Questions about the EM!

[Dingske]

Hi there!

I'm sorry if these questions have been asked before. (probably many times already) So I want to get a dog and the EM caught my eye!

They have size, the looks and seem to be very friendly dogs in general. (when trained ofcourse)

Now ofcourse before getting one I have some questions as I do not want to be a bad owner, so if I don't meet all the requirements to own one these dogs I wouldn't want to!
But on to the questions:

-How long can EM be left alone? I know as a puppy I'll have to spend alot of time with him that's no problem. However can I be gone 4-6 hours at a time to work without worrying about my dog (at adult age)?

-How much room do mastiffs need? My house and yard are certainly big enough but for example can the mastiff be left alone in a room that's about 20 square meters for several hours?

-My yard is big around back but it's at the front of my house too, and it's open at both sides. Should I be worried when I let mastiff play outside that he walks away/on the street etc? Or will he just stay infront of the house?

-And lastly: does anyone know good breeders in Europe? I'm looking for a big healthy dog with a good temper. Price isn't an issue but I expect it will be around 2500.

Thanks for reading/answering any questions!

 

[Smart_Family]

Welcome! It really all comes down to training!

 

[kate02121]

I've heard (although wouldn't want to test it) that EMs are great apartment dogs, meaning they don't need all that much space. Our girl who is only 11 weeks has stayed at home alone for about 5-6 hours at this point already, with no accidents and sleeps the whole time. We only do that 1-2x a week though, but she can do it.

Regarding the open back yard, Dog Food Guru is right, it all comes down to training and personality. You may need to spend extra time with him/her to make sure that he/she doesn't wander off.

 

[joshuagough]

-How long can EM be left alone? I know as a puppy I'll have to spend alot of time with him that's no problem. However can I be gone 4-6 hours at a time to work without worrying about my dog (at adult age)?

At (1 year) we started leaving out male out of the crate while we were at work, 9hrs.. without issue. This is trained as the dog matures by starting with small amounts of time left alone.

-How much room do mastiffs need? My house and yard are certainly big enough but for example can the mastiff be left alone in a room that's about 20 square meters for several hours?

They do not need a lot of space and as they mature they like most dogs slow in activity level (in a general since).

-My yard is big around back but it's at the front of my house too, and it's open at both sides. Should I be worried when I let mastiff play outside that he walks away/on the street etc? Or will he just stay infront of the house?

EM's tend to stay close, don't leave the dog outside alone unless the area is fenced in... bad idea for many reasons.

-And lastly: does anyone know good breeders in Europe? I'm looking for a big healthy dog with a good temper. Price isn't an issue but I expect it will be around 2500. -

There are many, this would be my personal first choice mastif

Good luck

Thanks for reading/answering any questions![/QUOTE]

 

[DennasMom]

I double/triple all the above.

Denna is 15 months old now and can sit in her crate for 5-6 hours at a time - but we don't do that regularly. I had hoped to let her have run of the house by now, but she likes to de-stuff pillows when we're gone... I'm getting geared up to try again here soon... we've had other large dogs that easily could go up to 12 hours in the house without a potty break (as adults).

For the fenced yard - you could always get some temporary fencing just to close off the open spots, especially early on during training. It doesn't have to be mastiff-proof, more something to identify the boundary line. I'm not sure about other's experiences, but Denna won't even try to push open a partially open gate. She'll also wait patiently at a completely open gate if I ask her to. If the gate gets left open unintentionally, and I'm not there to remind her to stay in the yard... all bets are off. I don't think she'll wander far, but she's such a social butterfly, she might follow anyone home who happens to walk by.

Those Czech mastiffs are BEAUTIFUL!

 

[Dingske]

Thanks for all the replies and help guys! I'm definitily more at easy about getting a mastiff now, as I see it the only issue might be the open yard but as suggested I can just fence it for the first few months and train him to not leave the premises (but my street is a dead end, my house is the last on the row so even if he walks out there are almost 0 cars in the street luckily).

Now onto search a dog! I'll start with the kennel suggested.

Thanks again for the help and advice.

 

[WalnutCrest]

Some nice dogs and a more knowledgeable breeder you won't find ... Bas Bosch in Belgium.

 

[Robtouw]

Mastiffs are excellent dogs but require a lot of personal attention and want to be your focus, they are emotional and clingy but worth the effort! As a pup, he/she will need to be taken out every 2 hours for the first few months, then the time is expanded bit by bit as his body matures and his muscles develop. Exercise for the first few months is pretty minimal, instead you should focus on training and constructive play. I would suggest finding a good breeder that will allow you to spend time with his/her adult dogs to really get a feel for the breed. I did this with my husband years ago. I took him to a farm in SC and we spent the entire day (his first time with mastiffs) and he was really able to see what they were all about. It made a lasting impression and really answered a lot of questions for him. A mastiff will do just fine in an apartment as long as you incorporate daily outdoor time and realize he will always be underfoot or overtop your feet and will always lay right in the middle of everything! Once you get a mastiff you no longer have free access to hallways!

