Preservation Breeder v. Purebred Breeder

The DVBC is pleased to offer prospective puppy owners the opportunity to learn about the breed and be matched with a preservation breeder that ensures that the necessary health tests have been completed on both parents.

 The Delaware Valley Bullmastiff Club would like buyers to become savvy about what constitutes a Preservation bred puppy. 

 Preservation bred puppies are not only the product of AKC (or Canadian Kennel Club/CKC) registered parents, they are the product of years of effort and hard work on the part of preservation breeders. Preservation breeders strive to produce a puppy that conforms to the breed standard, is capable of performing the job it was made for, and ensuring that this is all done with devotion to health and temperament. For preservation breeders, breeding is so much more than a champion stud dog and dam. 

• Health test. There are five recommended tests for bullmastiffs. They are thyroid, eyes, hips, elbows, and an echocardiogram heart test. You should see certificates issued by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals for each of these tests, for a minimum of both parents. Puppies are vet checked, inoculated, and have health certificates.

• Provide you the pedigree. It’s okay if one or two dogs, in a five generation pedigree are not AKC/CKC Champions. Some dogs just don’t like to show. Dogs who have championships from other countries, might not show up as champions on the pedigree. However, documentation of those titles should be provided. Other than these limited exceptions, the pedigree should contain Champions and Grand Champions.

• Will take the dog back. Preservation breeders are responsible for the dogs they produce, “From the womb to the tomb.” Puppies are microchipped and the breeder maintains records, ensuring that their preservation bred puppies do not end up in a shelter or rescue situation. Preservation breeders do not allow for reselling of their puppies.

• Communicate. Conversation with a preservation breeder frequently starts before pregnancy is confirmed. There should be plenty of photos, phone calls, emails, text messages between the perspective owner and the breeder. Preservation breeders keep puppy families up to date on milestones and socialization. Breeders should be open to visits with the litter, and it is not uncommon for them to perform a home visit at the buyer’s residence.

• Are professional. There should be a process to finding the right puppy for the right family. A preservation breeder will know about the multiple generations in the pup’s family tree. They will match puppies to families by temperament. It is highly unlikely that a preservation breeder will allow the family to pick the puppy. 

  • Do their paperwork. Look for a signed contract stating the obligations of both breeder and buyer. AKC/CKC limited registration should be provided either in written form or online. A copy of the litter pedigree should be included. There should be an information packet on the puppy’s schedule, food, inoculations, habits, etc.

• Are keeping at least one of the puppies. Preservation breeders breed with an eye to the future. It should be clear from conversation what the breeder is trying to improve. If the breeder is not keeping a puppy, ask why.

• Expect the buyer to pay for the work and the quality of what they’ve produced. It is not uncommon for the average bullmastiff litter to cost the breeder $10-20,000, not including the expense of the mother and any showing. Expenses for the breeding and raising of the litter include health tests, stud fees, progesterone tests before and during the pregnancy, c-section, veterinary care for the mother as well as the litter, whelping box and supplies, cleaning supplies, equipment for puppy raising protocols (such as Puppy Culture), and take home kits. 

• Expect the buyer to pay for the work and the quality of what they’ve produced. It is not uncommon for the average bullmastiff litter to cost the breeder $10-20,000, not including the expense of the mother and any showing. Expenses for the breeding and raising of the litter include health tests, stud fees, progesterone tests before and during the pregnancy, c-section, veterinary care for the mother as well as the litter, whelping box and supplies, cleaning supplies, equipment for puppy raising protocols (such as Puppy Culture), and take home kits.