Always hard to decide for the "perfect" match. I researched 4 years in order to get the right dog and in the end had it down to 2 breeds, the Alano Espanol and the Swinford. Well guess what, after all I didn't get neither one of them...!lol Instead, I went with a Boar hunter in the Illinois that breeds once a year for his hunting needs, and I am very, very happy with the girl I got!! I do a lot of hiking in southern California, and needed a dog to be the size I believe is perfect for my needs, 75lbs-80lbs. Also wanted a dog that has great prey drive, defense drive, and fight drive. have you looked into the Boeboel, or the Boerboel/Ridgeback cross?