Shannon Phillips

Exciting news at the Phillips household! We have put down a deposit, and are on the waiting list to bring home an American Mastiff puppy from Capell Creek Kennels when the next litter is born. The puppies won’t be born for a couple of months, and won’t be old enough to bring home for a little while after that, but: we are going to get a puppy!

We visited the breeder last spring and spent a great day getting to know her dogs. Our favorite of the pack was Molly, so when I saw on the website that Molly is expecting, I started lobbying hard for a puppy. Robin, of course, is highly enthusiastic about the idea as well.

We did a lot of research into various dog breeds, and settled on the mastiff because: a) they have a great reputation with kids, b) they have a low prey drive, meaning that they get along well with smaller animals like chickens, and c) their exercise needs are moderate—unlike a Lab which really needs to run every day, a mastiff is happy with a long walk. From the breed standard:

The American mastiff is a combination of grandeur, good nature, and gentleness. Dignity rather than gaiety. They are neither shy nor vicious. The well trained American Mastiff is calm, controlled, and confident. Understanding, patient, and loving with their family, especially children. They are generally aloof towards strangers. A well-socialized American Mastiff is friendly yet sensitive and alert to changing situations. They are not aggressive by nature but will defend their family if necessary. They respond to threats with judicious warnings and courageous action if needed.

The mastiff is one of the “gentle giant” breeds, related to both the Newfoundland and the Saint Bernard, but short-haired. The American mastiff was created by an outcrossing of the English mastiff with the Anatolian shepherd: as a result they look and behave a lot like English mastiffs, but tend to be somewhat leaner and a bit more active. They also have a drier mouth than the standard English mastiff, and fewer problems with hip dysplasia. The breed is tightly controlled: we’re actually lucky to have the Capell Creek kennels near us, as there are only eleven breeders worldwide approved by the American Mastiff Breeders Council.

I am super excited about the puppy. What should we name it? So far the shortlist is: Ada, Nora, Lucy, or Dahlia (nickname Dolly) for a girl, and probably Virgil for a boy. I told my sister about the names and she observed, hilariously, that Virgil is such a dignified name that she’d find it somehow mortifying to watch Virgil poop. So there’s that to consider I guess!