Meet the Breeds is back

It's time for the AKC Meet the Breeds event at the Javits Center Oct 16 & 17! We got the booth set up yesterday. The slideshow and handouts are ready for the 35,000+ visitors we are expecting. Come on down and join us if you can. Buy you tickets online you will pay less than at the door plus save even more by using the promo code FRIENDS. Get your tix now at www.


meetthebreeds.com


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Mastiff booth at Suffolk County Kennel Club show

Well we were a bit rushed at this booth--we forgot out table, tablecloth and were short on tape and clamps but we made do. As always the dogs were very popular. Our new poster titled "Living With A Mastiff: Or How a MAstiff WIll Change Your Life Completely" was very well received. It was good to have so much information hung in a way that was right in people's faces. The text on this poster is taken from the previous postings we have here on our blog. We had a lot of positive comments on the format and information. people also enjoyed the binder with 60 pages of History, FAQs, photos and engravings.

Thanks to everyone that helped us get this together!

Living with a Mastiff: Summary

If these Mastiff accommodations seem to be too much, then the Mastiff is not the breed for you. If you are undaunted, begin your search for the right breeder for you. Look for a responsible breeder who breeds health-tested, well-tempered dogs that meet the breed standard. The breeder you choose should be a resource for you for the life of your dog. All dogs should be sold with a contract and AKC papers. The Mastiff Club of America website (www.mastiff.org) has an excellent FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section that includes a Questions to Ask a Mastiff Breeder page. Taking your time and doing some research will help ensure that the bringing a Mastiff into your home will be a fantastic and sometimes slobbery experience!

Living with a Mastiff: part 5 Vehicle

A single Mastiff can be transported in the back seat of your average sedan. Should you need to transport other people and a Mastiff you will need to move up to a larger vehicle. Vans, minivans, SUVs and even some cross-over SUVs can work.

• A crate is the safest way to transport any dog. Although not many vehicles can accommodate a Mastiff-sized crate.
  
  
• Depending on the height of your vehicle, you may need to purchase a ramp to make entry and exit safe. Aside from the fact that most Mastiffs will not jump into an SUV, having one jump out is inviting injury. Remember that the ramp would need to be able to hold over 200 lbs.
  
  
• It is best to have a wipeable vinyl or leather interior. Mastiffs love to rest their heads on the back of the seats in front of them. Let’s just say that can leave a mark.
  
  
• A dog barrier is an excellent idea. Some Mastiffs like to climb over the seats to get closer to their owners — irregardless of what is on the seat in front of them (kids, luggage, a cake). Also should there be an accident, a Mastiff can become a 200+ lb projectile. The barrier keeps everyone safer.

Living with a Mastiff: part 4 Food

Mastiffs require a good quality food that is not too high in protein. They should be fed adult food — even as puppies. They eat much more food than smaller breeds making them more expensive to keep.

• A growing Mastiff will eat 8-12 cups of dry dog food a day. A full grown adult will eat 6-8.
  
  
• One Mastiff can easily go through a 33 lb bag of food in a 20 days.
  
  
• Do not underestimate cleanup! Remember 33 lbs in is 33lbs out!
  
  
• Never be give cooked meat bones, rawhides, or anything else that could easily be lodged in the throat or cause an obstruction.
  
  
• If supplements are given (eg. to support joint health) dosage is determined by weight. So again the cost here is greater than that of a small dog.
  
  
• Be prepared to change the water bowl often. Mastiffs are not neat drinkers
  and many do not like to drink slobbery water. Towels around the bowls can help reduce the number of times you slip walking thru the area!
  

Living with a Mastiff: part 3 The Vet

Expect your vet bills to be large. Most vets have a set office fee. The amount of medication your dog may receive however, is determined by weight. The cost of medicating a 200 lb mastiff is much greater than that of an 8 lb Yorkie.

• Find a vet with giant breed experience. Giant breeds do not have the same issues as smaller breeds!
  
  
• Find who is willing to follow your breeder's vaccine protocols and is willing to talk to your breeder if needed.
  
  
• Find a vet whose office can accommodate a Mastiff. Some exam rooms can be too small to do a proper exam and after 4 months no mastiff is going up on the table!

Living with a Mastiff: part 2 Toys

It is always important to be sure that any toys given are appropriate for your dog. Not many toys can hold up to the Mastiff. By the time a Mastiff is six months old most toys present a serious choking hazard.

• No balls smaller than a soccer ball should be played with. And realize that no soccer ball or basketball can hold up to a Mastiff’s canines.
  
  
• Mastiffs can easily break pieces of rubber and plastic toys. This can cause serious internal problems and result in surgery. The black Kong is one of the few toys that can hold up to Mastiff chewing.
  
  
• An empty plastic liter soda bottle with the label removed can be a fun, cheap toy and it is interesting to see inside your mastiff’s mouth through the bottle. Once the bottle is finally defeated and begins breaking it must be taken away as the plastic can be sharp. Freezing water in the bottle can make it last a bit longer for supervised summer fun.
  
  
• Not all Mastiffs are shredders so large stuffed toys may be fine. Some of the new heavy canvas toys with heavily serged seams can hold up much longer but they can be expensive.
  
  
• You must supervise all toys and remove any loose stuffing or squeakers. Also once pieces start coming off plastic or rubber toys they must be removed.

Living with a Mastiff: part 1 The Home

Bringing a giant breed like a Mastiff into your home means more than making a little room on the couch. There are many considerations to take into account to make your home Mastiff-ready.

