Sensitive dog, even though they are super big.

One thing that surprised us with this breed as I find them very sensitive. A  big change for us as previous pets we had were Rotti's.  English Mastiffs don't need a harsh  voice or to be yelled at ( not that any dog does). They simply need a stern voice for discipline. Too much raised sound in your voice and your dog will likely appear fearful or even sad.  When giving the puppy trouble for chewing something, often I have to go over to our big female and tell her she is ok. She almost looks depressed, melted into the floor.  They are very sensitive animals with their loved ones.  

So, if considering owning this breed. Do be a patient owner, a pet owner that understands just because they are large doesn't mean you have to show them large personality to get them to listen. They want to listen, want to be by their humans.    Be kind and loving and they will reward you with love , devotion and obedience.

Warning, they can be stubborn as heck. Leash training seemed to be not so fun for us.  Stay command, forget it LOL but  the simple ones such as Sit, come, lay down were extremely easy.  Hand commands and with vocals.

Hades new portraits.

Hades and I went into the studio today. Rhea was with us as well but she isn't too impressed with having to sit and pose. So, needless to say. her images aren't as good as my Boy's.
YOu can see how much is head is really starting to fill out now. Takes up to 3 years for this breed, but nice to see it starting at this point. He is gonna be a good size boy.   Also, he is loving and a good listener... well, as long as he is ready to come in the house he will listen LOL.

These dogs bring so much happiness into our home. Owning a gentle giant can and will change your life.  They love to snuggle, they think they are lap dogs.  You will have to give up your bed , as they take more room than you get LOL.    

Our beautiful Big, and furry kids__.

 Some recent photos of our Beautiful dogs Merry Christmas Everyone

Lots of people-at the house over the holidays and these two just look around at; all Hades took up the couch and had no plans to give it up. Rhea loves to Squeeze her giant self under the table to be Closer to her Pepole

My Beautiful girl... are you expecting.

We are anticipating a litter for the first time. As you may know it is hard to tell at first and can't truly be determined till a few weeks in.  We are hopeful though. Today I saw some personality changes in our girl... Is it possible she is a moody preggers girl LOL. She  was being a tough girl towards Hades today when he had a toilet roll  and was chewing it. She wanted it!!  That darn dog always seems to eat toilet paper or rolls.   Rhea usually had no part in it.   Also, today at morning feeding she actually growled. This is not her general nature at all.
Not long after the New Year, we will have our vet do a test!! FINGERS CROSSED!

She loves to be with her people. My kiddo and 

his buddy's were hanging out and cooking and she and Hades ( Hades was so little here ), Rhea  loves to sleep in kitchen when people are there.

She is a perfect size lap dog right?? LOL 

Feeding  trays are 16 inches off the floor .

Are our dogs registered? English Mastiff

Hades is a Registered Male with the AKC  American Kennel Club,

 Our female Miss Rhea is registered with the NAPR  The North American Purebred Registry

Even though both have papers from different Breeding Registration programs , the pups sold as purebred and we will register the litter with the NAPR. New owners can then send in paperwork for their new puppy.  With this registration your puppy is pet quality and cannot register for CKC competition.  

Mr. Hades He is young but ..

Although our male is still very young, he is proving to be a great looking boy. His head has just started to fill out. He is starting to look like an older dog now and less of a puppy. This is a cute image of him lying under the table.    Check out his Wrinkles.   I think the breeding of Hades and Rhea will produce very good looking pups. She is a beautiful example of a female and he has a great height and muzzle as this age.

He still had all those wrinkles.. LOVE IT

How is this for a lap dog. Miss Rhea likes to sit with her human brother LOL. 

Mastiffs Grow , food and some general comments.

Here is a general growth chart.  Some English Mastiffs will be smaller and as well, many will be much bigger.    Ours seem to be right in the perfect middle.  Our Female Rhea  is just rounding the 4 year mark and 160 ish at moment. Although I think she has packed on a few pounds lately.

Our male is a year was a bit small at 160ish, but  is now 14.5 months old and has put on more . His head has begun to broaden as well.   Now he is also about a inch or two taller than our big girl.   

Food:  Compared to a  small lab, sure they eat alot but that is too be expected for such a large pet.   Definitely consider the costs of food, vet bills and such when purchasing a puppy.

Price  Puppy fees range from about $1000- $2500.  $2500 being  champion bloodlines.  Fee will go up if you want champion bloodlines for with a  breeding contract.
If our breeding is successful, fee for pups will be $1200.
Do they guard/aggressive  , Do they guard, yes, but not like a rotti. These breeds are large and imposing to anyone who doesn't know them. Their bark can be very loud.  They  don't show aggression unless they need too. Often just a bark is enough to  show they are  watching over their human.  They tend to block their human from strangers.  We find our Male barks and moves back blocking , but if we welcome you into our home..he settles down quickly.

