| About the Beloved Mastiff - Our Experience |
Our experience with the Mastiff (commony referred to as the Old English or English Mastiff) breed has been extraordinary.
Although we are new to the breed, we talk about our experience thus far here and also share some links that we feel offer
much learning about the magnificent Mastiff. The Mastiff is even more than we read about before we brought Monty, our
first, home. My husband and I have both had dogs in our lives since childhood. I grew up with a German Shepard and he
with a Golden Retriever. We both have had, separetely and together, Labradors in adulthood. Of course, there are the little
lap puppies too....and we love them all. The Mastiff however is above all the best breed of dog that we have been blessed to
have in our lives. They are loving, loyal, gentle, easy inside the house, obedient and protective with the utmost of discretion
and intelligence. Above all else, the are by far the most incredible companions. I have never had many large dogs lay down
around me on the floor and just play gently with me and each other. Sometimes I feel like I get a bit lost in their world.
One of the best feelings for me is that I have seen our Mastiffs' love and devotion for us grow as they have. It is an almost
indescribable feeling to know that an animal is bonding with me after taking the time to get to know and trust me. It truly is
a different experience than raising that wigly little Labrador puppy. I know all animals are wonderful and surely other
breeds of dogs possess similar traits, but I am definitely biased when it comes to the Mastiff and their loyalty! However....
Mastiffs are not for everyone and those five words should not be taken lightly. With that said, they could be be for more
than some realize. I often hear people say "I love them, but my yard or home is not large enough." Mastiffs grow to be
strong and powerful dogs. They are very sensitive and most are easily trained and disciplined by a conciencious individual.
One would probably think that you need a huge yard or home to have a Mastiff in your life - this is not the case unless YOU
need a lot of space, and if so, the loving Mastiff might not be fore you as they are cuddlers. I often tell people that a Mastiff
could live in the middle of New York City in an apartment if he/she was given the appropriate amount of attention and
exercise. They are happy to curl up on the couch or at your feet and just lay around with you, in fact I have found this is
one of the times when they are their happiest. A Mastiff can do their share of damage left bored and unattended, so you will
need to have an area prepared for your Mastiff that is safe for both your Mastiff and your yard/house when he/she is left
unattended. Most of the time they will sleep, but.....not always. Most Mastiffs do really well with crate training - although
crates will need to be BIG :-). All of ours have crate trained wonderfully. They love walks but do not need to chase the ball
for hours on end, this is not to downplay how much they usually do love to chase a ball, once they've popped it and get a
good grip around it :-). If you like to jog or run very long distances or hunt with your dog, the Mastiff is probably not the
dog for you. If you work and/or are gone on a regular basis for a long day your Mastiff will benefit from a playmate
(another Mastiff or even a Chihuahua ;-). We all thrive in happy and balanced environments, Mastiffs are the same way.
Any potential new pet coming to your home should be researched and much time and care should be put into making a
decision about what type of pet is right for your lifestyle AND is your lifestyle right for the pet. Raising a puppy is tiring and
requires complete commitment so that the puppy grows into a well balanced and happy adult. Mastiff puppies grow fast and
require conciencious, well informed care takers. You should be prepared to do research on the Mastiff tendencies,
temperment, health and overall needs. As well, you should do research on the type of approach you feel comfortable using
in training your Mastiff - starting the day he/she comes home to you. Also research on the type/look of Mastiff that you'd
like to have in your life. Even though there is an official Mastiff standard (see the MCOA link below), breeders produce
many different looking Mastiffs to choose from. Breeder research should be done as well as pedigree research (a quality
breeder will help you understand what it means to research or understand a pedigree). I feel it is also important to find a
breeder that, if you choose, will have a continuing relationship with you and that you can always call or email with any
questions as your Mastiff grows and changes or just does something cute. I personally would like to keep track of the
puppies we produce; their growth, health, temperaments, etc. Please keep in mind that what is written here is our own
personal experience with the Mastiff and you should venture to do your own research as well before making a decision to
bring a Mastiff into your home.
Please take your time when doing your research, even though puppies can be so cute and the desire to have one so strong,
taking your time is as important as the decision to bring a new pet into your home is. Beware of mass producing breeders
sometimes called "puppy mills" as well as advertisements on the internet that are not from a reputable breeder. If you are
not sure how to tell the difference, please give us a call or drop an email and we will be happy to elaborate. The newspaper
is a place where you might find cheaper prices but you will run a higher risk of receiving a Mastiff of lesser quality than
going to a reputable breeder who has no need to advertise in the newspaper, provides guarantees and has a developed a line
of well tested stock. Take time to find a quality Mastiff from a known and respected breeder, be that breeder into Mastiffs
for 20 years or less than five, they can both be a great place to find a quality Mastiff if you've done your homework. Visit
Mastiff breeders if you can and surely visit some shows to see Mastiffs in person. Last, a relationship with a breeder is very
important. Make sure you are asked a lot of questions, it means the breeder cares about their puppies' placement and make
sure you do the same. Ask the same questions of several breeders to see if you find consistency in answers and if not why.
Good luck, its a wonderful journey! And by all means, we do hope to hear from you one day whether it is to answer
questions, give references or you are inquiring about a breeding we've planned or done.
