so you want a mastiff

Ok so you've decided you can deal the with drool and the size and that the mastiffs relatively low activity level suites your lifestyle. Now where are you going to get your dog? You have 3 choices:
A- You can go to a pet store
B- You can go to a shelter or rescue group
C- You can find breeder

Let's knock A right off the list and I'll tell you why. No one who sells their pups thru a pet store or broker of any kind is putting health, temperament and the betterment of the mastiff high on their list of goals. They are only interested in making some money off these pups. If you buy a puppy from a pet store you will be very lucky if you get a mastiff that looks like a mastiff (I see a lot of pet store dogs that look like they are mastiff-dane mixes), is healthy and mentally balanced. This is a giant breed (I know I say that over and over) and if the dog is genetically unhealthy or mentally unbalanced you will wind up paying a lot of money to try and correct the situation--if it is correctable. And many times your initial costs is the same as if you had purchased from a good and reputable breeder. So stay out of the pet store! Personally I won't buy any of my supplies from pet stores that sell puppies because I think they do people a disservice.

Let's move on to B--shelters or rescue. Hopefully you will never walk into a shelter and just come across a mastiff. I say that because I hope the local mastiff rescue people get there first to properly evaluate the dog and get it into it's proper forever home. Rescue groups like FORM or Southern States Mastiff Rescue (among many more) do a great job of finding homes for mastiffs who have either been dumped at shelters or have been surrendered by their owners. Most of the dogs that come into rescue are between 3-5 years old. Puppies do not come in often --so if is a puppy you want rescue is not the best place to go unless you are prepared for a long wait. There are the occasions when older dogs looking for their last home come in and if you can be that special home than fantastic! Many times rescues come in with a bit of baggage. They may not be good with children or other dogs or cats. They require a bit of extra patience but the rewards can be great and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you saved a dog's life. Please go the Mastiff Club of America's Rescue Contacts page to find to the rescue group near you.

So now we up to choice C- Buying from a breeder. You want to buy your puppy from a good and reputable breeder. You want someone who is breeding to create pups that adhere to our breed standard as closely as possible but who also puts a premium on the health and temperament of the dogs. This pup will be a member of your family and you don't want the heartbreak of falling in love with a dog that is a physical or mental wreck. So what makes a good breeder? Personally I think a good breeder is someone who starts by health testing their dogs. There is an eternal argument among breeders from all breeds on the value of health testing. But plain and simple if you don't health test you really don't know what you are combining in your breeding--you are working in the dark and that can result in some severe consequences health-wise. In a future post I'll get into health tests but for now I will say testing is part of my personal criteria for any breeder that I would recommend. A good breeder should be there for you as a resource for your dog's entire lifetime. So when you speak with breeders make sure you feel that they can be that for you. They don't have to be your best friend--and honestly many "dog-people" don't have the best people skills--but you should feel that you can rely on them. When you contact a breeder--and many have puppy applications on their websites that can help you initiate that contact--you should feel that they are grilling you. After all you are talking to them about buying one of their babies--they should be interviewing you to be sure you will be a good home! If all they want to know is when you can send them a check--run away! A good breeder sells their pups with a contract that states should you, for any reason, not be able to keep you dog it must come back to them! A good breeder NEVER wants to see a pup of theirs wind up in rescue. And a good breeder stands by the life they've brought into this world for its ENTIRE life. The MCOA sire has a great page What Questions To ask A Breeder. read it and refer to these questions!

How do you find this good breeder? Go to dog shows and talk to mastiff owners. Check on the MCOA website for breeders/members in you area that may be willing to give you advice-Membership Directory by state. Being a member of MCOA doesn't mean that someone is a great breeder nor does it mean if they aren't a member they aren't a good breeder. But this is a good place to start. Also the Devine Farm litter announcement page is a good place to see upcoming litters that have at least soome health testing done. No judgement is made on the results of those test but at least you can look for yourself! Join some of the onine web groups and forums. fairwarning--the inherent lack of people skills problem can rear its ugly head here but have the patience to read past all the crap to find some good information!

Mastiffs Message Board
World Mastiff Forum
there are also many Yahoo groups

Responsible Dog Ownership Day (cont'd)

AKC's RDOD in Madison Square Park, NYC went very well. We had gorgeous weather and a nice turn out. Bonnie and Kirk did great as our mastiff ambassadors and we had a little help from Isabella (Hummer x Mia) and Kane who stopped by. It was interesting watching our dogs interact with their "city cousins". Many of the city dogs are "close talkers". They are used to being in close quarters so they just come right up to another dog's face. I don't recommend that owners let their dogs do that. Better to ask the other owner if their dog is good with other dogs before finding out the hard way! Thankfully our guys didn't take any offense and there were no issues.

In years past we have seen quite a few poorly bred mastiffs at this event who resemble danes more than mastiffs. This year there was none of that. Sadly we did meet quite a few puggles, -poos and -doodles. Their owners were very happy to tell us that they had spent well over a thousand dollars for these "designer breeds". There is no nice way to say it - these dogs are simply mutts created by people hoping to turn a quick buck. There is no consistency in any of these "breeds" and for the life of me I can't understand why you want to mix some of them to begin with! The breeders of these mutts are giving no thought health and temperament. For the same money you could go out and buy a well bred purebreed dog and have some clue of what you are going to wind up. Or better yet, go down to your local shelter and adopt a new family member. Take the money you save NOT supporting these irresponsible breeders and put it towards training classes and you will still be far ahead of the game. And you will have saved life!

