Monarch Mastiffs

List Of Questions To Ask Breeders

BELOW IS A LIST OF QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD ASK AND THINGS YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A BREEDER WHEN BUYING A MASTIFF PUPPY.

  1. Are the Mastiffs being bred, checked for and clear of the following genetic problems? (Must be documented, not just the breeders opinion!)
    1. Hip and elbow dysplasia. Ask for copies of OFA reports showing grade of hips, and clear rating on elbows. Some will tell you that they have x-rayed their dogs, and their vet says they are OK. Ask them why they did not send the x-rays to the OFA. A regular vet is not a trained radiologist, many make huge mistakes. The OFA has THREE board certified radiologists examine the x-rays to make an accurate diagnosis.
    2. Eye defects, Ask for CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) numbers, and for a copy of the actual exam sheet, not just the certificate.
    3. Thyroid problems. Ask for a copy of the thyroid test results. Hypothyrodism can mean a lifetime of allergies, skin and reproductive problems.
    4. vWd. von Wildebrands disease. (Bleeding disorder) Ask for a copy of the test results.
    5. Heart and Patellas. Ask if the breeder tests for these, especially the heart. Get copies of the OFA certificates.
    IF THE BREEDER SAYS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE, ESPECIALLY HIP DYSPLASIA, ASK THEM HOW DO THEY KNOW THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM IF THEY DO NOT TEST!!!
  2. How old are the Mastiffs being bred? (The bitch should be at least 22 months, preferably 2 years old or older, but under 7 years)
  3. Why did they use that stud dog? Convenient? Cheap? Handy?
  4. What faults do the bitch and stud dog have? (All dogs have some faults, if not please let me know who they are!)
  5. What are the life spans of the parent's ancestors? Beware of dogs whose grandparents/parents died very young of unknown causes!
  6. Are the sire and dam related? If so, how closley? Don't be put off by a certain amount of inbreeding. This sets the genes, and the dogs are more likely to breed true. If you are afraid of getting worse defects (which also happens), then look for a pup that is an outcross, where the parents are unrelated.
  7. How often do they breed their bitches? When was the bitch's last litter? (Maximum should be once a year, unless the bitch only had one pup.)
  8. Do the breeders show their dogs? If not, how do they know the quality of their dogs without comparing them to others?
  9. Do the breeders belong to any dog clubs? Do they actively try to educate others and help to improve the breed?
  10. Do the breeders bad mouth other breeders? (Trying to make themselves look better?) Beware the breeder that belittles other peoples dogs or the people themselves. Of course if more than one breeder tells you about the same breeder, then listen, do more research and beware.
  11. Are their Mastiffs kept in the house or are they in small kennels like livestock? Even worse, are they crated all of the time, only let out to relieve themselves? There is however, nothing wrong with large shady kennels with access to fresh water and room to exercise.
  12. What are their guarantees? Do they put them in writing? Do they ask you to sign a contract? A contract works both ways.
  13. Are the pups current on their vaccinations and dewormed when you get them? I've actually had some breeders tell me that the pups haven't had their shots so they could keep the price down!!
  14. What are the dogs being fed? Do they use a cheap brand or a premium brand? Do they feed the pups a high powered puppy food? (Trying to make them bigger faster so you'll think you're getting a huge dog.) Knowing these things will tell you a lot about the breeders (in it for money only) and also what health problems the pups might encounter later. (knuckling over, HOD, pano & other orthopedic problems).
  15. Are the breeders willing to take the dog back if for some reason you can no longer keep it? A good breeder is responsible for what they produce for the lifetime of the dog, good or bad.
  16. Most important. Are they planning on keeping a pup? If not, why? Why did they breed if not to keep a pup? Money?

This may seem like of lot of research, but you are planning on keeping this Mastiff for a lifetime - longer than a new car, often a house, or even these days, longer than a spouse! Remember, you are paying for the history, research, knowledge, and work that has gone into making MONARCH Mastiffs the BEST Mastiffs that I can breed. I hope that everyone works as hard for the Mastiff and for you!

Monarch Mastiffs