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Messages - Penny

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I have a few questions for you guys with female English Mastiffs.  First, when did they go into heat for the first time?

Second, what input do you have on what to do for this situation?  Our "baby" is coming up on year in mid March.  Our vet and several other people have suggested letting her go through two cycles or so before spaying so that she fully develops first (that was said with the understanding everything would be handled responsibly).  Although she's almost a year old, she still seems pretty puppyish to me at 100 lbs (her mom was 170 and her dad was 250 . . . both very healthy muscular dogs).  I care more about her health than size, but that seems like an indicator to me that she still seems to have a ways to go before fully developing (I hear they're technically puppies for the first two years?)  Anyway, I am a little worried because my husband and I are moving this summer, but first we will be in temporary housing for 8 weeks in another state, where we won't have a yard, let alone a fenced area.  Right now our place is pretty small and she's so much of a lap dog that our walks to a local park seem to be about all she needs exercise-wise anyway.  I'm not worried about her being in a small space because I know we'll get out a lot.  However, I'm starting to worry that she'll go into her first heat while we're there and I won't be able to handle it!  I don't know much about this, as she's my first female dog.  How hard is it to handle the first heat, and what did you do?  I just can't imagine her with doggie diapers and a giant cone around her head . . . but that sounds like a lot of blood and the place we're staying will have cream carpet.  Since she hasn't gone through her first heat yet, I'm wondering if it's due any time now.  Is there any way to tell?  What do you suggest we do to prepare?  Is it smartest just to have her spayed before the move?  I've heard arguments on both sides of the spay-neuter argument, and really I just want what's best for her health.   Or should we wait and just cross our fingers it won't happen during those 8 weeks?  Has anyone dealt with an English Mastiff in heat in a small place?

Thanks in advance! 


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Your mastiff is gorgeous!  I'm excited.  Thanks for your input everyone, I really appreciate it :)

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What kind of signals do they know? I've had rhodesian ridgebacks, labs, and danes and have just used very basic verbal commands . . . sit, stay, come.  How would you even tell a deaf dog to come?  I guess if it sticks around you anyway, it's there, but if not, that might be hard. Okay, I'm obviously very new to this forum thing with dogs . . . growing up I had a lot of pets, but this is the first time I'm at the point in my life where I will have my own dog.  We just got married and we're moving next month to a house. I'm very excited . . . mostly because we can get a dog!

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This board is awesome . . . thanks for the help with the links :)

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Good point . . . we looked at three litters and I noticed the coloring later in the pictures when I was going everything and trying to make a decision.  To be honest, I don't remember from looking at them, they were just so blue in the picture and looked natural, but maybe it's hard to tell. The breeder said they were vet checked, so maybe I'll just call the vet to find out more. 

Thanks!

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True . . . I had a deaf cat once who was the sweetest girl around. (my husband would say "sweet cat = oxymoron," but she was)  You know, I probably wouldn't have a problem with it if it was a shelter dog who needed a home, but I don't especially want to encourage breeders who aren't careful and are producing deaf dogs, you know? These are puppies, so I'm wondering if it's normal. We've looked into mastiff rescues, but there aren't a whole lot of big dogs in our area. My husband has wanted a mastiff for a long time so I'm looking into various options as a surprise for him.

Thanks for your input :)

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I have generally stayed away from getting a great dane with blue eyes, as in some cases it can indicate deafness.  However, can it be normal/safe for English Mastiffs or Mastiff/Great Pyrenees to have blue eyes?  I've seen some beautiful Mastiff and Mastiff mix puppies with blue eyes but am wary in case they will be deaf.

Also, if you could share your experience or site any sources that would be really helpful.  I'm not finding much info online on mastiffs with blue eyes specifically.

Thanks in advance for any input!

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