I am not a vet, so please seek medical advice appropriately before doing any treatment. I am sharing with you what has worked for my dogs over the last 25+ years of breeding.
DON'T spay/neuter until 1 year
Health benefits of waiting to spay or neuter:http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/06/13/neutering-spaying-cancer-risk.aspx?x_cid=20140613_lead_facebookpets http://www.caninesports.com/SNBehaviorBoneDataSnapShot.pdf
Dog Food
Overeating or wrong food can cause Hip and Joint problems. PLEASE check out the below website. I feed Dr. Tim's all ages (NEVER FEED PUPPY FOOD!) and require my puppy owners to feed as well. The reason why is I know it works for this line and that way if there is a problem with your beloved baby - I can problem solve and immediately rule out the food as a problem.
Learn about raising a large breed dog and how nutrition is key!
http://www.greatdanelady.com/
EAR Cleaning
1. Use K9 Ear Solution Liquid & GV Ear Powder
http://www.firstchoicenaturals.com/Index/showroom.php?pid=16
2. Finish with R-7 ear drying creme and massage into the ear canal as deeply as possible.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lUl2ao70L._SY450_.jpg
3. Clean weekly and use R-7 CREME until the brown gunky stuff is gone.
4. Use DDS with FOS sprinkle 2 caps on the food twice a day for 6 weeks. (Whole foods or some groceries in fridge section)
Why do my dogs have brown gunky ears (fungal / yeast)? What do I need to know about ears cleaning?
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/06/25/how-to-care-for-your-pet-s-ears.aspx
http://www.firstchoicenaturals.com/Index/showroom.php?pid=16
2. Finish with R-7 ear drying creme and massage into the ear canal as deeply as possible.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41lUl2ao70L._SY450_.jpg
4. Use DDS with FOS sprinkle 2 caps on the food twice a day for 6 weeks. (Whole foods or some groceries in fridge section)
Why do my dogs have brown gunky ears (fungal / yeast)? What do I need to know about ears cleaning?
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2009/06/25/how-to-care-for-your-pet-s-ears.aspx
Hot Spots/Allergies
Spring / Fall during coat change over most likely time for reaction. As dogs age past 2 no/minimal reaction. Generally lighter fawns most impacted. Never had a brindle that was. Most often cause is a young dog swimming in a lake in late summer when chiggers or lots of weed over growth.
Not a substitute for Vet info, contact your vet for any medical advice first.
Hot Spots / Bump up Hives:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/04/21/treating-dog-hot-spots.aspx
Hives likely caused by alleric reaction to WEEDS or Pine/Conifers (pine chips at dog shows). Short Term use Benadryl & Bath immediately. Failure to react can cause hive on the eye(s) which can cause entropian requiring surgery. Need to get swelling down immediately. Feed Raw Honey from w.in 50 miles.
NO OILS/Oatmeal shampoos, etc - that will bump it up worse. Need to keep hair follicle dry and clean.
Immediate Response:
1. Benadryl - human dose
2. Immediately Wash with Pyoben Shampoo - Lather with handfuls of soap even between toes (also can use Viodine horse shampoo in combo with that on the feet) and soak 10 minutes, rinse repeat.
3. Apply a betadyne rinse all over and towel dry. OR use VIODINE Shampoo with the Pyoben Bath.
4. Dogs that have bumped up in the past, I keepn human Head and Shoulders 2:1 shampoo conditioner on hand and wash them with that.
Use Laser Sheen horse conditioner spray on top if conditioner needed.
Not a substitute for Vet info, contact your vet for any medical advice first.
Hot Spots / Bump up Hives:
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/04/21/treating-dog-hot-spots.aspx
Hives likely caused by alleric reaction to WEEDS or Pine/Conifers (pine chips at dog shows). Short Term use Benadryl & Bath immediately. Failure to react can cause hive on the eye(s) which can cause entropian requiring surgery. Need to get swelling down immediately. Feed Raw Honey from w.in 50 miles.
NO OILS/Oatmeal shampoos, etc - that will bump it up worse. Need to keep hair follicle dry and clean.
Immediate Response:
1. Benadryl - human dose
2. Immediately Wash with Pyoben Shampoo - Lather with handfuls of soap even between toes (also can use Viodine horse shampoo in combo with that on the feet) and soak 10 minutes, rinse repeat.
