7. How long is your waiting list for puppies and how often do you breed?
We had changed how we do this as we were getting up to 45 people on a wait list and when it came time for a puppy we had to spend a lot of time going through the list and would find only a couple of people on the list still wanted puppies. But you want us to take names on our list so we will max out at 20 names.
Once the puppies are born we will allow 1 week to contact everyone, if we cannot get a hold of you then you will be removed from our list. We require deposits on puppies once they are born. Puppy selection will be on a first come first served basis - based on the list and the receipt of the deposits within that first week.
Please follow our Breeding Plan page or Facebook page for updates on our breeding plans to know when puppy reservations are taking place, when puppies are do etc.. It is done on a first come first serve basis.
8. How many litters have you had?
We have had 32 litters since 1988. That averages less than 1 per year. We have had years without puppies and years with up to 2 litters.
9. What colours of mastiffs do you have?
Fawn, brindle, apricot, fawn brindle and apricot brindle.
10. How big do your mastiffs get?
All of our dogs are within the breed standards:
Females 130-200 lbs.
Males 175-270 lbs.
11. What are your breeding policies?
We only use the best dogs for our breeding program. We do all the testing that is available and affects the mastiff. We strive to use dogs that are OFA clear or PennHip clear of hip dysplasia, OFA elbows clear, have excellent structure, the temperament of a huggable teddy bear, CERF, thyroid and Von Willebrand's Disease clear. PRA, CMR1 and DM are tested, any DM carriers are only bred to DM clear dogs. If we have a fault in one of our dogs they are bred to a dog that is clear for that issue. We only breed to dogs that meet the above standards and have had the testing done to ensure that we have healthy puppies.
12. What training should a mastiff have?
Basic obedience is a must and more training including socialization with people and other dogs is preferred. The more time you invest in training your mastiff the better companion you will have.
13. What do you charge for your puppies?
$3200.00 including HST for pet or for show quality. All dogs go under non-breeding agreements. Please see our Contract and Purchase and Deposit agreement on the bottom of our Breeding Plan page. If you are interested in reserving a puppy you can fill out the Questionnaire also at the bottom of the Breeding Plan page and send it to us. Please note that we do not take reservations until we have proof of pregnancy.
14. Do you show your Mastiffs? Where and when?
We show in confirmation until they are champions. We go to most of the shows in the Ottawa area including Kars, Ottawa, Kingston, Nepean. These shows are held in the spring, summer and fall.
We do not show if we have puppies on the ground or a litter due so that we do not bring anything home to the puppies.
15. What testing do you do on your breeding stock?
We use the same policies here as in question 11. We strive to use dogs that are OFA clear for hips or PennHip clear of hip dysplasia, OFA elbows clear, have excellent structure, the temperament of a huggable teddy bear, CERF, thyroid and von Willebrand's Disease clear, PRA and CMR1 clear and have been tested for DM. We do what testing is required by the MCOA and Canadian Mastiff Clubs to which we belong. This now includes OFA of the heart.
16. When can we come and see your Mastiffs?
Call for an appointment, we are retired but do work from home and need to fit in visits amongst our busy schedule.
17. What Vet do you suggest?
A vet that has experience with large and small animals is ideal with giant breed experience. Ask about prices, hours of operation and after hour emergencies.
18. Are Mastiffs more expensive than smaller dogs?
Routine shots are between $180 - 200 per year. Heartworm is $200 or more per year, include tick coverage and it is more expensive. Other medications are dependent on body weight, the larger the dog the higher the cost. Any surgery, including spay or neuter, also depends on body weight. Studies suggest that you wait with larger dogs to have them spayed or neutered until they are 18 months to 2 years old so that the hormones help to close the growth plates in the bones - so the cost of this will be more due to the size of a Mastiff at one year old.
19. How many litters do you have a year?
1 or sometimes 2.
20. What is the difference in size and temperament of the male versus the female?
Males are 1/3 larger than females. Males are more territorial and the females are more focused on the family and more protective of strangers. It does depend on the dogs though as they are all different.
21. What kind of home does the Mastiff need?
A loving home first of all. Some live in apartments, others in the country with lots of acreage. A fenced yard is a must unless a leash is used. We recommend obedience training as a puppy with lots of socialization with people, places and other dogs. The mastiff should be a part of your family and should be kept in the house. A crate is a must when unsupervised for the first 1 - 2 years until you know that they will not chew on your couch, cupboards, furniture, walls etc. when you are not around.
22. Do Mastiffs get along with other dogs and other animals?
If introduced as a puppy they get along with all other animals.
23. What is the best way to house train a Mastiff?
Crate training works usually within 3 days.
24. Do you provide follow up support for puppy buyers?
Absolutely. Please feel free to ask any questions you have now or after you purchase a puppy. We like to keep in touch to make sure that our puppies get the best possible care, love and attention, and that our buyers are happy.
25. What kind of information do you give to the buyers when you sell your puppies?
We give a package which includes puppy care and training, photos of relatives (mom, dad, grandparents), copies of the parents' testing of hips, eyes etc. are on our website. A pedigree or family tree is provided. We give information of the proper feeding and the feeding schedule. The registration papers will follow once the puppy is registered with the CKC. Remember that all purebred dogs must have registration papers provided.
Puppy Care Instructions.
26. Can we pick our puppies name?
You can help name your puppy as long as our kennel name, Knighterrant, is in the name.
27. Mastiff Club of America and Canadian Mastiff Club FAQ
Please visit the Mastiff Club of America FAQ and Canadian Mastiff Club is the Mastiff right for you, for more info.