meet the giants

Meet the Giants: Leonberger

Guys, I have just been itching for this Meet the Giants post! While I will always have Great Pyrenees, Nick and I have been really interested in Leonbergers for awhile.

They are beautiful, beautiful dogs with such great personalities. I’m sure we will have one sometime down the road! To avoid me gabbing on and on, I’ll turn it over to Susie Jump to talk about this absolutely striking breed.

All information and photos are credited to Susie Jump.

If you currently have a Leonberger, please list their names, ages, and gender.
FozzieBear 7.5yr entire male, MojoLion 6yr neutered male, FleaBagMonkeyFace 2yr entire male.

Are there any other names/nicknames for the Leonberger?
If yes, list here. Lean-on-berger (like most giants they make good use of you if you stay still too long!), Wookies (they talk like Wookies), Peruvian Teddy Bear Dog (one I made up, which I use when I get sick of saying Leonberger!  )

What are three words you would use to describe the Leonberger?
Agile, intelligent, majestic

What is the Leonberger’s average size?
Height at withers: Dogs 72-80cms (28¼-31½ ins) ranging between 120-180lb; Bitches 65-75cms (25½ -29½ ins) usually between 90 – 145lbs.

What are the acceptable colors of the Leonberger?
Lion gold, red, reddish brown, sandy (fawn or cream) and all combinations in between, always with a black mask. Black hair tips are permitted but black must not dominate basic colour.

What is the average lifespan?
8-10, although the oldest recorded Leonberger was 17!

What was the Leonberger bred to do?
The Leonberger was bred to represent the lion on the town crest of Leonberg

How much exercise does the Leonberger need?
They are the most active, agile and versatile of the giants! Mine regularly walk 6-8 miles a day. Although exercise is restricted for growing puppies, and any activity must be built up slowly.

What are some common health problems?
DCM, LPN, Hip/elbow dysplasia, cancer, cataracts, Glaucoma

How much grooming does the Leonberger require?
Extensive! They have a thick double coat, shed throughout the year, but will completely drop their coat at least once a year.

What do you wish people knew about the Leonberger before bringing one home?
They need early training and socialization! Too many are rehomed when they hit adolescence as they’ve suddenly become 10 stone loons due to lack of training!

Why do you love the Leonberger?
Because they’re so versatile, if you build a good relationship they will do anything you ask of them. My boys show, take part in water rescue and draught work, they’re therapy dogs and blood donors, they’ve competed at agility, flyball, and obedience, they’ve tried afghan racing and rig-racing, rally, tracking, dancing to music……………the list goes on!

Anything else you want to say?
They’re not for everyone. They love water, they love mud, they think they’re a lap-dog, they can destroy a 3-piece suite in seconds if bored, they shed hair like there’s no tomorrow, insurance is expensive, there are health problems, they are not suited to kennel life and need to be part of the family.

They like to bop you with a massive paw and butt you with a great big nose, habits that are cute as a puppy wear very thin as a 10 stone dog. They need to be kept occupied.

They love to work and walks take forever because everyone stops you! BUT if you click, you will find yourself with the most loyal, sensitive, loving, intelligent best friend in the world, and I guarantee you won’t stop at one!

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Meet the Giants: Akbash

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Today on Meet the Giants, the Akbash! Head over to read all about this amazing livestock guardian dog.

Today, we have another big, white, livestock guardian dog to talk about – the Akbash! Many thanks to Emily Musgrove for the information and Amanda Kaiser for the pictures 🙂

If you currently have an Akbash, please list the name, age, and gender.
I have fostered 14 Akbash mixes and 1 purebred mom. Ages ranging from 2 days old to 2 years old.

Are there any names/nicknames for the Akbash?
I only know them as Akbash, many mistake them for pyrs, or lab/pyr/golden mixes. They only come in white and are descents of the Anatolian Shepherd which comes from the Turkish Kangal. Akbash are basically white Anatolian’s but are now considered their own breed like the white GSD.

What are three words you would use to describe the Akbash?
Aloof, watchful, and loyal once they trust you.

What is the Akbash’s average size?
Breed size is 90-150lbs

What is the average lifespan?
10-12 years

What are common health problems of the Akbash?
Joint issues

How much grooming does the Akbash require?
Grooming, lots of brushing, lots of shedding. Tend to have double dew claws watch for rear dews too.

What was the Akbash originally bred to do?
Originally bred for guarding livestock mostly sheep and goats. They have less coat than a pyr so they do better in warmer climates.

