Hello,
I'm new here (just posted a quick introduction in the New Members section), and I was wondering if anyone here could answer some questions I have about conformation....
My husband and I are looking at an almost 12 month old, female English Mastiff (as a pet, NOT for breeding). We went to meet her yesterday, and the breeder told us all about how impressive her pedigree is and introduced us to her father, and how she was the "pick of the litter" and he decided to keep her, but now has decided that he has too many dogs.... Get the picture?
She is a very sweet dog with a WONDERFUL, loving personality, but I couldn't help but notice a couple of things that concerned me...
First of all, her back isn't at all level; her hindquarters stand probably a good 2-3 inches above her withers. Is this something that she will grow out of as she matures? And if she doesn't, would that be a possible health concern in the future?
Secondly, I noticed that her back legs are unusually straight (I'm talking almost no curvature whatsoever)... and when she walks, it is as though she is walking stiffly on her tiptoes (her pads stay flat on the floor, but because her legs are so straight that is how it appears). After returning home I looked up the AKC breed standard and saw something about "straight stifles" which I couldn't really find any pictures of to visually confirm that it is the same thing, but that is what I'm thinking she has. So, I guess my question would be if she does indeed have straight stifles, will that be a potential health concern in the future?
Also, if the going rate for an AKC registered, 8 week old puppy (from a reputable breeder, not a pet shop) in my area is $2500, how much would you be willing to pay for a dog like the one I've just described? Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I would prefer to not be ripped off if the breeder is simply taking advantage of my inexperience with the breed.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice you might have! I appreciate it!!
I'm new here (just posted a quick introduction in the New Members section), and I was wondering if anyone here could answer some questions I have about conformation....
My husband and I are looking at an almost 12 month old, female English Mastiff (as a pet, NOT for breeding). We went to meet her yesterday, and the breeder told us all about how impressive her pedigree is and introduced us to her father, and how she was the "pick of the litter" and he decided to keep her, but now has decided that he has too many dogs.... Get the picture?
She is a very sweet dog with a WONDERFUL, loving personality, but I couldn't help but notice a couple of things that concerned me...
First of all, her back isn't at all level; her hindquarters stand probably a good 2-3 inches above her withers. Is this something that she will grow out of as she matures? And if she doesn't, would that be a possible health concern in the future?
Secondly, I noticed that her back legs are unusually straight (I'm talking almost no curvature whatsoever)... and when she walks, it is as though she is walking stiffly on her tiptoes (her pads stay flat on the floor, but because her legs are so straight that is how it appears). After returning home I looked up the AKC breed standard and saw something about "straight stifles" which I couldn't really find any pictures of to visually confirm that it is the same thing, but that is what I'm thinking she has. So, I guess my question would be if she does indeed have straight stifles, will that be a potential health concern in the future?
Also, if the going rate for an AKC registered, 8 week old puppy (from a reputable breeder, not a pet shop) in my area is $2500, how much would you be willing to pay for a dog like the one I've just described? Maybe I'm being overly cautious, but I would prefer to not be ripped off if the breeder is simply taking advantage of my inexperience with the breed.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice you might have! I appreciate it!!