Yes, there really is no doubt in your mind. You think that the mastiff is just the greatest dog that ever lived (and to be honest, we are not about to argue with you!). So now your mission to find a purebred mastiff pup to call your own begins.

The thing is: Just where do you start?

Your primary thought, is of course to try searching locally. And there's nothing wrong with that. By all means look around for a mastiff in your own area.But don't let proximity of breeder be the tipping point in your adopting your new friend. A good dog is definitely worth traveling for.

So even before you sift through through the ads in your local newspaper, try visiting some dog shows. Those who are showing their dogs at the show might well be breeders or know of good breeders. Go ahead, take your time. These "dog folk" will be only to happy to usher you in the right direction of a quality breeder, whilst chewing the fat about the "mastiff".

Why should they be so helpful? Firstly, they are dog lovers and without a doubt mastiffs in particular, also they show their mastiff and as a result would not want to see a substandard breeder perpetuating inferior dogs. So you can rely on these folks being pretty candid about the good and the less than good breeders they've encountered. As you chat with these people, you'll undoubtedly acquire a few business cards of different breeders. Make sure you follow up on these leads. Telephone them. Chat with them for a short while. This conversation does not commit you to even viewing a litter.

What should you aiming for from this conversation? You're aquiring a feel for the breeder's "dog ethics" as well as their commitment to the mastiff as a breed. Don't worry to much that you may not be one hundred percent clear what answers you're looking for or even what questions you need to ask. At this time you're going on your intuition. Trust me, you will know.

If the breeders sights seem to be set more on the value of the dog, then maybe his commitment and love of the breed isn't quite strong enough. On the other hand if they don't stop boasting about how smart, or how "adorable" or how good the bloodline is of their pups...well, maybe you just hit upon a good/high-quality breeder. You will also get a sense for their quality by the way they answer your questions, and the way in which they put any of your fears or doubts to rest.

You should make as many calls as it takes. This is not a time to make snap decisions. When you do at last find one that makes you feel comfortable, who either has a litter available or whose dog is expecting, make an appointment with him. But be prepared for them to ask you at least as many questions as you plan to ask them, this may seem a bit intimidating, but take my word for it, this is a good sign- it means they love and care for the dogs they breed.

Here are a few ideas on how you might guide the conversation. You will want to ask why he/she owns them. Are his/her mastiffs house pets or show dogs, and of course you'll want to ask how long they have been breeding. Don't be scared to ask about the health issues associated with the breed. Every breed has some distinguishing health concerns. It's always best to know what the issues are before adopting. Ask the breeder what the mastiff's most important single characteristic is. This question alone gives you a good bit of insight into his reputation and his mindset.

To get more information on Finding Mastiff Puppies for Sale or our free course jam packed with tips on mastiff training and care, see the links below