My search for a dog continues. I learned a lesson with my dane. Buyer Beware. Do your research and know what you are getting.
I discovered a new variety of mastiff. One without all the health problems of the English mastif . The American Mastiff. A friend of mine even knows a breeder.
Sounds great.
Right?
Well, she wasn't even taking applications for the waiting list.
The dogs sound perfect. The size of the mastiff, great temperament, intelligent. . So, I started looking for other breeders in the area. I even found a few.
But....
Buyer beware!
There are two so called American Mastiff breeds or should I say mutts?
The friend of a friend breeds American Mastiffs. This dog would be perfect. But when I started shopping around for other breeders I found a mess. The Panja mastiff is also advertised as an American Mastiff but it is something else entirely. It isn't even a mastiff at all but a pit/rott mutt. They are bread as guard dogs for drug dealers and fighting dogs.
Not suitable for my needs at all. I want a giant clown. A love bug to be my constant companion not a vicious guard dog.
I now have my name on a wait list for one of the beautiful American Mastiffs not the druggy mutt. I'll have to pay a crap load of money to get one of these beautiful dogs but it is going to be worth it.
I will continue my search with an open mind but this is a real possibility.
You know, I'm not a snob about pedigreed animals but I've learned over the years it's worth it. You know what you're getting that way. Personality and quirks, that's always a gamble. But at least you know what you're dealing with. My Dutch Shepherd (brindle malinois) turned out to be a shepherd mixed with pitbull/chow. She had all the negative traits you often hear about those breeds and none of the good shepherd traits. I paid a lot for her, less because I didn't need papers. Later found out papers weren't available anyway. Only dog I've ever had to put to sleep. She was too dangerous. Then it happened again with another dog, faked papers this time. That one attacked my friends child while he slept but I was able to rehome him. We now have a purse-sized designer dog with "papers" and I met both his parents. He's a little stinker but exactly what we expected.
ReplyDeleteYep. That happened to me with my gladiator dane. All the bad of both breeds. He was a sweet heart but he never was healthy. Allergies, hip and elbow issues, auto immune issues. Always something. I had to let him go when he was just 4 years old. Just a puppy. That is why I am doing my research this time.
ReplyDeleteI know there are rescue organizations for various breeds of dogs that help place a dog in a new home when the first one was not the right fit. I don't know if this is a good idea or not, whether there could be emotional damage issues, but thought I'd mention it. A friend found a wonderful standard poodle from such a source. Also, you said you want a giant clown ... that describes a St. Bernard I know. Could that breed be another possibility?
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Meg
I have worked with several rescues and fostered nearly 200 animals. What I did was take the damaged dogs and the kennel stressed and rehabilitated them. I had a 99% success rate.
DeleteFor a service dog, I need a puppy, not a dog that needs to be rehabilitated. I keep them for life, even if they don't work out as a service dog. With the time and money I put into my dogs, health is important.
A St Bernards are beautiful dogs but require extensive grooming. I can't do that. Allergies but thanks.
Wow, fostering 200 animals is amazing. It must have been difficult to return some of them to be adopted.
DeleteIf I had them for more than a few months, it nearly broke my heart. Some of the animals I got really attached to but it was worth it.
DeleteFirst of all...the American mastiff still qualifies as a mutt...lol...and the recognized akc name is anatolian shepherd...I have an English mastiff myself (other than European line shepherds the only pure bread I've bothered with so far...this is what I suggest for u...however...do not buy into bigger is better...there are alot of mastiff breeders out there that are producing dogs who look like they can barely hold their own weight...ironic since they are considered one of the most powerful dogs...if socialized well and early, they are a love ya first, ask questions later breed...however...if someone makes them"get up" 0 to 60 barely covers it...mine is bombproof around children & if he wasn't 155lbs would be a lap dog (he does try) lol...seriously consider them...don't get roped in to exaggerated prices..a mix is wonderful too...but I'm tired of people charging as if they're pedigree. ..also consult a trainer to do a temperment test on the litter (at about 7wks)...this can help insure u get the desired personality and energy level that best suits you. Good luck!!.. (& by the way this is the advice of a trainer with 15yrs experience who actually went to school & not just "read a couple books".lol)
ReplyDeleteThe American Mastiffs are a multi generational breed. Not being recognized by the akc is meaningles. I have had an English mastiff and she was a sweet heart. Nothing wrong with mutts and there is nothing wrong with trying to improve a breed as the creater of the American Mastiff has done.
DeletePs. I am a trainer. The only thing two trainers will agree on is that a third trainer is wrong.
Hey Rose...it is so heartbreaking when unscrupulous money-hungry breeders deliberately breed out the gentler qualities and/or inbreed and/or breed a bitch too many times close together. grrrr Sorry...sore spot with me. :(
ReplyDeleteHappy you are on a waiting list...the bright side is that you can start saving for your new baby while you're waiting! Hope your wait is short.
Hugs and Blessings...
Cat
I almost fell for it to but something felt off. Puppy mills and irresponsible breeding is a sore spot for me too. Fingers crossed that I get a spot on the list.
DeleteLol..very good (lets hope neither of us are the third trainer:) )...actually unless "antiquity" is noted as date of origin most "purebreds"are mixes..they have just bred long enough to produce a "physical standard" that is recognized by the kennel clubs.. (of course I'm sure that we both can agree that this desired standard has ruined many a breed that can no longer perform what they were origionally bred for..the fact that you are a trainer is fantastic! That means that you can perform the aptitude test yourself!...again best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI have an akc chihuahua that meets the pure breed disaster standard. She looks like a Frankenstein dog. Her legs have been broken so many times that they are deformed. I never had her paperwork but I know she is akc. I saw her owner kick her across the room. The second time he did it, I had another dog in my pack. She won't live much longer but I have given her a good life.
DeleteThanks :-)
I also agree that bigger is not better. I train the dogs as mobility service dogs. They need to be tall enough to lean against and strong enough to help me up. My English mastiff was on the small side but perfect. Very smart. I have read that they are hard to train but I had no problems. Willing to please and eager to do her job. Intelligent enough to handle situations she was not specifically trained to handle. I was impressed enough to look for another English but for the American. I am open to either breed. When I find the right dog, I will know it.
DeleteO dear! Frankenstein! Lol...but sounds like she was blessed to find u for her forever home. :)...but back to your AM...do your temperment test!..there has been instances where the more "Anatolian"personality has been dominant resulting in some aggression issues. They are beautiful but still new and sometimes ALL breeders forget to breed for personality traits. They look good, so they breed them...it doesn't take long to have a dangerous line.o...&one other breed u may like (if wanting mastiff) is the dogo argentino..very athletic, same goofy mastiff traits &very little grooming. ..ive worked a couple & they're fantastic! (Maybe a bit much for a service dog...but hey, shepherds can lead the blind &do running attacks...so that can vary! Lol
ReplyDeleteTemperament is one of the first things I look at when I meet a new dog. I agree. It is very important to have a great tempered dog. I definitely don't want a dog that is going to be dangerous for my family. If they don't pass the public access test, I don't have a service dog. I'll check out the dogo to.
DeleteI love dogs but was so heartbroken when our last Lab died I said I wouldn't have any more as I couldn't go through that again. We found to our cost that it is very important to research pedigree trees as many breeders inbreed their animals and all sorts of problems develop from bad hips and eyes to behavioural difficulties.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you've found a dog you will love and who will be a part of your family for many years. You'll have to post a picture of the puppy when you get him/her.
Many hugs
Ami
As soon as I have my sweet puppy, I'll post a picture. They start out on the small side, about 5 pounds but grow fast.
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