of caution—they are addictive—you will find yourself owned by multiple Bullmastiffs for a lifetime. SG: I am so in love with this breed that for me there is no other. It started for me close to 20 years ago. I bought my first Bullmastiff from a professional handler who owned and showed Bullmastiffs. Since then I have been hooked. It has been a magnificent obsession. And here we are 20 years later and she bought her next puppy from me. This breed is a loyal and giving breed. They know and understand when we are sad, not feeling well and want nothing more than to be sitting in your lap or lying next to you at night. CL: This breed is misunderstood by many and understood by few. Bullmastiffs are not for everybody, but when your heart connects with them, your life is richer, fuller and more complete than imaginable. BM: I feel in Love with our breed in 1985 and have only gotten into the breed knee deep! I try to be a responsible breeder and will always take one of our dogs back no matter the age or illness. CP: The Bullmastiff makes a wonderful addition to most families/homes but are not for the weak at heart. They require a stern owner, lots of socialization early on and are to be monitored when playing around children. KR: I once wrote an article entitled “Research your Roots” which talks about people understanding the background of the breed they are selecting, not just their physical attributes. Many people are drawn to the solid majestic looks of a nice male Bullmastiff and then are disap- pointed when he does not fit in at the local dog park. If you understand what a dog was bred for you will have a better idea of the type of dog you are getting and be able to socialize, manage it accordingly. MW: I have been owned by Bullmastiffs for some 40+ years. Though I don’t have one now, I remain enthralled by the breed. I just recently came back from the Frenchie nationals out at Purina Farms in Gray Summit, Missouri. We have also owned Frenchies for greater than 25 years and my daughter and I have been showing our bitch. While there, we happened to run into a fellow breeder who was running two bitches in agility. Fortunately, the trial was being held in the same hall. Her owner had told us that she would be competing later in the day in advanced agility and we would have the time to watch. This bitch already has her confirmation champi- onship with many nice wins. We spent several minutes catching up on Bullies as the bitch patiently waited. At last, both handler and dog entered the ring. As her owner unclipped the leash and positioned her to start, a remarkable transformation took place. This reserved
lady took charge of the ring totally tuned to her owner’s commands. Effortlessly, she soared over each jump with power and grace, raced through the tunnels and con- quered each challenge I couldn’t take my eyes off them. They were a team and this bitch was the total package— beauty and brains. As I stood at ringside, I knew then that this breed would always have my heart. 12. And, for a bit of humor: What’s the funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a dog show? VA: A few years ago, I was on my way to judge a specialty in Massachusetts. I was riding in a car with other Bullmas- tiff breeders from the area. We passed a deranged Bull- mastiff breeder who out of nowhere started chasing us down the interstate. It might sound alarming but it was quite funny. I’ll save the whole story for my first book! SB: Once had a brindle girl who had pendulous flews and was an excessive drooler. At a very hot outdoor show, taking her on the down and back and, in what seemed like slow motion, she shakes her head and drool is fly- ing everywhere. I quipped to the judge referring to the excessive drool, “Catch it, it makes great hair gel,” to which he started laughing and said, “Have you seen the movie ‘Something about Mary’?” We both had a great laugh, which left the other handlers wondering what we were talking about. SG: Having a dog fall asleep in the ring and start snoring so loud that it made everyone laugh out loud. Especially when I could not wake him up to be examined. BM: The Judge starts to go over the dog, looks up at me, stands straight up, pulled her skirt and pantyhose up nearly past her butt. Then she leaves me stand- ing in the ring while she goes to the judges table. She then starts walking out of the ring. By the time she got to the ring gate her panty hose where at her knees and preceeded to fall on the way to the restroom Keeping a straight face when she came back was almost impossible! CP: In my earlier years, I showed a young male at a specialty and in a fairly large class he decided to lay down and refused to get up holding up the class. KR: The funniest thing I have ever experienced was at our last National Specialty. A new exhibitor from Canada was showing for her first time at a big National. She was actu- ally awarded third place and the fourth place person did not see this and stepped in to the third place, and so the Canadian being the ever polite and unassuming person, quietly stepped back into the fourth place positon. She said she didn’t want to be rude.
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