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Mastiffs => Old English Mastiff Discussions => : sierra August 16, 2005, 01:26:00 PM

: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: sierra August 16, 2005, 01:26:00 PM
I have a 7 month old AKC english mastiff and was looking for any information on studs and all of that jazz that some one could give me. It is my first time with a puppy mastiff, but have had 3 from the rescue society which are all fixed. We are looking to have a litter of puppies with this beautiful gal. Again any information would be great to have!!
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: BabsT August 16, 2005, 08:54:30 PM
Please dont take this the wrong way but why do you want to breed your dog?  How old is she going to be when you want to breed her?  Are you OFAing or Penn Hip for xrays.  Does the dog have any working , temp or show titles?  What are you looking for in a male dog? 

: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: GYPSY JAZMINE August 17, 2005, 12:57:53 AM
Please dont take this the wrong way but why do you want to breed your dog?  How old is she going to be when you want to breed her?  Are you OFAing or Penn Hip for xrays.  Does the dog have any working , temp or show titles?  What are you looking for in a male dog? 


Yeah, just what Babs asked...Is your dog up to breed standard?...Are  you breeding to maintain or better the breed?...I got my 1st Great Pyrenees from a back yard breeder & had many issues with his temperment.... I ended up with a dog that I was afraid at times would not make for a dog that would ever make a good pet...Through many many months of trying to earn his trust & socializing him he got over the "hump" but I still have to make provisions for him...My 2nd Pyr I got from a repitable breeder & made a 2 day trip to get him...He is a joy!!!....He came with a health & temperment gauruntee...I can relax & enjoy him & never worry about what he might do next...Same breed, same sex, same working gaurdian background but totally different dogs!...I am just saying that if you want to breed your dog do it right, take the time & spend the extra money & make for a dog that the next person down the line can enjoy & have the peace of mind that comes with a quality bred pup! :)
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: brigid67 August 17, 2005, 02:35:47 AM
Are you thinking of breeding now  she is only 7 mos....seems young to me.  I would let her get through at least her 1st heat.  And I also agree with babs and gyp..just make sure the motivation for the breeding is right.  There are so many great dogs alreay on the planet.
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: ann August 17, 2005, 07:38:23 AM

   i would contact you local akc dog groups and ask them about a stud dog from a reputable breeder and also if you want to breed find a good mastiff breeder and have him/her mentor you ..thier are so many ways to do it wrong but one way to do it right......... ..good luck ann
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: sierra August 17, 2005, 01:48:26 PM
I am thinking of breeding her in about a year and a half maybe two. She is way too young now. I too went to great lengths to get my little Sierra. We live in Chico, California and she is from Arkansas, but she is worth it. She gets her xrays when she is one year to make the requirements. We are not breeding for any selfish reasons that is for sure. Sierra is such a great manored, smart and trained loving dog that I think that others would be so lucky to have a dog like her. Not that I am biased because I am her mom.  :)  I am looking early so that I can find the right male with the right temperment. Plus I think that she is a bit picky so who knows what might actually happen. I appreciate your concerns and the input. Thanks
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: ann August 17, 2005, 02:00:19 PM


i'm glad your doing reserch before breeding and can i add to please watch her close when she is in heat.......... .....

ann
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: GYPSY JAZMINE August 17, 2005, 02:52:45 PM
It sounds like you are definitely on the right track  as far as breeding her goes! :) I wish you the best of luck in finding a stud that matches her sweetness!...Temperment is so important!...I would wait until she is at least 2 yrs. old though...Giant breed dogs aren't considered fully mature unti they are three...Keep us posted on your sweet "little" girl! :)
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: nickerbokker August 17, 2005, 02:53:47 PM
please oh please gimme one for free!!!!!

and FYI, i know it's a ways off.....BUT POST PIX!!!!!!
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: BabsT August 17, 2005, 04:07:45 PM
See, I am still in a bit of disagreement.. .just because you feel the dog is good doesnt mean it is breed worthy.   Just think about home many people think they have the greatest dog (pure or mutt) I am a harsh very harsh critic on breeding...Her hips should be done at 2 years for OFA certification or Penn Hip from a year on

