Can anyone help or know someone who can?

[GinaMariee]

After weeks of consideration, and more weeks of researching, I have decided for Christmas that i want to buy my 7 year old son a dog. He has always wanted one, but i was always afraid of getting one and it end up hurting him. So, i managed to hold him off until now. The researching led me to decide that a Mastiff would be the perfect dog for my son. Jalen LOVES having the feeling of being loved and having someone to love, and from what ive learned, a Mastiff loves to love! He's an only child, and desperately wants a "Best Friend that he can take everywhere". I also believe that a mastiff would be perfect in teaching him responsibility, but not to the extreme. I have a decent size home, but much of nothing for a yard-so its a good thing that Mastiffs dont require a lot of exercise.

The problem----Im a single mother, theres no way in heck i could afford $1500 for a dog I have seen many breeders offer discounted female puppies for $700-$900 (which is more in my price range) as long as they can breed and show (i have no intention on breeding or showing, so they can show and breed all they want), BUT, they all require you to live within 2-3 hours of the kennel. I have found none even remotely close to my home (Indianapolis).

So, my question is, are there ANY breeders out there that could help me in regards to the price of their puppies? I know that a lot of time, money and love goes into breeding, and i absolutely agree that the puppies are worth every bit of the money you charge, probably even more, but i would NEVER be able to afford full price. You can have all the showing and breeding rights you want, as long as Jalen gets his "Best Friend".

Thank you for listening! I hope theres someone out there who can help!

 

[tyhatts]

My first thoughts..... 7 yrs old... plus 140-150 lbs dog( thats being conservative) ...... = not good ! " best friend that he can take everywhere " .... the dog is going to weight almost double what he does.... do you think he could control the dog on a lease if he saw another dog across the street and decided he wanted to go play ?

You dont want to deal with the hassel of showing / breeding unless your DEDICATED ! Which you said you are not.... I mean that even with the breeder showing the dog, or breeding your female. You have to deal with heat cycles, then once the dog is preggo.... I dont even know what is involved but im sure there is ALOT to looking after a pregnant mastiff.

From what you are telling us.... Adoption sounds like the route you should be going. I would be looking for a 1yr-2yr old dog that is trained.

Besides that.... Ill let the more knowledgeable folks on the site chime in....

 

[Marrowshard]

I would say to adopt We just recently adopted a 3-year-old male EM from a local shelter. They happened to be running a "half-off" adoption promotion so we ended up bringing him home for about $112. There wasn't a thing wrong with him, he'd just gotten out of his yard too many times with his previous owner and Animal Control seized him. The owner couldn't/wouldn't relocate so the dog had to go. He's extremely loving and does great with cats, kids, etc. just needed a chance to be somewhere he could run and play. Every adoption won't be a home run, but neither will every puppy. I'd say if you're cost-conscious to go with an adult dog.
Be aware, though, that a mastiff's expense doesn't stop after you bring them home. They eat quite a lot and vet visits tend to be pricey since they take larger amounts of medication (antibiotics especially, but also tick/flea drops, heartworm tabs, etc.). Everything needs to be "XXL" so super-size doggie beds, large crates, bigger toys, etc. and it adds up fast.
I do agree with tyhatts that breeding/showing isn't for the faint of heart. If you're after a companion, stick to that and don't bother with the rest unless you're willing to put in the extra time, money, and effort.

~Marrow

 

[PuppyPaws]

I completely agree with the above 2 posts. Adoption seems to be your best option. Check into purebreed rescues for Mastiffs. If you are not into breeding or showing, I think this is your best option.

I would still caution about the size of the dog and "taking him everywhere". I am in full support of socializing a dog as much as possible, but with dogs of such large size, they aren't the easiest dog to "take everywhere". As marrow said too, the expense continues after purchase and can continue to make a significant impact on one's budget.

Good luck in your search. If you find your forever pet, please post pics

 

[dsaw247]

I also agree with everyone on adoption. Look at shelters, but also look other places. I can't tell you how many people I've seen wanting rehome their adult mastiffs for a fee, usually $150-$300 (If my husband didn't keep me in check, we would have a whole herd of mastiffs at my house ). No matter a puppy or an adult, the cost is high. Know that with a puppy, they grow fast-that means buying different sizes of collars and such. Good luck in your search! If you can afford and handle a mastiff, they are the best dogs out there!

