Purchase from Reputable Mastiff Breeders
The best way to get a healthy, happy, quality Mastiff puppy is to purchase one directly from a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders put the welfare of their dogs and the improvement of the breed above their desire for financial gain. Reputable breeders will take back or replace a puppy who is found to have a congenital defect.
The Mastiff Club of America offers its members an opportunity to be listed on the clubs Breeder Referral program for a monetary donation to the club. These members are members in good standing with the MCOA and whom adhere to the clubs Code of Ethics. Though it is the recommendation of the club for all Mastiff breeders to health screen their Mastiffs, the club does not have the ability to mandate each of its members. So it is the advise of the club to all potential buyers to screen your breeder before purchasing a puppy.
Have you also considered adopting a Rescue Mastiff? Visit the Mastiff Club of America’s Rescue page for more info.
Questions to ask Breeders
The following are offered as possible questions you should ask the breeder of a Mastiff puppy you are considering acquiring. The FAQ ‘Getting a Dog’ contains additional, more general questions you may also wish to ask.
Do they health test?
Are the parents proven to be clear of the genetic problems discussed in Mastiff Health and Mastiff Health Awards? Have the suggested tests been performed on the parents? What is the breadth of the testing - just the parents? older siblings? grandparents? aunts & uncles? The breeder should be willing and able to produce copies of all test results, at least for the parents - if not offered - ask for them! Health testing completed through the American Orthopedic Foundation for Animals can be looked up on their database by searching the listed parents full AKC registered names. Visit ofa.org for more information.
Why not?
If the breeder doesn't test, ask why. Do NOT accept the answer that they don't test because they've never had a problem with something - how can they know they don't have a problem if they don't test? Do not accept their vet's opinion on hip dysplasia x-rays - a regular vet is not a trained radiologist - OFA uses three board certified radiologists to examine all x-rays.
How old is the Dam?
How many times has she been bred? How far apart were the breedings? A Mastiff bitch should not be bred before 22 months of age nor after her 7th birthday; nor should her breedings, other than in exceptional cases, be closer together than 12 months.
What was the purpose of this breeding?
Why did they choose the stud dog they used? What traits were they looking for? What improvements were they after? Are the breeders planning on keeping a puppy from this litter? If not, why not? If yes, how did they pick which one? A reputable Mastiff breeder will have a good reason for every breeding, either to improve their line or solidify and continue traits they already have. A reputable breeder will NOT be breeding just to have puppies to sell.
What faults do the dam and sire have?
EVERY Mastiff has some faults. How has this breeding served to correct these faults? What are their good points?
What breed clubs do the breeders belong to?
At a minimum, they should belong to the MCOA and/or one of regional Mastiff clubs, thus exhibiting an interest in supporting the future and direction of the breed, as well as being willing to place themselves under the oversight of their peers through the mechanism of the club's Code of Ethics.
Have the dam and sire been shown?
Conformation showing is intended to identify the dogs that best fit the Mastiff standard; if the dogs haven't been shown, how do the breeders know, objectively, how well they are doing?
What are the living conditions of the breeder's dogs?
Do they have adequate living space and room to exercise? Are the quarters clean and well kept? Is fresh water available?
What steps have the breeders taken to socialize the pups?
Are they used to children? Other dogs? Other animals? Public places with lots of people? Early socialization is extremely important for a Mastiff; the lack of adequate socialization can cause serious problems later on.
What are the pups being fed?
Are they being given supplements? If so, why? Mastiff pups will eventually grow to their genetically programmed size, it is much better for their health if they do so slowly. Good, quality food is usually all they need.
What are the terms of their contract?
What guarantees do they offer? What conditions do they impose on your treatment and care of the dog? What penalties are imposed if you violate the terms of the contract? See section 4 of the MCOA Code of Ethics for a list of the minimum terms an MCOA breeder must include in their contract as well as other material they are required to supply to a puppy buyer.
MCOA BREEDER REFERRAL LISTINGS
The following is a list of reputable breeders (listed in alphabetical order by state) who are members of the Mastiff Club of America in good standing, and whom adhere to the clubs Code of Ethics
Alabama
Caleya King – Vegreville, AL.
Bendegeit Mastiffs bendegeitmastiffs@hotmail.com
Arizona
Doreen Dysert – Lake Havasu, AZ.
Marcy Mountain Mastiffs
ddysert34@gmail.com
California
Sandra Espig – Paso Robles, CA.
Nacimiento Mastiffs
Dick & Mary Greaver – Palmdale, CA.
Thundersky Mastiffs
Christie Lubbering – Apple Valley, CA.
Granite Hill Mastiffs
lucyballfan2@yahoo.com
The Sanchez Family- Covina, CA.
Southport Mastiffs
danisanchez.southport@gmail.com
Karin Weseloh – Morgan Hill, CA.
Whispering Oaks Mastiffs
kweseloh@aol.com
Laura Watson – La Selva Beach, CA.
La Selva Beach Mastiffs
laura@watson-packer.com
Patti Wilkinson – Grass Valley, CA.
Rising Star Mastiffs
pwlknsn@att.net
Connecticut
Joann Viera – Lisbon, CT.
Mountainview Mastiffs
mtnviewmastiffs89@hotmail.com
Florida
Kimberly Harac & Les Evans DVM – Belleview, FL.
Impeccable Mastiffs
impeccablemastiffs@gmail.com
Hawaii
None listed
Illinois
Karen Pettry – Lake Villa, IL.
Kharisma Mastiffs
kharismamastiff@aol.com
Erika Wepner – Sugar Grove, IL.
Pantheon Acres
info@pantheonacres.com
Iowa
None listed
Kentucky
None listed
Maine
None listed
Massachusetts
Susan Bushika – Adams, MA.