Although we are new to the breed, we talk about our experience thus far here and also share some links that we feel offer
much learning about the magnificent Mastiff. The Mastiff is even more than we read about before we brought Monty, our
first, home. My husband and I have both had dogs in our lives since childhood. I grew up with a German Shepard and he
with a Golden Retriever. We both have had, separetely and together, Labradors in adulthood. Of course, there are the little
lap puppies too....and we love them all. The Mastiff however is above all the best breed of dog that we have been blessed to
have in our lives. They are loving, loyal, gentle, easy inside the house, obedient and protective with the utmost of discretion
and intelligence. Above all else, the are by far the most incredible companions. I have never had many large dogs lay down
around me on the floor and just play gently with me and each other. Sometimes I feel like I get a bit lost in their world.
One of the best feelings for me is that I have seen our Mastiffs' love and devotion for us grow as they have. It is an almost
indescribable feeling to know that an animal is bonding with me after taking the time to get to know and trust me. It truly is
a different experience than raising that wigly little Labrador puppy. I know all animals are wonderful and surely other
breeds of dogs possess similar traits, but I am definitely biased when it comes to the Mastiff and their loyalty! However....
Mastiffs are not for everyone and those five words should not be taken lightly. With that said, they could be be for more
than some realize. I often hear people say "I love them, but my yard or home is not large enough." Mastiffs grow to be
strong and powerful dogs. They are very sensitive and most are easily trained and disciplined by a conciencious individual.
One would probably think that you need a huge yard or home to have a Mastiff in your life - this is not the case unless YOU
need a lot of space, and if so, the loving Mastiff might not be fore you as they are cuddlers. I often tell people that a Mastiff
could live in the middle of New York City in an apartment if he/she was given the appropriate amount of attention and
exercise. They are happy to curl up on the couch or at your feet and just lay around with you, in fact I have found this is
one of the times when they are their happiest. A Mastiff can do their share of damage left bored and unattended, so you will
need to have an area prepared for your Mastiff that is safe for both your Mastiff and your yard/house when he/she is left
unattended. Most of the time they will sleep, but.....not always. Most Mastiffs do really well with crate training - although
crates will need to be BIG :-). All of ours have crate trained wonderfully. They love walks but do not need to chase the ball
for hours on end, this is not to downplay how much they usually do love to chase a ball, once they've popped it and get a
good grip around it :-). If you like to jog or run very long distances or hunt with your dog, the Mastiff is probably not the
dog for you. If you work and/or are gone on a regular basis for a long day your Mastiff will benefit from a playmate
(another Mastiff or even a Chihuahua ;-). We all thrive in happy and balanced environments, Mastiffs are the same way.
Any potential new pet coming to your home should be researched and much time and care should be put into making a
decision about what type of pet is right for your lifestyle AND is your lifestyle right for the pet. Raising a puppy is tiring and
requires complete commitment so that the puppy grows into a well balanced and happy adult. Mastiff puppies grow fast and
require conciencious, well informed care takers. You should be prepared to do research on the Mastiff tendencies,
temperment, health and overall needs. As well, you should do research on the type of approach you feel comfortable using
in training your Mastiff - starting the day he/she comes home to you. Also research on the type/look of Mastiff that you'd
like to have in your life. Even though there is an official Mastiff standard (see the MCOA link below), breeders produce
many different looking Mastiffs to choose from. Breeder research should be done as well as pedigree research (a quality
breeder will help you understand what it means to research or understand a pedigree). I feel it is also important to find a
breeder that, if you choose, will have a continuing relationship with you and that you can always call or email with any
questions as your Mastiff grows and changes or just does something cute. I personally would like to keep track of the
puppies we produce; their growth, health, temperaments, etc. Please keep in mind that what is written here is our own
personal experience with the Mastiff and you should venture to do your own research as well before making a decision to
bring a Mastiff into your home.
Please take your time when doing your research, even though puppies can be so cute and the desire to have one so strong,
taking your time is as important as the decision to bring a new pet into your home is. Beware of mass producing breeders
sometimes called "puppy mills" as well as advertisements on the internet that are not from a reputable breeder. If you are
not sure how to tell the difference, please give us a call or drop an email and we will be happy to elaborate. The newspaper
is a place where you might find cheaper prices but you will run a higher risk of receiving a Mastiff of lesser quality than
going to a reputable breeder who has no need to advertise in the newspaper, provides guarantees and has a developed a line
of well tested stock. Take time to find a quality Mastiff from a known and respected breeder, be that breeder into Mastiffs
for 20 years or less than five, they can both be a great place to find a quality Mastiff if you've done your homework. Visit
Mastiff breeders if you can and surely visit some shows to see Mastiffs in person. Last, a relationship with a breeder is very
important. Make sure you are asked a lot of questions, it means the breeder cares about their puppies' placement and make
sure you do the same. Ask the same questions of several breeders to see if you find consistency in answers and if not why.
Good luck, its a wonderful journey! And by all means, we do hope to hear from you one day whether it is to answer
questions, give references or you are inquiring about a breeding we've planned or done.
We are fanciers of the true Mastiff, sometimes referred to as the "English or Old English Mastiff" not to be confused with the "American Mastiff" which is a cross
between an Anatolian Shepard Dog and an English Mastiff. The "American Mastiff" is not recognized by the AKC as is the "Mastiff." If you are considering the
American Mastiff please join the message board by clicking on the link above and locating the thread regarding American Mastiffs.
between an Anatolian Shepard Dog and an English Mastiff. The "American Mastiff" is not recognized by the AKC as is the "Mastiff." If you are considering the
American Mastiff please join the message board by clicking on the link above and locating the thread regarding American Mastiffs.
| I love this picture. It is George about 11 months and Aidan about 3 months. George climbed into one of the Labradors crates in the garage and Aidan decided to join him. They fell asleep together and you can see that picture on one of their pages on this site. This is just one of the wonderful characteristics of the Mastiff. |
