I say the easiest way to bring up your machismo, is to find a friendly breed and stick a muzzle or head halter on it. I know it sounds stupid and probably embarrasses the hell out of the dog, but $20 will make even a lab cause people to cross the street when you pass by. You really don't need a big dog to boost the ego, just dress it up right. Heck, people cross the street when we walk Tikaani and he's just a 60lb, people loving husky.
And boy does he have incredible prey drive and strength. When he was young and he wants something he WANTS it and the only thing that helped me to stop him was the tree I happened to grab onto. He still I'd hate to know what it's like being pulled by a 200+lb dog with the same desire.
Personally, I find the NK breeds to have very unstable personalities, being that without everything being perfect in how you raise them, who you get them from, etc; you could wind up with a big liability. And even when you do everything perfect, they still manage to throw a curve ball attitude. And then they'll surprise you with something good, like being in a situation that you thought they would normally react negatively to, to find that they acted totally the opposite.
From what has been said, a Tosa sounds like a big responsibility that could even be a liability. From my experience growing up with a few everything aggressive/possesive dogs, and from seeing other's exeriences, that is something that could wind up making the dog more of a headache than a companion
Well, the dogs I mentioned, I took the word of WikiPedia (bad idead) on the listing of fighting dogs. MolossosGR is a YouTuber who breeds the Epirou dog I mentioned. Plus, he's Greek. Thus, he and I both know the Epirou is the modern version of the Molosser proper. They are big because he told me they weigh between 99-154+ pounds.
Ok, I've been reading this thread, and trying to be diplomatic, but I've gotta go with other people who said "really?" because while we do all want dogs for our own reasons, I can't think of a worse reason to get a dog that because it will make you look manly...or boost your ego. Dogs are individuals, not extensions of us. Wanting an aggressive dog for reasons like this is how dogs end up being killed...because people don't socialize them, because they think it's cool to have a tough dog, when in fact they often have a fearful dog who looks fierce: because the dog is terrified.
I could say there are AA's that would fit the bill for you want. It would, very likely, be an AA who was either under socialized and generally fearful (they'll put on a good display for people who don't the difference) or who had a really bad temperament. I hope you don't find a dog to fit this profile, though, because I can't see how that dog will fare well. A dog like you say you want will be a serious liability, and either the dog or someone else will end up paying for it.
My husband just shrugged when I told him about this conversation and said, "huh. I'd be manly whether I was with our Akita or our Shibas or with a yorkshire terrier." Yeah. Dogs don't make the man. Or woman.
"My husband just shrugged when I told him about this conversation and said, "huh. I'd be manly whether I was with our Akita or our Shibas or with a yorkshire terrier." Yeah. Dogs don't make the man. Or woman."
LOL @shibamistress, it takes a real man to walk down the street with a bichon or most other toy breeds.
I have a pit bull, and akita, and a shikoku; and my role.... my mission is to protect THEM. To keep them safe. Here where I live (mind you I don't have the predatory threats of mountain lions and coyote that Brad has) I feel that if my dogs feel threatened enough to guard or protect me that means that I have failed them. For a dog to obey their owner, they need to trust them. And to trust their owner that owner needs to earn their respect. My dogs know that no harm will come to them when they are with me. If a potential assailant approached me and my dogs I would absolutely put myself in harms way before I would ask it of my dogs. And someone or something would have to kill me first before my dogs would be hurt.
But sometimes walking with a cute dog might help to get ladies attention . This really is the reason why my little brother takes our schips out so often . And he usually mentions Ife "the rare Kai Ken" when he chit-chat with girls who know something about dogs.
Brad! That picture is nuts. But you know what I see when I see that, I see a man who is terribly insecure (compensating for shortcomings much....). Who, quite frankly is probably lousy in the sack (and worse, thinks he is a champ). And will probably get killed by his Hyena. And all I want to do is squeeze that poor hyena and scratch his tummy.
"Also, one that when you're seen walking around with it, it gives that tough person vibe."
