Where do I Find my Bullmastiff
Puppy?
The Bullmastiff Club of KZN can put you in touch with breeders
not only in KwaZulu Natal, but throughout the country. If they are
members of the club, they have certain obligations which they must
fulfil as breeders, but it is up to you, the buyer, to be satisfied
that you are happy with your choice. Remember – Caveat Emptor
– buyer beware.
There are certain questions you should ask when meeting the breeder,
and any breeder worth his salt will not mind answering them for
you.
- Why did you breed this litter?
- May I see and handle both parents? (If the male is not on the
premises, ask for a photo and a copy of his KUSA registration
papers.
- Have both parents been xrayed for hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia,
and may I see Professor Kirberger’s gradings?
- When did this bitch have her last litter?
- How many litters has she had?
- How long have you been breeding Bullmastiffs?
- Does either parent have any genetic faults that you are aware
of?
- Why did you choose this particular sire for this litter?
- What are the attributes of each parent?
- Will I be given KUSA registration papers and a diet sheet with
my puppy?
- If I have any problems with my puppy, will you help me?
- What happens if, in years to come, my circumstances change
and I cannot continue to keep my Bullmastiff?
You must remember the fact that because you are buying a KUSA registered
puppy, that is no guarantee that your puppy will turn out to be
of ‘show quality’. The amount of champions in the parent’s
pedigree guarantee you ‘diddly squat’. The fact that
both parents have zero ratings for hip and elbow dysplasia does
not mean that your puppy will be free of those deformities.
What the acceptable answers to the above questions mean is that
the breeder has taken every care to breed a quality litter that
is, hopefully, good looking, free from any genetic disorders, and
the puppies have good temperaments.
You must expect the breeder to be just as nosy about you and your
family conditions as you are about his breeding. He is, after all,
entrusting you with his pride and joy, and he wants to know if you
come up to expectations.
When buying a Bullmastiff puppy, there are no guarantees that
the puppy will come up to expectations, or that he won’t have
problems of one sort or another later in life. Think hard and carefully
about taking a puppy – he will be with you for the rest of
his life.
Make sure that the breeder has an ‘open door’ policy;
that you can receive help and advice for the rest of that dog’s
life.
A list of Registered Breeders who are Club Members appears at the
end of thisbooklet.
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