• Most Mastiff owners forego having a coffee table. Aside from the fact that one wag of a Mastiff tail can clear the table, the table makes it difficult for the Mastiff to get on and off the couch.
  
  
• The weight of a Mastiff laying on the couch day after day can shorten the life span of the couch considerably. Slipcovers can help but nothing can save the cushions from breaking down. Heavy duty leather seems to be the best bet and is easily wiped down.
  
  
• Walls must be scrubbable. Spit flies whenever the Mastiff shakes its massive head. Once dry, the goobers form very interesting 3-dimensional shapes that can lend character to the walls (and ceiling). Should you wish to remove this fine artwork, baby wipes and magic erasers seem to do the trick.

• Mastiffs are very hard on vacuums. While Mastiffs aren’t heavy shedders, it is still alot of dog shedding. Not many vacuums can stand up to the daily collection of hair.
  
  
• Slippery floors are a problem for any dog. But a giant such as the Mastiff needs good traction to get up and down without injury. If you have wood, vinyl or tile floors, be prepared to put down throw rugs with non-slip pads.
  
  
• There should be a designated spot in each room for a drool towel. This will keep the goober transfer onto clothing rate down.
  
  
• It is best to eliminate dry cleanables from any area that the Mastiff hangs out in. Curtains seem to be goober magnets so washable or wipeable materials are a must. Shower curtains can work well!
  
  
• The dry cleaning rule applies to the owners clothing as well. It is a good idea to have sticky lint rollers on hand!

The 2010 MCOA National Specialty is quickly approaching, we wanted to remind you of some important details. You can also go to the website for complete information http://www.wix.com/mcoa10/2010%20MCOA. You can start watching for the premium list on the superintendents website Monday March 22 at: www.garvinshowservices.com/

DNA Requirement
Please remember that an AKC DNA profile number MUST be provided on the official entry form for each Mastiff entered in the MCOA National Specialty Shows beginning this year at the 2010 show only Rescue Parade participants are exempt

Just a reminder to send in your DNA swabs in the next couple of weeks, if you have not done so already, they take 6-8 weeks to get back and entries will be closing April 28th for the show. Entries WILL NOT be accepted without an AKC DNA profile number.

You can order your kits from AKC, at:
http://www.akc.org/store/products/index.cfm?category_cde=DNA&product_view=thumb

If you have any questions please feel free to contact: Mary DeLisa
MCOA DNA Sub Health Committee Chair
marydelisamcoa@gmail.com

Trophy Donations
We have posted what we are givings as the trophies on the website and we still have plenty of trophies that need sponsoring. http://www.wix.com/mcoa10/2010%20MCOA

We are only 2 months away from the great event. We really need your support.

Please go to the website and look at the great trophies we have for the winners. E-mail Cece Wardel cecewardell@yahoo.com and we will get you on the trophy list.

If you have committed to a trophy and have not sent in your money please do so or you may loose your position as sponsor for that trophy. Please send all donations to:
Jodi LaBombard
189 Miranda Ln, Roxboro, NC 27574
Brimstonemastiffs@yahoo.com

MCOA 2010 National Specialty Catalog ads!!!
The deadline for ad submission is this Monday March15th.

Ad size: 41/2" wide x 71/2" tall
A Rainbow Bridge and Veterans section special rate.
Color standard rate $135
Black and white rate $80
Rainbow Bridge and veteran black and white ads $45
Price includes 2 Photo's contact Pat for additional photo fee.

You can send your own ads in or provide us with the copy and images to create it for you.
Ads will be reserved once payment has been received.
All money goes to:
Jodi LaBombard
189 Miranda Ln, Roxboro, NC 27574

All ad materials should be sent to Pat Flanagan Borracci at
wallyduncn@aol.com

Logo Wear Information
Hugedog Designs/Design IT. Offers a wide variety of services to fulfill all your decorated garment and promotional item needs. Please visit us for your MCOA 2010 Embroidery Logo Wear item
http://www.companycasuals.com/mcoa/start.jsp

Order your MCOA 2010 inkjet/Screen printed Logo Wear from Multeecustoms today!!
http://www.mcoa.shopmulteecustoms.com/

Reserved Seating
Reserve your front row seat for $40.00 each. (Includes a logo gift) for the entire week of the show Tuesday May 25 through Sunday May 30th. Send your payment money goes to:
Jodi LaBombard
189 Miranda Ln, Roxboro, NC 27574

Please e-mail Doreen Dysert before sending in your reservation to make sure there are seats still available: ddysert@hughes.net

Important Dates to Remember
April 7, 2010
RV cancellation received on or before will receive a refund of their deposit less $50.00 per booked RV space. After this date you forfeit the entire fee paid

April 17, 2010
Room cancellations after this date forfeit entire deposit of 1 night + tax.

April 28, 2010
Deadline to submit forms and all Entries Close
Deadline to order Prepaid Logo wear

Bones Puppy Group 3 1/23/10

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Bones has started practicing for the new show year. We are lucky enough to have a couple of indoor match shows very near us in January. Matches are a great way to get your pup used to the sounds and smell of a show with just a bit less pressure. This past weekend was the second match. Bones did great with all of the other dogs and people. He would still like to go play with every dog but he is just hanging out waiting for them to come over. He's gotten so large over the December/January break I have to rework how we move together! He takes much longer strides than he did a month and a half ago!

By the time the Puppy Working Group started we had worked the kinks out and he did nicely in the ring. He showed to third place over a nice Portugese water dog and bullmastiff.

We have another match on Sunday hopefully it goes just as well!