When you walk down the street with a "tough looking dog", people in passing are going to say to themselves, "That's a tough looking dog", not "That's a tough looking dude". If you aren't a tough guy already, the dog isn't going change that. JMO
"I guess I am more into that persona of having a 200+ pound dog as a companion to represent my ego"
Only you can be the true representation of yourself.
the hyena thing was pretty interesting, actually, as I went to find out more about it. It's from a series of photographs of Nigerian traveling entertainers who have three hyenas and two monkeys that they travel with. Now I'm sure the hyenas would be happier in the wild, and probably they aren't treated as well as I would like, but they are apparently, not just random guys with hyenas.
And I totally agree with Kelly... If I see a tough looking dog, I look at the dog, not the person.
As for the OP... I am really glad that you will be waiting a few years to add a dog to your life. This way you can get some more life experience and hopefully some more self confidence as well. (Not saying that you do not have any, but getting a tough dog to look tough is saying a little something about how you view yourself) Do some REAL research (not just looking at wikipedia) and meet some of these dogs. Talk with REAL breeders and visit them and their dogs. Find out what really makes the dogs tick and make an informed decision on what will be best for you, your family, and your future dog.
I applaud you for trying to do some research at this early stage, but just because it is posted on the interwebs does not make it a cold hard fact.
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And boy does he have incredible prey drive and strength. When he was young and he wants something he WANTS it and the only thing that helped me to stop him was the tree I happened to grab onto. He still I'd hate to know what it's like being pulled by a 200+lb dog with the same desire.
Personally, I find the NK breeds to have very unstable personalities, being that without everything being perfect in how you raise them, who you get them from, etc; you could wind up with a big liability. And even when you do everything perfect, they still manage to throw a curve ball attitude. And then they'll surprise you with something good, like being in a situation that you thought they would normally react negatively to, to find that they acted totally the opposite.
From what has been said, a Tosa sounds like a big responsibility that could even be a liability. From my experience growing up with a few everything aggressive/possesive dogs, and from seeing other's exeriences, that is something that could wind up making the dog more of a headache than a companion
I could say there are AA's that would fit the bill for you want. It would, very likely, be an AA who was either under socialized and generally fearful (they'll put on a good display for people who don't the difference) or who had a really bad temperament. I hope you don't find a dog to fit this profile, though, because I can't see how that dog will fare well. A dog like you say you want will be a serious liability, and either the dog or someone else will end up paying for it.
My husband just shrugged when I told him about this conversation and said, "huh. I'd be manly whether I was with our Akita or our Shibas or with a yorkshire terrier." Yeah. Dogs don't make the man. Or woman.
LOL @shibamistress, it takes a real man to walk down the street with a bichon or most other toy breeds.
To keep them safe.
Here where I live (mind you I don't have the predatory threats of mountain lions and coyote that Brad has) I feel that if my dogs feel threatened enough to guard or protect me that means that I have failed them. For a dog to obey their owner, they need to trust them. And to trust their owner that owner needs to earn their respect. My dogs know that no harm will come to them when they are with me.
If a potential assailant approached me and my dogs I would absolutely put myself in harms way before I would ask it of my dogs. And someone or something would have to kill me first before my dogs would be hurt.
Real men don't need their dogs to fight for them.
http://www.coolhunting.com/culture/assets/images/hyena3.jpg
When you walk down the street with a "tough looking dog", people in passing are going to say to themselves, "That's a tough looking dog", not "That's a tough looking dude". If you aren't a tough guy already, the dog isn't going change that. JMO
"I guess I am more into that persona of having a 200+ pound dog as a companion to represent my ego"
Only you can be the true representation of yourself.
And I totally agree with Kelly... If I see a tough looking dog, I look at the dog, not the person.
As for the OP... I am really glad that you will be waiting a few years to add a dog to your life. This way you can get some more life experience and hopefully some more self confidence as well. (Not saying that you do not have any, but getting a tough dog to look tough is saying a little something about how you view yourself) Do some REAL research (not just looking at wikipedia) and meet some of these dogs. Talk with REAL breeders and visit them and their dogs. Find out what really makes the dogs tick and make an informed decision on what will be best for you, your family, and your future dog.
I applaud you for trying to do some research at this early stage, but just because it is posted on the interwebs does not make it a cold hard fact.