Meet Rufus  8-)
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Here he is meeting Casey at the MSPCA.
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I was thinking of getting a Mastiff and looked into adopting a 6 y/o male from the MSPCA a few weeks ago.  But that didn't work out.  He wanted to eat my terriers :o  So I was settled on waiting till spring and getting a puppy from a breeder.

Then last week I got a call from the MSPCA saying they thought they found the perfect dog for us.  He was a puppy mill dog and had been through two homes already.  There are lots of fear issues; dog scales, doorways, strange rooms, ... but they thought we had the skills, time and love to get him through all this.

Rufus is a mutt.  He's half Great Pyrenese and half Anatolian Shepherd.  At 9 months he's already ~75lbs.  I expect he'll top out somewhere around 100-120.  The Great Pyr seems to be dominant and that's how big they get.  The Anatolian's can go up to 200lbs.  We'll see...

His personallity is very passive.  He's a born follower and loves everyone.  On walks he simply ignores the unstable dogs and only wants to play with everyone and everything else.  My terriers are still trying to figure out how to deal with him.

Contrary to what I've read about the breeds he craves human contact and doesn't want to be alone.  That's not a problem for us.

I've wanted a big dog since my Abby passed away.  I love the Boston's but there is nothing like a big ole dog.  Back when I got Abby I wanted either a Great Dane or a Mastiff.  I finally have my big breed  8-)

-Dennis-

Looks like he's fitting in nicely, Dennis!   Congrats on the new pooch!

Jeannie

Heart of gold, you.

That first pic looks like he has blue eyes?

Nice....dogs are great!

Paul

Now that's a dog.

    Potter

Dennis, It's not what you got, its what he got. Bless you for adopting. Your my kind of man!!!!

Brew wrote on Dec 16^th, 2009 at 2:10pm:

Heart of gold, you. That first pic looks like he has blue eyes?

No, those are the whites as he looks up at me.

Potter wrote on Dec 16^th, 2009 at 2:18pm:

Now that's a dog.     Potter

We've got this huge farmer's table in the kitchen.  Last night I'm eating and his nose in in my lap.  My wife is yelling on the other side of the table.  I look up and see the dogs tail in her plate  ;D

Priceless!!!

-Dennis-

YEA DENNIS!!  I'm happy for ya! He looks like the perfect family dog.
Huge congrats!!
Mast

Now how good is that!  He looks like a fine pooch.  I'm thinking you all will be good for each other.

Congrats on the new addition to the family.  What a sweet looking doggie!

He's beautiful Dennis and looks very, very happy. :)

Congratulations on the new addition to the family!  You tired to adopt a mastiff and he wanted to eat your terriers?  Wow, someone must have mistreated that poor dog.  Both of our Mastiffs have been the most gentle (or as gentle as a dog that size can be) animals and loved the cats.

Have fun with your new baby and remember that his tail can be quite destructive (like wiping off coffee tables and knocking glasses off too).  At least with him, you won't be dealing with slobber 6 feet up your walls.

deltadarlin wrote on Dec 16^th, 2009 at 6:33pm:

Congratulations on the new addition to the family!  You tired to adopt a mastiff and he wanted to eat your terriers?  Wow, someone must have mistreated that poor dog.  Both of our Mastiffs have been the most gentle (or as gentle as a dog that size can be) animals and loved the cats.

Maybe not eat, but compete for top dog in the house.  One of my Boston's, Olivia, thinks she's Queen right now.  Jr the Mastiff wasn't having any of her stuff.  Showed her his teeth when she tried to claim one of my boys as "hers" during the initial meet-n-greet.  We just didn't need that kind of struggle.  It just wasn't safe for anyone.  Especially Olivia  ;D

Rufus on the other hand, is just the marshmallow we were looking for.  Olivia takes chew toys right out of his mouth without becoming one herself.  Of course he takes it right back when she isn't looking. :D

Quote:

Have fun with your new baby and remember that his tail can be quite destructive (like wiping off coffee tables and knocking glasses off too).  At least with him, you won't be dealing with slobber 6 feet up your walls.

Rufus doesn't drool as bad as a Mastiff, but he sure makes a mess.  We have "Rufus Rags" hanging around the house now.  If I don't wipe his face after a meal or drink he gets it everywhere. ::) 

And I love it 8-)

-Dennis- (who is married to an absolute Angel)

Great looking fella, Dennis.   :)

Best wishes,

George

Rufus looks like one great dog. :)
Congratulations!

Sanna

DennisM1045 wrote on Dec 16^th, 2009 at 2:41pm:

Potter wrote on Dec 16th, 2009 at 2:18pm: Now that's a dog.     Potter We've got this huge farmer's table in the kitchen.  Last night I'm eating and his nose in in my lap.  My wife is yelling on the other side of the table.  I look up and see the dogs tail in her plate  ;D Priceless!!! -Dennis-

So the solution to that one -- Set the "baby" a plate at the table.  :) 

Congrats Dennis... He's precious..

I've got four "babies" two over 100 pounds and a Jack Russell and a Boston. The big ones look like they could do some harm (maybe by licking you to death) and the little ones are devious... Now the CATS are another matter. All four dogs do as the cats tell them.

The funniest thing is watching a 100+ pound dog back off when a 6 pound cat walks up to the food bowl. But the cats around here get "respect!"

Rufus looks like he's found his PLACE and ain't goin' no where anytime soon. I think he's "bonded".

Merry Christmas...

:-*