 

[Caleb]

Im gonna play the devil's advocate here.....I believe mastiffs are for mastiff fanatics. If you are planning on getting one...plan to take on a 10 year commitment, YOURSELF! No offense but kids lose interest in things as they quickly age and change. The bigger the dog, the bigger the responsibility, and the harder it is to take it anywhere, anytime. With a big dog, health problems are BIG health problems. Behavioral problems are BIG behavioral problems. I would do tons of research before getting a mastiff. You would be better off with a cheap schnauzer or cheap lab than a cheap mastiff.

 

[Cody]

Just going to be honest, about 3 months after Christmas it seems shelters fill up.
Puppies and dogs, especially large working breeds require a GREAT deal of socialization. You said you never got a dog before as you were afraid of your son getting hurt, well to be honest, a 150-200 lb mastiff can still hurt you or your child unless properly raised, trained and socialized.
How much time are you willing to commit?
I have a 7 year old son, who has been raised around large breed dogs, but I am still there to back up and reinforce a command.
I would never buy or support someone buying a pet for their kid or for a present, you get a dog for yourself. Like Caleb said YOU will be doing the work.
The other question I am going to raise is; as a single parent are you prepared for the vet costs that go along with a large/giant breed.
Any issue that requires surgery will cost 3-4 thousand dollars, ordinary little things and spay/neuter are all a LOT more money with a dog of that size.
Not to mention food bills, x-large kennels, puppy kindergarten, training classes ...etc. I do not presume to know your financial situation, but you did write that you were looking for a cheaper deal/dog. The amount in the past 5 years I have spent in vet bills well surpasses the 10k mark and is probably closer to 20 in reality, lol. Is a reality that I don't like to look at too much
Just be sure that you know what it is you are getting into.

 

[Danté Vivi & Bella's Mom]

Gina, I know how it is when you think you have made the proper considerations, researched accordingly and waited until the proper time ... then you are confronted with the realities posed and alternatives offered by our seasoned forum members.

I am new to this forum, but I already appreciate and welcome the candor ... no, brutal honesty, that is given here. What has been said is so very true. There have been days (not many thankfully) when I have heard about how long a small bag of food lasts a small dog, or weighed the total cost entirely (broken down well in above posts) of owning these massive dogs versus a smaller one and wished I could love a smaller dog like I love mastiffs. Won't happen for me Truth is though, there are drastic differences in these costs, but not in the love that you or your child will receive, so please make your choice carefully and wisely. It is not easy to place these dogs when they start getting older and bigger and when they are placed, their future can be unknown because so many people get them without know what they are getting into. Sometimes it takes forever for them to find their true forever homes.

 

[Caleb]

Just going to be honest, about 3 months after Christmas it seems shelters fill up.
Puppies and dogs, especially large working breeds require a GREAT deal of socialization. You said you never got a dog before as you were afraid of your son getting hurt, well to be honest, a 150-200 lb mastiff can still hurt you or your child unless properly raised, trained and socialized.
How much time are you willing to commit?
I have a 7 year old son, who has been raised around large breed dogs, but I am still there to back up and reinforce a command.
I would never buy or support someone buying a pet for their kid or for a present, you get a dog for yourself. Like Caleb said YOU will be doing the work.
The other question I am going to raise is; as a single parent are you prepared for the vet costs that go along with a large/giant breed.
Any issue that requires surgery will cost 3-4 thousand dollars, ordinary little things and spay/neuter are all a LOT more money with a dog of that size.
Not to mention food bills, x-large kennels, puppy kindergarten, training classes ...etc. I do not presume to know your financial situation, but you did write that you were looking for a cheaper deal/dog. The amount in the past 5 years I have spent in vet bills well surpasses the 10k mark and is probably closer to 20 in reality, lol. Is a reality that I don't like to look at too much
Just be sure that you know what it is you are getting into.

Not to mention heartworm and flea prevention. I have to buy a 100lb pack of pills along with a 25-50lb pack of pills for heartworm.....same with flea pills. In a nut shell, in about 3 to 4 years when your son starts chasing girls, that's gonna be YOUR MASTIFF! LOL. (personal experience)

 

[tyhatts]

because so many people get them without know what they are getting into. Sometimes it takes forever for them to find their true forever homes.

"people dont know what they are getting into ..." ...... thats the main point though, they really do take ALOT more time, care, and money then any other breed. People need to understand that. I dont see them as a "dog" but as a small child ! haha .... the costs are about the same