alera
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« on: November 28, 2006, 06:30: PM » |
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I have always wanted a Bullmastiff, unfortunately my wife is not keen. She loves the dogs whenever we see them out walking the dog but thinks its going to be destructive, agressive etc...
Its not like we are not used to difficult dogs we have a keeshond.
Anyway we have seen some lovely Bullmastiff Border Collie Cross pubs, anyone got any experience with a similar cross ? Give any advice on what to expect ? I am assuming it being a cross will also reduce the risk of hereditary diseases ?
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Kerriebaby
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« Reply #1 on: November 28, 2006, 06:40: PM » |
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No dog is ever free from disease. Mongrels can have hd, eye problems, and all the things that are associated with pedigrees.
Why dont you pop along to a rescue centre, and ask them what they are truly like? as we are all likely to be biased. I have to admit, that I would be worried about crossing a smart, intelligent dog with something of that size
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alera
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« Reply #2 on: November 28, 2006, 06:50: PM » |
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Really ? Male border collie are a decent size ok not in Bullmastiff league, it sounds on paper like a decent cross ? Border Collie are pretty disease resistant dogs, and any problems they do have are not the same sort as the mastiff.
I know Mongrels get diseases but nothing like bure breds, its the in breeding that causes the main problems ?
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Kerriebaby
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« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2006, 07:00: PM » |
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Some border collies are, but most are smaller than my Rough Collies.
Ask Border collie owners..I have a Rough Collie, and they CAN suffer problems. You would potentially have a dog with diesases from each breed.
On paper yes that is the case, but in reality its not true. Mongrels and Crossbreeds, are no more healthy then pedigrees. They can and do get the same dieases as their pedigree counterparts.
Especially when the pups are likely to have been from parents, who havent had any health or temperment checks, etc etc.
Why specificly this crossbreed? instead of buying a pup, why not have a look at a few rescues, and see what they have. They were all pups at one stage.
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alera
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« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2006, 07:07: PM » |
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I liked the look of these puppies as they were from two breeds I have always liked.
The dog will be contact with a number of children and or other dogs. It would have to be a puppy to minimise any problems / risk.
Cross breeds tend to have fewer health problems than pure breds in my experience. I am not saying they dont have problems, just they have less problems than pure breeds. We have had owned both, actually the cross breed we had was the most short lived but when you factor in the size and type of the dog it lived longer than you would expect (Strangely enough a Rough Collie St Bernard Cross)
He never had any health problems until the end of his life, none of the health issues you get with either of his parents. In the end it was cancer that killed him - a common killer of large dogs in general.
We had a border collie that lived 18 years and never had and problems with illness until the last couple of years of its life. Thats not bad in my opinion you wont find many dogs of border collie size that get anywhere near the age of 18 disease free...
Rough Collie and Border Collies are obviously very different dogs anyway....
Hopefully someone will come along that has some experience of this type of cross and or Masstifs in general...
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sarabe
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« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2006, 08:15: PM » |
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I have several Border Collies. I don't know that I would ever consider it a good idea to cross a Border Collie with a Mastiff. I have nothing against crossbreeds, I own a lurcher too and have owned crossbreeds in the past. Border Collies are very high maintenance dogs. The pups in this litter could take after one parent or the other or they could have breed traits from both parents. Obviously how they are raised by the breeder and subsequently by the new owner will have a lot of influence on their disposition but you'd have to be prepared for behaviour that could be attributed to either breed and in my experience they are at opposite ends of the scale in a lot of ways. That said, I bet the puppies are dead cute.  In respect of herditary diseases are both parents health tested? In Border Collies - Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) Hip Dysplasia and Epilepsy. Don't know about Mastiffs. |
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I think animal testing is a terrible idea. They get all nervous and then they give the wrong answers.
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Kerriebaby
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« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2006, 09:00: PM » |
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they are very different yes..but they tend to have same diseases.
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TWS
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« Reply #7 on: November 30, 2006, 03:29: PM » |
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The problems with crosses is you sometimes get the worst of both breeds and i personally would not want something the size of a mastiff with the intelligence and stamina of a collie!!!!
I would personally just get a mastiff
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Mad about mastiffs
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Colliewobble
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« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2007, 07:29: PM » |
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My BC is bomb-proof but there are a lot of nervous BCs out there. Wouldn't want a Mastiff-sized dog with an anxiety complex  |
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colliecrazy
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« Reply #9 on: February 05, 2007, 11:57: PM » |
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I would say that a mastiff x collie could work out to be a great pet, if it is given the right amount of excercise and mental stimulation. I dont know alot about Bullmastiffs, but i do know quite a bit about Border collies. I have to say that i wouldnt go for this cross, imagine a dog the size of a Bullmastiff with the energy, herding instinct and (possibly) nipping trait of a Border collie All of that aside, if you have experience with difficult dogs, and have Border collie experience you could maybe make it work.Although really it depends on the temperment of the pup, im thinking that it would be: protective, intellegent, strong, full of energy, but it could be a lazy, dim softie  |
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Crazy Stacey
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« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2007, 08:20: AM » |
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We have a Old English Mastiff he is so layed back he dose everything in his own time (thats why i call him Mr Plod) I also have a boxer (mad as hatter) but we love him. To tell you the turth I would have a Mastiff any day dont get me wrong boder collies are nice but I dont think one would be right in my house hold,as they need lots of work as they need there mind working all the time.(this is what i think sorry if anyone thinks im wrong) Bullmastiffs are a layed back breed like all dogs they have their mad moments. Give me a Mastiff any time. |
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I just wouldnt be without my boys..
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smokeybear
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« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2007, 02:15: PM » |
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I have no idea what this sort of cross would turn out like as no reputable person would a) deliberately breed from them and b) if they HAVE bred it smacks of irresponsible dog ownership.
Have you any ideas about the health background of the collie, has it and what is behind it been tested for eye conditions and HD. As for the Mastiff again it should have been hip scored.
The product of this mating will be no less and no more prone to these heriditary conditions than a pure bred if both come from a long line of health checked individuals.
Would I deliberately go out and purchase such a cross? No I would not because I cannot conceive what advantage, if any, this sort of mongrel would have over a pure bred dog. As a previous poster says you have no idea what you will end up with looks wise, size wise or temperament wise.
They are vastly different dogs in size, temperament, characteristics and behaviour ..........
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CollieDolly
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« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2007, 11:27: AM » |
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Dear god what a cross ... I always rightly or wrongly think about the worst traits of both breeds and if you still think you can train and cope with it then good luck ... Its not a cross i would have ... Ive 3 border collies and 2 german shepherds and have always wanted a bull mastiff aswell ... Ive have been in training and rescue for over 15 years it really depending how much input your willing to put in both these breeds need a owner that is active and is quite firm when bringing up and training. When it comes down to it its really entirely up to yourself good luck with whatever you choose to do |
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