I think she should have some sort of title or certification saying that your dog is sound...at least a CGC along with a ATTS and the stud dog should as well

Maybe not have a show title but to be rated by a judge that is an expert in the breed...to find faults and therefore find a stud to correct those faults

Besides Hips, elbows need to be xrayed

The point of breeding is to better the breed as a whole

I know I am harsh and I am not trying to sound rude but with all the homeless dogs and dogs in rescue...breed ing should have a soild goal in mind for the breed
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: ann August 18, 2005, 07:18:59 AM

  babst, i agree with you about breeding thats why i suggested her local kennel group and finding a reputable breeder for mentor.....the re is a thread going right now about dade county and animal control it breaks my heart because if everyone was responsible for thier own animals things like this would not happen i'm not saying that  the op is not a resposible person .i just think anyone who thinks about breeding needs to be aware of the over population of animals in this country....... ....

ann
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: rv581 August 18, 2005, 09:52:49 AM
I can TOTALLY empathize with the desire to breed your dog.  I wanna breed mine, too!  My American Mastiff has so many qualities that I'm sure others would covet: superior size, perfect health, unbelievable temperment, etc. 

Plus, a good portion of the rationale behind neutering/fixing your dog strikes me as prima facia unfair.  Why should I mutilate the anatomy of a perfectly healthy animal... just because other people are careless with their dog's breeding habits?  Leon didn't do anything wrong.  He wasn't even alive when most of that careless breeding took place!  Why should he suffer for the negligence of others?  Hey, if someone told ME that I shouldn't have any children because the world's population is too high -- or there are already too many unwanted children in orphanages -- I'd tell that person that I'm gonna do whatever I want to do with my reproductive system -- and if they don't like it, well, that's just too bad!

But I fought through those impulses & had Leon neutered anyway.

There's an old legal principle that places MAXIMUM liability/ strict scrutiny on people who introduce a dangerous entity into the general population -- and I believe that not only is this a sound legal principle, but it's also a moral principle.  (And what this means is, you may have the *right* to build a careless fire in your backyard for a BBQ -- but if this fire gets out of control & burns down your neighbor's house, YOU are culpable for being willfully negligent towards the handling of a hazardous entity.)

The same principle applies to "dangerous" dogs -- legally, and I believe morally.

Mastiffs are BIG.  Leon is only 30-weeks old & already pushing the 120-pound mark.  He's expected to weigh about 180 at the end of his first year, and max-out at 220 - 260.  A dog with that size can do SO MUCH damage if not well-trained, socialized, and nurtured.  If motivated, a dog like that could kill a small child in the blink of an eye -- and kill an adult that lacks the strength or mobility to defend him/herself as well.  And while Leon personally doesn't have any history of violence or aggression -- nor is there any history of violence or aggression in his family tree -- I honestly don't know how his DNA would co-mingle with another's.  I also don't know how much of his temperment is environment or heredity.

There are lots of good reasons to breed -- and perhaps this poster has all the good reasons in the world.  But for me, I wouldn't feel comfortable doing that without a more far-reaching rationale than merely hoping to pass along your dog's DNA to others.  JMO.
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: BabsT August 18, 2005, 10:11:54 AM
I am in agreement with the neutering and spaying...If you are responsible there is no reason to neuter....My dog is intact and will be regardless if he becomes a stud dog or not....and yes I will hold my dog to the same standards that I posted above...
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: GYPSY JAZMINE August 18, 2005, 02:02:19 PM
I am in agreement with the neutering and spaying...If you are responsible there is no reason to neuter....My dog is intact and will be regardless if he becomes a stud dog or not....and yes I will hold my dog to the same standards that I posted above...
I respectfully have to disagree Babs...There are reasons to spay & neuter even if you are a resposible dog owner...Health reasons...prev entative measures against cancer & pyrametria (sp?) is one that comes to mind...Also, an unaltered animal battles the natural instinct to breed which causes temperment issues & I can't imagine that the natural desire or instinct left unattended makes for a mentally happy dog...& no matter how responsible one is there is of coarse the natural desire to find a mate which I am sure has left many responsible dog owners with a dog that has become escape artist & gone missing to add to the problem of accidental breedings or getting injured or hurt while loose...Just my 2 cents worth here. :)
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: ann August 18, 2005, 02:10:57 PM


