Considering a Pitbull Mastiff mix? What should I know?

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.

Hi there. If you have children and other pets at home, I would strongly recommend getting a puppy with known parents, who have the kind of temperament you're looking for. A rescue pup with unknown parentage might turn out to be just fine, but it's much more of a gamble.

The breed of dog isn't necessarily a determining factor in whether or not they could be a service dog. Both these breeds can be dogs that respond well to training but they are also large powerful dogs. Because of this it is crucial that they are well socialized as young puppies. This means having them meet MANY different people/dogs and experience many different situations (going in elevators, being around bikes, etc) while they are young. If they don't have exposure to this at a young age they can become fearful of things which can lead to problems. I would recommend the book 7 Days to the Perfect Puppy by Sophia Yin.

Oh my goodness, what cuties! Congratulations! While there are certainly problems that we know that are more common in certain breeds, we know less about whether or not mixes that are from those breeds are as likely to have these issues, or not. Certainly chihuahuas are prone to "small dog problems", such as luxating patellas (laxity in the kneecap) and dental disease are common, and in dachshunds back disease is a big problem, so these would be the first things I would worry about and want to do what's necessary to prevent. Tooth brushing and good weight management are key in these issues. Blue Heelers are hearty dogs and don't have a lot of hereditary problems but be careful with overfeeding because they are predisposed to obesity. Enjoy your new pets!

Not all dogs like one another. Pit bulls can be selective about which dogs they will get along with. Some dogs get along great in the beginning, then have problems. Some don't like each other from the beginning and get better. Your young bulldog has recently reached sexual maturity, which means males may rival one another for dominance. This is best avoided by having them both neutered and keeping them apart while their hormone levels go down. Dog should be kept apart when no one is around to supervise, and allowed to interact with leashes on while a person is holding each leash. Gradually increase the time they spend together, always supervised. Reward good behavior and ignored or scold poor behavior. Never hit your dogs. you may want the advice of an experienced trainer to keep the peace between the two of them.

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.

You want to make sure to feed a high quality diet. You also need to make sure that the growth is slow and consistent. If your puppy grows too quickly, it will be more likely to develop conditions like hip dysplasia. The diet I recommend for my large breed puppies is Royal Canin Large Breed Puppy. It will ensure even growth and the diet is highly digestible. This diet can be purchased at many pet stores or online. Proper exercise is also important but remember not to start jogging with a large breed puppy until they are at least a year old. You can damage the joints that way BUT normal things like playing or chasing the ball should be fine. Please post again if you have any further questions!