New Family Member

Sitting at the office with a cow bone on day 2.

I had him sitting in this photo so it doesn't show the full size and how large he really is, but will do an update in the next few months to show his full size. This is by far the biggest dog I have ever had and he needs to be trained properly or he could be a problem.

This week there was a pleasant surprise as we have adopted a Bullmastiff puppy from another province in South Africa. Just 3 weeks ago this puppy or baby lion as he is seriously big was running around the suburb of Durban North in Durban. He was starving being skin and bones yet not aggressive which is a good sign as he is a thoroughbred.

Having 2 dogs a stray cat and a parrot this is a different prospect entirely as he has been mistreated and needs bucket loads of love. He is not aggressive to the other pets in the house including the parrot who will bite his nose if he comes too close. A lesson he will no doubt learn over the coming months.

I have had Mastiffs in the past and they are seriously great dogs and companions to have if you get the right one. The last one many years ago tackled 2 gunmen and disposed of that situation rather quickly, but this dog which we will call Brock is much bigger.

His paws are massive which tells me has some growing to do along with a massive head. Having been suffering from malnutrition it is misleading on how big he is going to be. I estimate he is already close to 45kg's and has some way to go and will see him around 70 -75kg's when fully grown. The others in the past were around the 60kg mark and he is way bigger than them and is a prime specimen for the breed.

The 3 days that he ahs been with us so far have been a getting to know each other as the jury was still out on his temperament. Having two grandkids living with us I am taking no chances as he is no Poodle or Labrador. He is playful and doesn't know his own strength so have been domesticating him through training. He sits and obeys commands so the future is looking far more positive from day one when he jumped up and had his paws on my shoulders and I am 1.95m which was not a great start.

On Tuesday he is booked to be sterilized as this should also help calm him down. He will eat us out of house and home but with a dog this big there will be no takers and no one likes to see a dog put down. This is his second chance and feel we are both lucky as he is seriously a beautiful dog.

The sad reality if we hadn't of said yes then the chances of anyone taking him home were none. The call had been sent out to inquire if anyone was missing a dog with no results and 1 week of looking for a new home ended up with us 600Km away. Normally I would hesitate as an 18 month old puppy this size could be challenging to say the least, but so far so good. He has only drawn blood once whilst chewing my arm and hope that will be the last time that happens. He doesn't know his own strength and with all the excitement over the last few days and trying to settle in mistakes can happen.

The one breed I cannot say no to is a Bullmastiff and to be given one is a complete bonus as finding a pure bred is difficult. Brock is way bigger than my previous Mastiffs and this is rather great even though his head is at the same height as the kitchen counters. Even the barbecue outside is not safe as he is that hungry still. The hope is in a months time he will not have food on the brain and would have relaxed into his new home.