Another uprooted dog - ARGHHH!

[mollichop]

In the waiting room at the vets last night, a family were with a young Mastiff bitch (10 months old) who were asked to take it out for a wander as it was shouting at the other dogs in there

One of the women with it asked what breed Paddington is and commented that he was a nice size. Turns out the Mastiff belongs to her elderly mother (she could barely hold onto it) who got it as a pup and 'didn't realise it would get that big' !!!!!!!

She disclosed that her mum leaves the house at 7.30am and is not back until 6.00pm. No dog walker or family member goes in, dog is left alone for this time 5-6 days a week. I said it was a lot to ask of a young dog to be left for that amount of time and no access to garden either

Apparently it gets on great with other dogs, cats and children. She really was a lovely looking girl - pale brindle, who is now being dispatched to local animal shelter for re-homing.

The daughter was saying that she'll probably get another dog to replace it - about the size of mine (not small, but smaller than a Mastiff). I said size is not the issue here - dog will not be challenged enough mentally or physically so unfair in her circumstances.

Seriously, what is wrong with people - surely you would research a breed before commiting to a dog like a Mastiff! Sorry no real question here, just very annoyed

 

[TheBlackMoth]

I have never understood this idea of animals as disposable. I have always felt that when I take on the responsibility for an animal I take it on for life. I know circumstances change but even then you can do your best to ensure that the animal is rehomed carefully.

Animals aren't cars or toys to be replaced with the latest model when you are bored with them. (Sorry I know I am preaching to the converted).

I even have problems with selling horses as I feel responsible - which is why I had to buy one back when I found out he was being mistreated and now have him on loan locally as I can't bear to sell him and go through that again.

 

[Grey_Eventer]

I don't think people really think about it, one of our dogs brothers had to be taken to a rescue centre because the person who bought it realised that working full time as a nurse and living in a flat (breeder didn't know) was not going to suit a puppy... thankfully puppy was in its new home within 5 days!
Still such a shame and i don't understand why people are so stupid, and then to consider buying a new one!?!?

 

[FinnishLapphund]

To some part I have mixed feelings on the subject, the dog could just as well have ended up being "forgotten" in a garden shed or dumped in a forest far from home etc. and then I do believe that rehoming or euthanasia is better, in comparison. But that is where my mixed feelings ends.


I simply don't understand how stupid people can be, buying pets are not like buying a toy or garden furniture. Saying "Oops, I didn't knew it would become this big", is okay to me, if I've bought a Finnish Lapphund, that has a maximum height of 52 cm. at the withers for a dog and mine then grows to beyond 70 cm. at the withers! Okay, so I should have realised from the beginning that something was wrong due to the paw size, but hypothetically, that would be a true "OOPS!"
To buy a Mastiff-puppy and a few months later say "Oops, I didn't knew it would become this big" is to me, only justifiable if it grows to the size of a Warmblood horse!

So her mother, bought a puppy with zero knowledge of what breed she was about to buy and obviously she never saw the brood bitch either.

Besides, to buy a dog is so much more than just suitable size, a Border Collie is smaller than a Mastiff but still not one bit, more suitable for such an owner.

 

[BBH]

I don't suppose you know where's she's gone do you. I would have had her.

 

[Vizslak]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[mollichop]

Yes LHS - daughter said they were taking her to Wood Green animal shelter which is in Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire. Not sure if that is your area. She really looked a lovely girl so she should find a nice home I hope.

 

[BBH]

Thanks for that. She's not on the webbie so I've rung them and they said they had taken in a young mastiff but she's not yet processed ie they haven't assessed her yet so i've to ring later in the week and see what progress has been made.

 

[mollichop]

Ooh exciting - might you want her then? Please let me know how you get on if so as would be nice to know she had a happy ending. Good luck

 

[BBH]

I'm glad you're on-line. I 've just rung again and the lady I spoke to has her registered in as a bullmastiff as opposed to a mastiff. Can you confirm which it was ?

Thankyou

 

[JessnTilly]

My dog is on her own from 8.30 to 6 pm and sleeps all day!! this is her routine now and she doesnt seem bothered at all. my mum calls in and lets her out for me.

I wish I was home more but its not always possible with work.

i would never think of rehoming her love her too much even though she does chew anything and everything!!!

 

[mollichop]

I'm glad you're on-line. I 've just rung again and the lady I spoke to has her registered in as a bullmastiff as opposed to a mastiff. Can you confirm which it was ?

Thankyou

Erm, I assumed English - sorry i'm not hot on types but she was not a Neo.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

My dog is on her own from 8.30 to 6 pm and sleeps all day!! this is her routine now and she doesn't seem bothered at all. my mum calls in and lets her out for me.

I wish I was home more but its not always possible with work.

i would never think of rehoming her love her too much even though she does chew anything and everything!!!

But by the sound of it, this dogs owner probably looked something like this

or this

when she walked her dog.

Many dogs are quite good at waiting, but you should still be able to control them when you take them out for a walk.

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Erm, I assumed English - sorry i'm not hot on types but she was not a Neo.

If it can be of any help, some simple examples of the basic difference is that a Mastiff has a longer muzzle and longer ears and a Bullmastiff have a shorter muzzle and shorter ears. Photo examples of English Mastiff from Flickr and Photobucket :

Photo examples of Bullmastiff from Flickr and Photobucket:

 

[mollichop]

Thankyou Finnish for the pics - quite different when compared aren't they. I would say not a bullmastiff but only saw her breifly before she was despatched to the car park as winding up the other dogs in the waiting room . Bless, she was only trying to play - Pads quite fancied her actually!

Sorry LHS if she isn't what you were after - let me know how you get on

 

[BBH]

LOL no worries, they still haven't put her through the checking phase yet so a while longer to wait.

Want to make sure she's not bullmastiff cos although they are stunning dogs I don't want two bullbreeds as if they kick off I wouldn't have the strength to hold one.

 

[JessnTilly]

But by the sound of it, this dogs owner probably looked something like this

or this

when she walked her dog.

Many dogs are quite good at waiting, but you should still be able to control them when you take them out for a walk.

Lol I used to look like that until I got her a halter!

Works wonders as she is veyr strong