I am looking to get a dog bullmastiff puppy in the autumn next year. Iwant to show him and there are a couple of lines where I really like the dogs heads and build. How far in advance do serious breeders plan a litter and when should I start asking to put my name down for a puppy? I dont want to be too premature, but I dont want to miss out either. Any advice gratefully received. Sam.

At least a year in advance myself!  You definitely need to start getting in touch with breeders whose type you like.

Hi Sam,

I would say definitely start contacting breeders now whos dogs attract you - prominent breeders often have substantial waiting lists, certainly for show potential pups.

good luck, Teri

I have often a rough plan into the next generation after the one I am planning :D  I will often have the sire picked out a year or more in advance of a mating, though plans are sometimes subject to unforeseen or planned change.

All going well I have the next 3 litters already planned (several years ahead) and laid/laying the foundations for where I will have options of going with the pups.

Thanks for the advice. I was hoping to stay with the same lines as my bitch but her breeders have moved over to DDB. I now feel confident to speak to some of the breeders at Windsor, so thanks for your help. Sam.

I'd do all the research you can find out what the breeder is like whether they will take the dog back if your circumstances change or if the dog turns out to have ill health make sure you go to a good breeder i like bullmastiffs also  If you end up going to the wrong breeder they could ruin everything for you so make sure you do the leg work

I usually know what dogs I am going to breed at least a year ahead.
If you are wanting a puppy the best thing to do is go to the shows and
really watch the dogs you like then approach the breeder and ask to go
and see the dogs in a home enviroment.  Make sure they have the temperament
you want in a dog.  You can then see pedigree's and copy's of the health
tests.  Because if you are going to show then you want to know that the line
you have chosen is healthy.

Going to the "Right" breeder will make all the difference to your showing
as they will probably want to help give you pointers and tips how to show your dog
as they will want you to do well.

Rachel

I'm already thinking ahead for my 10 month old girl and she won't be bred from until she's two and had all her health tests.  I'm even thinking of going abroad with her.  I must be mad :d

Thanks for your advice. Already show my bitch so not too worried about help in that regard, I was more concernrd that it might be a bit early to be approaching breeders but apparently I'm cutting it fine!! If I can get a good dog from typical, healthy lines I hope toeventually use him at stud, get a bitch puppy from him and start my own breeding but this is my 5 year plan once I feel totally confident in my knowledge of the breed. once again, thanks for the advice, Sam.

The problem with buying a dog puppy (I'm assuming to mate with your current bitch?) is that you won't know for several years whether he'd be the right match for her. The pairing might be wonderful on paper, but physically the individuals may share too many of the same shortcomings for a mating to be sensible. Then you're stuck with a dog that maybe nobody else will want to use ...

Oh no, I have no intention from breeding from my current bitch. I dont yet have the knowledge to breed, and by the time I was sure that the dog was good enough to stud she would be at least 5 and I think a little old for a first litter. My first and foremost reason for getting a dog is that I love their size and appearence and I now have the time and room and, I hope, experience to own one and do well with him. I have done ok with Ruby but dogs do tend to do better in our breed. Breeding is still a long way down the line for me. Sam. 

Hi shanab,
I was on a breeders list for nearly a year before getting my pup! I loved everything about this particular breeder the dogs looks, temperaments  I could go on and on. They didn't find me being premature at all and it is better to be that long on the list as we had fairly regular contact and you get to know each other alot better... If you really want a certain breed line, then it is well worth the wait!!
Emz

Thanks. Showing my girl at windsor and the SBS champ so hopefully should be able to approach the breeders there and get sorted. Sad really, I'm getting excited now and I'm talking about next year!! Cheers, Sam.

We started planning our new puppies litter when she was just 6 weeks!!!!

Ok so between that time lot's of research, change of minds etc will be made.  We even considerd using a possible dog where the mating hadn't taken place but if he turned out nice then the lines would be ideal :) 

My Mum decided she wanted a puppy from a bitch she saw in a puppy class and asked the breeder if everything went to plan she was interested.

I would say talk to the breeders of the lines you like now! :)

I'm making plans for our first litter in 2-3 yrs

Have a shortlist of studs already and am constantly reviewing what's out there at this stage