What do you wish people knew about the Akbash?
This breed is aloof unless they trust you. If they choose to work you must still feed and take care of them or they will get up and leave. They can be difficult to motivate so they are not the dog for dog sports. They tend to be very quiet unlike the pyr and they also tend not to have prey drive problems. Mine have always loved cats.

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Meet the Giants: Neapolitan Mastiff

Meet the Giants: Kangal

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Today on Meet the Giants, the Kangal! Head over to learn more information about this stunning livestock guardian dog.

With the busy holiday season, it’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a Meet the Giants post! Time to get back in the swing of things and get posting again. Without further introduction, the Kangal!

(Images and information provided by Emily Musgrove)

If you have/had a Kangal, please list their name, age, and gender.
Indy, pure breed female, 7 mix puppies

Are there any other names/nicknames for the Kangal? If yes, list here.
No.

What are three words you would use to describe the Kangal?
Independent, Aloof, Watchful.

What is the Kangal’s average size?
Most are between 100-150 males can be up to 200. Most of mine were 120.

What are the acceptable colors of the Kangal?
Variation of blond with black mask. Can have a saddle.

What is the average lifespan?
10-12 years

What was the Kangal bred to do?
Guard livestock in Turkey

How much exercise does the Kangal need?
1-2 mile walks are plenty

What are some common health problems?
Heart disease, joint problems, eye problems.

How much grooming does the Kangal require?
They do shed a lot of short hairs but no hair cuts or anything extra.

What do you wish people knew about the Kangal before bringing one home?
Research!!!!!! Kangals are meant to work; they are a rare breed but not for everyone. They need a job and someone to help them decide between friend or foe.

They tend to bark and not like new people in their home. Indy would bark her head off but because she trusted me to keep the family safe, I could tell her to stand down and she would sit back and watch or decide she liked the person and play like a puppy.

Why do you love the Kangal?
They are a hoot. They tend to be very watchful with strangers but silly butts with their family. You can’t get anything past them. If they want to work they will, if not they won’t. They are very loyal and once they have a good relationship they will do everything for their family.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Kangals are one of the rarest breeds in the US. They are not allowed legally out of Turkey. Almost all of the ones found in the US trace back to a few dogs there were smuggled here in the 70’s.

Be careful when looking for one, many are inbreed or are mixes. Kangals are the original or motherland of the LGD’s. The Anatolian came from the Kangal, the Akbash indirectly too.

What a stunning, stunning breed! I had no idea that they aren’t legally allowed out of Turkey. Definitely something to be aware of if you are interested in the breed and living outside of Turkey. Thanks again to Emily!

Did you learn anything new about the Kangal?

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Meet the Giants: Boerboel

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This week on Meet the Giants, we're talking about the Boerboel! Read more for tons of fabulous breed information!

Today on Meet the Giants, we’re going to be talking about the Boerboel! This is another breed that I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting in person, but it’s just such a stunning breed!

Many thanks to Emily Musgrove for providing the information and pictures of the Boerboel!

If you currently have a Boerboel, please list their names, ages, and gender.
Egypt 4 years, female spayed. I have had 21, including Egypt as fosters.

Are there any other names/nicknames for the Boerboel? If yes, list here.
African Mastiff, South African Mastiff

What are three words you would use to describe the Boerboel? Independent, Intense, Dramatic

What is the average size of a Boerboel?
Most are between 100-150, males can be up to 200. Most of mine were 120.

What are the acceptable colors of the Boerboel?
Fawn, apricot and Brindle. Black is not accepted by AKC and most other registries do not accept, piebald, blue or anything with more than 30% white.

What is the average lifespan?
10-12 years

What was the Boerboel bred to do?
Guard people from lions and predators in Africa. Some say they were breed to guard diamond mines too. I have never had one guard things always people.

How much exercise does the Boerboel need?
High for a mastiff but low for most breeds. 1-2 mile walks are plenty.

What are some common health problems?
Heart disease, joint problems, eye problems.

How much grooming does the breed require?
They do shed a lot of little short hairs but no hair cuts or anything extra.

What do you wish people knew about the Boerboel before bringing one home?
Research!!!!!! This is not a breed for 90% of the population. They are only loyal to the family and they do not like change or strangers. If you like the look but want a social dog, go for a Bullmastiff instead.

Why do you love Boerboels?
I love the spunk, the attitude, and they are not for everyone. They love their family and not many others. I love that they are more agile than most mastiff but still laid back.

They get their feelings hurt and do not respond well to punishment or force. They really need positive reinforcement based training. Tell a Boerboel to do something and they will give you a look; make them do it and you will get hurt. Ask them to do it and reward them and they will jump over the moon for you.

