You are ready to add an English Mastiff to your family and you really would like this to happen ASAP; as painless as possible. I will be honest; If you really want an exceptional Mastiff, you may have to work a little harder to find a quality English Mastiff breeder first. Once you do, you will be guaranteed a healthy, high-quality Mastiff companion for years to come.
If you search the web, you will find many self-proclaimed mastiff breeders, but are they really worth your time? It’s nice to have a wide variety of breeders to choose from, but armor masters need to be weed out, so here are some tips to get you started.
1. Ask the breeder how long he has been raising English Mastiffs
Experience is a good indicator of how dedicated the breeder is to the English Mastiff. Look for someone who has at least five years of experience; the more the better.
2. What other breeds do they breed?
If an English Mastiff breeder is serious about the breed, they will specialize. A red flag should be lit if the breeder is breeding more than three different breeds. The more specialized, the better in this case.
3. Ask the breeder about the quality of the mastiffs they breed, whether they are quality or just for pets.
You are looking for a quality pet, but this does not necessarily mean “show quality”, it could just mean that the mastiff must come from a good long line of high genetics and the best breeding standards. Any show quality dog will have offspring that do not make the “show quality” cut; This question will clarify the true objective behind the breeding.
4. Ask them about the bloodline and history of genetic diseases.
All breeds are prone to certain diseases transmitted by their genetics, English Mastiffs are no exception. However, good breeders strive to breed the healthiest dogs with desirable traits. If the breeder can talk at length about the bloodline of his mastiff puppies, then he knows that his goal is quality.
This interview can be done over the phone in 10 minutes or less. After several calls to different breeders, you should be able to list the ones you want to follow in person and the so-called English Mastiff breeders who just don’t cut it.