So what’s next? Where do you go to get a good mastiff?

How do you know if the puppy you’re buying is a quality puppy with good health, and a gentle temperament? (A good mastiff will cost you anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000, and anything less, should be questioned. There are no bargains.) And is it really that important – can’t I buy one from anywhere and save myself money?

That last question, that’s what I want to answer first. I’ve seen mastiff puppies in pet stores and I’ve seen them advertised on the net, with phrases like “will ship within the U.S.” It’s important to understand that many of these puppies are the result of intensive breeding operations, the infamous puppy mills, often scenes of cruelty and neglect run by those who use substandard livestock and inadequate care to produce as many puppies as cheaply as possible.

You may be tempted by compassion to rescue such a pup, but in truth, you are only encouraging the practice. Resist.

You are unlikely to receive a healthy puppy, and most assuredly not a puppy who will grow into the characteristic mastiff you are looking for. I’ve seen proud new owners show me their ‘mastiffs’ and the dog was more hound than anything else. Others have paid out good money for a dog, whose hip conformation was so poor that by six months the dog was euthanized. And still other dogs had to be destroyed for temperament issues.

With dogs of this size, you need to be careful.

Understand that a mastiff is the result of thousands of generations of selective breeding to produce a head, body type and personality that is the hallmark of the breed. The very characteristics you’re looking for in this dog are those that make his background and breeding so very important. As explained in the previous article, the mastiff’s size alone puts stress and strain on his build, so skeletal health is obviously the prime consideration. And his size dictates that temperament runs a close second.

What should you look for?

First, never even think of buying a puppy unless you can meet at least one of his parents (usually the mother, as the sire may be far away.) You want to spend time with the breeder’s dogs. Are they friendly? Polite? Do they welcome your attention, or shy away from you in fear? Mastiffs are often aloof and cautious, but should not be fearful.

Second, how does this breeder care for her dogs? Are they members of the family? Or do they live in a separate kennel facility (not necessarily a bad thing) and if so, is it clean? Do they have access to an outdoor run? Do they have fresh water available to them at all times?

Why is this so important, you’re wondering. After all, the pups are young and will grow up in your house. Well, puppies learn a great deal from their dams, from their surroundings, from the handling they receive, long before they are old enough to go to a new home. And all they’ve learned is difficult to change. Puppies who are raised in unclean surroundings, where their waste is not cleaned on a regular basis, are far more difficult to house train, for example. Puppies raised by a nervous dam are likely to be nervous dogs.

Secondly, you do not want to support a breeder who does not take care of their livestock.

You want to look at the dogs and check they have the physical attributes you are looking for. Do they have strong, straight backs? Are the hind quarters strong and well-rounded? Are the legs heavily boned? (There is nothing sadder than a chunky mastiff on spindly legs. Not a good combination.) Do they have the wide, well-domed heads of the breed? Are the eyes free from discharge? Is the anal area clean, or are there signs of foul feces and the runs.

After examining those of the puppy’s relatives available for your inspection, you need to turn your attention to the sire. The breeder should have photographs to show you and all of the questions raised above must apply. Ask for the name of the sire’s owner, and talk to them. Use the internet to see pictures of others of his offspring.

Now you want to see the medical reports of the pup’s parents. That’s right. You want to ask for certification of hip and elbow health. In the United States, this is usually a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. The dog’s joint health will be rated as excellent, good, fair, or if there are problems, they too will be rated. It is common practice amongst breeders not to breed a dog with less than a good rating, though occasionally, a dog that’s a fair, but has other outstanding attributes will be bred to an excellent to compensate.

You should also ask for eye health certification, a Von Willebrands (a blood disorder much like hemophelia) test, thyroid tests, and heart testing. You are investing your hard-earned money to purchase a family companion and you want the healthiest, the best bred you can find.

Where should I look?

The internet is a good tool to research breeders, and their dogs. If the breeder of your choice is too far for a personal visit, ask for references, names of others who have purchased their puppies.

Go to local dog shows and watch the mastiffs in the ring. Talk to the owners of the dogs you admire, and if they are the breeder, take their information. If not, don’t be shy to ask for the name of the breeder – most owners of mastiffs are proud of their dogs and happy to assist.

But even in these first hand encounters, do your research and ask for references.

But I don’t want a show dog. I want just a pet.

Yes, but you want a healthy pet and one who is a safe companion for your children. You will not be happy with a sickly, crippled or untrustworthy dog.

The truth is, even the best planned breeding between the most carefully selected dogs only results in one or two show quality puppies in any litter. The rest are pets – good pets and these are the ones you want.

Here is a link to an article on mastiff breeding. Please allow Diva, a beautiful mastiff bitch to explain the process to you.    http://hubpages.com/_1z82ueimymwla/hub/Diva-tells-all-the-inside-story-of-dog-breeding?e-emailhub