Alsation Cross with a Mastiff - Page 1

Hello All,

I recently rescued a 4month Puppy from a kennel called "Harley", she is "Apparently" an Alsation cross with a mastiff (Attached)  she gets very aggressive on the lead towards other dogs, however, when off the lead she seems to be great with other dogs. we have not needed to house train her as she always does her business outside anyway so we have been lucky.  I have a 2 and a half year old boy who is always running about in the garden.  Harley is always jumping up but very playful whihc we are now nippinmg in the bud as we sort of have an idea of how big she will be.  can anyone confirm if she is an alsation cross mastiff? - just figured out I cannot add an image without a website, please email me for a picture to confirm.

Thanks, Leeroy

http://www.doglegislationcouncilcanada.org/courtneyinquest.html A Bull Mastiff killed Courtney Trempe here in Ontario in 1998. The attack was in no way provoked, the children were not running or shouting or doing anything to agitate the dog. She was just an unknown person to the dog, in HIS territory, so he decided to attack. The wife of the dog's owner broke her finger trying to pry the dog's jaws open, and finally got him to release his hold on Courtney's neck by hitting him over the head with a shovel. By then it was too late.

Obviously, the woman had no control over the dog, and should never have let it loose with the children. I am sure that won't be the case with your dog, but I want to emphasize caution. These are BIG dogs, and they have strong protective and territorial instincts. Socialize, socialize, socialize. Watch out for prey drive when the kids are running and being noisy. Have the kids handle the dog and order it around.

Good luck with her!

I cant post the picture?  or atleast I dont think so anyway?  do I need a blog to be able to post a picture?

Leeroy, I have copied the best of the photos you sent me to my photobucket acocunt. I can definitely see the Shepherd in her, but as for Mastiff, I'm not sure. Having had zero experience with the breed myself, I'll leave it to others to comment. But if you google a picture of a mastiff, they have a pushed in face like a bulldog's (one of their ancestors) and her face looks about 90% Shepherd. Mind you, it's all in the way the genes sort themselves out, and with crosses like this, sometimes pups can be so different in appearance you wouldn't recognize them as being littermates!

 http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/Sunsilver/DSC035471.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/Sunsilver/DSC035501.jpg

Head shot of a male bull mastiff: http://bulldogbreeds.com/breeders/pics/mamaspride_bullmastiff.jpg

Head of a female American mastiff (not a recognized breed, but their head shape is closer to that of your pup.) http://www.americanmastiff.org/Sadie.htm

Going by her colouring and head, I'd guess something more along the lines of a yellow lab X GSD.  I know she's big, but sometimes hybrids can be larger than either parent. It's called hybrid vigour!

Was she surrendered by her former owner, or was she a stray? Can you estimate her height and weight?

I have a GS female pup, same age. She's 40 lbs. right now, and about 20-22 inches at the withers.

Whoops. Okay, just got a more accurate measurement on my pup. She's about 18 inches, not 20.

The English mastiff isn't much taller than the GSD, but the American dogs are HUGE, up to 35" at maturity!