Choosing the Right Dog Breed: Expert Advice
Bringing a dog into your home requires careful consideration of many factors, including health and lifestyle. But for those considering this specific breed, dog expert Will Atherton urges caution unless you’re highly skilled and experienced in handling such big and powerful dogs like a Mastiff.
The Might of Mastiffs: Expert Insights
In a popular TikTok video, Atherton explains that despite Mastiffs being affectionate and wonderful companions, they have a lot of strength. Without the necessary skills and experience to manage them, they can become reactive and display aggression pretty easily. Yes, you will have your dogs that are gentle giants, but a family is taking a risk without giving the Mastiff breed the proper training they will need.
The Powerful Mastiff Dog Breed
The Mastiff is one of the oldest dog breeds, appearing in art from Egyptian, Babylonian, and classical Greek and Roman art; going back thousands of years. They were originally used by the Roman army as war dogs and were then used to fight in arenas against other animals for show.
After World War II, the Mastiff breed almost became extinct! However, because of the dedicated breeders located in the United States, they were able to revive the population.
Fun Fact: The Mastiff holds the Guinness Book of World Records for one of the heaviest and longest dogs ever recorded at 343 pounds.
The Peanut Gallery Reactions with Dog Breed Concerns
The video provided some heated discussions among both mastiff owners and trainers. The majority of advice from fellow owners suggests doing thorough research before committing to any breed.
Tips for Prospective Dog Owners
It’s important for potential dog owners to understand what you’re getting yourself into. Consider the following:
- Where you live, the size of the property, and the space needed for such a large dog to run around.
- How loud a Mastiff barks. Trust me, this bark will definitely scare people away but it also may get you into trouble with your neighbors if you haven’t properly trained them.
- Small children in the house. Just as mentioned earlier, there are gentle giants, but there are also jealous giants who respect their toys and food. All it takes is a toddler running to grab a bone from an untrained dog to trigger a horrible accident.
These insights aim to equip individuals with knowledge crucial to owning and nurturing a happy, healthy dog throughout its life.
