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Breed Information |
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Cane Corso |
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Life
Expectancy: About
10-11 years. |
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Colors:
Many colors are accepted |
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Coat Type:
Short |
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Grooming:
The Cane Corso does not require much grooming. Occasionally comb
and brush to remove dead hair. This breed is a light shedder. |
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Exercise:
This very athletic breed needs a lot of regular exercise. They
make excellent jogging companions. |
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Good With Children: Wonderful and very tolerant of
children |
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Height: Males 24-27 inches (64-68 cm.) Females 23-25
inches (60-64 cm.) |
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Weight: Males 99-110 pounds (45-50 kg.) Females 88-99
pounds (40-45 kg.) |
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Health Problems:
This is a robust dog, with
typical bone and joint problems of the giant breeds. |
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Living Conditions:
The Cane Corso will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough
exercise. They will be content to live outdoors provided they
have adequate shelter. |
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Cane Corsos are very loyal, willing
to please and quiet around the house. The Cane Corso is highly
intelligent and very trainable with an active and even-mind, he
is an unequalled watch and protection dog. The Cane Corso is
great with children in the family which makes them docile and
affectionate with their owner. They are very protective yet
gentle which is what makes the Cane Corso have a very stable
temperament. They make excellent guard and watch dogs and will
stick very close to their masters. The Cane Corso is not a
fighting dog as they were bred as working dogs for hundreds of
years, therefore they will not go out "looking" for a fight, but
on the other hand they will not back down from other dogs. The
Cane Corso requires an experienced owner because they can be
aggressive with strangers and other dogs. They should be
carefully socialized as soon as possible and should continue
socialization throughout life. It is highly recommended and
almost necessary that these dogs become fully obedience trained.
When fully trained, the Cane Corso makes the best companion,
suspicious of strangers, but wonderful with the family. When
this wonderful breed is raised appropriately, they should be
submissive to their family only wanting to please. |
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Neapolitan Mastiff |
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Life
Expectancy: 10 years
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Colors:
Grey (also referred to as Blue), Black, Tawny and Mahogany. All
colors may have brindle. White is acceptable on the tips of the
toes and chest. |
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Coat
Type: Short, hard and
shiny |
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Grooming
Needs: 2-3 times a
week. |
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Exercise
Needs: Needs about 30-60 minutes per day |
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Temperament: Balanced,
protective of human family |
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Good with Children:
Affectionate and protective with its family's children |
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Avg Size:
25.5-30 inches (males) and 23.5-27 inches (female) |
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Avg
Weight (lbs.): 150-185
(males) and 145-165 (females) |
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Health
Issues: Cherry eye is
common in the breed, must be removed, and not tacked down. A
good diet is paramount for this fast growing large breed. Prone
to bloat, so should be fed 2-3 smaller meals per day. Also prone
to joint problems. |
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Living
Conditions: Prefers to
be close to family, whether that is outside or in the house |
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Despite the beastly and even
vicious appearance, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a peaceful and
steady dog. It was developed to look and act fearsome when
needed, but is affectionate with his family and the family's
friends. Highly protective and fearless. It is extremely
intelligent and somewhat willful. It does not require
repetitious training because Neapolitan Mastiffs are very
attuned to his master's wishes. This breed rarely gives trouble
by excessive barking. They are serious, calm and quiet unless
provoked. The breed is very wary of strangers. Males can be much
more aggressive and dominant than females. The Female makes a
better family pet, as she is more submissive to her master and
better with children. These dogs are, however, usually very
loving with children, provided they do not tease them. Males do
not get along with other males, but the Neo can get along well
with non-canine pets if raised with them from puppy hood. The
Neapolitan Mastiff is not a breed for everyone. They must have a
dominant owner capable of controlling him properly. Owner
dominance should be firmly established while the dog is young.
