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Anyone know about Merckle's Hilltop Mastiffs in Ohio?

Iymala

Well-Known Member
I agree. I check multiple forums each day and love having the ability to utilize multiple pools of experience.
 

newfy987

Member
I have to tell you all, I'm new to the EM forum and this thread made me laugh so hard. But I also want to thank you. I'm looking for a EM puppy and this breeder was on my research list. It also gave me a few more things to think about and ask breeders as I do my research.
 
I have to say my peace here, I have Been to Merckles Hilltop Mastiffs. I did get my beautiful Mastiif pup from her in April 2013. I did see the sire and dam as well as all her other beautiful big babies that were all happy, healthy and well taken care of when I got my pup. My Pup is AKC registered and is a beautiful boy. My husband did his research finding a quality breeder who has love for there dogs and we chose her over everyone else and price wasn't the issue, if she wasn't a good person/breeder how did we find her. We traveled hours to get our baby . She has a big heart and love for the breed. Might I say Her farm was amazing and clean. Everyone is entitled to there own opinions, but until you deal with her personally why would you make assumptions. I would recommend her to anyone. I do not have one negative thing to say about her or her breeding. To me it looks like you are all other breeders who are bashing others breeders for the benefit of yourself. Why is the monetary value always an issue? It doesn't matter the price of the pup as long as its a happy and healthy one.
 

Iymala

Well-Known Member
My husband did his research finding a quality breeder who has love for there dogs and we chose her over everyone else and price wasn't the issue, if she wasn't a good person/breeder how did we find her.

Because she advertises on Puppyfind.com? Pretty easy to find her and her 40 pups.
 
If you are interested in Merckles Hilltop Mastiff's you can personally contact me. I have one of hers pups. I am not affiliated with her. This is on a personal experience from getting my pup. We researched Barbara for almost 3 years and this is who we chose. I have been there personally and she is willing to show you any paperwork you need to see. Very knowledgable on the breed. This is my opinion from my own experience.
 
We did not find her on Puppyfind.com.. once again assumptions without true knowledge. I am not trying to cause any drama , I am simply stating the facts on my personal experiences. I have a wonderful pup that is healthy!!!! Anyone can go on the internet and write anything and people read into everything that someone else posts... and starts what I call gossip. But I don't feel its necessary if you don't know from your own experience to say something about ANY breeder if you have not interacted with them personally and its all from hearsay .I could've gotten my mastiff from anyone of these breeders on this page and elsewhere or even close to home, I chose her. This is not a puppy mill.. She has a true love for her gentle giants as well as all of us.. everyone is entitled to there own opinion, but this is from an actual experience and not from what was read on the internet or breeder vs. breeder...
 
My pup is going to be 18 weeks old.. I absolutely adore and love him, he's such a beautiful boy. He's very healthy big baby and is checked regularly by vet.. Absolutley perfect!!
 

Smokeycat

Well-Known Member
My pup is going to be 18 weeks old.. I absolutely adore and love him, he's such a beautiful boy. He's very healthy big baby and is checked regularly by vet.. Absolutley perfect!!

Many of the things that are tested for are not found until after the dog gets older than that. Elbow dysplasia for example can't be determined until after 5 months and only by X-ray or other internal views. Most dogs with ED aren't diagnosed until even later when X-rays are done to confirm arthritis. This means that they could have been bred while 'healthy'. I'm not saying that she is a good breeder or not but the apparent lack of health testing (most recent on OFA was 2004) puts you at a greater risk of incredibly high vet bills than if its known that the adults are physically and genetically sound.
I bought Kryten from a breeder just like this one. She loved her dogs and they and the puppies were very well cared for. Both sire and dam had hips checked but not graded and there was no genetic testing done. Kryten was diagnosed with bilateral elbow dysplasia at 15 months. He seemed perfectly healthy up until a week before his diagnosis when he developed a limp. I sincerely hope that you are like the majority of people who take this risk and have a dog that remains healthy for life. Personally the risk from this breeder is too high for my comfort level.
 

Cody

Well-Known Member
If you are interested in Merckles Hilltop Mastiff's you can personally contact me. I have one of hers pups. I am not affiliated with her. This is on a personal experience from getting my pup. We researched Barbara for almost 3 years and this is who we chose. I have been there personally and she is willing to show you any paperwork you need to see. Very knowledgable on the breed. This is my opinion from my own experience.
I always find it interesting when people post, especially about breeders, without ever formally introducing themselves on this forum. Please head to the introduction section and let us know a bit about yourself and your dog.
 

Penelope's Mom

Well-Known Member
If anyone wants my two cents, here it is. If not, sorry.

My Franklin came from BYB. I didn't know any better at the time. All my other dogs had been rescues. Franklin cost $600. Yes, he's AKC registered.

I hope and pray everyday that he stays as healthy as he has been. With BYB's, you just don't know. I also have many, many behavioral issues with him. Some I caused, but I'll never know if things could have been different if I would have done my research and had people who cared enough to keep me from buying a dog from someone like that.

I love my big boy to death, and so far he has been very healthy and happy. However, please don't let yourself get caught in the trap I'm in by, at the very least, doing your homework and listening to the opinions of people who just might know a little bit more about things like this than you do.
 

Smart_Family

Dog Food Guru
If anyone wants my two cents, here it is. If not, sorry.

My Franklin came from BYB. I didn't know any better at the time. All my other dogs had been rescues. Franklin cost $600. Yes, he's AKC registered.

I hope and pray everyday that he stays as healthy as he has been. With BYB's, you just don't know. I also have many, many behavioral issues with him. Some I caused, but I'll never know if things could have been different if I would have done my research and had people who cared enough to keep me from buying a dog from someone like that.

I love my big boy to death, and so far he has been very healthy and happy. However, please don't let yourself get caught in the trap I'm in by, at the very least, doing your homework and listening to the opinions of people who just might know a little bit more about things like this than you do.
Yep Azzy is also from a BYB. So far no health issues or behavioral issues but she is not a standard mastiff by any means. From 12-18 months she stayed at 100lbs. Bloodwork, vet, everything checked out. She seems to have filled out a bit now that she's almost 2 but I doubt she will ever get near her parents' supposed weights (150 and 200). I love her but never again will I buy from anything less than a reputable breeder who does health testing or adopt from a shelter.
 

Penelope's Mom

Well-Known Member
I completely agree, Smart.

If I ever get another dog of any breed through a breeder, I'll do it the right way. I owe it to myself and my dog. Besides, the only way to get BYB's to stop breeding is to stop buying their dogs.
 

SavingGrace

Well-Known Member
I got mine from what I would consider a BYB and paid a pretty penny too. They did health testing (well some, not much) and seemed like a reputable outfit. She has had every health problem you can imagine, but she's the sweetest dog in the world. She also doesn't particularly carry the CC temperament (in a good, extremely lab-like way). I wish I would've talked to more breeders and done more research. How do you know these days who's good and who's bad? They all talk a really good game.
 

Kai

New Member
Please...don't you someone who has knowledge of the breed. I own one of her dogs. Will drive another eight hours. If I need another one!
 

Kai

New Member
Are you stupid?,. Check someone out. I'm not asking for credit. SMH. Anyone. Spending that type of money on a dog. No checking is needed!