Great Pyrenees, Neopolitan Mastiff and Newfoundland

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As a kid, we had three Bullmastiffs. Absolutely wonderful dogs in every respect, just not quite as big.

 

Growing up we had an English Mastiff....amazing dog, but the slobber will choke a donkey.

How about a So African Boerboel? Gorgeous dogs, loyal, lion killers, docile. I'd love one someday, but would like more property than the 'burbs.

 

Malamute? Or a Samoyed but it would just steal the show.

Otherwise Newfie by a mile. Sweet, mellow things.

 

Jerry, you could get, like, 30 Pick-a-Poos.

 

Let's see some pics of the Pyrenees! What's the name?

 

Also, how about a cat to keep your Pyrenees company? I suggest a Maine Coon, or a Tonkinese.

 

All are wonderful breeds: the bigger, the better I say. One thing to remember about the Neo's is that they are a true guard dog, so they need a strong and dominant owner and must be socialized early. Look up the breed behavior thoroughly beforehand (the Roman's used them as guard dogs for a very good reason). I would lean towards the Newfie. They were bred from a parallel line as the Pyrenees and have an incredible temperament (great with kids). It's actually the only AKC breed which has in its written standard that it has an inbred instinct to rescue people (from water, snow, etc.) The only drawback is that they droooooool. My g'friend is getting a Newfie as her next dog. Here's a pic of her with one at a local dog show - what a face? If you're unsure, just get one of each

Good luck,

Matt
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Yeah, get one of each, a Newfie and a girlfriend.

 

Jerry, I have two Newfies and would be happy to offer any insights that you'd like.

 

Depends a lot on the individual dog and the circumstances. My male drools when he eats or exerts a lot of energy ("lot" being a very relative term with Newfies ), but is otherwise not too bad. He does seem to enjoy vigorously shaking his head when he gets a nice strand of drool, though.

My female doesn't drool at all.

 

Jerry, yes I remember our PM exchange about the dogs last year.

I've been around a few Neos, but have never owned one. I can say with absolute certainty that my Newfies get along great with any other dog that they've been around (which is the opposite of what you're asking). I also know a few Great Pyrenese and have seen my dogs interact with them without any issues. I think that Newfies and Pyrenese are more similar than Neos and Pyrenese, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

Jerry, it's pretty much a non-issue. Your Pyrenees will get along with anything. And any new dog you bring in will either become alpha or be dominated, but they will both figure out the pecking order and be happy with it. I have never heard of two dogs living together that didn't get along.

Now if you brought in an abused dog that was fully grown, you might have problems (for a while), but even most dogs with damaged personalities can be rehabilitated in the right nurturing environment and with gradual introductions/familiarization to situations and people and other dogs that they are initially uncomfortable with.

 

Jerry,
I may have mentioned to you before the breed,Leonbergers.They come from Pyrs,Newfies and StBernards.They make a wonderful,friendly,companionable family dog.They are big messy,shed alot etc but are 'dry mouthed'.These are pics of Avery&Barns.Like all big breeds they tend to be short lived,Avery was 9,Barns 7 when they passed,we miss them alot. Don't know NeoMastifs traits temperaments but Leos again are flat wonderful.But they're hard to find...strongly suggest homework on the breeder you deal with...no matter what breed you decide.
cheeers,
RE
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Newfoundlands have been bred with Labs hence the nice demenour so I would lean more towards this or a Giant Malamute as a doggypal. They are well behaved with young kids and gentle. They are smaller than the Pure Mastifs of original line but make a good working dog. The cane-corso and Nep Mastifs require more due diligence. The Pyr is close to the newfoundland in behavior.

Mastifs originated from the central asian line from which we have Tibetan, Alabai, Kangol, caucasion sheep-ovcharka-mountain-lion-tiger dog. These are gaurd dogs and very defensive. However if socialized they can be polite to some extent. They can suffer from hip dysplasia and bloat like most big dogs.

 

Use to have a New Foundland. Best dog I ever had, thinking of getting another one or even one of these.
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About Newfs:

The rescue instinct can be a drawback in certain circumstances, such as if a small child is splashing around in a pool in the presence of the dog. The dog may perceive the child's splashing as a sign of someone who needs to be rescued. Children can easily confuse a Newf's rescue attempt with an attack, and it can scare the hell out of a little kid, such that the child might be distrustful of the dog thereafter. While I have seen the above happen with a kid of about 6, it just occurred to me that it could easily happen to an adult, too, if that person was thrashing about in the water. Instincts are strong.

 

That's a good point. I guess they have to be trained to know a word that will immediately get them to stop.

 

That or educate the child to know what the dog is doing. Then the kids find it fun.

 

He looks like a Bernese Mountain dog.

 

How does the dog actually do the rescue? By jumping in the water and tugging on the person's hand or clothing and pulling them to the side of the pool? Or something else?

I am thinking of getting a Newfie.

 

We have had 2 Newfoundlands. They couldn't be any sweeter and are very laid back. They are messy though. They shed quite a bit and are messy eaters. Their personality more than makes up for any shortcomings though.
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The technique that I've seen has the dog swim up beside the person and push up under the armpit area while the person is on his/her back. This keeps the person's head out of the water and allows the dog to swim most effectively.

 

Here's Buster enjoying the snow...
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