 

[KnightRider]

A mastiff will do just fine in an apartment as long as you incorporate daily outdoor time and realize he will always be underfoot or overtop your feet and will always lay right in the middle of everything! Once you get a mastiff you no longer have free access to hallways!

This. But they are so very worth it. Best dog I've ever had in my family.

 

[ParentsofVegas]

We have had a bunch of great dogs in our life.
GSD Lab Border Collie Rot Healer and some rescued mixes.
After only spending 7 months with our EM girl,
I can only say I have never had a dog with a more
Human like soul.

 

[Robtouw]

Parents you are so right! One of the reasons I fell in love with the EM Breed is their soulful manner. I've owned rotti's, shepherds, mixes, saints, growing up my mom had terriers, poodles, labs, etc, and I've been around friends dogs over the years and none have impressed me as much and a well bred, well trained EM. I am totally in love with the breed!

 

[Dingske]

Hi again guys!

So the last few days I've been researching breeders, but haven't really made any progress. (read: I haven't really found one I like yet)
I did email the one suggested in this thread but no reply yet.

As I live in Europe I wonder if it would be acceptable to buy a pup in the US and fly him over. Would that be possible with a pop and how expensive would it be?

Anyway if someone could suggest any good breeders, it would be greatly appreciated. I really want the pup to be the best of the best so he can have a healthy and enjoyable life.

 

[joshuagough]

They get a lot of interest in their pups due to the lines but he will get back in touch with you.

You can get a pup shipped from the US, when I was researching cost it was $300-$600 US dollars for the shipping plus the approved crate $200 US dollars I believe.

Hi again guys!

So the last few days I've been researching breeders, but haven't really made any progress. (read: I haven't really found one I like yet)
I did email the one suggested in this thread but no reply yet.

As I live in Europe I wonder if it would be acceptable to buy a pup in the US and fly him over. Would that be possible with a pop and how expensive would it be?

Anyway if someone could suggest any good breeders, it would be greatly appreciated. I really want the pup to be the best of the best so he can have a healthy and enjoyable life.

 

[WalnutCrest]

Some countries have various types of quarantine protocols, which can delay the age at which the breeder can ship you the pup...in some cases by several months.

I may have another idea or two for you, depending on where in Europe you live.

 

[Dingske]

Oh ok I'll wait for his reply a few days more then! If he doesn't reply I'll start looking at US breeders too to ship a puppy!

&I live in Belgium !

thanks for your help guys

 

[Dingske]

Hi guys

I was wondering what you think about this breeder http://www.englishmastiff.hu/ and their dogs.

They recently had a litter which means I could purchase a pup soon probably!

 

[WalnutCrest]

I've seen pictures of a few of his dogs.

I only ask because I don't know (and am not inclined to do the research needed to figure it out) ... how many litters has he had over, say, the last three years?

Be patient for your pooch. Do your research, meet lots of breeders ... it's probably just as important that you find a breeder who will help you be the best owner you can be than it is for you to get a pup "now".

I understand the temptation ... if you're patient and you network around, the best breeders will begin to have an appreciation for what you're hoping to do and why you're hoping to have a Mastiff in the first place.

 

[Dingske]

I've seen pictures of a few of his dogs.

I only ask because I don't know (and am not inclined to do the research needed to figure it out) ... how many litters has he had over, say, the last three years?

Be patient for your pooch. Do your research, meet lots of breeders ... it's probably just as important that you find a breeder who will help you be the best owner you can be than it is for you to get a pup "now".

I understand the temptation ... if you're patient and you network around, the best breeders will begin to have an appreciation for what you're hoping to do and why you're hoping to have a Mastiff in the first place.

Apparantly (from his news section) he has 2-3 a year max). They attend dogshows with their dogs too.
The litter I'm interested in is betwee[FONT=Calibri, sans-serif]n Carmen Slnko Zempira (she's from the most famous and oldest european kennel, weighs 209lbs, height is 32inch) and the other dog is from another breeder his name is CH Hammer of Silent Giant (Zorro) (34,6inch ; 242 pounds). He also has a very good pedigree.

Both parents have been tested for HD&ED and the results have been excellent. I'll post a picture of both parents and carmens pedigree. Let me know what you think.

From left to right: Carmen, Zorro and Carmen's puppy with another dog (his name was also zorro but I don't think it's the same dog maybe the same breeder). The puppy is 19 months in that picture.

[/FONT]

 

[Dingske]

Oh and it seems I can't edit I forgot the pedigree of Carmen here it is:

 

[kpost]

Personally I am not knowledgable about those lines, but most of the breeders I respect...both the sire and the dam need to champion before producing. Testing is also important (touchy subject, personally i view as stacking the deck in my favor) and cysternia is another thing that should be tested and reported to any prospective Mastiff parents. The advise above from others is best...waiting is worth it. Go to a dog show and network. When I got my boy now I had to get referred to my breeder and pretty much interview and wait. When we get our next, we already know from who and are considered and approved home.