   very well said chelle, i want to add that a unaltered male will lift his leg and a female in heat is messy......... .
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: BabsT August 18, 2005, 02:35:50 PM
A fixed dog still has the desire to breed, it just cant. 

These are from the latest issue of Veterinary Practice News (Aug 2005).

We are mostly aware that spaying a bitch before her first season halves her risk of mammary cancer, and obviously castration frees you from concerns about testicular cancer, which is particularly worrisome in boys with retained testicles, but what about other cancers? Here are some figures that may surprise you.

Spayed bitches had four times the incidence of cardiac hemangiosarcom as compared to intact bitches. Neutered males have a significantly greater risk for these tumors compared to their intact brethren.

Prostate cancer is four times more common in castrated dogs compared to intact ones.

Neutered and spayed dogs have up to 3 times the likelihood of developing bladder cancer compared to intact ones, and are twice as likely to develop osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Males are four times more likely to die within 2 years of diagnosis when compared with females. Dogs neutered or spayed before they were a year old had a one in four lifetime risk of getting osteosarcoma.

Ultimately, with the unfolding of the canine genome, we may know which cancers our dogs are most likely to get, and be able to say whether an individual is better intact or neutered, in the meantime, as with most questions, the answer to whether spaying or neutering is better from a health point of view is "it depends."
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: GYPSY JAZMINE August 18, 2005, 02:48:37 PM
A fixed dog still has the desire to breed, it just cant. 

These are from the latest issue of Veterinary Practice News (Aug 2005).

We are mostly aware that spaying a bitch before her first season halves her risk of mammary cancer, and obviously castration frees you from concerns about testicular cancer, which is particularly worrisome in boys with retained testicles, but what about other cancers? Here are some figures that may surprise you.

Spayed bitches had four times the incidence of cardiac hemangiosarcom as compared to intact bitches. Neutered males have a significantly greater risk for these tumors compared to their intact brethren.

Prostate cancer is four times more common in castrated dogs compared to intact ones.

Neutered and spayed dogs have up to 3 times the likelihood of developing bladder cancer compared to intact ones, and are twice as likely to develop osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Males are four times more likely to die within 2 years of diagnosis when compared with females. Dogs neutered or spayed before they were a year old had a one in four lifetime risk of getting osteosarcoma.

Ultimately, with the unfolding of the canine genome, we may know which cancers our dogs are most likely to get, and be able to say whether an individual is better intact or neutered, in the meantime, as with most questions, the answer to whether spaying or neutering is better from a health point of view is "it depends."
Babs, I am not being argumentative at all here when I ask what does altering have to do with bone cancer in dogs?...I really don't understand...W ill you please explain?...Ty! :)
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: RedyreRottweilers August 19, 2005, 09:54:23 AM
A fixed dog still has the desire to breed, it just cant. 

Occasionally yes, but not often.

Most neutered males completely forget about breeding once their testosterone levels die down.

This is from my own personal experience with neutered males, both those neutered early, and as veterans.

These are from the latest issue of Veterinary Practice News (Aug 2005).

We are mostly aware that spaying a bitch before her first season halves her risk of mammary cancer, and obviously castration frees you from concerns about testicular cancer, which is particularly worrisome in boys with retained testicles, but what about other cancers? Here are some figures that may surprise you.

Spayed bitches had four times the incidence of cardiac hemangiosarcom as compared to intact bitches. Neutered males have a significantly greater risk for these tumors compared to their intact brethren.