The same could be said of Neos.

I found this week’s Meet the Giants post SO interesting because I don’t know a single thing about Boerboels! I love people that truly embrace the personality of each breed. Thanks again, Emily, for all the info!

Interested in your own Boerboel? Head to Big Dogs Huge Paws for a list of available dogs and more information!

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Meet the Giants: Cane Corso

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This week on Meet the Giants, we're talking about the Cane Corso! Read more for tons of fabulous breed information!

Next up on our Meet the Giants series, the Cane Corso! I’ve only met one Cane Corso and he was such a stunning boy. Since I don’t know much (well, really anything) about the breed, Teresa Mysyk is going to help us out today!

All information and photos are credited to Teresa Mysyk.

If you currently have a Cane Corso, please list the name, age, and gender for each.
Moose, 4, male

Are there any other names/nicknames for the Cane Corso? If yes, list here.
Corso, Cane, and Italian Mastiff

What are three words you would use to describe the Cane Corso?
Powerful, sensitive, and intelligent.

What is the average size of a Cane Corso?
Around 26” inches at the shoulder and 90 to 100 pounds.

What are the acceptable colors of the Cane Corso?
Black, Black Brindle, Chestnut Brindle, Fawn, Gray, Gray Brindle, Red are the acceptable colors with or without markings of Gray Mask or Black Mask.

What is the average lifespan?
10 to 11 years

What was the Cane Corso bred to do?
This is a hunting mastiff. They are the light sporting mastiff. 🙂

How much exercise does a Cane Corso typically need?
This is an energetic mastiff. They are considered a medium energy breed but I would classify it more medium high. They love to run and play and are a far cry from the English Mastiff or even the other Italian Mastiff, the Neapolitan.

What are some common health problems?
They are a strong well-built animal but being large breed dysplasia, bloat are to be considered as well as other orthopedic issues. They are also reported to have high rates of seizure disorders and heart disorders.

How much grooming does the Cane Corso require?
They are a short coated dog. Grooming is minimal but mine love to roll in mud so there is some bathing.

What do you wish people knew about the Cane Corso before bringing one home?
This is an intelligent sensitive breed. I am a proponent of positive training and this breed demands it. This is a dog that needs to have a strong bond with its family. This large, impressive animal/ little, adorable puppy needs you for love, direction, comfort, protection as well as shelter, food, and water for the entirety of its life.

Why do you love the Cane Corso?
When Moose came into my life I swore I wouldn’t have another. I have since had three more. They are smart and eager to please. His first foster home was unable to care for him so I was asked to help out.

Moose came in with issues. He would jump on people. He would seek out eye contact with folks and growl, he meant it too. He was an 85-pound fearful ball of teeth and fur. He was especially pushy with women and kids.

I have kids. This was an issue. Operation life is awesome began. Moose loves other dogs. He is a little more excitable than I like on a leash but he gets on well with them.

He is also great with other animals, all his stuff was focused on people. So we showed him a posh life with good food. When he would act out he would be removed from the room and sent to his bed. He decided pets and cuddles are the way to go. He now sleeps with the oldest.

Moose had a high bite resistance. He would have bitten had he been pushed but he gave us loads of warning so we could diffuse and not escalate. I would not recommend this with other dogs and kids. 🙂

He is now a very much beloved member of the family. He has become invaluable with other dogs we foster. I wouldn’t dream of giving him up but when we took him it was because we didn’t want him to get in trouble somewhere else.

My other foster Corsos were less Athena, female, fawn with a gray mask. She had anxiety, likely from the many homes she had. She was here a year before moving on to her furever home.

She was so smart, she would catch onto anything we asked her to do. She loved agility, long walks, playing rope. She didn’t like carrying a backpack, though. Now, she is an only dog and I hope her life is perfect and full of snuggles.

Garth, male, black with brindle legs. He was a sweet goofy 10-month-old puppy. At 100 pounds, he was a lot to handle, though. He came in with the worst aggression story, but I never saw it. He was a 100 pound, 10-month-old puppy.

He had no size awareness, but there was no mean in that dog. He was so smart and learned so many tricks. He loved to chase his ball and play in the snow. He has a great life now in a wonderful home.

Yoda, male, gray brindle. Yoda was a talking growling monster. He had been relinquished to the humane society and was garnering the wrong kind of attention. I brought him home to foster.

