Hi, I have dreamed since a child of owning one of these amazing dogs. Trouble is I have been told that No one will sell me a bullmastiff unless iv owned one before? So how do you ever own one?

I am 33 years old, Im in the process of saving for a house and will be able to proceed early next year with my partner and daughter, I have experience of big breed dogs (a cross mastiff, a family dog i grew up with).

I have researched the breed and realise how big and stubborn they can be and also the ailments they suffer from. I hope to welcome the pup to my family when I get my new house. i have contacted some breeders for advice and they have told me all the minus points and never answered the question "will you sell me a pup". I would welcome any breeder to vet my house when I get it. The only place that actually gave me some positive vibes was a place called dogs r us and after researching that place i dont think I will bother. Any advice would be welcome. Please remember wont be buying a pup till next year.

Many thanks in advance

its a tough one isnt it. i have a similarly large breed albeit from a different group, and I have to say it was a huge leap of faith when I 1st sold one to somone new to the breed. I also have to say that  the 3 pups I have taken back , sadly they have all been new- to- breed owners ......maybe you can get along to some shows and meet some breeders face to face so they can see you and meet you for themselves? I am sure that would make a difference.

If I were you I would attend a few shows, join the breed club get chatting to a few breeder, once they get to know you I am sure someone will put you on their lists.

PS Sam, snap, you must have been posting whilst I was checking my spelling and more than likely still getting it wrong.

I would avoid the place you mention 'positive vibes' were given as they will sell anyone a pup and want your money.(and you will prob pay more there for a non registered pup than you would from a good breeder) Keep in contact with breeders you have approached and attend shows as suggested Hopefully by showing a real interest someone will allow your dream to come true and you will get a healthy, well reared companion. Good Luck in your search and avoid that place like the plague
Angela

Perhaps they want to see you settled in a suitable home before they commit themselves.  Are there other issues like the number of hours that anybody will be at home or perhaps your daughters age? 
A breeder that tells you all the negatives points is a responsible breeder so it is in your own interest to listen to them and be advised as to whether you have a suitable home at this point.

Daughter is 9 and I work opposite shifts to my partner, so someone will always be home, We are climbing the property ladder so house will be bigger with a garden, I have listened to the negative points and understand why they are telling me. Thanks for all the encouragement folks. I suppose it is annoying taking a chance on a new to breed owner and they cant cope and bring the dog back, just have to prove that im in it for the long haul.

If you mean you have not got a garden at the moment I am sure that will be enormously helpful when you do.  I can't imagine how much harder it would be to make a success of owning owning dog without one.
I'm always much keener on someone with breed experience but someone who has done lots of research and has covered all the bases could well win me round so, perhaps get the new house sorted, keep trying and be patient

PS I know what waiting is like because I had to wait to move into a house from a flat myself before getting my first dog and went to collect her on removal day (not recommending that!) while I left OH to cope with everything else

No living with parents till we get enough money for semi in nicer area. I will be patient. as i say just getting breeders to know im serious at the moment.

Think your present living conditions are not a problem as with most breeds to obtain a nice puppy from a good breeder you will have to go onto a waiting list and the wait will be at least a year. So put yourself about speak to people who own animals you like and get yourself on a couple of breeders puppy lists. Then keep up the interest asking which bitch is likely to be the dam of your puppy and if she is shown you can watch her progress, ask if they have chosen a sire. Contact them at intervals to tell them how the house hunting is going and make sure they know you are still very very interested. Good luck

All sound advice. You sound like a very responsible prospective owner. As you say, everybody has to be a first-time owner at some point and I think any breeder who wouldn't sell you a puppy must be absolutely mad. You have done your research, you have weighed up the pros and cons, you have sought advice from breeders. Don't give up, there will be somebody out there who recognises your qualities, but I would strongly advise you to only buy from somebody who breeds to show. I'm sure there are people breeding bullmastiffs who are only in it for the money and would be glad to sell to anybody with the money to spend. The fact that the breeders you have approached are not willing to hand over a puppy to just anybody, tells you that they are responsible, careful breeders, who care very much what happens to their carefully and expensively reared puppies. Good Luck.

It took me a while to get the dog i now own, we have dogs already though never owned this breed before. I attended all the shows i could and spoke to the breeders who had dogs i liked and never gave up.
I visited the breeder with my father and put my name on her list.
She gave me a grilling and i'm glad she did as it showed how much she cared for her pups and where they were going. I wouldn't have any issue with any breeder or friend of visiting where we live either.

I have such a wonderful dog now and such a great companion and sometimes show my dog, where i often bump into the breeder, she is always at the end of the phone to speak to if i have any questions.
The wait was worth it and so happy with the boy i have, so much so i am looking to potentially get another one next year sometime if the pennies allow it.

Davyliver not in Liverpool by any chance !!!!

Steer clear of dog r us in Manchester or any you see advertised in the local paper . Agree with preeious poster if you are serious about this breed then go to some shows talk to breeders and find out all you can about the breed .

they are a brilliant breed but not without their challanges.

you sound fairly set (well, when you get the garden ) so as long as your totally honest with breeders i can't see you having to much trouble. i don't know if its true but one of the people who bought one of our pups said that the dogs down south are far more expensive and often not as nice (he came from penzance to angus!). i also heard from a breeder that in southern england there is a great risk of them being crossed with unsuitable breeds (like pits). as i say i can't verify this, its just what i've heard from some others in the breed so do be careful.

all i can tell you from my experience is that there are some lovely dogs and kennels up here in scotland at the mo.

i think many breeders will accept that you need to be given a dog to get experience of the breed. what i would say though is go for a bitch first rather than a dog, they are harder as puppies but far easier as teenagers which is the difficult stage.

have you a colour in mind or are you happy with any? reds personally my fav as my special boy Chad growing up was a red.

Yep from the pool. I must admit I was hoping to get a male as I have had female dogs all my life, but I will take what I can get. I would love a fawn or red. As for dogs r us, I found out it used to be called mayfield kennels which was always in the press for sick pups, so no worries i will keep away from any multi breed outlets! As for scotland, problem is I dont drive so would need a breeder in northwest. Thanks anyway for all the encouragement you have made me feel more confident.

btw dunno if it would suit or if you;d be eligable having never had the breed but would you cosider sdopting? the bullmastiff rescue might be able to help you out. alternatively you could offer yourself to them as a foster, it would help you get experience with the breed to help convince breeders.

Great idea Astarte, although be prepared to meet a dog that has "issues" i.e needs extra socialising or confidence building. Its a great way to learn morea bout the breed without the commitment of having that animal forever.
Good luck

although adopting or fostering a bullmastiff is a lovely idea there are many reasons they are looking for new home and often because the owner could not handle them so you would need to be ultra confident and experienced i have experience of taking on a 2 yr bitch and i can tell you its not been easy.

Patience really is the key, and you will be rewarded.

As a young boy, we waited and searched for months for my boxer and he was (near) perfect. As a naive adult, a less than scrupulus breeder sold me a far from perfect Dobe!

I find it refreshing that breeders care so much about their dogs, but at the same time realise you need to be given a chance.

Good Luck!