Divine Mastiffs

We no do not keep a wait list or take deposits in advance. Since we have puppies so infrequently, we suggest that you contact us and check on our plans. Mary will be able to give you an idea on the current or future breeding plans or refer you to another breeder.

If there is a planned breeding, the first step is to fill out an application. Our application is fairly lengthy – we’ll require information about your home, your lifestyle, and any other pets you have. We also require references who can vouch for you. After we receive your application, we will review the application and let you know if we feel we have any puppies that might be a good fit. The next step is we will contact you by phone to go over your application and ask you additional questions and answer questions you may have.

It is important to know that we always pick the puppy for the family. We try to match color and sex but there are multiple factors we take into considerations.

One of the tools that we use is Volhard Puppy Aptitude Testing. To help you get the dog you want and most well matched, we use the Volhard devised simple test which is amazingly accurate in predicting inherited behavioral tendencies and how the puppy will turn out as an adult. We do this test at 7 weeks of age as recommended. At 8 weeks we do a formal evaluation of structure. After that, the results and recommendations are made available to those waiting on the puppy list and then we individually pick out each puppy with each owner.

What is Puppy Testing?

Some of the tests used were developed as long ago as the l930’s for dogs bred to become Guide Dogs. Then in the 1950’s, studies on puppies were done to determine how quickly they learned. These studies were actually originally done to identify children’s learning stages, but found to adapt perfectly to puppies.

Volhard took these tests, added some of their own, and put together what is now known as the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test, or PAT. PAT uses a scoring system from 1-6 and consists of ten tests. The tests are done consecutively and in the order listed. Each test is scored separately, and interpreted on its own merits. The scores are not averaged, and there are no winners or losers. The entire purpose is to select the right puppy for the right home.

The tests are as follows:

1. Social Attraction - degree of social attraction to people, confidence or dependence.
2. Following - willingness to follow a person.
3. Restraint - degree of dominant or submissive tendency, and ease of handling in difficult situations.
4. Social Dominance - degree of acceptance of social dominance by a person.
5. Elevation - degree of accepting dominance while in a position of no control, such as at the veterinarian or groomer.
6. Retrieving - degree of willingness to do something for you. Together with Social Attraction and Following a key indicator for ease or difficulty in training.
7. Touch Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to touch and a key indicator to the type of training equipment required.
8. Sound Sensitivity - degree of sensitivity to sound, such as loud noises or thunderstorms.
9. Sight Sensitivity - degree of response to a moving object, such as chasing bicycles, children or squirrels.
10. Stability - degree of startle response to a strange object.

One of the most asked questions is when can we come visit. This varies from litter to litter but in general I will allow visits starting around 6-7 weeks.