Yoda is 130 pounds, he is very large for a Corso. Yoda was a fearful dog. He was short on bite resistance with people he wasn’t familiar with. He made a lot of noises constantly growling and demanding things. He stole my heart. This was one of the hardest times I have had giving up a foster. He has a wonderful home with another amazing dog.

They are smart, they need a solid relationship with their people. Love, direction and connection are the keys.

Anything else you want to say?
This is really the best way for all breeds, but the smaller ones do less damage.

Interested in adding a Cane Corso to your family? Check out Big Dogs Huge Paws to see their available Corsos and determine if they’re the breed for you!

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Meet the Giants: Great Dane

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This week on Meet the Giants, the Great Dane! Come learn about this majestic breed with us!

Next up – the Great Dane! Mauja and Atka have a few Great Dane buddies and it’s so much fun to see them run around and play. Thinking about adding a Great Dane to your family? Here’s some information about this stunning breed.

Special thanks to Kristie Mendralla for the awesome information and photos!

If you currently have a Great Dane, please list their name, age, and gender.

Ripley, 7, Male. (Previously had Hudson and Porter, both male Danes.) We also have a male English Mastiff named Bromley who is 6 yrs old.

Are there any other names/nicknames for Great Danes?

Great Dane is frequently shortened to Dane. They are often called Velcro Dogs because they are happiest when they are with their people.

What are three words you would use to describe the Great Dane?

Goofy, Playful, Affectionate

What’s the average size of a Great Dane?

Males are generally 130-180 lbs, Females are generally 100-150 lbs.

What are the acceptable colors of a Great Dane?

There are six colors of Dane that are acceptable for showing: Fawn, Mantle, Harlequin, Brindle, Blue, Black. Danes can come in many other colors though, the most common are Merle and White.

What is a Great Danes average lifespan?

Generally 6-9 years, although occasionally you’ll hear of one making it to 11 or 12.

What were Great Danes originally bred to do?

Originally bred to hunt boars.

How much exercise do Great Danes typically need?

1-2 decent walks a day are sufficient. They are generally couch potatoes and make excellent apartment dogs, which seems counterintuitive given their size. One thing to note is that Danes are not considered fully grown until they are 2 and their growth plates have closed.

Anyone looking for their Dane to be their running partner needs to be cognizant that they can’t be taken running until they are at least 2, and it should be cleared with a vet first.

What are some common health problems for Great Danes?

Great Danes are especially prone to Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly known as bloat. This is a condition in which the stomach fills up with gas, and as the pressure increases, the stomach can rotate in the abdomen, cutting off blood supply to the organs.

This condition progresses rapidly and can cause the animal’s death in a matter of hours. Sometimes, emergency surgery can save the dog, but it can cost anywhere from $3,000- $5,000.

Danes are also prone to orthopedic issues like hip dysplasia and spondylosis, as well as a neurological condition called Wobbler Syndrome. It’s caused by a narrowing in the cervical vertebrae and causes the dog to have a “wobbly” gait in the rear legs.

In the most severe of cases, the dog gradually loses control of their rear end until paralysis sets in. Surgery can be an option for some dogs, but can cost upwards of $10,000.

How much grooming do Great Danes need?

Very minimal. Great Danes have short coats and are low odor. We only bathe our Dane once a year, usually in the Spring, and use grooming wipes occasionally in between. Great Danes do shed, but their hair is very fine. We use a rubber curry brush once a day to remove excess hair, but many people don’t brush their Danes at all.

What do you wish people knew about Great Danes before bringing one home?

Great Danes are meant to be with their people. They are nicknamed “velcro dogs” for a reason. They are not meant to be locked outside and used as guard dogs, particularly in the winter when their short coat is no barrier to the weather.

It’s also important to note that Great Danes eat a decent amount of food per day. Our Dane is 130 lbs and eats 6 cups of kibble per day. The average Labrador eats 2 cups a day, so it’s important to factor cost of kibble into your monthly budget.

Further, big dogs cost more in almost all aspects. They need bigger, more expensive dog beds that will stand up to their weight. Most medications are administered by weight, so vet care is more expensive for giants as well.

Why do you love Great Danes?

Great Danes are the clowns of the dog world. They are goofballs who adore their people and want to be with them at all times.

Anything else you want to say?

It should be noted that Danes both drool and snore, so potential adopters would want to be aware of that. 🙂

There we go friends – the Great Dane! Interested in adding a Dane to your clan? Head over to Big Dogs Huge Paws to see their available Danes! Do you have a Great Dane? Anything else we should add to this post?

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Meet the Giants: Kuvasz

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This week on Meet the Giants we're talking about the Kuvasz!

