Breeds

Anyone who comes to the farm will at some point, meet our dogs. Our dogs represent a variety of breeds, mostly mollossor in type, and are all very good examples of their breed in both behaviour and build. Below you can find information about some of our dogs breeds.

Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs have also been called the "Gamekeepers Night Dog", referring to their history of being used to protect Gamekeepers in their pursuit of preventing poaching. Although Mastiffs in general have been used for guard duties and protection, Bullmastiffs in particular were bred with the instinct to throw their quarry to the ground, pinning them down without ever biting with intent to gore or savage. Using their massive weight, Bullmastiffs are very successful with this strategy.

Gamekeepers needed a powerful, well-disciplined dog who could find, pin and control a poacher, until the gamekeeper themselves could come to deal with the intruder. With this criteria, Mastiffs were bred with Bulldogs, producing the Bullmastiff: a dog with the tenacity, strength and self reliance of a bulldog, and the powerful, trustworthy and intimidating appearance of the mastiff. With these dogs producing a dog who was being specifically chosen, trained and bred to pin down the intruders, rather than wasting time biting and grappling with them, while looking imposing enough to deter anyone. Bullies hold themselves almost arrogantly, as if they know that if need be, they will be a force to be reckoned with, their determined natures ensuring that once they start a job, they won't finish until they are satisfied that everything is to their standards-- beit the safety of their property or their family.

There has been great success with these dogs as family pets-- they are very tolerant, as well as intelligent, while being unerringly loyal to their families. (Bullmastiff Fanciers of Canada)

The Bullmastiff should be powerfully built, showing great strength and power. They should present themselves as being active, without being cumbersome; upright and compact in appearance. They should have strong legs with good bone. Withers should be nearly level with the hindquarters. Their heads should be large, square and with a good amount of wrinkles, especially when the dog is interested. The forehead should be flat with a furrow between the eyes, and the muzzle should be within proportion to the rest of the head. A black mask should always be present, acceptable breed colours include fawn, apricot, and brindle. (Canadian Kennel Club)

Boxer

A breed produced from selective breeding the German Bullenbeisser with various other molosser type dogs, Boxers were bred to be an agile, imposing security dog, but were most successful in the bull baiting ring.

Spirited pets, they were used for security, to be companions as well as escorts. Great family pets, they are high energy and very sensitive in regards to their owners-- having been described as "leader sensitive", demanding that they are handled in a civilized manner, not being able to stand a hard hand or injustice (Stockmann, My Life with Boxers)

Medium sized, the boxer should be a sturdy, square built dog with a short back, strong legs and a short coat. Muscles should be well developed, being clean and smooth, not bulging. Their movements should suggest energy, their gait being firm yet springy and ground covering, and above all, their carriage proud. They should be built to look as if they can withstand the most strenuous of efforts, making them versatile in their activity. The head is the most important identifying feature of the breed-- it should be in perfect proportion to the body, with a proportional muzzle. Without looking bulldoggish, the boxers head should have wrinkles when the ears are erect, and an undershot jaw. A mask must always be present, although white markings may also be present, they must not exceed 1/3 of the entire body colour. Boxers come in red, fawn and brindle-- entirely white boxers do occur, but are not accepted in the breed standard. Tails may be docked, and ears may be cropped. (Canadian Kennel Club)

Rotteweiler

Originally bred from dogs used by the Roman Legions to herd and guard their cattle while on campaigns, Rotties were bred in Rottweil, Germany by butchers for similar purchases. Also known as "butchers dogs", they were successful in guarding and herding cattle, as well as protecting their owners money in small bags tied around their necks. A hard task, an intelligent dog with lots of endurance and strength was needed to keep the cattle in check. These traits led to producing a dog with great aptitude as not only a family pet, but a protector, allowing them to excel in field such as police work and personal and property protection. A rottweiler should never be vicious or shy, -- while not expected to tolerate being excessively handled by strangers, a Rottie should stand and allow physical examination from others when asked.

  The rottweiler should be robust and powerful, with its characteristic black coat with tan markings along the muzzle, chest, and legs. Their coats are of medium length, with an undercoat present. The topline should be firm and level, their tail should be set to remain level from the body as well. Tails, if docked, should be docked close to the body. Heads should be in proportion, but large and square, with minimal wrinkling unless the dog is alert. Overall the Rottweiler should present themselves as a powerful, alert dog capable of feats of endurance, with a trotting gait. (Canadian Kennel Club)