Prostate cancer is four times more common in castrated dogs compared to intact ones.

Neutered and spayed dogs have up to 3 times the likelihood of developing bladder cancer compared to intact ones, and are twice as likely to develop osteosarcoma (bone cancer). Males are four times more likely to die within 2 years of diagnosis when compared with females. Dogs neutered or spayed before they were a year old had a one in four lifetime risk of getting osteosarcoma.

And my personal bitch, who was spayed after 3 years of age, died of osteosarcoma. Hopefully as time goes by we are able to collect even more data on why this terrible disease happens.

Ultimately, with the unfolding of the canine genome, we may know which cancers our dogs are most likely to get, and be able to say whether an individual is better intact or neutered, in the meantime, as with most questions, the answer to whether spaying or neutering is better from a health point of view is "it depends."

One other thing that you must touch on when discussing this subject is the possibility of the death of the bitch from whelping complications.

This can and does happen. I don't have stats, but any time you breed a bitch, you stand the chance of losing her.

For me, spay/neuter of animals that are not to be used for breeding or shown in the ring is the order of the day.

I require all my pet puppies to be S/N, and fairly early.

Control of indiscriminate breeding of dogs I breed is paramount to me.

Health is of great concern as well, but I will not tolerate the breeding of any dogs that come from me unless they meet certain criteria.

:D
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: newflvr August 19, 2005, 10:01:50 AM
This is so interesting because I'm trying to decide what the right thing to do with Chester (6 month old Newf).  The breeder wants me to wait until he's 24 months to neuter him so he'll get his full development in and he would also like to have him shown.  Is there a risk of waiting until he's that old to put him under?  I understand that Newfs have a slower metabolism so surgery is more dangerous for them if the vet isn't familiar with the breed.  How guilty should I feel if I decide to neuter earlier than the 24 months?  I really don't want to breed him (even though he's perfect....so far).  I just don't know anything about breeding and feel it should be left to those that do!
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: GYPSY JAZMINE August 19, 2005, 10:07:08 AM
This is so interesting because I'm trying to decide what the right thing to do with Chester (6 month old Newf).  The breeder wants me to wait until he's 24 months to neuter him so he'll get his full development in and he would also like to have him shown.  Is there a risk of waiting until he's that old to put him under?  I understand that Newfs have a slower metabolism so surgery is more dangerous for them if the vet isn't familiar with the breed.  How guilty should I feel if I decide to neuter earlier than the 24 months?  I really don't want to breed him (even though he's perfect....so far).  I just don't know anything about breeding and feel it should be left to those that do!
That's the same reason
  am having Pippin fixed...I could have bred or showed him but I just want a furry "little" friend to snuggle with! :D
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: BabsT August 19, 2005, 10:15:38 AM
I think for all breeds waiting until a dog is mature is better for spaying or neutering...Re moving sex hormones and sex organs before maturity just doesnt seem right to me...that is my honest opinion.  Zero if he is neutered wont be until he is atleast 2 or 3 otherwise

In regards to not having non breeding stock bred, just make them infertile with a vestecomy like you would do a man and he can stay intact...I do know of one breeder that does that

Spaying and neutering seems to be an american thing....peopl e i know overseas find it odd that we are so for spaying and neutering
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Kermit August 19, 2005, 10:25:08 AM
Do they have as bad a problem with dog overpopulation overseas?
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Nina August 19, 2005, 10:25:08 AM
Babs, do they have a pet over population in Europe? Just wondering if that is why they don't do it as often there? I love hearing about other cultures and there views. Like how in france they don't stock pile food like we do, they shop everyday. Their fridges are very small , enough to hold milk butter.... This is very interesting to me, I'd love to hear their view on animals.
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: BabsT August 19, 2005, 10:45:54 AM
I do have some friends originally from europe and I talk to a lot of people from different countries on message boards...you know the ones you become good online friends with

