MCOA membership for breeder: Does it matter

[boeing443]

Well my buddy Fred finally passed. He had 10 !! great years. Most beautiful mastiff.

When I got Fred it was from a breeder in Ohio. I now live in the southeast and will not ship a puppy.

I have found a few local breeders but none of them are MCOA members. Now MCOA will sell me a breeder list for $5 but I assume it will be breeders who are members and the membership list is available on their site.

I know nothing about MCOA except they have Code of Ethics which promotes not breeding ay young age, maintaining breed standard etc.

One of the breeders I am speaking with has received much praise on this board and is well respected. Her bloodlines are well known but she is NOT a MCOA member.

I suppose I am asking if MCOA is just a somewhat political organization?

Membership is only $35 a year so i'm not clear on why all breeders with ethics do not join.

I did ask one breeder about this and he said the it is very political.

I am not bashing MCOA but rather asking if not being a member of an organization which on the outside appears to exist for the betterment of the breed is a so called "red flag"?

i was ready to give a deposit but was advised that if breeder is not a MCOA member to be wary.

Thanks

 

[WalnutCrest]

There are some wonderful breeders who are members of the MCOA; there are some members I wouldn't get a pup from.

There are some wonderful breeders who are not members of the MCOA; there are some non-members I wouldn't get a pup from.

I know that doesn't help you ... but ... if you want to really know whether or not a breeder is reputable, find the people who do Mastiff rescue in your area and see if you can find out if they are taking in dogs from this breeder. If so, that is probably a good sign there are other breeders to look at.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me privately. I'll help if I'm able.

 

[TWW]

Agree with Walnutcrest a 1000% on this.
A few years ago they awarded this to breeders without being a member of MCOA, and then changed it to you had to be a member to receive it, along with several of there other awards.
Visit the breeder, and visit the parents to see there living and temperament.
Also view health testing and request references.

Personally I have had 4 people call me to asked about Mouse's breeder and I'm very truthful with them. He does a wonderful job in breeding and the care of his dogs, my only warning is to really work on socialization as his dogs do not visit the general public do to his declining health, so they only know his grandkids and his wife, as he has a 25 acre place and the adults are somewhat aloof and standoffish. Which is to be expected.

If you don't mind me asking where was your prior from here in Ohio? Reason being is I'm in Ohio and do visit family in Alabama once or twice a year, also 2 of my best friends are trucker and run all over the southeast, so I may be able to help with dropping your pup off to you.

There are some wonderful breeders who are members of the MCOA; there are some members I wouldn't get a pup from.

There are some wonderful breeders who are not members of the MCOA; there are some non-members I wouldn't get a pup from.

I know that doesn't help you ... but ... if you want to really know whether or not a breeder is reputable, find the people who do Mastiff rescue in your area and see if you can find out if they are taking in dogs from this breeder. If so, that is probably a good sign there are other breeders to look at.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to contact me privately. I'll help if I'm able.