Chimera Kennels

This is Achilles. 

I talked to Lee about him a few days ago and thought everyone could benifit from the advice he gave me. Achilles is a very aggressive 160 or so pound blue brindle Neo. I just got him. The problem is he's 5 years old, has no OB training and has only ever had one owner. The challenge for me is to earn his trust and build a working relationship with him without getting eaten. I should also mention the first time I met him he bit me.  I came to Lee since I know he's done this more than once with aggressive grown mastiffs. I'll let Lee write it in his own words. He's starting to take to me I've had him for about a week, and he hasn't shown me any aggression in several days. It's going to take me a long time but I really look forward to getting this dog in shape and doing some bitework with him.

David,

That is a good looking Neapolitan you have there...and good Neapolitans are certainly very hard to find. I hope he turns out to be everything you and I both like...one that is actually worth using in a program. I look forward to helping you with him, and it has been my pleasure that you found some of my tips helpful. Additionally, I also look forward to working him in PP work to see how well he does...but before we do that it is certainly going to be BEST for him to establish a good bond with you. Despite his age, I imagine that he will bond with you very well over the next few weeks...and while Mastiffs are slower bonding than some others, once they do bond their bond is very strong and they are very loyal dogs...be it Neapolitan or English.

As far as my tips on how to bond with an adult mastiff that is aggressive to strangers, I really don't want to get into that on the forum...as I would hate for someone unversed in the field to try such and get hurt. IMO, that type of stuff is best dealt with by people who have experience with working mastiffs. I am sure you understand.

P.S. He looks nice and while he obviously displays Neapolitan characteristics in full, he doesn't appear to be overdone.

Hey David it's Chris Breaux from Louisiana! Achilles looks fantastic...can't wait to hear more about him! I need to call you sometime to talk dogs. Hope everyone is doing well...take care ...call you soon.

David Ishee at April 12, 2011 at 4:05 PM

Hey Chris, I haven't heard from you in a while. How's everything going. I'm very excited about him. Though I'm more excited about his pups and grandpups one day. I just did a breeding from another dog that would be your kind of dog. I think he's the tall running predator you've been looking for.

Must not be easy to control a 160lbs Neo that doesn't like you near him. He does look really nice, and i am sure he'll look better and better in time. Do you still need to do PP work with him since he is already aggressive with stangers, or will you do only basics? 

It is very hard to control him right now. Because he has no OB everything has to be physical control. Right now I have a 15 foot chain on him in his pen. Before I go in his pen I pull the chain to the post in the corner and chain him to it. That way he only has as much room as I want and I'm not locked in a cage with him able to get between me and the door. I was able to pet him freely today, on his body, feet, and head. He didn't return my affection yet but he did accept it. I think we're actually bonding faster than I expected. I was just sure to be careful with my body language and I'm very watchful of his.Once he lets me put a muzzle on him I'll be much bolder with him. 

As for training I need to give him some basic OB and I'm not really looking to do any advanced PP with him or anything like that. I do want to do some bitework with him mostly to test, and show what he can do. He won't need any training to bite anyone. The decoy will just have to get close enough, but I do want to put some control on him. I'll invest more time into training his pups. In a couple of days I should be able to get a picture with me beside him to give a good size reference. In a few weeks I may be able to safely take him to the vet and get him weighed. 160 is my guess, his previous owner didn't know what he weighs, and of everyone who's seen him my guess is the lowest. Whatever he weighs he carries it well and he isn't fat. So far he's impressed me a lot physically and mentally. 

Mr. Ishee, Achilles is a gorgeous neo, it's refreshing looking at one that isn't sloppy.

How is he going to affect your program? (namely body type, and personality)

When bred to a dog like Wendigo, will you still be producing dog "types" similar to Kronos? or would you expect something much heavier, and with a build similar to Chimera's Preacher-Man?

Thanks

BrendanG

I do expect his pups to be heavier boned, with wider chests and bigger heads. That's not exactly what I'm looking for as far as type but Kronos isn't exactly right either. Kronos is a little lean bodied for what I'm looking for. The phsyical traits I'm hoping to gain from Achilles are strong thick bones, and an incredibly muscular head and jaw, while maintaining hight. Ahilles own physical type will have less impact in the long run than my selection criteria. Remember, Kronos is half Neo himself. Though he's the product of two half neos bred togeather, so he doesn't have a pure neo for a parent and that does make a difference. If all goes well I have a pup named set I kept from my Kronos x Freya litter that should have just the type and mind I'm looking for. Though maybe not the size. I plan to breed Achilles to Freya as well later this year.

He actively sought affection from me today, he's gotten to the point where he wants to bond with me.

I got a picture showing his white markings.

Structurally, I think you have one of the nicest Neapolitans I have ever seen. I look forward to working him.

Thats a good looking Neo!

David what do u plan on doing with him breeding wise?

btw the neo looks like a beast, 

Before you stud him to any more of your females, have him tested for Brucelosis. It isn't common, but it can DESTROY a breeding program. It isn't expensive to test for either. Also, when ever you stud him out, require other to have their females checked prior to breeding.

A few new pictures from this afternoon 

This is what a neo should be...I can't wait to hear the reports on Freya's hunt as well. A breeding between those two should produce some outstanding working prospects.