DOnt get me wrong, I am not against spaying and neutering...I just dont think it is right for me.  When my friends mom brought her puppy over from Poland and wernt spaying I said how come...SSHe replied because there is not needed.  All you american obsessed with spaying and neutering.  In my country people dont do all this stuff LOL

My other friend from portugal said the same thing...I dont know...I am for responsible dog ownership however the owner feels whats best
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Nina August 19, 2005, 10:56:55 AM
Babs

For sure, do what is best for you animal!  ;D I have a friend that has a pug that is allergic to everything under the sun, including vaccines, her dog almost died when she had the first set of vaccines, so she doesn't get her vaccinated. Her pug is healty, she just doens't take her to dog parks or anything like that.
For me I spay and neuter my pets because it is right for me. But if someone chooses not to, I won't push my opinion on them  :)
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: ann August 19, 2005, 12:07:07 PM


 with our pet over population, i think its clear we are not spaying and neutering enough........ ..........chec k out the shelters and rescues :'(
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Nina August 19, 2005, 12:16:31 PM
I do agree that there is a huge pet over population. But I also think that if people choose to not spay/neuter they also need to be responsilbe in keeping females inside and keep males in check and not let them run loose. It is the irresponsilbe pet owners that are causing this problem! As the pets end up in shelters from neglect and letting them run loose ect.

All my pets are S/N as I don't want to deal with heat cycles and marking.  ;D



Nina
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: RedyreRottweilers August 19, 2005, 12:20:11 PM

Just one more thing to mention, and that is Pyometritis in bitches.

Intact bitches will almost always eventually come down with this gross inflammation and infection of the uterus. If not immediately and aggressively treated with surgical removal of the putrid uterus, the bitch will die.

Sometimes WITH aggressive surgical intervention, bitches die.

I do not leave ANY bitches intact after the age of 8 years of age, and I really prefer them spayed by age 7 if possible.

Just one more piece of the puzzle to consider.

:D
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: greek4 August 19, 2005, 12:22:11 PM
A friend of mine breeds goldens.
When her female was 1, she was in heat.  She was in the house and they were being really careful not to let her out, etc.

Well, a chocolate lab came through their front window and bred her while they were gone.  I guess that shows you can't stop a male on a mission.

I have also heard that dogs can breed through fences.  I nueter for health and temperment reasons.  But this is another to everyone their own.  I wouldn't expect any one to give sympathy to the owner who knowingly has an unneutered animal whose animal accidently got pregnant or impregnated another. 

I understand situations like our very own BPO doberman pregnancy going on right now.  But knowingly maintaining an unneutered animal puts a lot of responsible on the owner,  The owner has to be responsible for things beyond their control.
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: RedyreRottweilers August 19, 2005, 12:24:35 PM

Boy you betcha it takes some careful supervision.

My puppy is in season right now.

She is out in my 6 foot tall VERY well fenced yard ONLY under my direct supervision.

Otherwise, she is in the house with me.

If I leave, she either goes with me in her crate in the van, or she stays INSIDE my house, crated.

I almost never take my eyes off a bitch in season unless I know she is behind closed doors and crated.

Period.

;)
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Nicole August 19, 2005, 12:28:25 PM
Maybe I'm just too opinionated, but I just firmly believe in spaying and neutering. Even pure-bred dogs end up in shelters. Just look at the dogs we've all tried to rescue on here! Most of them pure-bred! I used to work at the humane society, and it is just heartbreaking to have to euthanize a dog...or a puppy. I think that Greek4 makes a good point. Even well-intented people experience circumstances beyond their control. And, if we truly think of our furkids as KIDS, then why breed them? Would you put your daughter out there for "breeding" cuz she's so perfect and wonderful? Or stud out your son? Too weird. We don't spay and neuter our kids, but we allow them the decision to pro-create. I just feel that we owe it to our furkids to just be pets and loved.

I don't want to step on anyone's toes. I just feel that under most circumstances, it is the wise thing to spay and neuter.

