Someone said that it is NEVER a good thing to buy a "cheap" mastiff. What is considered "cheap"??
Cost isn't everything, you can find a great dog in a shelter, or you can spend a crazy amount for one from poor breeder.
When looking to buy a dog don't go by cost, just because they charge a lot doesn't mean they are doing things right.
Look for a reputable breeder, here's a list of things that make a reputable breeder that I made for Dobermans (but most of it still applies here)
A reputable breeder:
...Is educated and highly proficient in the breed standard, health afflictions of the breed and the breeds temperament.
...Never breeds white/albino or over-sized/warlock Dobes, and few (there are SOME good breeders) breed blue or fawn Dobes because of coat problems frequently associated with those colors.
...Is more interested in finding the right home for a puppy than collecting the "price" for that puppy.
...knows when to, and frequently does, turn down potential puppy buyers that are not a good match for the breed.
... Requires that all puppies sold as "pet quality" be spayed/neutered.
...Is responsible for each and every puppy produced, in addition to any pups that may result from those puppies, and ensure that they are happy, loved and never touch foot in a rescue or shelter.
... Is there to help the owners of puppies they have bred FOR LIFE, and willing to take any puppy bake for any reason.
... Does ALL the recommended health testing for the breed! For Dobes this means OFA hips and elbows, vWD (clear or carrier, but never affected) annual Cardio, CERF eyes, and thyroid testing.
... Never breeds dogs too young to have completed all of the health testing (about 2 years old).
... MOST (in the USA) will have the ears cropped before the pup leaves for their new home.
... Never lets a puppy leave before 8 weeks, preferable older (9 or 10 weeks)
... If they are not breeding for AKC show champions, they ARE breeding for working tittles AND still take into account correct conformation, health, and temperament!
... Their studs and Bitches have AKC Championships AND/OR working tittles (SCH III, IPO III, etc.)
... Actively shows their dogs in AKC conformation and/or actively competes in working trials, ie. Schutzhund.
... Is a member of local breed and/or working clubs.
... When selecting a pair for breeding, carefully pairs their dog with another dog that will complement each other to help improve the breed.
... Specialize in 1, maybe 2 breeds, no more. (If they are breeding more then one breed one of them should NOT be a "designer breed"
... Provide references upon request with addresses and phone #'s
... Would not hesitate to show their facilities when requested to do so, facilities appear VERY clean.
... Doesn't run AD's in the paper or online (because they don't need to)
... NEVER breed for money, never breed because they want their kids to witness the miracle of birth, never breed because they think that females should be bred at least once, never breed because THEY think their dog is show quality (without the title to back it up), never breed because they love their dog and just want one of his or her puppies, etc.
I realize most of us are just looking for "pets" not show or working dogs... BUT all of the above is still important to look for in a breeder! These breeders will always have some "pet quality" pups in their litters. If a breeder isn't doing 95% or more of the above (and some things like health/genetic testing are NOT negotiable) then they have NO business breeding! Breeders like that are the reason there are some many dogs in shelters, and with so many dogs already in shelters NO one should be breeding dogs without a good reason.
If you can't afford or don't want to pay for a quality bred dog then you can always go to the shelters or breed rescues to look for a new pet, or you can just SAVE UP, which shows real commitment, and keeps people from getting a dog on a whim! (Expect to pay ~ $1,200-$1,800 or more for a "pet quality" Dobe. *BUT* Just because a breeder charges $1,000 + does NOT mean they are a good breeder.)
