Finding Mastiff Puppies For Sale By: Steve Peters

Yes, there really is no doubt in your mind. You think that the mastiff is just the greatest dog that ever lived (and quite frankly, we're not going to disagree with you!). What that now means is that your search for a purebred mastiff puppy of your own is just about to begin.

The thing is: where on earth do you start?

Your first instinct, of course, is to search in the local area. And that's not a bad idea. By all means look around for a mastiff in your own area.But don't let proximity of breeder be the reason behind your adopting your new friend. A good dog is definitely worth traveling for.

I would go along to some of the dog shows, before you even look in the local paper. Those who are showing their dogs at the show may either be breeders or know of good breeders. Go ahead, take your time. These "dog folks" love to talk "mastiff." they will be happy to show their passion. And they'll be only to happy to guide you in the proper direction of a reputable breeder.

Why should they be so helpful? Well,to start with, they are dog lovers and without a doubt mastiffs in particular, also they show their mastiff and as a result would not want to see a substandard breeder perpetuating inferior dogs. So you can count on these folks to be pretty candid about the good and the less than good breeders they've come accross. As you natter with these people, you'll undoubtedly acquire several business cards of different breeders. Make sure you follow up on these leads. Telephone them. Chat with them for a short while. This conversation does not commit you to even viewing a litter.

Among other things, what you should be looking to glean from this conversation is a feel for the breeders "dog ethics" and an idea of their commitment to the mastiff breed. Don't worry to much that you may not be exactly clear what answers you are looking for or even what questions you need to ask. At this point you will have to trust your intuition, and in most of us this is better than we realise.

If the breeders sights seem to be set more on the value of the dog, it's possible his/her love and commiment to the breed is not as it should be. On the other hand if they don't stop boasting about how smart, or how "adorable" or how good the bloodline is of their pups...well, you might have lucked upon a high-quality breeder. You'll also have a sense of his reputation, by the way in which he calms your worries or doubts about your new venture.

You should make as many calls as it takes. This is not a time to make snap decisions. When you finally locate a breeder that you're comfortable with, who either has a litter available or whose dog is expecting, make an appointment with him. But be prepared for them to ask you at least as many questions as you plan to ask them, this may seem a bit intimidating, but take my word for it, this is a good sign- it means they love and care for the dogs they breed.

Here are a few ideas on how you might guide the conversation. For sure 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? Also don't shy away from asking if there are any health issues that might be associated with the breed. All breeds have some distinguishing health concerns, it goes with the territory but you should know beforehand what they are.. 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.

As you fine tune your choices in the way of possible breeders, do not narrow it to just the one. Make a list of several and then prioritize that list by your initial preferences. You may have to wait until other prospective owners have made their adoption choices. After all, it's a first-come, first-serve in the world of dog breeding. Once you find the breeder and "mom dog" of your choice, you're probably be placed on a waiting list for the babies. Although this can be a little irritating, you should view this as a good thing, it's a great signal that you've chosen a good breeder. if you feel it is too long to wait and only you can decide that then you can simply go to the second choice on your list of mastiff breeders that you made.

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 pups will readily display their unique personalities. You'll also be able to see how these little guys (relatively speaking) interact with you and your family.

Oh, yes, completely, you should take the whole family along for this viewing session. It is absolutely core to the happiness of the dog and your family that everyone gets a chance to participate in the decision.

The pup you eventually choose reflects, by the way, why precisely you want a mastiff to start with. If you plan to show the dog at events or maybe plan on breeding yourself, then you need a dog that meets all the phsyical requirements of the breed.

On the other hand, if it's a loyal family pet that you're looking for, then its not as important that the dog meets all the physical conditions of the breed. You are just looking for the most lovable pup in the litter.

Ok, you've chosen your dog, the only things left to do now are make the final arrangements on price, and take him home. But you should be aware to the fact that depending on the age of your pup, you may not be able to take him home on this visit. However don't get too down about this after all you've waited this long to get you ideal puppy so a little longer will be worth it, besides it gives you a bit of time to get the house ready for your new family member.

I wish you well and have a fantastic time with your new "baby"!

Steve Peters is a caring and loving dog owner and owns a number of animal related websites. For an info packed ecourse and tips on finding www.mastiffmaster.net

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