For today’s installment of Meet the Giants, we have the Kuvasz! The Kuvasz and Great Pyrenees are both big, white, fluffy, livestock guardian dogs, but with a few key differences.

Our pals at My GBGV Life are helping us out with today’s post!

If you currently have a Kuvasz, please list their names, ages, and gender.

Katie, 13, spayed female

Are there any other names/nicknames for the Kuvasz? If yes, list here.

What are three words you would use to describe the breed?

Strong, independent, loyal

What is the average size of a Kuvasz?

Males 70-115 lbs, females 70-90 lbs

What are the acceptable colors of a Kuvasz?

White

What is the average lifespan?

12-14 yrs

What was the Kuvasz bred to do?

Guard livestock without human supervision. They were placed with the animals they were to guard at a young age and grew up feeling like part of the herd and would do anything to protect them.

How much exercise does the Kuvasz need?

A medium amount of exercise. They are not hyper dogs, but they need a good walk or run at least once a day to expend energy.

What are some common health problems?

Hip dysplasia, and growing too fast as puppies. It’s important to feed the right diet to keep their growth in check, and also monitor exercise until their joints are all set to prevent problems later in life.

How much grooming does the Kuvasz require?

They shed a lot all year, but twice a year with the season change they really blow their coats. The Kuvasz needs to be brushed at least once a week and when they are changing coats, every two days or so.

What do you wish people knew about the Kuvasz before bringing one home?

Socialize, socialize, socialize! These are guard dogs by nature and if you don’t socialize them properly with people, animals, new places, they will start guarding you and your home and it will become a problem. It is not a breed for the faint of heart. They are not easy to train and are challenging, but if you are up for the challenge, the Kuvasz is wonderful!

Why do you love the breed?

They are so beautiful and loving to their family. People and cars are always stopping to tell me what a beautiful dog I have. I also love the challenge they present being such independent thinkers. Nothing is easy with the breed but, I like it that way.

Anything else you want to say?

I love the Kuvasz. Katie has brought me to tears at times with her naughty, independent side, but she has been such a loving girl her whole life. I would love to have another, but frankly, the 24/7/365 shedding of white fur is just too much for me. I need a break from fur. It is a great breed of dog, but the owner needs to have control of a Kuvasz and it is not good as a first dog in most cases.

So there you have it! A little bit of info about the Kuvasz. I cannot express enough how much I love the statement about being brought to tears with their naughty, independent side, but that they are so loving. I think it perfectly sums up livestock guardian breeds 🙂

Want to see more of Katie and the rest of the pups at My GBGV Life? Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

We hope you learned something new about the Kuvasz and check back next week for another giant breed!

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Meet the Giants: Newfoundland

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This week on Meet the Giants - the Newfoundland! Check back weekly for information about other giant breeds!

Last week we kicked off our Meet the Giants series with the Great Pyrenees. Today, our friends over at My Brown Newfies will be talking all things Newfoundland!

Do you currently have a Newfoundland?

Sherman-9 years old. Male. Leroy-7 years old. Male

Are there any other names/nicknames for the Newfoundland?

Newf. Newfie.

What are three words you would use to describe Newfoundlands?

Gentle. Loyal. Massive.

What is the average size of a Newfoundland?

Males=130-150 lbs. Females=100-130 lbs

What are the acceptable colors of a Newfoundland?

Black, Brown, Grey and Landseer (white with black markings)

What is the average lifespan?

To age 8-10 but many Newfoundlands these days are living well past 12!

What were Newfoundlands bred to do?

Water rescue and draft work, but many Newfoundlands also can be found doing therapy work in nursing homes, hospitals and schools.

How much exercise do Newfoundlands need?

Moderate to low. Should have daily walks and belly rubs.

What are some common health problems?

Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, SAS, hypothyroidism, cystinuria. allergies, bloat.

How much grooming does the breed require?

Daily

What do you wish people knew about Newfoundlands before bringing one home?

That they are a full time commitment and those cute little fluffy puppies will quickly grow to giant dogs that shed and drool all over house. They are a breed that is happiest when they are with their family. They require daily care and love. If they get sick you can expect giant vet bills.

Why do you love Newfoundlands?

I love the their sweet temperament and goofiness.

Anything else you want to say?

A Newfoundland dog is not for everyone. There’s a saying,, “Newfoundland. Not just a dog it’s lifestyle” and that couldn’t be more true. Newfies will change your life.

If you want to keep up with Sherman and Leroy, follow My Brown Newfies on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Hope you learned something new about Newfoundlands and check back next week for another giant breed!

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