How Much Do Mastiffs Cost? Can You Afford One? [ANNUAL DATA & SURVEY RESULTS]

[@angus2945]

My beautiful Chie was taken away because of cancer. I’m missing her more than usual today which is why I’m watching mastiff videos. Your mastiffs are lovely

[@shannonpryor8751]

It is so great to see someone providing information on mastiffs. When I got my first one 3 years ago, my husband and I spent over a year combing through KZbin and the internet for info and there wasn’t a lot out there that wasn’t the same stuff on repeat. I must live in a more expensive part of the country though, all of the costs you provided are so low to me. I have 3 mastiffs and just so far in 2021 I have paid $5,900 in medical bills. Two neuters, one emergency surgery, one ear infection, one broken toenail, and three checkups with the normal tests and heartworm shots. In 2021, I have spent $3,500 for food (kibble and cannned stew) and god knows how much on treats and greenies, etc. The cost of toys, we won’t go there, I am a horribly spoiling dog mom. Training and weekly daycamp socialization, $1,500. Medical insurance this year $990, but that did help with that emergency surgery cost a lot! And it goes on and on lol. Totally worth every penny, but definitely not the breed for the faint of heart when it comes to money 😄

[@BigDogMom]

Oh my gosh, Shannon, your story is so much like mine! It's a wild adventure with these giant dogs and, as you said, not for the faint of heart! They are very expensive and you never know what is going to happen over their short 10+ years of life. That's interesting that you say my costs are low. We lived in Scottsdale for most of that time and I always felt our costs were ridiculously high for what we were getting. In any event, I highly recommend pet insurance for all Mastiff owners!

[@AbcDino843]

@@BigDogMom I am starting to question the insurance thing. In our case, it is going to be a guaranteed $20,000 cost over his lifespan, if not more. And it doesn't pay for any ongoing costs, it's really only there for the worst case scenarios. Without it you roll the dice, but you may not end up paying as much in the end.

[@ggelsrinc]

Back in late spring 2010, my daughter-in-law agreed to help a friend who was moving by taking care of a very large golden retriever and a puppy Old English Mastiff named Lucy. They were brought to the house with a cage that could barely hold the two. I know the friend worked during the day as did my son and his wife. I felt bad for the dogs and decided to let them get out of the cage and took them out every few hours. To make a long story short, the friend wasn't able to find a home for the Mastiff and it adopted me, probably because I was there all day. My family had dogs a couple of times when I was a kid, but I never tried to own one, I was too busy working. The only time we haven't been together is two times I had to stay in the hospital and right now she is by my side. I can't imagine having a better friend than Lucy Goosie and nothing in this world could replace her.

[@bordercollie1140]

Lovely story.

[@trinisuprazee]

So glad you're back great to see you and the boys regularly

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much! We are very happy to be back and getting back to a routine. 😊

[@teri2657]

I’m so glad there are more KZbin videos! I don’t have Facebook so I’m not able to be apart of the Facebook group, this is such a helpful channel!

[@NRImomslifestyle]

👍🏻🐾🐾😊

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much, Teri!! I've got quite a few videos in the works so I'm hoping you like them. Please also let me know what topics most interest you and what questions you have. I am happy to focus my efforts on those topics as well. I thought about a short Q&A video each week where I answer just one question from a community member. Would that be of value for you do you think? Let me know... :)

[@teri2657]

@@BigDogMom I think that would be very valuable!

[@sandrastevens4418]

So glad I found you I am considering getting a mastiff. We took care of one that was at the end of his life and thrown out of a car by his careless owner. This was a few years ago but it made me fall in love with the breed. Buddy was dumped by his owner in the middle of summer. I live in Utah by ogden but in an area that has a lot of farms and we are a dumping ground for unwanted pets. My neighbor saw it happen and he got the dog out of the road and then came over to me knowing I took in unwanted dogs. My husband was against it at first mainly because of the size of the dog. I walked home disappointed but 5 min later my husband came home with the dog. My husband is a Saint. We could tell he was an older dog, but he did not look emaciated he was very thirsty. I had 3 other dogs at the time my Boxer Great Dane, chihuahua and chiweenie he was very friendly to all the dogs. We named him Buddy and he took it right away. I also noticed that wherever I was Buddy would be right there. Even going to the bathroom he would knock the door open and patiently lay on the floor. All my dogs sleep in my bedroom the small ones in bed and dozer my BoDane next to it Buddy slept at the end. From when we first got him we could smell he had yeast infections in his ears I took him to the vet and it was actually worse than a yeast infection I seemed he was born with a defect in his ears which should have been corrected when he was young. The only thing to do now was antibiotics and daily ear cleaning. Our BoDane had ear infections until we changed to no wheat food. And this helped Buddy a little bit. The vet said his age was around 9 or ten I knew mastiffs do not get very old so our time with him would be limited. It made me all the more angry at his careless owner to dump him in a place he didn't know to die a horrible death of hunger and thirst. We had 3 wonderful months with Buddy until he started refusing food and drink, he would look at me with his beauty eyes saying that it was time. I have had many dogs but for some reason in those 3 months with Buddy I had gotten very attached and cried while waiting for the vet, he put his big head in my lap as if to say it's okay. I told the vet to give him a sedative before the euthanasia and he drifted off not to wake again. I cried but I knew we had done the right thing giving him a painless death, unlike what his owner did.