But, I love you all! And respect everyone's feelings, too! And I sure do love puppies! :-* :-*
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Nicole August 19, 2005, 12:31:27 PM
Oh, and just an aside....I've only been to one country overseas...Mor occo. I don't know if it is very representative, but there are dogs and cats ALL OVER THE PLACE. Everywhere. So, that's just to answer Rebekah's question. I don't know about Europe.
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: Saintgirl August 19, 2005, 12:56:12 PM
I too am for spaying and neutering. The health benefits alone are overwhelming! 17% of cancers in intact males is testicular, only second to 18% concerning connective tissues. Bone cancer only constitutes 4% of males. The number one cancer in females is breast at 51% of all cancers a female can aquire. Bone cancer occurs in 2% of bitches.Not trying to step on toes here, but for me I will choose the spay and neuter alone just to take away the chances for these cancers. The overpopulation tears me up inside. Nobody wants a dog to end up in a shelter, but the sad truth is it can and will continue to happen. Sapying and neutering is my contribution to end over population.

In addition, I am not against breeding. I am in awe of those responsible breeders who devote their lives to the bettering of a breed. It takes complete devotion to a breed to become a breeder. For those who have chosen to do this, I am envious of you. I just don't have what it takes!
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: newflvr August 19, 2005, 01:20:41 PM
In addition, I am not against breeding. I am in awe of those responsible breeders who devote their lives to the bettering of a breed. It takes complete devotion to a breed to become a breeder. For those who have chosen to do this, I am envious of you. I just don't have what it takes!

You said it better than I did, Saintgirl!  I can't stand the thought of any of these angels being unwanted so leave it to those that know what it takes to improve the breed!  It just isn't me!!!
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: brigid67 August 19, 2005, 01:31:06 PM
I will have Willow spayed...but after her 1st heat if possible.  My vet and i talked about spaying females to early and there being an increased incident in bladder incontinence in the females....  I think it is important to spay and neuter if you are not going to breed..  And I could not be a breeder also
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: mastiffmommy August 19, 2005, 10:25:51 PM
First I would like to say hi and welcome, I have been on vacation so I might have missed you, but I am pretty sure I have never "posted with you" before.

I am soooo glad you are pleased with your OEM, I adore them and can truly feel your excitment and eagerness to share your wonderful dog. They are super in many many ways.

Here are some things you might want to look into if you decide to breed her. First I absolutely agree that in some way a dog that is going to be bred should have proven themselves in one way or another. It doesnt matter so much how, but either in conformation or obedience, tracking, agility, rescue or have at least basic training CGC, and pref. level one or two. Just to make sure that the dog is contributing to the breed in one or another way. Since you say she is such a love and good girl, maybe you would want to make her take her cgc, maybe even get a bit more obidience on her and even if you dont wish to show (I have done for many years, but due to all the politic there I fully understand if people choose not to) seek a mastiff judge and have her judged on a conformation basis. At least then you know if she has any faults that maybe should not be used in breeding.

Also OEM's should have a health cert. it includes hips, elbows but also cardiac, a lot of real responsible breeders also opt to check eyes and thyroids on them. You can look up on mastiff club about the ethical rules for breeding a mastiff, if you follow them you know you have done your utmost to "better" the breed. I think a golden rule should be that no dog should be bred if you dont think the litter will be better than the average dog of that breed.

Mastiffs are giant breeds so you are right you absolutely want to wait until she is 2 years, if you are looking into breeding her only once then I would probably wait a bit longer. Breeders though with champion dogs normally try and breed as 2 year olds, since on these big dogs the window for breeding is rather small and to be able to have a couple maybe three litters you dont want to wait too long, or they will get too old in the other end.

As for finding her a male, do lots of research, not only what the male has done and his title, look into what he has given, with what females, look into what lines are on the females where the litters are very good, and the oposit, see what he seems to breed down hard and not so hard, look for a male that breed down hard on the points you might want to compensate your female for. Call the mastiff ethical board, call their breeder ref. person, call breeders, go to show talk to them there. They are all people with lots of experience and they can give you great advice and also tell you the "insiders" about certain issues that might be with certain line combinations and such that is almost impossible to get to know as a beginner.

