Meet Brindlee! (After Lady, Lady Teacup, and Twinkle Toes, we've finally settled on Brindlee and it's NOT changing again!) She's a seven month old Italian Mastiff. Yep...a mastiff. She currently weighs about 40 to 50 pounds and we expect her to reach anywhere from 80 to 100 pounds.
Imagine carrying that outside when she's gone to the bathroom in the house. I've only thrown my back out about four time since Saturday.
Oh, and did I mention she's afraid of stairs? Lugging 50 pounds of struggling dog up and down the stairs will certainly get me in shape.
We got her on Saturday at what may or may not have been a puppy mill. Actually, I think that it might have been a puppy mill at one time, but because of all the new PA laws against puppy mills it's been "reformed." We're starting to get the feeling though that Brindlee spent the first 7 months of her life in a kennel that she peed and pooped in and was maybe once a day hosed down.
Anyway...
Its been quite an experience so far. Some good, some bad and some I'm not even sure if I can talk about without twitching.
On Sunday we locked her in the guest bathroom while we went to lunch and we came home to the worst sight I've ever seen. She had pooped on the floor and then proceeded to play in it. There was poop all over the floor, the walls, the ceiling, the shower, the sink, the toilet.... It was a disaster. I started crying at one point because I had no idea how to even begin cleaning a mess like that. I even contemplated just burning down the bathroom, but then I remembered the township building wouldn't be open until Monday and I didn't want to wait that long to get a burn permit.
Give me a minute. I need to visit my happy place until I get that moment out of my head again...
Aside from that disaster things haven't been so bad. Her attitude it very calm and sweet. She is such a loving girl. She hasn't shown a bit of aggression. She does potty in her crate, but I think we'll get over that pretty quick. I'm hoping and wishing and praying we get over it quickly. She's already showing signs that she is incredibly smart. Plus, she is just so great with Lil Mootz. He thinks she is a horsey and she just lets him climb all over her. Not a twitch or sign that she's is bothered by him. Every now again she looks up at him, kisses his hand and then goes back to sleep.
So why a mastiff? Aside from the fact that we're just crazy people obviously looking for a good ol' fashion challenge, we wanted a dog that was incredibly family friendly, but also very protective. Mastiffs are known for those traits. They're loyal, loving, playful and great with children, but also incredibly protective of their family. The other thing I liked was that while they're protective, they're not fighting dogs. They prefer the scare someone into a corner method and make them wait for help to arrive. I suppose for a 100 pound dog brute force isn't necessary when looks alone will scare most people.
Sarge dying is still very upsetting to me, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. While I still get teary eyed when I think of Sarge, I honestly believe that him dying was because we were meant to have Brindlee. Somehow everything works itself out properly in the end. I know Sarge would approve because he was really a mastiff in a Chihuahua's body.
So...what do you think? Are we crazy for getting a mastiff or is she going to be the most gentle giant?
11 comments:
WHat a cutie! I LOVE mastiffs! We've talked about gettin gone someday. Have fun with her!!
I don't know anything about mastiffs but I know every little boy deserves to have a puppy/dog.
I think it's a wonderful idea and I am so glad you recused her! She is beautiful! They grow out of the peeing and pooping in the house thing...eventually! =)
Mastiff's are my fav. I'll get one some day...when I have enough room for that much dog. She is beautiful and it's great that you are going to give her a much better home!
Nice looking dog. But, I think you might be underestimating his future size. Mastiff's can get much bigger than 100 lbs.
i am so so jealoush he is adorable!
It sounds likes she is going to be a LARGE blessing for your family! =) She's gorgeous, and your kids are going to have such fond memories of her!
Good choice! I have a friend that at one time had 3 mastiffs in her tiny home which was insane. When I got Peyton I was told maybe 40 pounds. Well he shot through that and has finally stopped at 90 pounds. But he's the biggest baby. Luckily he has a fierce bark and his size scares people away if needed. Big dogs are the best!
Mastiff's are HUGE dogs but you're right, they're a fiercely protective if you have a home intrusion. My neighbors house got broken into and if it hadn't been for their mastiff someone in the house really could have got hurt!
Oh so incredibly cute. My husband wants a mastiff so badly, but we just don't have the room to give one a proper home right now. They are incredibly loyal and wonderful family pets. Just be sure to be firm when training, they can be stubborn.
How's your little girl getting along?? You asked what kind of dog I have...well we don't really know. We are pretty sure he is some mix of German Shepherd and St Bernard but other than that we have no idea. Whatever he is though is pretty great. Can't wait to see more pictures of yours!
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