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Yep, there's no doubt about it, you're hooked. You think that the mastiff is just the greatest dog that ever lived (and to be honest, 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 about to begin. The thing is: where on earth do you start? Your initial thought, is of course to try searching locally. And there's nothing wrong with that. By all means look around for a mastiff locally.But don't let proximity of breeder be the tipping point in your adopting your new friend. A good dog is definitely worth traveling for. So even before you look through the ads in your local newspaper, try visiting some dog shows. 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 folk" will be only to happy to guide you in the right direction of a quality breeder, whilst chewing the fat about the "mastiff". Why should they be so helpful? Firstly, 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. You can count on these guys to be pretty up front about who and what is good or bad in the world of breeding. As you chat with the people that you meet, it is inevitable that you will collect several business cards from different breeders. You should follow up on these, just give them a call and chat for a while about the breed, your likes and dislikes etc. This doesn't mean you are commiting to anything, it's just fact finding. What should you be getting from this conversation? You're getting a feel for the breeder's" dog ethics" as well as his or her commitment to the mastiff as a breed. Don't worry to much that you may not be one hundred percent sure what answers you're looking for or even what questions 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, then perhaps his commitment and love of the breed isn't quite strong enough. 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 hit upon a high-quality breeder. You'll also have a sense of his reputation, by the way he allays your fears 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. Of course 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? Don't be afraid to ask about the health issues associated with the breed. Every breed has some distinguishing health concerns. It's always best to know what the issues are before adopting. Ask the breeder what the mastiff's most important single characteristic is. This alone will give you an insight into their thinking and views on the breed. As you narrow your choices in the way of possible breeders, don't narrow it to only one. Make a list of several and then prioritize that list by your initial preferences. You may have to wait until other potential owners have made their adoption selections. After all, it's a first-come, first-serve world in 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. While this could be irritating, especially since you want your new puppy NOW, view this as a good thing. This is definitely a signal that you've chosen a quality breeder. If you believe that the wait involved is excessive and only you can decide that you can always decide to adopt from your second choice of mastiff breeders 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 puppies will easily display their various personalities. You'll also be able to see how these little guys (relatively speaking) interact with you and your family. Yes, completely, you should take the whole family along for this viewing session. It's absolutely essential right from the start that each member of your family has a chance to participate in this decision. The puppy you ultimately choose reflects, by the way, why exactly you want a mastiff to begin 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 you want a dog who is going to be a loyal family pet, then it's not as important that the dog meets all the physical criteria of the breed. You're 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. Be aware that depending on your pup's age, you may not take him home on that visit. No, don't be too disappointed. After all, you've waited this long, haven't you? Besides, the delay gives you time to get the house prepared for him. I wish you well and have a wonderful time with your new "baby"!
Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com
Steve Peters is a caring animal lover and owns a number of animal related websites. For more information about www.mastiffmaster.net/Finding_Mastiff_Puppies_for_Sale.html">Mastiff Puppies check out: www.mastiffmaster.net
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