Mastiff General

South African Mastiff – The Guard Dog

A Little History for a Big Dog

The South African Mastiff, also commonly known as the South African Boerboel ( 'Boerl' - meaning farmer, 'Boel' - meaning bull or mastiff) is claimed to fame by its superior skill of guarding a territory and its owners. This breed came about specifically to guard the people of the Great Trek during the rebellion against British colonization of Africa. During this "Great Trek" thousands were displaced, and used the guardianship of the Mastiff to protect them from predators such as lions and to aid in hunting.

The specific origin of the south African Mastiff is real sketchy. Due to this continuous breeding by various scattered colonies, using various dogs, brought in by European settlers and mixing them with other indigenous African dogs, there's little hope in pinpointing the past influences of this breed.

It can be speculated that the "bullenbijter" mastiff brought in by the Dutch East Indian Trading Company including long legged bulldog and other varieties of molossers brought in by European settlers had the greatest influence on this breed we know today.

Presence

Just their sheer presence of the South African Mastiff is enough to intimidate oncoming predators and strangers. You'll find that these dogs can tip the scale to 200 pounds (90k) and with most of that being ripping muscle compacted into height of 28 inches, these dogs are a powerhouse!

These powerhouses come in a verity of shades colors and markings including light shades of brown, tints of back, brindle, and red. So you have your choice when it comes to color.

Temperament

If you're considering getting a Boerboel mastiff for your home, please be aware that this breed is highly dependent on human companionship. If left on their own for extended periods of time, they can become destructive and bad tempered. You'll also want to have a large back yard where your Boerbel can run and play; preferably an acreage as this breed will go stir-crazy cramped up in an apartment.

Through play and attention the South African mastiff will develop a favorable temperament of being loving calm and obedient. They're naturally intelligent and confident so their guardian style can be very territorial without aggression (unless they are trained to do so). The level of obedience you will obtain from these dogs will depend on your status as being the alpha master, or pack leader in the dogs mind; this needs to be established to have full obedience and it's not hard to do.

On the flipside of the coin, if you do not establish dominance over this mastiff, and do not give them the adequate amount of socialization and playtime you can have some trouble on your hands; as their natural guardianship and territorialism instincts can become aggressive and even dangerous.

So socialization for the South African Mastiff is essential. Make sure to give your mastiff proper introductions to new people so they feel comfortable around them. If it's the first time "big fluffy" meets Aunt Martha, give them a quick introduction so fluffy knows Martha is cool.

The South African Mastiff In Action

Here's a quick video example of a South African Mastiff, look at those mucles.

If guardianship is of your highest priority within the mastiff breed then the Boerboel can be the premium choice.

photo by thephreak99

Top 5 English Mastiff Rescue Reasons

Looking to adopt an English Mastiff that has been rescued? Good for you, you're about to discover how rewarding this option is; it's one of the best choices you'll make in your lifetime. Here are the top five reasons why you should continue to pursue adopting a mastiff from a rescue center. I have also provided Mastiff rescue resources at the end of this article.

5. Lower Initial Cost

Buying directly from a breeder can be expensive but if you adopt from a mastiff rescue center the costs are much, much lower.

Rescue operations will require a "donation" or ask you to pay the cost of rescuing the mastiff, as there are always costs involved when rehabilitating a mastiff that has been found abandoned. However this donation is a bargain considering what a pure breed mastiff could cost you from a professional breeder.

4. You Encourage Others by Example

There are so many mastiffs that need to be rescued, fostered and adopted. You could be the one that sets an example to everyone that adoption works. Yes you can get quality purebred mastiff from rescue centers and you can make a difference by setting a new mark that makes other consider this option too.

3. Feeling Real Good By Giving a Second Chance at Life

The English mastiff is a kind and loyal breed that want nothing more than a kind and loyal master for companionship. If you could be that someone for a once rejected mastiff it's highly honorable and feels amazing to know that you gave this mastiff a second chance at life.

