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Last updated
February 15, 2009 |
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Why Do Mastiff Puppies Cost So Much?
After reading this, you will, most likely be asking yourself, “WHY would anyone want to breed Mastiffs?” The answer is quite simple. FOR THE LOVE OF THE BREED. You will see, for reputable breeders, there is little or no money to be made in selling Mastiff puppies. There is only the love and admiration they have for this gentle giant and the satisfaction in knowing they have helped continue the breed for generations to come.
To best understand this matter, it helps to know a little about Mastiff Breeding.
The English Mastiff is one of the hardest and most expensive breeds of dog to raise and breed. Fertility problems in both the male and female mastiff are quite common. Whelping difficulties are normal for the female mastiff as well as post delivery complications are more common than not. You cannot breed a mastiff until they are at least 22 months of age and if you try breeding after 6 years of age you may endanger the female. So it is rare to see more than 3 litters out of a mastiff female.
Before a Mastiff is bred , the breeder should be confident that he or she is a good example of the breed in temperament, size and conformation and does not have health or temperament problems that can be passed on to their puppies.
Specific health problems that require testing are; Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Heart problems, genetic eye problems and thyroid problems. Many reputable breeders go even farther and do testing for several other genetic health problems.
Costs
Since mastiffs are very hard to breed, progesterone testing on the female may have to be done to make sure she is bred at the right time. The cost of this testing is around 400 dollars. Sixty percent of mastiffs need some sort of veterinarian help whelping and many end up in C-sections which costs about 800 dollars (or higher). After the mastiff whelps, mastitis is very common (this is an infection in then mammary glands). So, you may well end up bottle feeding pups. AND have a bitch so sick she needs strong antibiotics and, sometimes, surgery to drain the infection. This usually costs between $400 and $600.
Then the pups, themselves can cost quite a bit. They usually require supplements as well as worming, vaccinations and health checks. This expense usually runs around $600. Then, factor in to this the cost of laundry, whelping box, puppy food, milk replacer, thermometer and other whelping and medical supplies.
Add it up:
| Genetic Health Tests |
$800 |
| Progesterone Testing
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$400 |
| Stud Fee
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$1000 - $2000 |
| C-section
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$800 |
| Mastitis
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$400 - $600 |
| Puppy Tests
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$600 |
| Puppy Maintenance
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$600 - $800 |
| AKC Puppy Registration
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$200 |
| Total
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$4800 - $8200 |
This, of course, does not include the costs of raising or showing the Adult Mastiff.
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