I would love to see pics of your girl and also hear how you are doing in your research, feel free to PM me if you have questions, I might be able to help, if not I will hopefully be able to help you with where to turn to get the information you are looking for.

Marit
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: brigid67 August 19, 2005, 10:43:23 PM
Marit - it is nice having you back...I know that I haven't been on the board long but I enjoy your tone and info with the posts
Timmie
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: mastiffmommy August 19, 2005, 10:46:46 PM
Soooooo on the the "overseas neuter or not to neuter" I am as most of you know from Sweden, have lived 2 years in England and have travelled most of the european countries. The dog situations is as many as there are countries. So I dont think you can bunch Europe together and say the same situation is everywhere.

The south and east of europe has a very different situations in many ways, including pets from northern and western europe.

To say that europe dont alter their dogs is not true, the countries I find that do not alter are the ones with giant problems, dogs on the beaches, dogs on the streest dogs everywhere. The countries that have done good in educating about altering, unplanned breeding, responsible breeding, responsible dog ownership and why you sould breed a dog, are the countries that dont have problems. So since I am swedish, I will use that for an example. We do not have shelters, not because we dont care for dogs, but because there simply is no need for them, most people own pure bred dogs, not because we think badly about mixed breeds but because most people who breed are breeding for the love of that particular breed and there are not nearly as many mixed breed dogs there as it is here. Most people alter their dogs if they are not going to be bred or shown, very few people breed "just for the fun of it" and extremely few dogs are put to sleep because they are too many or unwanted.

Altering in general. Yes I think a dog that is not meant to be bred or shown is best off being altered. Both the health risk with cancer and yes they have redone the figures about other types of cancer today, but that is not the only risks. Red mentioned birth problems, which is a not too small risk. Also males seem to have the most extreme urge and most clever heads when it comes to escape to meet and greet with a female in heat, that has more than once resulted in a run over dog. Females can have very much problems with the "imagined pregnancies" so to the point that it is inhumane to let them go through it twice a year. Also the uterus infections are a big risk.

A dog that is altered will very rarely have the need or urge to breed, the hormones that stimulate that urge is gone with the castration. That is one reason why some people think sex offenders should be castrated, so to not have that hormon production. They are also almost always easier to deal with, males have their issues and females theirs. No not all males lift their leg and mark, I have had several males that wouldnt dream of doing it, I have also had a male who would as soon as he could mark on my dining room table (no training seemed to solve that problem) females have mood swings just like we do  ;D and they are messy. Males go crazy when they smell a female in heat and as all males they are totally horrible to deal with when ho..y hehe

As a proud mama of a female in heat I recomend everyone who is not going to breed or show to alter, my girl is having to be supervised basically 24/7, and those of you who read about last heat, where a dog dug his way into our back yard, a yard with privacy fence about 8' tall knows that even with as good as no time unsupervised you can be out of luck and voila an oops litter. Thankfully I cought it in time BUT if not........... .....

After all there are over 5 million dogs and cats being put to sleep in shelters every year in this countrie, not because they are bad puppies or kittens, just too many and too unwanted

Marit
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: mastiffmommy August 19, 2005, 10:52:19 PM
Marit - it is nice having you back...I know that I haven't been on the board long but I enjoy your tone and info with the posts
Timmie

Thanks Timmie, it is goooood to be back  :D Vacations are  not for me lol..... I have a bad bpo withdrawel and have been reading most of the day. Mind you I had 475 emails from rescue too, so I think I have to cut back sleeping for a few days hehe

marit
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: brigid67 August 19, 2005, 10:59:18 PM
lol marait - I know what you mean about vacations....I like to stay home..hate leaving my animals but don't mind leaving the teenagers....l ol
i had BPO withdrawl when I was in santa fe.
: Re: Finding a boyfriend for my english mastiff
: sierra September 18, 2005, 02:17:40 PM
Here are some pics of the little girl