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MASTIFFS
Olde English Mastiffs (OEM'S)
First of all let's talk mastiffs. We love them, they are big old loveable lumps that love to lay at your feet (or on the couch if you let them) and get a good head rub. They are not a breed for runners or long distance hikers. They do love their walks and need at LEAST one a day, to maintain their girlish figues, but they are not a frisbee- catchin, long-swim-in-the-ocean type of dog. Let me tell ya what they can do:
A mastiff can knock over a 3 year old without even trying.
A mastiff can out-snore almost any man. (No offence men, we love ya)
A mastiff can sling slobber all the way across the room onto the wall.
A mastiff can leave a slobber mark on the back of you black pants on your way out the door to work.
A mastiff can out-weigh most women in the household so don't plan on lifting one.
A mastiff can place his chin on your kitchen counter and check out what's for dinner.
A mastiffs' medical bills will be larger than those of a small breed due to his size. They need larger doses of medication etc. Just think of them as a person needing medical and this will give you an idea. Matter of fact, depending how small YOU are, you might cost less.
And most importantly, a mastiff can give you all the love that he has in his big ol' body.
Now Some Mastiff Facts:
They come in 3 colors: Fawn with a black mask, Apricot with a black mask and Brindle with a black mask. Brindle can be brown, black or reverse brindle. Check out the dogs on our Adoption Success pages. You can see the different colors.
Their weight varies from 130-180 for females to 140-220 for males. These sizes though will vary depending on how well bred they actually are. People think that the bigger the better but be forwarned, that means lean weight not fat. A fat mastiff is a very unhealthy mastiff. The extra weight will hurt his hips and knees and lead to expensive surgery and an early death. So no over feeding!
They range between 25-29 inches in heigth at the shoulder.
They need to eat a high quality dry dog food(no wet, it ruins their teeth) and need supplements to promote healthy hips and joints. Mastiffs don't eat as much as you would think only 2-3 cups in the morning and 2-3 cups at night, depending on the age of the giant. A large 30# bag of dog food should last a week. Please contact us if you would like a reccommendation on food or supplements.
Ok, so here is what they need:
Good food, Love, supplements, Love, a place inside with the family, Love, a warm bed inside with the family, Love, water, Love, and to spend time with their people. I guess you get the picture. Oh, and remember that whatever you let a young mastiff do he will still want to do it as a full grown dog. So if you let him jump up on the bed as a puppy, in 4 years when he's 150 pounds and has old hips, this could hurt. So, not a good idea, treat them like a big dog now.
Thanks for having a big heart for a big dog !
Now GREAT DANES
 
Love them, but they are a little more complex. Danes come in 8 colors, brindle, fawn, blue, black, Harlequin (base color white with well distributed random black patches, Mantle (a black saddle on their back with white on the muzzle and chest) and Merle a mousy grey. Danes are typically taller than mastiffs around 28-32 inches at the shoulder and weight less about 100-140 pounds. Their coat is short, thick and should be glossy. They should be a big square (height matching length). Danes have either natural ears or they are cropped as puppies.
Danes have a slightly higher activity level than mastiffs. But mostly they need a comfy couch to lay on. They are affectionate, loyal ,spirited and friendly. They do drool but not like the average mastiff. A dane will drool after eating or if you are eating something better than they have. They will leave a slobber mark, knock over a small child and can be a bit "mouthy". By that I mean that they like to put things in their mouths (not actually bitting ) but sometimes it can be your arm. It doesn't hurt, becuse they don't actually bite down, but really how smart is it to have a body part in the mouth of a giant dog? This behavior can be easily disuaded. They are also mouthy in the sense that they like to make noises that are like their form of talking. Ya know, like those people who swear their dog says "I Love You". It is actually quite charming.
Danes like Mastiffs, and other giant breed dogs with barrell chests, can be prone to Bloat. Bloat is a condition that occurs from over- feeding or in dogs that eat too fast. It causes the stomach to flip over on itself and can be deadly. A dog with bloat must seek medical attention immediatly. Danes sometimes have their stomachs tacked to the inside of their bodies to prevent this flipping of the stomach.
