Mastiff Puppies For Sale

Yep, there's no doubt about it, you're hooked. You think that the mastiff is just the greatest dog that ever lived (and quite frankly, we're not about to argue with you!).

So now your quest to find a purebred mastiff puppy to call your own begins. But the question is: Just where to you start?

The first thing you might think of is search locally. That's certainly a good place to start. Just don't let distance be your deciding factor in finding your new best friend. It's definitely worth traveling a little farther to bring home the perfect dog for you home.

Before you start scouring the ads of your local newpaper, visit a dog show or two. More than likely you'll find someone who can lead you to a quality breeder if they're not one themselves.

Go ahead, take your time. These "dog folks" love to talk "mastiff." They'll be happy to show their passion. And they'll be more than happy to steer you in the proper direction of a reputable breeder.

What's great about people that show mastiffs is they're true dog lovers and are passionate about the breed. What better way to find a reputable dog breeder who will be able to give you the perfect dog for your home.

So you can count on these folks being pretty candid about the good and bad breeders they've encountered.

After a show or two, you should have several business cards from different breeders. Start calling them and get a conversation going. Talking to a breeder doesn't commit you to anything.

What should you be looking for during this conversation? Get a feel for the breeder's "ethics" and determine whether or not he or she is truly committed to the mastiff as a breed. You don't even have to be sure that you know what answers you want, or of the questions you're going to want to ask. Trust your intuition to tell you what's right.

If the breeder is too worried about the monetary value of the dog, then perhaps his commitment and love of the breed isn't quite strong enough.

However, if your prospective breeder wants to brag about the dog' is bloodline, or how cute the puppies are, this might just be an indication that you have a high-quality breeder in your site.

You'll also have a sense of his reputation, by the way he allays your fears or doubts about your new venture.

Make as many phone calls as is necessary. This is not a decision to be made casually. When you do finally find one with whom you're comfortable, who either has a litter available or whose dog is expecting, make an appointment with him.

Be prepared to answer questions of your own, though. A good breeder is going to ask you as many questions as you plan to ask the breeder. Don't be offended by this. This means that the breeder's conscientious and loves mastiffs. A good breeder wants his/her puppies to go to a good home, so s/he'll be just as thorough as you are.

So here are some tips on how how you want to steer the conversation.

Of course you'll want to ask how long he's been a breeder. Ask why he owns them. Are his mastiffs show dogs or house pets? Don't be afraid to ask about the health issues associated with the breed. Every breed has some distinguishing health concerns. It's always best to know what the issues are before adopting.

Ask the breeder what the mastiff's most important single characteristic is. This question alone gives you quite a bit of insight into his reputation and his thinking.

Again, you should not be offended if the breeder gives you the third degree with his own questions. The breeder is just looking out for his pride and joy - his mastiff puppies.

As you narrow your choices in the way of possible breeders, don't narrow it to only one. Make a list of several and then prioritize that list by your initial preferences. You may have to wait until other potential owners have made their adoption selections.

Getting a puppy is first come, first serve. Once you've chosen a breeder and the mother of your pup, you'll most likely be placed on a waiting list until the puppis are born.

Of course, this can be frustrating, especially if you want your new puppy right now. However, take this as a good sign, because it likely means that you've chosen a breeder of quality. If you think that you're going to have to wait too long, you can always make your second choice of breeder and choose your puppy from that breeder.

Finally, you get that call you've been waiting for. The babies are ready for viewing. By the time you get a chance to view your potential new baby, he'll probably be eight to ten weeks old. At this age, the puppies will easily display their various personalities. You'll also be able to see how these little guys (relatively speaking) interact with you and your family.

One other point is that it's a good idea to take your entire family, kids included, to the puppy viewing. Every member of your family should participate in this particular decision.

Your puppy will ultimately reflect what you want a mastiff to be for you. If you want to show at dog shows or be a breeder yourself, then you want a dog that meets all perfect mastiff breed requirements.

And if you want a dog who's going to be a loved and loyal family pet, physical criteria is less important. You're just looking for the most lovable puppy there is.

The decisions been made and you've found the puppy right for you. Now you just have to settle on a price and take him home. If by chance the puppy is not quite old enough to go home with you now, don't be too disappointed. You simply have more time to prepare for his arrival.

Congrats on your family member - enjoy!

Want to discover the secrets of raising happy and healthy mastiff puppies? Come get your free mastiff puppy minicourse right now before you find yourself making the mistakes I did.