2. You Support a Worthy Cause

Thousands of dogs are rescued every year; the English mastiff is just one of them. If you adopt from a rescue center then you make your contribution to help save more mastiffs. The cost to operate a mastiff rescue center can be significant as the dogs are found in poor condition and sometimes need intensive rehabilitative care, also this particular large breed eats a lot of food and needs the attention of qualified staff.

Plus, your money is not going towards a pet-shop or backyard breeder; that just pump out these dogs for sheer profit only adding to the abandonment rate and the devaluing of the breed. By adopting a rescued mastiff you do your part in sustaining the value of the English mastiff and reducing mastiff abandonment in the long run.

1. No Matter How Much You Give, You Will Benefit the Most

You know that any abandon mastiff deserves a second chance, and many are not given that opportunity. So yeah you might just be a hero but really you're the one who will be winning; what you get in return is the sweet companionship of a mastiff that will bring a wealth of Joy, excitement, and even entertainment into your life; this alone is worth the adoption of a rescued mastiff.

Just imagine how your mastiff will get you out of the house on walks( to get some much needed exercise), will make you more social with other dog owners, give you the experience of training and build memories that will last forever. It's a win-WIN for you and your family.

I hope that gives you the clarity and encouragement you need to move in the direction mastiff ownership by supporting the mastiff rescue efforts. Here are some resources that can help you on this path.

Mastiff Club Rescue (Canada): http://www.mastiffcanada.org/rescue.htm

Friends of Rescued Mastiffs: http://www.mastiffrescue.org/main.htm

Friends of Rescued Mastiffs (North-South-Midwest): http://www.conceptsdesign.com/mastiff/

Friends of Rescued Mastiffs (New England Region): http://www.geocities.com/fjones7_ne/index.html

Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue (Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin): http://www.glmr.org/

Mountain States Mastiff Rescue: http://mastiffrescue.tripod.com/index.htm

South Atlantic Region Mastiff Rescue: http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/workingdogs/mastiff_rescue.htm

Northern Nevada Mastiff Rescue: http://www.sugarlandranch.org

Southern States Mastiff Rescue (Serving Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Virginia): http://www.sosmastiffrescue.org/

French Mastiff Puppies – Don’t Get Bamboozled

All-right you're in the market and you got you heart set on an adorable French mastiff puppy. Good for you! Hey, but don't look now but you may be in for a heck of a ride and if your not careful you could end up with a sick puppy with a load of problems and huge vet bills throughout it's life.

Ok, maybe I may like to sensationalize the risks out there, but they do exist and you should be aware of them. So how do you find a French mastiff that is of the highest quality and within budget?

Well herein you'll find what to avoid and what to pursue when hunting for the perfect French mastiff with good temperament, good energy, and life long health.

Let's begin...

Three Places to Take with Extreme Causation When Looking for a French Mastiff Puppy

Pet shops

With pet shops you never know what you're getting, the pedigree (the records held on the genetic background of the dog) the breeder etc are usually unknown. You'll pay a high price but you run the risk of your puppy being completely unclassified.

The pet shop will also not take back the dog later in life, the pet shop has limited knowledge and staff, and it completely undermines the quality breeding standards held by reputable breeders.

Backyard breeders (posing as professionals)

Ok, you might just bump into a few of this people. Some may even run puppy mills, puppy farms etc. They're basically in it for the money and less so for the passion of the breed. A reputable breeder aims always at higher standards of the breed; backyard breeders look at it as a way to make a nice profit back on the dog they bought a year ago.

Classified listings

You may see some French mastiffs being advertised in the local paper, kijiji, or craigslist. Again this could be anybody and is most likely a backyard breeder; although some reputable breeders will use the classifieds to advertise. Be wary of free offers, the dog may be sick, ill tempered, untrained, and maybe even be abused.

Three Excellent Places to Start off Your Search

Let me start off by saying that you're going to find the best French mastiff puppies with the most reputable French mastiff breeders. And you know what? Many breeders don't even advertise so you got to get a referral usually through word of mouth; here's how...

