Hello mastiff-forum,
So my Duchess and Duke are my first two mastiffs. Prior to them I owned a chow chow, rottie, doberman, border collie, and a catahoula-ridgeback mix. All of my dogs had been rescues.
My Duchess is my first ever female and she was "given" to me by an acquaintance almost two years ago. I was told she was a full Neo, but I doubt she really is. I purchased Duke from a breeder in Southern California approximately 5 months after gettimg Duchess. He is a full Neo. I wish I had came on this site prior to purchasing from "breeders" so that I would have been aware of back yard breeders. My family and I love both of my dogs and wouldn't trade them for anything, but still would have been nice to know.
Either way, I've learned a lot from the people here and continue to learn all the time.