Quote: lynne barrows

Bethany, have you considered a bullmastiff? I have a bullmastiff mix; here are the positive attributes (from my perspective):
-Medium energy, and does well in a small house.

Good suggestion Lynne. The only thing I can see that stands out about Bullmastiffs from Bethany's original list is that they're a bit less athletic in build, and a little more clean in the face (less drooling). Your Chula is actually a really lovely mix (IMO) because she's a little less "clunky" than a purebred bullmastiff. I have friends who have 2 purebred females and they are MUCH more tank-like than your girl (not at all as elegant). They're also a bit short on endurance, and pretty lazy most of the day, which is just fine, but not if you want to take them running with you everyday. I will say, they're great watchdogs and SUCH affectionate girls with their people - they're real snuggle-bunnies. What is Chula's energy/activity like outside, when it's play/walk time?

And just a note on the origins of poodles and their hair - the classic "poodle cut" seen on show dogs (also known as the "continental" clip) is actually an evolution of WORKING clips, used way back when the breed was used primarily as a bird/water retriever. Some areas of the body were shaved to reduce drag in the water, other parts were left with dense patches of hair, usually around joints and the torso, to insulate sensitive areas of the body from the cold while the soggy dog was out working all day. These clips are of course exaggerated today in the conformation ring, but they aren't completely arbitrary, and if more poodles were used as retrievers these days, those old clipping styles might be viewed with a little less sarcasm, and a little more utility in mind.

~Natalya

 Quote: lynne barrows

Bethany, have you considered a bullmastiff? I have a bullmastiff mix; here are the positive attributes (from my perspective):
-Medium energy, and does well in a small house.

Good suggestion Lynne. The only thing I can see that stands out about Bullmastiffs from Bethany's original list is that they're a bit less athletic in build, and a little more clean in the face (less drooling). Your Chula is actually a really lovely mix (IMO) because she's a little less "clunky" than a purebred bullmastiff. I have friends who have 2 purebred females and they are MUCH more tank-like than your girl (not at all as elegant). They're also a bit short on endurance, and pretty lazy most of the day, which is just fine, but not if you want to take them running with you everyday. I will say, they're great watchdogs and SUCH affectionate girls with their people - they're real snuggle-bunnies. What is Chula's energy/activity like outside, when it's play/walk time?

And just a note on the origins of poodles and their hair - the classic "poodle cut" seen on show dogs (also known as the "continental" clip) is actually an evolution of WORKING clips, used way back when the breed was used primarily as a bird/water retriever. Some areas of the body were shaved to reduce drag in the water, other parts were left with dense patches of hair, usually around joints and the torso, to insulate sensitive areas of the body from the cold while the soggy dog was out working all day. These clips are of course exaggerated today in the conformation ring, but they aren't completely arbitrary, and if more poodles were used as retrievers these days, those old clipping styles might be viewed with a little less sarcasm, and a little more utility in mind.

~Natalya

-Chesapeake Bay Retriever
*territorial and protective
*highly trainable (though more stubborn then labs or goldens)

-Kangal Dog (females are about 90lbs)
*VERY territorial and protective
*very healthy for a large breed

-Airedale Terrier
*protective
*don't shed

 Quote: Natalya Zahn

What is Chula's energy/activity like outside, when it's play/walk time?

She's pretty energetic, although her stamina is not great in hot weather. And yes, the adult bullmastiffs that I've seen are rather 'sedate', but I've always wondered if that was a function of their owners being not too energetic as well...

 Quote: Lynne Barrows

And yes, the adult bullmastiffs that I've seen are rather 'sedate', but I've always wondered if that was a function of their owners being not too energetic as well...

Excellent point.

~Natalya

Thanks for the great replies!

Lynne- I like the looks of bullmastiffs (their faces are great), but I'm guessing they're probably pretty big droolers. If I could find a mix, that might work well for me. I like sedate in the house and as long as he/she could keep up with me on a 45 - 60 minute walk/jog, that would be active enough for me. That said, we do have brutal heat here (it was right at 100f now) so I'm not sure how well a bull mastiff would handle that.

That is a great idea about the dog door connecting to a run. Where do you think you'll put the dog door at (i.e. in a bedroom, a wall to a main family room, etc.)? That would also solve one of my other problems...what if the cats decide to use the dog door.... if the kennel had a roof they couldn't get out.

Tresa- I may have to look into Chessies, they are interesting dogs from what I've heard. I have not heard of the Kangal dog before, I'll have to check them out as well.

Thanks again!
Bethany

 Quote: Bethany Anderson

That is a great idea about the dog door connecting to a run. Where do you think you'll put the dog door at (i.e. in a bedroom, a wall to a main family room, etc.)? That would also solve one of my other problems...what if the cats decide to use the dog door.... if the kennel had a roof they couldn't get out.
Bethany

Bethany, if I do it (have to convince the hubby that it would be worth the expense first) I will put mine in our kitchen/dining area, in a wall that leads to the outside. The kennel would be located on one side of our screened patio (outside the patio)and designed to compliment the patio. (as much as a chainlink kennel could ) We don't have a door that leads to the backyard that could accomodate a dog door.

As far as other critters getting in/out, you can buy a dog door that is activated by a sensor that the dog wears on his collar, so the door won't open until the dog approaches it.

Chula (my pup)doesn't drool, but you are right, bullmastiffs are known to slobber some!

Here's a better pic of her than my sig link:

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m210/lynnecorey/Chulafeb08.jpg

Hi Bethany,

I think others have made great recommendations and insights. I would actually recommend a pit bull. Of course, selection of a well-balanced one may be a challenge, but read up on Ed's article on pits and pit mixes.

I used to own an adorable and very sweet pit bull that weighed in at 45 pounds (remember, pits are supposed to be between 45 - 60 lbs.). The dog shed very little and I did not think he had much of a smell, but then again, I feed raw only so that may contribute. I found him very easy to train and please, moderate energy level (he got about an hours worth of walking combined and a good romp around the house daily) and spent most of the day sunbathing.

Pits do have a commanding presence and if you have your pack structure and leadership in line I think are quite a pleasure to handle. As for cats, I owned and still own the same two and the pit learned to ignore them and vice versa. By the way, I taught my cats to use the toilet so my place did not have the litterbox or pee-soaked pine smell.

Right now, I own a GSD pup. I've owned 3 GSDs before and love them. One of the main reasons I opted for a GSD this time (and is my only dog, but am also searching for another within the next 2 years or so) is that in Ontario, pits must be muzzled so I did not like that idea. Also, I missed the nice GSD coats despite them shedding every day of the year.

With that said, I would take a look a some descent (not the crazy fighting) pits.

Siaty

Thank you for your reply Siaty.
My only concern with getting a pit, other than finding one that would get along with my cats, would be whether or not a pit would be aloof with strangers...All of the pits that I have met have been very people friendly dogs, so I'm not sure if I could find (a well adjusted one) that would act as a guard/watch dog while I'm not at home.

I do love the way pits look though, especially the blue brindles and blue-creams.

Our local shelter gets in a lot of "pits", but because of my cats, I'd probably have to go to a pit rescue group that screens their dogs thuroughly.

Thanks!
Bethany