The other thing that can occur is the same old hip and joint problems. So, don't over feed your dog for both reasons. Fat dogs are unhealthy dogs and it kills their joints. A good supplement is necessary to maintain joint and hip health.
So, know you see why we love these 2 breeds. They are both loyal, big, lovable dogs that revel in the love of a family. These dogs will be loyal to the end and thrive on spending time with you on the couch or on walks.
Let's talk Saints
Saint Bernards are frequently called Alpine Mastiffs as they have a similar size and temperment. Saints are big lugs who thrive on spending time with their families. Saints range from 110 to 200 pounds and come with 2 types of coats; short/smooth and long/needs a lot of brushing. Saints are 25-28 inches in height and can be orange and white, red and white or Brown white and brindle. They frequently have black on their faces and sometimes their bodies. Saints are intelligent, loyal, powerful yet very gentle dogs. They seem to have a 6th sense about impending danger and have been used alot for rescue efforts especially in the snow. Saints DROOL, no bones about it...they can make a mess, but nothing a carefully placed drool towel can't clean up in record time. Although Saints are large ,strong dogs, they do not make good guard dogs as they just don't have the guarding nature.
Saints, like all giant breeds, are prone to Bloat, hip problems and hot spots on their skin. They also need daily grooming, especially the long coated ones, and if you don't like hair a Saint isn't for you.
Cane Corso
The following is a description of the Cane Corso Behavior & Temperament according the breed standard set by the country of origin - FCI Standard No. 343 and the Cane Corso Coalition web site
"The Cane Corso is "intelligent, active and even-minded. He is an unequalled watch and protection dog. Docile and affectionate with the owner, loving with children and with the family. If necessary he becomes a terrible and brave protector of people, house and property. He is easily trained."
Due to their protective instincts, the Cane Corso has a very discerning nature that can lend them to be wary of strangers but they should never be aggressive. Wary is defined as - marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchful prudence especially in detecting and escaping danger. Wariness does not include any form of aggression. An aggressive, unfriendly, unapproachable Corso is incorrect according to the breed standard. With proper selection when breeding and socialization at an early age, the Cane Corso should be a functional member of society and be able to accompany its family in any public location without incident. The standard describes a well rounded, stable dog that, when necessary, will take on the role of protector. The Cane Corso often possesses a dominant behavior. Both sexes may challenge for the role of leader among their human family and canine.
These are strong, dominant dogs and the role of leadership by the owner needs to be established early on. They are best suited for the experienced dog owner. Contrary to information provided by many breeders and aspiring breeders, these dogs should not possess the aggressive nature they advocate. The true Corso should not have Fila like temperament. Equally they are not Labradors and do not have the naturally friendly, outgoing nature that a Labrador should possess. They should be indifferent when approached and should only react when a real threat is present.
The Corso is a working breed and due to its history of boar hunting, guardian of people & farms and butcher's dog, they are required to function under high levels of stress. A Corso that cannot maintain its dictated temperament under stressful situations is one with incorrect temperament for the breed and should not be used for breeding.
Their desire is to be with the family and do best living indoors as long as sufficient exercise is provided. Though they are tolerable of most weather conditions, they cannot tolerate solitude. Isolating the Cane Corso can lead to nuisance barking, destructive behavior and other temperament problems. Unfortunately, at the present time, the majority of the American version of the Corso do not possess the proper temperament for this breed. Most tend to be shy, fearful or aggressive by nature. Cane Corsos originating from the country of origin (Italy) tend to possess a more outgoing, stable temperament than their American counterpart.
GIANT BREED SUMMARY
All the dogs we find homes for have a few things in common:
1. They need supplements to stay healthy and maintain hip health
2. They need a good quality dog food
3. They need to be inside with their families not tied out in the yard
4. They need to maintain their girlish figures
5. They need a daily walk or exercise
6. Our dogs need to live inside and be a part of your family
7. They need Love, Love and More love.
If you truely have a big heart for a big dog, we can help you find a new family member to bring you happiness and complete your family.
Hope to hear from you soon!
West Coast Mastiff & Large Breed Rescue
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