Children should be taught to respect these dogs. Neapolitan
Mastiffs should be well socialized at an early age to avoid
over-protectiveness. They will be quite protective even with
extensive socialization. Additional protection training is
unnecessary because they are naturally guard dogs. Thorough
obedience training is highly recommended. These are not dogs for
beginners but it is an exaggeration to describe them as
difficult in their association with others. A calm handler with
natural leadership will achieve the best results. With thorough
training and an experienced, dominant owner, the Neapolitan
Mastiff can be a good family dog. |
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Argentino Dogo |
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Life
Expectancy: 10-12
years |
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Colors:
Completely white |
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Coat
Type: Short, coarse
and thick with a glossy sheen; uniform in length |
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Grooming
Needs: Occasional
brushing |
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Exercise
Needs: Needs about
30-60 minutes per day |
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Temperament:
Balanced, protective of human family. Very confident with strong
hunting instincts. Very alert, courageous & incredible
determination. Breed is very people oriented and outgoing. While
being incredibly obedient and willing to please, the Dogo is
extremely sensitive to his handler and can't tolerate forceful
training methods. Quick learner, but easily bored by overwork
and repetition. An excellent watchdog, calm around the house,
yet always alert. Not a barking dog. |
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Good with
Children: Affectionate
and protective with its family's children; will tolerate almost
anything from them. |
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Avg Size:
23-27 inches for both males and females. Males are usually
smaller than females |
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Avg
Weight (lbs.): 99-110
for both males and females |
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Health
Issues: Deafness may
occur |
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Living Conditions:
Prefers to be close to family and is unhappy when separated from
them. |
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This breed was developed in Argentina by Dr. Antonio Nores
Martinez in the 1920's. He wanted a dog that was a good pack
hunter and guardian, but could also be trusted with the family.
He started with a now extinct mastiff-type breed called the Dog
of Cordoba he then added
Great Dane,
Boxer,
Spanish Mastiff,
Bulldog,
Bull Terrier,
Great Pyrenees,
Pointer,
Irish
Wolfhound and
Dogue de
Bordeaux. The resulting breed, not only met
Martinez,' original expectations as a big game hunter and family
guardian, but has also been successful as a guide dog and in
military and police work. He created a bullish and fearless
hunter with great stamina and a light coat. Some of the
Argentine Dogo's talents are hunting, tracking, watch dogging,
guarding, police work, narcotics detection, military, work,
competitive obedience, and schutzhund. The Dogo Argentino is
also known as the Argentinean Mastiff or Argentine Dogo. It is a
muscular, yet very graceful dog of mastiff origin usually with
an all white sleek coat with occasional black spots. The Dogo
is an excellent guardian of the home, loyal to the family,
playful and intelligent. It is good with children and loves to
kiss and cuddle with those the family accepts. Socialization is
a must with this breed, and should be done from the earliest
time possible. With that said Dogos are easy to train. This is
a highly intelligent, powerful dog who needs a firm and
consistent, but loving hand. Adult Dogos can be aggressive with
other dogs however, the Dogo does not usually provoke the
confrontation. The Argentine Dogo is not a breed for everyone.
All dogs are individuals and some are more dominant or possess a
stronger prey drive than others. They are good with other pets
if they are raised with them from puppy hood. This white mastiff
needs early socialization with other animals. It also requires
early obedience training. |
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Pit Bull Terrier |
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Information provided by Pit Bull
Rescue Central for more information please go to
www.pbrc.net |
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Pit Bulls are wonderful animals that
deserve a chance to have a good life like any other dog.
However, it's important to remember that Pit Bulls are not just
any other dog - They are a little more of everything a dog can
be.
Pit Bulls have superior physical and mental
characteristics that make them excellent partners for
responsible, active, and caring owners. On the other hand, these
same outstanding qualities can make them a little difficult to
handle for people who don't have a lot of experience with dog
ownership, or for those who don't understand the breed very
well. Luckily, Pit Bulls are very responsive to training and
eager to please. It is therefore strongly recommended to take
them to obedience classes as soon as they are up to date with
their shots. A well behaved and obedient Pit Bull will be a
great ambassador for the breed and help fight prejudice and
misconceptions.
Pit Bull are strong, energetic, agile, and
powerful dogs. They are also very resourceful and driven.
"Determination" is one of their most notable trait. Whatever
they set out to do, they put their heart and soul into it...
Whether it is escaping an inadequately fenced yard to go explore
the neighborhood, or destroying your new couch when left home
alone, or climbing into your lap to shower you with kisses! They
just don't give up easily. An
other very important characteristic of the Pit Bull dogs is
their amazing love of people. Many people are surprised by the
loving personality of these dogs the first time they meet one.
Pit Bull dogs are indeed remarkably affectionate and truly enjoy
human attention. Human aggression, severe shyness, and
instability are not traits typically found and accepted in the
APBT breed. Dogs with these traits are not good representatives
of the breed and will not be placed into adoptive homes.
