This morning while I was out on my regular morning walk with one of my dogs my dog was attacked by a mastiff. A guy across the street from us was walking the mastiff, when the mastiff saw my dog he bolted and immediately went after my dog. There was no warning or antecedent behavior. The mastiff just went after my dog. I’m not sure whether he started to bite her or not—she certainly had saliva on her coat. I startled the mastiff by yelling at him which gave the owner just enough time to dash across the street and get control over his dog.
I really cannot understand why anyone in his right mind would walk a mastiff that he couldn’t control in the first place. Pound for pound dogs are significantly stronger than we are. There’s no conceivable way that you can physically overpower a dog that weighs 150 pounds or more. Using a sturdier lead doesn’t cut it. The dog will just jerk the lead right out of your hands.
If you absolutely, positively must walk your mastiff and you don’t have reliable control over your dog, by all means use a skijoring hip belt or something of the sort. I’m sure the dog will drag you right off your feet but at least the weight of your body will slow the dog down enough so that he or she won’t be a threat to other people.
I have known some absolutely lovely mastiffs over the years and have frequently found them to be sweet-tempered dogs. But this dog was aggressive. He ran right across the street without hesitation to go after my dog. That suggests to me a dog that hasn’t been properly socialized.
Mastiffs can be great dogs but they aren’t for everybody. Like all dogs they’re a commitment of time, money, and attention. If you don’t have the means or the inclination to devote to the dog, get one that doesn’t carry as much responsibility as a dog that can be eight feet long when standing on its hind legs and can weigh over 300 pounds.
Wow! That’s frightening. Luckily you were quick to respond and the owner was able to get the dog under control.