Meet the Breeds is back

It's time for the AKC Meet the Breeds event at the Javits Center Oct 16 & 17! We got the booth set up yesterday. The slideshow and handouts are ready for the 35,000+ visitors we are expecting. Come on down and join us if you can. Buy you tickets online you will pay less than at the door plus save even more by using the promo code FRIENDS. Get your tix now at www.


meetthebreeds.com


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Mastiff booth at Suffolk County Kennel Club show

Well we were a bit rushed at this booth--we forgot out table, tablecloth and were short on tape and clamps but we made do. As always the dogs were very popular. Our new poster titled "Living With A Mastiff: Or How a MAstiff WIll Change Your Life Completely" was very well received. It was good to have so much information hung in a way that was right in people's faces. The text on this poster is taken from the previous postings we have here on our blog. We had a lot of positive comments on the format and information. people also enjoyed the binder with 60 pages of History, FAQs, photos and engravings.

Thanks to everyone that helped us get this together!

Living with a Mastiff: Summary

If these Mastiff accommodations seem to be too much, then the Mastiff is not the breed for you. If you are undaunted, begin your search for the right breeder for you. Look for a responsible breeder who breeds health-tested, well-tempered dogs that meet the breed standard. The breeder you choose should be a resource for you for the life of your dog. All dogs should be sold with a contract and AKC papers. The Mastiff Club of America website (www.mastiff.org) has an excellent FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section that includes a Questions to Ask a Mastiff Breeder page. Taking your time and doing some research will help ensure that the bringing a Mastiff into your home will be a fantastic and sometimes slobbery experience!

Living with a Mastiff: part 5 Vehicle

A single Mastiff can be transported in the back seat of your average sedan. Should you need to transport other people and a Mastiff you will need to move up to a larger vehicle. Vans, minivans, SUVs and even some cross-over SUVs can work.

• A crate is the safest way to transport any dog. Although not many vehicles can accommodate a Mastiff-sized crate.
  
  
• Depending on the height of your vehicle, you may need to purchase a ramp to make entry and exit safe. Aside from the fact that most Mastiffs will not jump into an SUV, having one jump out is inviting injury. Remember that the ramp would need to be able to hold over 200 lbs.
  
  
• It is best to have a wipeable vinyl or leather interior. Mastiffs love to rest their heads on the back of the seats in front of them. Let’s just say that can leave a mark.
  
  
• A dog barrier is an excellent idea. Some Mastiffs like to climb over the seats to get closer to their owners — irregardless of what is on the seat in front of them (kids, luggage, a cake). Also should there be an accident, a Mastiff can become a 200+ lb projectile. The barrier keeps everyone safer.

Living with a Mastiff: part 4 Food

Mastiffs require a good quality food that is not too high in protein. They should be fed adult food — even as puppies. They eat much more food than smaller breeds making them more expensive to keep.

• A growing Mastiff will eat 8-12 cups of dry dog food a day. A full grown adult will eat 6-8.
  
  
• One Mastiff can easily go through a 33 lb bag of food in a 20 days.
  
  
• Do not underestimate cleanup! Remember 33 lbs in is 33lbs out!
  
  
• Never be give cooked meat bones, rawhides, or anything else that could easily be lodged in the throat or cause an obstruction.
  
  
• If supplements are given (eg. to support joint health) dosage is determined by weight. So again the cost here is greater than that of a small dog.
  
  
• Be prepared to change the water bowl often. Mastiffs are not neat drinkers
  and many do not like to drink slobbery water. Towels around the bowls can help reduce the number of times you slip walking thru the area!
  

Living with a Mastiff: part 3 The Vet

Expect your vet bills to be large. Most vets have a set office fee. The amount of medication your dog may receive however, is determined by weight. The cost of medicating a 200 lb mastiff is much greater than that of an 8 lb Yorkie.

• Find a vet with giant breed experience. Giant breeds do not have the same issues as smaller breeds!
  
  
• Find who is willing to follow your breeder's vaccine protocols and is willing to talk to your breeder if needed.
  
  
• Find a vet whose office can accommodate a Mastiff. Some exam rooms can be too small to do a proper exam and after 4 months no mastiff is going up on the table!

Living with a Mastiff: part 2 Toys

It is always important to be sure that any toys given are appropriate for your dog. Not many toys can hold up to the Mastiff. By the time a Mastiff is six months old most toys present a serious choking hazard.

• No balls smaller than a soccer ball should be played with. And realize that no soccer ball or basketball can hold up to a Mastiff’s canines.
  
  
• Mastiffs can easily break pieces of rubber and plastic toys. This can cause serious internal problems and result in surgery. The black Kong is one of the few toys that can hold up to Mastiff chewing.
  
  
• An empty plastic liter soda bottle with the label removed can be a fun, cheap toy and it is interesting to see inside your mastiff’s mouth through the bottle. Once the bottle is finally defeated and begins breaking it must be taken away as the plastic can be sharp. Freezing water in the bottle can make it last a bit longer for supervised summer fun.
  
  
• Not all Mastiffs are shredders so large stuffed toys may be fine. Some of the new heavy canvas toys with heavily serged seams can hold up much longer but they can be expensive.
  
  
• You must supervise all toys and remove any loose stuffing or squeakers. Also once pieces start coming off plastic or rubber toys they must be removed.