Slobber, Pass gas, shed?  Yes, yes and yes.  Slobber,  Each breeding is different and the jowls of some are more hanging than others. Our male and female are fairly tight muzzled and don't seem to slobber much unless.... drinking water ( big stringer then) and also if they are waiting for a treat.   Fart.. ALL THE TIME.  , Shed,  they shed like any dog, but keep in mind they are 3x larger than average pet.

Family dogs

English mastiffs love their people, they want to be near them all the time.  If we don't let them up on the bed with us they will pace and whine.  They are gentle and loving dogs.  The kids can play around them with zero worry. ( *note: Never allow children to jump or ride them just because they are big!!).   We never have any worry with the kids and these gentle giants.   They are not just a pet , they are part of the family.

You will get a good laugh out of this picture...Big dogs can do big damages.

Big dogs can do BIG damages... this is what happens when you try and separate a male and female , when the female is in heat.  Our male decided he could eat through the door that is at the stairs. He not only ruined the door he also ate parts of the actual trim and wall. Huge drywall repair and the door obviously couldn't be saved.   I wasn't sure if I should be mad or laugh.  Clearly we needed to do something different to keep them apart.  

Friends

Rhea and Hades sitting together in the sunroom, We had to move the one chair out of the way as they would shove it out so they could sit together and watch the traffic go by .   I think little man ( Hades ~ Apricot colour) is just about 6 months in this picture.   We laugh at how big Rhea's butt looks compared to skinny puppy!

Under a year here, you can see the changes quickly. Hades is really starting to fill out.  This breed takes up to the 3 years to reach full size.  As you can see, he is going to be a very handsome fellow with a beautiful black mask.  He sometimes photographs like a fawn but his Dad and him are classed as Apricot coloured.  Which is a hint red.   Rhea ( ree-ree  as we call her affectionately is called Brindle ( silver swirl).  

Mastiff questions?

Do they shed... YES!! Even though they are short haired,  the dogs themselves are huge and 5 times the size of a  small breed,... so 5 times the dog hair.

Do they slobber?  YES, YES, YES, YES LOL  

Are they friendly with children?   Amazing with children!!  Ours are raised with our son and we have a nephew that is always here and he cuddles the doggies on the floor while playing with his toys.

Can they Guard?   Yes, we used to have rotti's and I must say they guard quite differently . Mastiffs seem to block strangers from you all with a cute face yet.. make no mistake they are protecting.   They do bark if someone is at house but not normally for any other reason.  They don't show aggression but are large enough.. they just don't have too LOL

Do they eat alot?  OMG YES!!  Food bill is definitely a consideration when you purchase a mastiff!

 How big will they get?  It ranges but  Girls around 150-190, males 150-210lbs.  Currently our female is about 160lbs and our male is only a year old and is about 150.  He has lots of growing still to do.

Great friends from the time we brought Hades home. Rhea loved him right from the start.

Baby Hades just got home.. I think Rhea enjoyed trying to eat the baby puppy kibble.

 THis is my couponing puppy. I love to coupon, and he loves to eat paper LOL... so, apparently I had dropped this when coupon clipping and he was just sitting so proudly with it. I had to take a picture before taking it from him. 

This image is HADES father... COWBOY. He was absolutely huge, not much over a year or so in this image.

Rhea and Hades , we have giant beds for them in house ( two different locations) but somedays they just like the cool ceramic floor.  Do you see Miss Rhea's head resting on him.   

Food needs to be raised off floor for these giant breeds. You don't want them bending funny to get to dish. 

Classic of my kiddo and our dogs.  This is how I find them all the time!   My kiddo did the same with Miss Rhea.

Oh my.. isn't this a cute one of Miss Rhea. She  always rests her head on my treadmill. 

Oh the wrinkles... Got to love them!

Master Hades so so scared of the stairs. Took us over 2 hours to convince him to get down just two steps LOL.  All I could do was giggle and take pictures. I think that day I took about 30 of his face on the stair steps.  He would smoosh his face on a step making all his wrinkles show up . My adorable baby boy!!

This is Hades at end of day, still refusing to down down the steps, he gave up and eventually just lied  at the top.  

Giant dogs are the best pets!!

I have always loved big dogs but when we decided to buy and English Mastiff it was one of the best things we could have done for our family. This breed is HUGE and has the biggest heart of any I have seen.  If you are sick, they will not leave your side.   They love to snuggle and be by your side.  

They say having a Mastiff is like potato chips, you just can't have one!!  My family agrees.

My baby RHEA at just 8 weeks.

HADES 9 weeks.