3. Apply a betadyne rinse all over and towel dry. OR use VIODINE Shampoo with the Pyoben Bath.
4. Dogs that have bumped up in the past, I keepn human Head and Shoulders 2:1 shampoo conditioner on hand and wash them with that.
Use Laser Sheen horse conditioner spray on top if conditioner needed.
IMPORTANT! ONLY DOGS PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM US OR ADVERTISED ON OUR UPCOMING LITTER PAGE HAVE THE GAFFLE BULLMASTIFFS SEAL OF APPROVAL. We carefully consider 1. Conformation 2. Temperament and 3. Health.
FUTURE OWNERS! HOW TO SCREEN FOR A QUALITY BREEDER:
Those looking to make money must cut corners in the quality of the sire or cut the quality of the health care of the mom and her babies. If a so called breeder says "both parents on premise" or "we don't believe in showing or AKC" RUN! To do it right, it costs us approximately $7,000 to $10,000 to produce a litter (this does not include cost of showing or health clearances). Ethical breeders are not making profits from breeding puppies. This is our passion and hobby, not a business
BUYERS - WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PUPPY
1. The Breeder should belong to the AMERICAN BULLMASTIFF ASSOCIATION, and/or Regional Bullmastiff Club
2. The Breeder should be an AKC Breeder of Merit (or meet the requirements of a breeder of merit - look it up and ask those questions)
3. SIRE AND DAM should BOTH be AKC Champions of Record - AND/OR- performance titled such as RALLY OR CD AGILITY, etc.
4. SIRE AND DAM should have ALL PARENT "OFA CHIC" TESTING DONE (if not on offa.org, ask for certificates or actual tests to be produced)
HIPS, ELBOWS, EYES, THYROID, HEART should be tested in the bullmastiff,
we CERF the puppies EYES AND have a Cardiologist CERT HEARTS on puppies before they leave here!
5. If the Breeder does not at a minimum meet the Breeder of Merit Requirements, then they should have a MENTOR who meets the "breeder of merit" requirements "or above" those requirements.
6. All owners and co-owners of the female should be in agreement and support the breeding decision.
7. It is NEVER ok to breed a male or female with a questionable temperament.
More tips are available on the AKC website along with a great listing of questions to ask the breeder.
Selecting the right stud dog, proper medical care and supervision of the mother and puppies from prenatal to puppy hood – all that goes into the formula to produce the very best. The breeder should offer lifelong support, contracts, and education.
FUTURE OWNERS! HOW TO SCREEN FOR A QUALITY BREEDER:
Those looking to make money must cut corners in the quality of the sire or cut the quality of the health care of the mom and her babies. If a so called breeder says "both parents on premise" or "we don't believe in showing or AKC" RUN! To do it right, it costs us approximately $7,000 to $10,000 to produce a litter (this does not include cost of showing or health clearances). Ethical breeders are not making profits from breeding puppies. This is our passion and hobby, not a business
BUYERS - WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PUPPY
1. The Breeder should belong to the AMERICAN BULLMASTIFF ASSOCIATION, and/or Regional Bullmastiff Club
2. The Breeder should be an AKC Breeder of Merit (or meet the requirements of a breeder of merit - look it up and ask those questions)
3. SIRE AND DAM should BOTH be AKC Champions of Record - AND/OR- performance titled such as RALLY OR CD AGILITY, etc.
4. SIRE AND DAM should have ALL PARENT "OFA CHIC" TESTING DONE (if not on offa.org, ask for certificates or actual tests to be produced)
HIPS, ELBOWS, EYES, THYROID, HEART should be tested in the bullmastiff,
we CERF the puppies EYES AND have a Cardiologist CERT HEARTS on puppies before they leave here!
5. If the Breeder does not at a minimum meet the Breeder of Merit Requirements, then they should have a MENTOR who meets the "breeder of merit" requirements "or above" those requirements.
6. All owners and co-owners of the female should be in agreement and support the breeding decision.
7. It is NEVER ok to breed a male or female with a questionable temperament.
More tips are available on the AKC website along with a great listing of questions to ask the breeder.
Selecting the right stud dog, proper medical care and supervision of the mother and puppies from prenatal to puppy hood – all that goes into the formula to produce the very best. The breeder should offer lifelong support, contracts, and education.