Dog Shows

Hey if you got a dog show coming to town; especially if it's a show all about mastiffs then get it in gear and head down the show. When you see a French mastiff on display - don't be shy - go up to the owner and start up a conversation.

Complement the owners on their show dog and ask if they could recommend a breeder. You might just find out that your speaking to the breeder, at which point you can further the conversation to probe a little on how reputable, trustworthy and serious this breeder is about the French mastiff.

The Park

It could be a long shot, if you live in a rural area or a city with a small population. But if you go to a park in the late spring and summer moths, during the weekend, in an off leash area, you see all types of dogs and you may luck out; finding a French mastiff in the bunch.

Again, go approach the owner and ask for a recommendation for a breeder.

Veterinarians

You certainly have vet's in the vicinity. You can easily poke through a phone book and call a few. Ask if they could recommend any French mastiff breeders in the area and you might just luck out.

With any luck you'll build up a nice reference list of 5-10 breeder recommendations (with name and phone number) now you can call around and setup some viewings.

American Mastiff Puppies – 3 Steps to Finding Your Perfect Puppy

Looking for an American Mastiff Puppy? Good for you! The mastiff is one of the most loyal and loving companions you can have in your family. However your search for the perfect puppy can be a little winding if you under experienced.

I'm here to help, and give you the process in a nutshell. Three steps the help you find the perfect American mastiff puppy for you and your family.

1. Make a List of American Mastiff Breeders

This can be a bit involved but it pays off. When you find a quality American mastiff breeder you will find your quality mastiff puppy. Simple so how do you find a breeder?

Well it usually comes by a good recommendation, but you can also find a list of breeders online. Search online for "American Mastiff Breeders" and see what comes up, make a list of names and numbers.

If you go to the park and see an American mastiff, approach the owner and start up a quick conversation and ask where they got there mastiff. Ask questions like if they're happy with it and if they would be willing to recommend the breeder.

An excellent source to finding good recommendation is to go to any local dog shows in your area; especially mastiff specific dog shows. If you see an American mastiff, approach the owner and ask for a breeder recommendation.

At shows you will even be more likely to find breeders with there dogs. If you do find a mastiff breeder at a show it can be the perfect opportunity to ask if they have won any awards and get a load of information about their breeding; Definitely get the breeders card.

2. Screen the Breeder

At this point you should have a list of American mastiff breeders to go through. Maybe 5 - 20. What you want to do is narrow down your list by doing on phone screening. Basically you're going to call the breeder up and ask a few questions to determine if they are someone you can trust to provide you with a quality mastiff

Here are three questions that you can ask the breeder

Do you belong to any breeder clubs or organizations?
Do you exclusively breed the American mastiff?
Do you guarantee the health of your mastiff puppies?

You are looking for a positive response for all three of these questions. The better the breeder can answer these questions the higher the potential this breeder has as being breeder you should visit.

You should aim to narrow down your list to three potentials to go visit.

Call back your potentials and setup a time where you can visit breeder and her dogs.

When visiting your breeder there are various things that will tell of the quality of the breeder. Here are three big things to look for.

1. The adult American mastiffs should look happy and be sociable with you.

2. The dwelling place of the mastiffs should be clean with access to water

3. The mastiffs should have plenty of space to run around in; if your breeder is on acreage even better.

By looking at these three indicators, you can determine if the breeder has a real interest and love of her mastiffs by providing them socialization, a good home and proper care.

3. Deciding on your Mastiff Puppy

When do you have the proper breeder that you can trust you can now make arrangements to buy a puppy? Usually the breeder may not have puppies on hand but will have some coming.

It can be a bit irritating waiting for a puppy from a reputable breeder but its well worth the wait, because you'll be getting a top quality American mastiff.

When the puppies are ready for viewing you'll get a call from your breeder to come visit the new litter. You'll be able to choose a puppy by its coloration and its demonstrated personality when there right around eight weeks old.

