Synopsis
For the first-time owner: an A-Z of buying, owning and raising mastiffs, a practical guide to the world of mastiffs. For the would-be breeder: how to raise and train a stud dog and how to manage a breeding of these gentle giant mastiffs. How to maintain and meet the needs of the pregnant mastiff and lots of whelping information. For the entire mastiff community: ancient history, British mastiff history up to World War II, American history, top show dogs, top producers, top obedience dogs, temperament, mastiff artwork and much, much more!
From the Author
Description of the book and thanks from the author.When I acquired my first Mastiff I knew nothing about the breed, except that it is the largest breed of dog (not the tallest - the LARGEST). When I bred my first litter of Mastiffs, I knew nothing about breeding dogs or whelping litters or how to keep newborn puppies alive. When I took my first Mastiff to an AKC Dog Show, I did not have a clue why I was there or what I was supposed to be doing with my dog. I bought all the books that were available on Mastiffs, but I was never satisfied. I was always left with unanswered questions. For those of you who are contemplating buying your first Mastiff, I hope that my book will answer your questions and fill in the gaps of missing information about Mastiffs.
"Aristocratic Guardian" is a love story about Mastiffs, about the great love I feel for them. Mastiffs have enriched my life so much over the years and I wanted to give something back to the breed. I have bred, lived with, raised and loved so many, many Mastiffs that I have come to know the breed very well. I especially wanted to reach out to first-time owners and new breeders and share with them what the Mastiffs have taught me.
I initially began writing the book with the intent of helping new breeders save puppy lives. Even though the adult Mastiff is the largest breed of dog, the puppies are very fragile and too many are lost due to inexperience. If what I wrote can save one precious puppy then all my time and effort spent writing this book were worth it. I included a section on how to raise a stud dog, and the mechanics of breeding. My book pays tribute to notable show and obedience Mastiffs and the top producing Mastiffs that have made the breed so great. As much history as space allowed was included; ancient history to the present time. To me, the most important chapters in the book are probably on temperament and the breed standard.
I tried to show readers, realistically, what living with giant Mastiffs is like. This breed is NOT for everybody. They are expensive to purchase, raise, maintain and nurture, and they are NOT a backyard breed. That is, they cannot be relegated to your backyard and forgotten. Mastiffs need to live with and be around people and they require a lot of socialization. Owning a Mastiff must be a family commitment for the lifetime of the animal.
My sincere thanks to all of you who had faith in my ability to write this book. So many of you have called, written or e-mailed me to say you love it. I am thrilled, gratified, and absolutely overwhelmed by the marvelous reception you have all given my book. Thank you. Those of you who have not yet acquired my book, I encourage you to get it as soon as possible. There is something in this book for everyone to enjoy. I promise you, you will not be disappointed! The Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds of dogs known to man and the ancient history about them is fascinating. They are truly the "Aristocratic Guardians" of the world.
