???QUESTIONS???

I love questions. In fact, it makes me cautious if you've never owned an English Mastiff before and you have no questions. Having questions is a great thing and very welcomed in this household. We want to know you are completely equipped to take on this breed.

If you stumbled across this blog and are interested in getting a mastiff elsewhere, but have questions, PLEASE feel free to ask me. My purpose and goal is to spread the love of the breed, provide as much information as I can for all new mastiff owners-to-be, and make sure you're equipped for your new puppy.

No question is a stupid question, but not asking a question prevents you from knowing all you can about the breed.

Some questions you may or may not have thought about.....

Q- Are Mastiffs fighters?
A- No. They are gentle giants that will protect their family as necessary.

Q- What are Mastiffs like in the house?
A- They are human like. They love to lay on anything besides the floor. What I mean is they will lay on a towel, a blanket, a washcloth or whatever. They love laying near their master. They also love to have their own bed (a baby mattress makes a nice bed vs. a dog bed). They are very clean unless you're cooking a delicious dinner, then mastiffs tend to drool or after drinking a bowl of water, which you'll need to be prepared to clean their drool before they turn into slingers stuck on your walls (I always keep drool towels close by).

Q- How much does a mastiff eat?
A- One deer carcass everyone three days! Ok, joking aside, pound for pound, the larger the dog the less food it needs for each pound of body weight. Exactly how much food a mastiff needs depends on many factors, such as size, age and activity level. It's best while they're young to feed them 2 to 3 times a day. (When they're ready for their new homes June 16th, I will have them down to eating twice a day & you'll want to maintain that until they're almost 8 months or older unless you find your pup satisfied eating once a day). *Avoid self feeders with young mastiffs as they will eat, eat, and eat themselves to death or if they feel they have competition.

Q- Do Mastiffs need a lot of exercise?
A- About as much as you do. But keep the running to a minimal and never any jumping down or up. This will pay off in the future!

Q- Do Mastiffs pass gas?
A- You beat! And its not nothing like your husband's gas. This gas can make you evacuate a room. I find that males tend to be gasier than the females.

Q- Do Mastiffs shed?
A- YES, twice a year and buying a FURMINATOR is a must as it removes the undercoat and its a great overall shedding tool. If you purchase a pup from me, I will be happy to let you know where you can get a furminator with a huge discount. Local Retailers are $65.

Q- Do Mastiff snore?
A- Yes. Very loudly. I have a fan that I listen to as I drift off to sleep and Deuce is much louder than that. Or the worse yet, is when I am deep into a good movie and Deuce is out cold, snoring away and making it impossible to hear my movie, while rumbling the foundation of the house. I slap my hands, call out his name, even nudge him with my foot as he drowns out my television. Kai also snores but nothing in comparison to Deuce.

Q- How are Mastiffs with other dogs....a cat?
A- As long as the dog and the mastiff have been properly socialized, they'll first be curious and then friendly. We have a deaf cat. Our mastiffs like to play with him and he likes to play with them. I think my cat particularly likes when the dogs bark because he doesn't hear a sound, lol. However, once they all get outside, something changes and the dogs go into predatory mode and try chasing the cat. A big NO NO.

Q- How are Mastiffs with Strangers?
A- Our mastiffs tend to stand between the stranger and ourselves. He/she watches his/her actions/movements and determine if the stranger is there to do harm. Once my mastiff feel safe for me, he/she will go lay down, very close by.

Q- How long does a Mastiff live?
A- I've heard anywhere 9 to 11 yrs and 7 to 14 years.

Q- Do Mastiffs come in different colors?
A- Yes. Apricot, Shades of light or dark fawn, and Brindle.

Q- How much training does a Mastiff need?
A- They do need training just like any other dog. They should know the basics, such as sit, down, lay, up/stand, heel. Since this breed is massive, you have to have ownership over his actions. You must be in control. Teaching more commands is a bonus!!

Q- What does a Mastiff eat?
A- 3 raw steaks, 4 potatoes, twice a day. Ha ha. Joking aside, Mastiff need dog food with protein ranging from 20-25%, mid-range for fat 12-18%, calcium and phosphorus and high in iodine around 3-5%. So check this with the brand you are thinking about purchasing. The puppies will be raised on Purina Puppy Chow.

Q- Do Mastiffs have genetic health problems?
A- Yes. A top couple are Hip and Elbow Displaysia

Q- Does owning a Mastiff cost a lot?
A- Yes. Large crates cost more (so the mastiff is safe from chewing your furniture when you're out...this only lasts thru the puppy stage up to a year old), food, toys (they go through many toys as most don't last long with a mastiff), and medicines as certain ones are based on weight, like frontline or heartguard.

Q- Where should I get a Mastiff?
A- Reputable Breeder!


I hope you found some of these questions helpful. Please feel free to post a question here or email me your question.

Thanks,
Amber