Purebred Mastiff vs. rescue mix: Puppy temperament with kids and cats?

Any breed can be dangerous around children, or perfectly safe - all dogs are individuals, so it's always hard to make predictions based on breed. If you met the puppy's parents and they were easy-going and friendly, then it's more likely that the puppy will be this way when he grows up as well. Because your puppy will grow up to be very large, there is always a bit more of a danger that serious injuries could happen if he ever does show any aggression. I would recommend making sure that the puppy has lots of positive experiences with your children as he grows to help prevent any problems. Since you are first time dog owners, with a very large dog and young children, I would strongly recommend enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class right away so that you can get some hands-on guidance over the next several weeks to make sure that you are setting everyone up for success.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mike. This can be a hardy breed combination. The biggest problem I tend to see is joint disease (mainly arthritis) due to large size of these dogs. This can occur as the dog ages. Keeping the dog very lean throughout its life will help to protect the joints. The other big issue is that some of these dogs can be aggressive. So I think proper socialization and obedience training starting as pups is important. This helps to form a well adjusted dog. Most of them that j see are very sweet. I hope this information helps!

Anytime there is a great size difference between dogs in the same household, there is significant risk that the smaller dogs may be injured at some point - either during play, or in an actual fight if this were ever to occur. This doesn't necessarily mean that you can't have both large and small breeds in the same home (many people do!), but it does mean that you should be aware that this is somewhat risky for your smaller dogs, even if the new pup is raised around them. You should also be aware that genetics play a huge role in aggression towards other dogs - so if you do opt to get a Fila, I would make very certain that the puppy comes from a line of well-bred dogs with no history of dog aggression. This doesn't guarantee that you won't have any problems, but it will reduce the risk. If you prefer a less risky option, you could opt for another small breed that is a similar size to your rat terriers - this way, even if issues do crop up between the dogs as they get older, the odds of serious injuries or death is much less.

I am so sorry to hear about your losses. I would definitely consider a mixed breed dog from a shelter or rescue group. A medium to large sized dog, such as a retriever or pit bull mix might be a good size if you are looking for a dog to be a "protector". You will want to be sure to talk to the rescue group or shelter about what you are looking for in a dog and what your lifestyle is like (active vs. mostly sedentary, living in an apartment vs large fenced yard, other pets in the house) so they can fit you with the right personality for your dog. You can also look at http://www.akc.org/find-a-match/#slide1 to help get an idea of some breeds you may be interested in (however a mixed breed is always a great choice).

Hi, you have quite a collection of animals! I would not advise a puppy because your animals are older and a puppy can be too much stress for them. A puppy can seem to tolerate older animals then reach sexual maturity and challenge the older animals of the house. I suggest going to your local shelter and bringing your dogs to meet some possible candidates. i suggest any age over 2-3 and spayed or neutered already. Try some visits and see how the new dog will react to the animals you have. Also have the shelter to a cat test to make sure the new dog won't chase them. There are plenty of adult dogs who need homes with excellent temperaments. Good luck, i hope this helps!.

The Caucasian Ovcharka has a better temperament and is more affectionate I think. It is also a little more relaxed and should make a better companion. They both are excellent livestock guardian dogs. They both need to be trained and socialized and learn the farm boundaries and who and what they are to guard. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

I am sorry to hear you lost a dog recently. Whether to get a puppy or an adult will depend on your lifestyle/schedule and the personality of your other dogs. Puppies require much more frequent care than adult dogs, so if you are gone for long periods of time this can be problematic. Puppies can also be pestering to older/senior dogs, so if your other dogs are older or have some mobility issues they may be less tolerant of a puppy jumping on them/biting them. The plus side to having a puppy is you have first hand opportunity in all his training. If your schedule doesn't work well with a puppy then I would consider fostering an adult dog from a reputable rescue on a trial basis to see how it goes, and if it seems a good fit you can adopt the dog!