Some breeders will keep the puppy with this mother until the 16^th week at which point they are ready to be taken home with you.

Enjoy your new American Mastiff Puppy.

Neapolitan Mastiff Breeders – Find the Right Breeder

When looking for a Neapolitan Mastiff Breeder your search can be full of pitfalls. There are a few things you should be aware of when choosing a breeder and I'll be explaining all you need to know. By finding the right kind of breeder you'll be setting yourself up to get a top quality Neapolitan Mastiff.

Your new mastiff can be in your family for 10-12 years, sometimes even more. What you're really doing is choosing another member of the family, so it's not a decision to take lightly or something you do in a day. You want to be happy with you new addition, knowing full well that (s)he will be in good health and well tempered.

So, it all starts with the quality breeder. The best way to find a breeder is through a recommendation. So where do you find a good recommendation?

The Park: Try a walk to the local park where off leash is permitted. You'll see a whole bunch of owners with their dogs, but more importantly find the owner with a Neapolitan Mastiff. I know it's a long shot, but if you do see one take the opportunity to walk up and start a quick conversation about their dog. Ask if they can recommend the breeder from where they received there dog and what was their experience.

A Dog Show: The more mastiff specific the better. Go to a dog show in town and visit the Neapolitans mastiffs on display. Again go start a conversation with the show dog owner and ask for reference. Sometimes you'll find breeders showing off their dog at the event, so it's a perfect opportunity to introduce yourself and really get a feel for who the breeder is; Get their card.

Community: Try calling some local Veterinarians, Dog Shelters, and Animal Rescue. The people who work at these places see a large amount of animals and usually have a list of breeders in the area.

On the Web: You can do a search online, but because this is not coming from a reference you're just going to have to be a little more selective. The breeder may talk a good game on the telephone or through email, but for all that you know this can be a cheap backyard mastiff hobbyist just trying to make a few extra bucks from their dog.

Screening the Neapolitan Mastiff Breeder

So at this point you should have a few breeders contact numbers. The ones you obtain through references should be considered your "A" list. The breeders you found through web directories, and classifieds should be on your "B" list. You're now going to figure out if you can really trust this breeder and then quality of mastiff they sell.

Getting a General Idea of Who the Breeder is

Is the breeder selective: That is, does she seem inquisitive to your reasoning behind getting a mastiff. A good breeder will be selective in who she sells to.

Is the breeder knowledgeable: When asking the breeder questions you should receive good responses that are well informative regarding the Neapolitan mastiff.

Does the breeder express a love for her mastiffs: It may be hard to tell, but if you can identify that the breeder is enthusiastic and really cares for this breed then you know that her involvement is seeded in passion; not solely for the money.

3 Good Questions to Ask The Breeder

1. Do you belong to any Neapolitan Mastiff Clubs or Organizations? You're looking for a Yes Answer, this shows passion and involvement with the breed.

2. What other breeds of dogs do you breed? You're looking for that only breeds the Neapolitan mastiff, otherwise no more than two different breeds.

3. Do you guarantee the Health of your Mastiff? The breeder should yes to this question. You want a breeder that breeds healthy mastiffs and one that stands behind the quality of dog they produce.

3 Things to Look for When Visiting the Breeder

1. The adult dogs should be happy to see you (waging the tail) but be well tempered enough not to jump up or be out of control. Warning signals should ring if the adult dog cowers or continues to bark at you after an introduction.

2. Is the Mastiff's place of dwelling clean and cozy with accessibility water? This Just shows that the breeder has a respect for her animals and ensures they are well taken care of.

3. Do the Mastiffs have plenty of space to run around in? A good breeder will make a home on acreage or a farm where she can breed and raise her mastiffs in wide open area.

In Summary

It may take multiple phone calls, visits, and driving around to find a good breeder that you can trust but once you do find "the" breeder you'll certainly find "the" mastiff.

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