So here is what I think. there are certain breeds who are reg. by AKC, and then there are breeds who are not. Granted a lot of the breeds we have today that are accepted as breeds, were not a few years back. But after extensive breeding and reseraching they bacame a breed we could register.
When it comes to the mastiffs, I own both OEM and Bullmastiff and am extremely happy with them. When you buy any breed you need to do a lot of research before you buy, go way back in bloodlines, check on relatives and whats the disposition and health and conformation is. Also that the breeder follows the ethical rules that breed club has set up. And I dont think it is easier or takes less research when you get an American Mastiff. The health with both breeds depends totally on the genetics and the upbringing, feeding and care they get. And usually the drool issue comes with a square large lip, the bigger the lip the more the drool. I have heard that they should drool less, but dont know if that is the fact or just a myth, I dont think my mastiffs drool more than I can deal with.
Bottom line, I think no matter what breed we buy, we need to be responsible buyers do our research in a lot of areas and make sure the disposition is what we want it to be. The mix in American Mastiff I am sure can be wonderful dogs, but can also be a bit "too sharp" You can see a big difference in an OEM and a Bullmastiff, since there is Bulldog in the Bullmastiff they are a little sharper than the OEM, so it does matter what breeds are in the "final" product.
If you have no interest in showing or competing or being active with your dog, it really doesnt matter it can not be registered, but I dont think that makes it less of a challange to find the right breeder with the right healthy and well dispositioned dogs.
Marit