Lakeside Mastiffs
sbushika@gmail.com
Deborah Falvo – Charlton, MA.
Masterpiece Mastiffs
masterpiecemastiffs@gmail.com
Mary Kuhn-Smola – Monson, MA.
Woodhill Mastiffs
ago8281@comcast.net
Erika Marshall – Middleboro, MA.
Kyniska Mastiffs
erikam@kyniska.com
Minnesota
Lisa Armstrong – Waseca, MN.
Epic Mastiffs
lisaarmstrong15@yahoo.com
Debbie Wuethevich – Gaylord, MN.
Lakeside Mastiffs of MN.
lakeside1959@embarqmail.com
Missouri
Tricia Dalman – Kearney, MO.
Audacious Mastiffs
audaciousmastiffs@gmail.com
Nebraska
None listed
New Hampshire
None listed
New Mexico
None listed
North Carolina
None listed
Ohio
Monica Baughman – Hebron, OH.
Hickory Creek
mbaughman@columbus.rr.com
Angela Dinneen – Pleasantville, OH.
Bittersweet Lane Mastiffs
a_dinneen@yahoo.com
Tammy Kinkade – Defiance, OH.
Eyota Mastiffs
Deanna Kneeland – Johnstown, OH.
Clover Valley Mastiffs
deanna@notoriousmastiffs.com
Mitzi Walters – Dublin, OH.
Brazenhead Mastiffs
mitziwalters5@aol.com
Amber Weiler – Mount Vernon, OH.
Weilers Gentle Giants
weilersgentlegiants@gmail.com
Oregon
Laura Olsen – Sandy, OR.
Stonehaven Mastiffs
lauraolsen64@icloud.com
Rhode Island
None listed
South Dakota
None listed
Texas
Kelli DeSoto – Floresville, TX.
Ashber Farm kdesota89@gmail.com
Lisa Eddy – Canyon, TX.
Gothic Mastiffs
Gothicmastiffs@gmail.com
Tara Gray – Gainesville, TX.
Rocking Oak Mastiffs
rockingoakmastiffs@gmail.com
Valarie Gutterson – Fredericksburg, TX.
Forrest Crowned Mastiffs
valerie@camelbacklaw.com
Marty Hancock – Denton, TX.
Bluebonnet Mastiffs
bluebonnetmastiffs@gmail.com
Elise Slone – Ft Worth, TX.
Castle Lake Mastiffs
castlakemastiffs@gmail.com
Vermont
None listed
Washington
Rebecca Davis Kennewick, WA.
River Valley Mastiffs
Dimples967@gmail.com
Jean Donaldson – Rochester, WA.
Selene Mastiffs
jeanmarie@selenemastiffs.com
Barbie Fiorentino – Spokane, WA.
Sassenach Mastiffs
ancistrus@gmail.com
Candace Holmes Davenport, WA.
Pioneer Mastiffs
pioneermastiffs@gmail.com
Wisconsin
Carolyn Becker – Cedarburg, WI.
River Rock Mastiffs
cjbeck@aol.com
Dena Drozdoff – Stoughton, WI.
Fireside Mastiffs
firesidemastiffs00@gmail.com
Alaska
Ken Koch- Homer, Alaska.
Maniac Mastiffs
k9friends4u@hotmail.com
Arkansas
Terry Smith – Beebe, AR.
vonmozart01@gmail.com
Colorado
Rachel Diller – Littleton, CO.
Magnum Mastiffs
magnummastiffs@gmail.com
Delaware
None listed
Georgia
Troy Lafata – Lawrenceville, GA.
Millennial Mastiffs
millennialmastiffs@comcast.net
Indiana
None listed
Kansas
Angela Cottrell- Whichita, KS.
acottrell1975@gmail.com
Louisiana
None listed
Maryland
None listed
Michigan
None listed
Mississippi
None listed
Montana
None listed
Nevada
Heather Moore – Las Vegas, NV.
Eagle Clan Mastiffs
eagleclanmastiffs@gmail.com
New Jersey
None listed
New York
Karen Paquette – Port Byron, NY.
Braveheart Mastiffs
bigpaws777@tds.net
Kelly Verbridge – Williamson, NY.
Harvest Haze Mastiffs
farmdograw@yahoo.com
Traci Weaver – Wyoming, NY.
Hrothgar Mastiffs
hrothgarmastiffs@gmail.com
North Dakota
None listed
Oklahoma
Cynthia Luper – Westville, OK.
Lupers Country Critters
cyndijo505@yahoo.com
Pennsylvania
Kathy Stiger – PA.
Millridge Mastiffs
millridgemast@gmail.com
Robin Tabor – Royersford, PA.
True Story Mastiffs
truestorymast@gmail.com
South Carolina
Karen Loving – Landrum, SC.
Looking Glass Mastiffs
karenlovin@aol.com
Tennessee
Mark & Jann Lanz – TN.
Goldleaf Mastiffs
timber@pacific.net
Utah
Stephanie Howells – West Valley, UT.
Highlander Mastiffs
showells47@gmail.com
Karen Park – Layton, UT.
Manoah Mastiffs
manoahmastiffs@gmail.com
Tina Woods – Pleasant View, UT.
Jadem Mastiffs jademmastiffs@gmail.com
Virginia
Becky Cooper– Warrenton, VA.
Coopers Mastiffs
b24mastiff@aol.com
Domenic, Jayna & Alexandra Marcelli– Troy, VA.
Hooligan Mastiffs
info@hooliganmastiffs.com
West Virginia
None listed
Wyoming
None listed
MCOA BREEDERS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
The following is a list of reputable breeders (listed in alphabetical order by country) whom are members of the Mastiff Club of America in good standing, and adhere to the clubs Code of Ethics