Pit Bull type dogs are wonderful, loving,
and very loyal companions. It is important however, to
understand the breed's nature, to provide a structured
environment, and to establish a positive leadership role. In
order to do so, Pit Bull owners must understand the original
purpose of the breed, and respect its limit and potential.
We don't have to condone or glorify
it, but dog-aggression is not uncommon with Pit Bull dogs.
Owners must recognize and accept this fact or they wont be able
to provide competent ownership and have fun with their dogs.
It's a mistake
to think that the fighting gene can be easily trained or loved
out of a dog, or that early socialization will guarantee your
Pit Bull will always get along with other animals. There are
precautions to take when owning Pit Bulls, especially in a
multiple-dog environment. |
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Never trust a Pit Bull not to fight...
It is not necessarily a hate of other
dogs that will cause Pit Bulls to fight, but rather an "urge" to
do so that has been bred into the breed for many generations.
Pit bulls may fight over hierarchic status, but external
stimulus or excitement can also trigger a fight. Remember that
any canine can fight, but Pit Bulls were bred specifically for
drive, intensity, and determination to win.
Pit Bull owners
must also be aware of the remarkable fighting abilities of this
breed, and always keep in mind that Pit Bulls have the potential
to inflict serious injuries to other animals. A Pit Bull may not
even be the one starting a conflict, but he has the genetics to
finish it.
With all that
said, some Pit Bulls get along great with other pets and may
live happily with other dogs without any incidents. We just
can't assume that this is true for all of them, or take it for
granted. Pit Bull owners need to have common sense and to make
sure they will not set their dogs up for failure by putting them
in the wrong situations.
In closing,
please remember that animal-aggression and people-aggression are
two distinctive traits and should never be confused. Unless they
have been very poorly bred and/or specifically "trained" to
attack humans (often by undesirable individuals through abusive
methods), Pit Bulls are by nature very good with people.
They are in fact one of the most loving, loyal, friendly, and
dedicated companions one can have. |
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American Bulldog |
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Life
Expectancy: 8-15 years
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Colors:
All white, white and patched, brindle or red (red is defined as
any shade of tan, brown or red), black mixed with brindle or
white to solid black |
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Coat
Type: Short, close,
stiff to the touch |
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Grooming
Needs: Brush coat with
a firm bristle brush or rubber mitt; bathe only when necessary. |
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Exercise
Needs: Needs plenty of
exercise to make them mellower in the house. Walking, jogging,
biking, skateboarding for about a mile twice daily with owner is
enough. Also, fetching, frisbee, swimming, agility and weight
pulling. |
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Temperament: The
essential characteristics of the American Bulldog enable it to
work as a hog and cattle catching dog, and a protector of
personal property. These tasks require a powerful, agile,
confident dog with a large head and powerful jaws. The breed is
a gentle, loving family companion who is fearless enough to face
an angry bull or a human intruder. Very alert, outgoing and
friendly with a self-assured attitude. Some aloofness with
strangers and assertive towards other dogs. |
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Good with
Children: The American
Bulldog is known for its love for children. Excellent with other
pets, when raised together |
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Avg Size:
22-27 inches (Johnson males) and 20-25 inches (Johnson female)
23-27 inches (Scott males) and 21-25 inches (Scott female)
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Avg
Weight (lbs.): 90-150
(Johnson males) and 70-130 (Johnson females)
75-110 (Scott males) and 60-85 (Scott females) |
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Health
Issues: Some strains
have hip dysplasia. Some are prone to eye disorders, such as
Entropian, or allergies or thyroid problems |
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Living
Conditions: Preferably
indoor because they don't have a lot of protection from the
elements |
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The American
Bulldog should not be excessively timid, shy or aggressive
towards man and preferably not overly aggressive with other
dogs. An American Bulldog should never be confused with uniquely
different breeds such as the American Staffordshire Terrier or
the American Pit Bull Terrier. The American Bulldog is a brave
and determined, but not hostile dog. Alert and self-confident,
this breed genuinely loves children. It is known for its acts of
heroism towards its master. These dogs have fought wild dogs,
bulls and even fire. It is said "fighting off one of these dogs
is like fighting an animal that possesses an alligator's head
and a python's body." Yet when called off by their handler, they
immediately obey. No wonder they are said to have "true grit,
true devotion and true love." Because of its strong protective
instincts, the American Bulldog should be well-socialized and
obedience trained at an early age. Some may be aggressive with
other dogs and reserved with strangers. They need to be around
people to be truly happy. |
