Bullmastiff Breeders – Don’t Get Scammed!

These days, the number of irresponsible dog sellers is gradually increasing and it has gotten easier for them to advertise to unsuspecting buyers who won't be able to tell the difference between a healthy Bullmastiff and a poorly raised puppy.

Responsible Bullmastiff breeders, and other concerned parties, are worried, of course. And why wouldn't they be? Not only are unhealthy puppies being sold to people (and a few years later, these puppies eventually get sent off to shelters because their owners simply can't take care of them anymore), the maltreatment of perfectly good pets is allowed to continue.

So, to counter this trend, you might want to know how to spot an irresponsible breeder so you can avoid supporting their trade. Here are some of the telltale signs of an irresponsible breeder or dog seller.

The Lack of Health Tests

Responsible breeders always think that getting the parents of the puppies they're raising is necessary. This is because some breeds, like the Bullmastiff, come with some health issues and it is through expert breeding that these problems are lessened.

No Champions

If none of the parents of the puppies that your breeder is raising either look very old or regular run of the mill dogs, then the puppies were probably just bred through convenience breeding. The parents weren't carefully selected in terms of health and temperament, so you could be getting an unhealthy puppy with a poor temperament.

Way Too Many Puppies

When you ask to visit the place of the would-be breeder, don't expect to see a lot of puppies running around. This actually could be an indication that the breeder is not a good one.

Take note of how the breeder and the puppies interact. If the puppies all seem afraid of the breeder instead of feeling affectionate, then you might be talking to someone who is running a puppy mill and is not a responsible breeder.

No Knowledge

Naturally, you will have some questions about Bullmastiffs that you want answered. In case the breeder you're talking to cannot answer your questions, then you have more than enough reason to say goodbye to the person immediately.

A good breeder has raised their breed of choice for a long time so they'll know what to expect from dogs of the breed. Can you call someone who does not know of your concerns a good breeder? I guess not.

No Questions

If you aren't asked anything about your lifestyle and your home by the breeder, then don't be happy about it. You should actually be worried.

Ask yourself this, would you trust someone who doesn't seem to show any concern for the puppy? Put yourself in the shoes of a good breeder. Wouldn't you want to know if the person you're about to give the puppy to, the same puppy you've taken good care of, is someone who can take care of it properly?

A Bargain

If you're surprised about how cheap you're getting the puppy, you should take that as a sign that the breeder is not a responsible one.

There are many requirements to properly take care of any breed of dog, and responsible owners fulfill all of these requirements. They do not skimp on costs related to pet care. Conversely, there are also those who charge a lot for the puppy to distract you from thinking that they could have used poor breeding methods. A high price is not an indication of a well-bred puppy either.

So, if you consider the costs of all the requirements for properly raising a Bullmastiff - including health tests and registration fees - then you should be able to come up with a rough estimate. If you meet a bullmastiff breeder who's offering around the same figure, then you just might have found yourself a good breeder.