Are You Sure You Want A Mastiff?

Granted, some temperament is inherited. But just getting your dog from a breeder whose sire and dam have GREAT temperaments does not guarantee that your Mastiff will not develop shyness or fears at various ages and need to be worked through what are often developmental stages.

Consider that many Mastiffs have a tendency to become shy and can easily become a 'one family dog' if they do not receive consistent socialization from puppy-hood on.

Living with a 'shy' Mastiff can be very difficult especially if they are fearful of strangers approaching them.

Any fearful dog can become a biting dog ultimately which would be a huge liability to any owner.

And the dog would ultimately end up paying the ultimate price for your lack of time to 'socialize' them.

Want a dog to jog along with you or play "fetch" in the park? Might want to look somewhere else.

You'll be lucky to get your Mastiff to fetch your Frisbee or tennis ball for you once or twice before he decides to take a rest. And, after jogging a time or two around the block, your Mastiff will probably decide it makes more sense to find some shady spot and wait for you to complete your laps so he can go back to the house and sleep. Oh -- and, yes, --they do snore! And, while we’re on the topic -- their other ends can produce a fair amount of noise too -- along with enough fumes to clear a ballroom!

And how about your house? Is it ready for a Mastiff? True -- Mastiffs do have short hair, but it falls out (sheds) with regularity and you'll find it everywhere. Even if you don't allow the puppy on the furniture, you'll still find plenty of hair when you sit down on the sofa. How do you feel about slobber, slime and drool?

While most Mastiffs don't drool all the time, the mere thought of food or a quick drink from the water bowl can produce remarkable foot-long "slingers" which can wind up in amazing places with the slightest shake of the head. And remember -- your Mastiff won't care whether you're wearing your old jeans or your new white cocktail dress when it leans its head up against your leg to look at you with those adoring eyes. (Mastiffs learn early that your leg is just right for wiping away those unsightly goobers.)

Are you ready to housebreak a Mastiff puppy? Generally, Mastiffs housebreak very easily, especially if their breeders let them learn to relieve themselves outside in the grass. But they're still puppies and they will have "accidents." And you won't be able to clean them up with a tissue like you would if you had a Chihuahua puppy, especially if puppy has had a little tummy ache. Something to consider.

FAMILY

Will a Mastiff fit into your family both now and in the long term? Do you have children? If so, are they big enough that they won't be knocked over by that big wagging tail? Just as important, are they old enough to know to treat a puppy gently regardless of its size? Mastiffs may be huge but, even as puppies, they're terribly patient and take an awful lot of abuse, especially from the hands of the children they love. Will your children know not to try to ride on "Max's" back or pull too hard on "Minnie's" big soft ears?

Do you want a puppy that can grow up with your toddlers and see them off to college? At best, a Mastiff may live to 13 or 14 -- and most become geriatric much earlier.

Alternatively, do you have older people in your family who will have difficulty stepping over your dog to get from one room to another. Once settled in a comfortable position, Mastiffs aren't inclined to disturb themselves over something as inconsequential as courtesy.

EXPECTATIONS

Are you wanting a Mastiff to act as a fierce guard dog or to reflect your strong masculine side? If so, you might want to look somewhere else. While most Mastiffs will want to see that you are safe at their side, they won't be as wary of strangers or appear as threatening as the more traditional guarding breeds.

And -- for you men -- many a disillusioned man has purchased a Mastiff puppy with dreams of having a huge macho dog strutting by his side, only to find his giant companion prefers the company of the woman in the home -- choosing gentle hugs over wrestling on the rug.

If all of this sounds like an attempt to dissuade you from getting a Mastiff pup, you're right. A Mastiff is definitely not for everyone. Just ask any member of the Southern States Mastiff Rescue (SSMR) how many dogs they receive annually from well-meaning people who purchased a Mastiff puppy and realized too late what they were getting themselves into. Sadly, they also see many Mastiffs who have been neglected, mistreated, caged, abused, or bred until their bodies are spent. It's a testament to the breed that, even after this treatment, most of these dogs readily learn to trust and accept human comfort and seem to bond even more closely to anyone offering a kind hand. So -- if you're considering a Mastiff but don't feel the need to experience the "joys" of puppy rearing, consider contacting the good folks at: Southern States Mastiff Rescue

Rescue Or Puppy

Whatever you decide, take your time. Talk to lots of owners and breeders; talk to your veterinarian; read about the breed; ask lots of questions.

Ask for copies of Health Testing results on the sire and dam.

Health testing is a tool that quality breeders utilize in deciding which of their dogs should be used for breeding.

Health testing should include OFA Hips, Elbows, Patellas, Cardiac (preferably via an echocardiogram), Thyroid

Eyes- should have a 'Cerf' rating as well as dna testing for retinal folds

Cystinuria DNA (plus urine nitroprusside for males)

Degenerative myelopathy

Visit a Mastiff in his home. Find a breeder you feel you can trust -- someone who cares about their puppies and where they are going -- someone you can contact when you have questions or concerns.

Be willing to wait for the right puppy to come along.

Once you start searching, you'll find lots of information and plenty of puppies out there but quality breeders may not have puppies as often

as others.