[donozark]

I do not disagree with what you say re: mastiffs. The generic term as used by the newspaper. However, depending on the specific type of mastiff, it could in fact have been more aggressive. Take for instance the Italian Mastiff (Cane Corso). A giant dog. 180 pounds sometimes. Descended from ancient Tibet. Used to protect monasteries and monks. Known to engage in combat with boars and bears. Romans used them. Guard dogs and beyond.

If you happen to come across any article more definitive, please give me a heads-up.

[rarestia]

Our Old English Mastiff grew to 175 lbs. at one point and was a mountain of a dog. Sweetest thing you’d ever meet though. He used to play with our ferret. Never once hurt her. He knew his limits.

[peeps36]

I've been a Cane Corso owner since 1992 and they are not naturally aggressive. When I bought my first dog there was only a handful of breeders in America. Today there are hundreds of breeders and many are breeding for size and aggression. It's a shame to see such a good breed being ruined by greedy people. A Cane Corso shouldn't weigh more then 120 or 130 pounds and it should be leery of strangers and loyal to its family. They won't hesitate to protect the family but they don't attack for no reason.