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Dogue de Bordeaux |
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Life
Expectancy: 8-10 years
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Colors:
Self-colored, in all shades of fawn, from Mahogany to Isabella
(lightest fawn) |
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Coat Type:
Short, fine and soft to the touch; thick loose-fitting skin
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Grooming
Needs: Occasional
brushing; easy care |
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Exercise
Needs: Moderate
exercise |
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Temperament: Calm and
well balanced. Affectionate to his family and a loving
companion. This breed's courage and power is equaled only by its
devotion and care for its human family. As a guardian of the
house and property, he can match the best and he will never be
"off guard". |
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Good with
Children: Gets along
well with children; very patient; usually gets along with other
pets |
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Avg Size:
23-27 inches for males and 22-26 inches for females |
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Avg Weight (lbs.):
Males should weigh at least 110 lbs and females at least 99 lbs
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Health Issues:
Skin allergies are common; Entropies may occur |
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Living
Conditions: Will live
inside or outside, but do require a fair-sized yard. Suitable
dog for someone willing to invest a lot of time and attention to
the dog |
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Breeders
have softened the temperament of this dog quite a bit from his
original ferocity. Today the Bordeaux has a good and calm
temperament. It is extremely loyal, patient and devoted to his
family. Fearless and confrontational with strangers, he is a
first class watch and guard dog. This breed can be very
aggressive with other dogs so socialization with other animals
as soon as possible is a must. Males may not ever tolerate
other males. Despite his fearsome appearance, the Dogue de
Bordeaux is gentle with children and family members. However
this is a powerful animal, and is not suitable for an
inexperienced dog owner. |
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Fila Brasileiro |
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Life
Expectancy: 10-12
years |
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Colors:
Brindles and all solid colors, except white or mouse gray.
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Coat
Type: Short, smooth
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Grooming
Needs: Groom with a
hound glove. |
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Exercise
Needs: Needs about
30-60 minutes per day |
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Temperament: Courage,
determination and outstanding braveness are part of the breed's
characteristics. He is docile to his owners and family and
extremely tolerant with children. Very faithful breed.
Distrusting of strangers. Shows calm disposition, self assurance
and self confidence, not being disturbed by strange noises or
when facing a new environment. A excellent guardian of property.
Well dedicated hunter. Not recommended for first time dog
owners. |
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Good with
Children:
Affectionate, tolerant and protective with its family's
children. |
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Avg Size:
24-30 inches for both males and females |
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Avg
Weight (lbs.): 140-180
(males) and 125-160 (females) |
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Health
Issues: Hip Dysplasia,
Bloat-Canine Gastric Dilation-Volvulous |
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Living
Conditions: Prefers to
be close to family, whether that is outside or in the house. |
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The Fila Brasileiro is a courageous
and powerful Mastiff that makes a very loyal and loving
companion who is extremely dedicated to his owner. A Fila will
protect you without a moments hesitation. He feels that is why
he is there. Once you bond with your Fila you and your family
will become his whole world. It is the breeds nature to be loyal
and protective of his family. They love kids in their own family
and take a lot of abuse from them. Fila's make great family pets
and are gentle, loving, loyal and very protective. They will
also bond with other pets in your home. Bold and very wary with
strangers, this breed makes a wonderful guard dog. It needs a
strong owner who understands the alpha pack instinct. Proper
socialization and understanding of the breeds instincts are the
key to successful ownership of a Fila. Filas just want to make
sure that his family members are never in harms way and he is
always on guard. Filas will always be wary of strangers, even
the milder Filas will be wary and all. Filas will do what it
takes to defend what is theirs. Outstanding courage,
determination, and bravery are part of his characteristics. He
is docile and obedient to his owners and family and extremely
tolerant with children in his own family. He is always looking
for the company of his master. He shows a calm disposition,
self-assurance, and self-confidence, not being disturbed by
strange noises nor when facing a new environment. An unsurpassed
guardian of property, he is also inclined, by instinct, to hunt
big game and to herd cattle. The Fila is NOT a breed for the
average pet owner. |
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find out more. |
