will turn out but these dogs are there first and have to start somewhere. They are doing very well in the show ring so it can't be that bad although the judges do usually pick unusual ones. The breeders Sue and John who I had Charlie from was very well known with the ''TARTUFFE KENNEL'' in Norfolk England, they have many champions around the world, Sue ran the kennel more than John as he was a way alot on business. Sue knew what to look for in a Pedigree and always picked the best dogs although there was one she tried who didn't produce the type she was looking for..many of those went to pets homes, since then she had been very careful in choosing her stock and her kennel was full of the most amazing Bullmastiffs I have ever seen...I had already seen a few other kennels but they were nothing like this one. Sadly Sue is no longer here due to an accident she had on her way to a show with one of her sister-in-laws Bullies Maizy, an adorable female with a good head who came away with a few scratches. she is doing very well in the showring. Debbie I can link it here if you want to see the Tartuffe Kennel that is now based in Scotland with John's sister Janice and Angela. you can see for yourself what you think. Chrissie you can have a look too hun, see where I had Charlie from.[/color]

[quote name='IYPChrissie']Hello again :hand: I have to find her papers, to be honest. We had gone to Merryfield Kennels first (I think was the name) but we didn't go with them. We instead ended up with a private breeder, and we still have the paperwork from the parents etc. Now I have to go figure out where I put them :roll: Yes, Dakota did have the acne too and exactly as you described. She has an overbite, it is so cute! I have to take some recent pictures of her. Her coat is just now getting back to normal after all the problems we went through, thank goodness. She isn't dominant, actually she is a big scaredy cat, lol Poor girl, everything scares her and she won't even move. She gets nervous if there is something new or that she is unused too. Her crate is the best thing we could ever have done, we leave it open and when she feels unsure of something, we find her in it happily. Its a huge metal one. Also unfortanutely, we have to keep her in it or the kitchen when we leave, she will CHEW anything and I do mean anything, no matter how big or small :o I am really going to try and get some pics up here in the next day or so, I am so bad :( It has been great talking to you and comparing doggies!! :lol:[/quote] [color=darkred]Hi again. Yes please hurry with those pics :D I want to see your baby!! Charlie's bottom jaw sticks out a little but you can't really see it unless you look at his teeth :lol: he looks so cute too. How long as Dakota been scared....was she like this from a pup ? Charlie was out in the garden when he got frightened by the neighbours shed roof.....we had gales the one day, the roof came off and blew over the fence... poor boy was terrified so much we had a job getting him outside. We had to encourage him with treats and play with him, he is still weary of that day. Although most people wouldn't agree but Bullmastiffs are a sensitive breed. Now when we have anything new Charlie is the first to investigate, its a shame Dakota is nervous...I do hope she grows out of it some day! Charlie as a crate also and leaving the crate door open while we are out would not be wise as he's also a chewer :roll: he as chewed the phone wires that ran along the wall in our hall....how he did it...I have no idea but he did. The knobs off the cooker twice, one afternoon when we were out we came back to find he had turned the gas on while chewing away. He was very lucky. The washing machine knobs were also in bits, we now have a new one with push in knobs this time...the other was oldish and needed to be replaced. He chewed a big hole in his large bed that he hadn't even had a few months...he was in his crate at the time. I think he as grown out of his habit now though....well hes left it alone for once. He would rather chew on Penny now :lol: vice versa. I am looking at Penny in the garden as we speak, its the first time in my life I have actually seen her lying down behaving herself :roll: Charlie must have tired her out[/color] :D [color=red]Write Soon [/color] :D

[color=darkred]Hi there IYPChrissie. No need to opologise about your long post....the longer the better :wink: Yes he's my baby :lol: I would love to have a female.....although as much has I like the males they can become very dominant. Charlie is neutered but he as still got it in him :roll: :lol: I think the Boxer next door is in season, he is always up the fence. Its a good job my other dogs are done too. (they are crossbreeds) Border Collie mix and Westie mix. His playmates :D I know of many breeders around the world. Do you know the kennel name you had Dakota from ? Charlie's is TARTUFFE sire is a brindle (Tartuffe Jimdel Anzac) dam is fawn (Mascona Calypso of Tartuffe) he as a few champions in his pedigree! It can be found here [url]http://www.ask.co.uk/metasearch.asp?aj_product=IndexSearch&MetaEngine=Teoma&EngineOrdinal=2&ItemOrdinal=5&m=10&AdServerCode=&MetaURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ebullmastiff%2Dleague%2Eco%2Euk%2Fsearch%2Ehtml__score_0.77__&MetaTopic=Bullmastiff+Database+Search+Page&ask=bullmastiff%2Bpedigree%2Bdatabase&LogId=E3A596F4CBF2E94CB427E352BC30C45D&origin=0&qsource=4&qcategory=TECH&aj_is=no&rf=&x=false&uk=false[/url] There were five of them in the litter (3 girls, 2 boys) I could have taken them all....sooo adorable :D We were chosen, obviously Charlie wanted us to be his family...we were the only ones he came to, there was a couple interested in the girl...whenever they appeared Charlie dissapeared until they went, vice versa with there girl who did the same. Its funny how puppies know who to pick for there family:lol: I know the breed have a lot of health problems, we also had to switch his food.....we tried almost everything because of his allergy to wheat and dairy products, eventually we found the right one but its from a supermarket (Hero Complete) .....obviously its good for him he hasn't had any skin trouble since and he loves it, his coat is very shiny and healthy....thats all that matters to me. Did Dakota have acne (teenage spots) when she was a pup ? Charlie had it terrible, they were like blisters, mostly under his chin and bled a lot....we tried everything the vet could give us but to no avail...we washed his face twice a day with antiseptic wash...so the blisters could open and dry out....eventually it did clear up, his face is so much better now[/color] :D [color=red]I love talking to you. Speak soon.[/color]

[quote name='Debbie']Hi Shannon, Sorry to hear about Charlie !! Sounds awful...... :( All of my girrllzz are being afflicted by the high pollen count this year as well. Sassy,and Maisy both have been doing alot of sneezing and reverse sneezing (very violent bouts) Sassy being the worst had to get on an anti-inflammatory medication. Gretchen was shaking her head very vigorously and her left ear is afflicted because of Allergies and she has to have Panalog ointment ,7-10 drops in left ear 2X/day. Do you know how fun it is to give a 90lb. horse ear drops ???!!! She absolutely hates them !! :evil: Give our furry friends Charlie , Patch, Penny,Merlin , CAsper, and Tigger lots of snuggies and kissies !! :buzi:[/quote] [color=darkred]Hi Debbie. Thankyou for replying to my post :D I am sorry to hear about your dogs having the same problem :( I guess many breeds have allergies to pollen just like us humans. I do and its not nice. Hope your fur babies are well, give them our love [/color]:wink: [color=red]*~Hugs~*[/color]