What are the drawbacks to owning a dog as large as the Mastif?

I am interested in buying a certified Mastif puppy and raising him as a guard dog and family member (I'm single). I just want to know some things that I might need to consider. This breed of dogs can grow very large but they are real sweethearts of a dog. Am I missing something?

Short life span - average is 6-8 years
ENORMOUS amounts of food (which means enormous amounts of poop)
Hip problems
Medical Problems
Sensitive dogs
Can be stubborn
Needs to be a family member - can't leave for work all day and ignore him.

Do you intend to have any kids in the lifespan of the dog? Small children can be knocked down and accidentally injured by such a large dog.

Do you have a house with a large yard? They need lots of space!

Do you mean formal guard dog training? Mastiffs are not the best dog for that. They typically don't have an agressive personality. They will naturally protect you and your home, but they aren't German Shepherd type guard dogs.

Mastiffs shed and slobber. Is that a problem?

Do you know what kind of Mastiff? There are many different kinds of them. I've linked to the standard Mastiff website.

"Certification", assuming that you mean papered, means nothing other than the parents were registered. I'll give you a few links on what to look for in a breeder.

If you are seriously interested in this breed of dog, your best bet is to read all that you can about them on neutral websites. Neutral meaning not websites that just want to sell you a puppy. Reputable breeder websites *can* be great to help gather information because a reputable breeder wants to make sure that a potential owner understands what they are getting into.

Remember, NEVER buy from a backyard breeder, a newspaper ad, a pet store, an internet site, or someone who accidentally has dogs they need to get rid of. This is asking for issues.

Good luck in your search! : )

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