Responsible Dog Ownership Day

Saturday, September 20th is Responsible Dog Ownership Day. The American Kennel Club is hosting an event in Madison Square Park, NYC. Many breed clubs will be manning tables, showing off their breeds, answering questions and promoting responsible dog ownership. We will working at the mastiff table with dogs.

I would say that 8 out of 10 dogs that I evaluate because their owners are giving them up to mastiff rescue are being given up because the owners simply were not responsible dog owners. Now that isn't to say that these owners were abusive or cruel in any way. But they either didn't know enough about the breed or weren't prepared to take on the responsibility of any dog let alone a giant breed. It is surprising to me how many people don't realize how big mastiffs get or that they drool or that they cost more to feed and more to take care of at the vet. But really the biggest error is when owners don't take seriously their responsibility to ensure that their dog is a good citizen. It is one thing to have a tempermental, unruly and unsocial yorkie and quite another to have that in a giant dog. it is reckless and irresponsible. That is how people get hurt.

Many times people say to me but I heard mastiffs are such good and gentle dogs. Well no dog is good out of the box. Mastiffs are good and gentle by nature but if you never train your dog to understand that you are the boss don't be surprised that it doesn't listen or becomes the leader of the pack itself. If you don't socialize your dog when it is a pup you have no idea how it will react to new situations. The dog will be essentially unpredictable and an unpredictable dog is a dangerous dog when it is 200lbs because any mistake that dog makes will be a big one!

Group training classes are a great way to train and socialize at the same time. Group lessons also helps your knowledge of dog behabior grow. By watching how your trainer helps other owners and their dogs deal with different behaviors you are better equipped to handle the situation when you dog does something similar. Positive training is a must and creates a strong bond between you and you and your dog. There is more to owning a dog than snuggling on the couch, taking a walk and playing fetch. You owe it to your dog to help him become a canine good citizen so that you and he can safely interact with each other and the public!

how active are you?

Are you the kind of person who like to run 5 miles in the morning? Or go for long bike rides and you're looking for a canine companion to come along? Are incredibly busy all week and only have a few minutes of downtime before going to bed but your weekends are fairly free? If so then this is NOT the breed for you. Mastiffs are not the most active breed. They will not go running for miles. They say you should never walk a mastiff further than you are willing to carry them back! Once a mastiff gets tired they lay down and don't get up until they are rested and now amount of cajoling is going to get them to change their mind--did I mention they can be a bit stubborn? They do not know what day of the week it is so they are just as happy to see you when you get home from work on Wednesday as they are on Saturday morning. If you don't have the time to spend with them they are not the breed for you. Mastiffs live to be with their owners. They are happy to take a leisurely walk or hang out on the couch, they'll play in the yard with you for short spurts.

When properly socialized they are a very social breed. Wanting to meet people and get their bellies rubbed. They don't want to be out in the yard while you are puttering around the house. They want to be with you. Fair warning if you stand at the sink too long dog dishes don't take a step back without looking around. Chances are your mastiff has chosen to lay down right behind you dutifully waiting for you to finish up. As breeds go I think they are kind of needy. Personally I don't mind it but it isn't for everyone. Remember when a mastiff sits up next to you on the couch they are taller than you--not everyone likes getting booped on the head as a way of getting attention! But I can't think of anything better than snuggling on the couch, watching a movie with one of huge guys keeping me warm.

A Mastiff in the House

Having a mastiff around the house will cause you to have to make certain modifications. There can be no flat paint on the wall. When mastiffs shake their big jowly heads spit does fly. You will find it on the wall, the floor, the ceiling, the tv--every conceivable surface. Everything must be wipeable! Magic Erasers, baby wipes, the FloorMate and a heavy duty vacuum cleaner will be your friend. We've given up on having a coffee table--with multiple mastiffs, kids and now the wii who needs a coffee table in the way anyway? You will rethink all renovations and the first question you will ask about all products will be-"Will it hold up to the dog(s)?" Usually the answer is no. So you have to be resolved that everything will just have a shorter lifespan in your house. Our latest sofa is leather sectional. Not the buttersoft leather that could never handle 200lbers daily lounging, but the hard as nails kind. Purchased with the knowledge that it will be come distressed looking and we are going to be fine with that! Forget dryclean only covers or drapes--remember there is no surface safe from the flying goobers. Mastiffs are a wash and wear dog and for your own sanity your home will become a wash and wear home. If you have to live with silk slipcovers and high polished marble floors--this is probably not the breed for you.

getting started

I've had mastiffs for over 10 years. I love the breed and love talking about them to anyone who is interested. But I do caution you if you are just at the stage of considering getting a dog that it is a big commitment. Getting any dog is a commitment but adding a giant breed to your home is a huge one!

I don't want to talk anyone into getting a mastiff by telling you they are the perfect breed ~ that goes without saying! I would rather give you an honest portrayal of them so that you are sure they are the right breed for you.