[@marynellmaurice8807]

Thank you for you kindness. ❤

[@Global6500Driver]

Glad you are back. Scottsdale misses Jun & Sulley. Looking forward to drool rag and cleaning video

[@arixjahonson2519]

So thankful I found this channel!!!

[@BigDogMom]

Aw, thank you!! I'm so happy you are here!

[@wolfgangillgen3756]

Thank you so much for your videos. I have been laughing so hard. My English Mastiff is 7 years old and she has been my family since she was 3 months old. Due to her size and the fact that she shredded the back seat of my sedan, I purchased an SUV where she has her own spot in the rear. She has been eating fresh cooked food her entire life. I cook chicken breast, green beans and carrots, sometimes adding a sliced apple and some beaf bone. On the medication side she needs heartworm pills and flea and tick medicine which is about $200 twice a year. 1 year ago she was having a tick bite which caused her red blood cell level below of what's considered "normal". Steroids and antibiotics aside from vet appointment left me with a $2500 bill. Bladder issues caused another $600 bill for vet, blood work and antibiotics. Anyway, she is my family and I treat her like that.

[@xBeauGaming]

So if you have to ask how much it costs, wait on a mastiff :D Great analysis on the overall costs and considerations for the mastiff. Would love to have one at some point, but need to wait till my 1 year old isn't a clobbering size before pulling the trigger on a big dog. Keep it up and you make great content!

[@amym3780]

Yes! My advice when considering an English mastiff is research research research! I’ve noticed that too many people are preoccupied with size and just want a big dog but they’re so much more you have to take into consideration when deciding to own one or not..it should not be an impulsive decision. They definitely are expensive from purchase costs to feeding and vet expenses but people should have an understanding of the breed and a true appreciation for it also. That said they really are such loyal, gentle, loving dogs and will be your very best friend. It’s a big commitment and shouldn’t be taken lightly

[@BigDogMom]

AMEN! So well said! I couldn't agree more!

[@AbcDino843]

@@agnesolsvik They are the worst dogs for protection :). They are the softest, gentlest and most patient of dogs, without an aggressive bone in them, the biggest pushovers per pound of dog there is :). Ours is a massive scaredy cat and the greatest danger coming from him is that he'll either step on your foot or knock your knees out because he's oblivious about his surroundings.

[@Bbelblelo]

great video!!! and heard you on the pet insurance part. didnt have it for my last great dane and it would have paid for itself many times over (a good one, there are some scammy pet insurances out there) she was a HEALTHY dane , lived almost 11 years and we still had several ER stays for 2k-4k each visit and expensive diagnostic tests/medication. Things are going to happen. No one should underestimate the costs of vet care. I have a 6 month old dane puppy and its already come in handy. I went with pets best and made sure it was effective before she got in the door at 8 weeks. It's expensive and I cant imagine how much more expensive it will get but I don't intend to drop it or change it. It does not have a cap and it covers everything including hereditary issues. If anyone is considering getting it and looking at puppies start it at 8 weeks!! otherwise many possibilities for things to get filed under pre existing conditions. She's only 6 months so I cant really say it will work out but they've approved all my claims...we've already been to the evet twice for eating ROCKS and trying to eat bees after her face swelled up. Ugh. Puppies. I will say the claims processing was really quite slow but not complaining yet. Thanks for this!! I really want to get a 2nd monster (not anytime soon bc... ugh puppies lol) so it's nice to see how the bills stack up🤍

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you! I couldn't agree with you more.. Even with the most healthy dog, things happen. Our Labrador got into a box of candy bars once, got stung by a wasp another time... oh, and Junior's thorn in the toe was totally unexpected... but VERY expensive! You just never know. I like Pets Best too, so I"m glad you found them. I started my list from those companies that cover gastropexy surgery since my focus is on big dogs, but I"m sure others out there are very good as well. And honestly, if you have insurance, I'd say get the second puppy!! ❤️

[@1960jammy]

This is a brilliant site! The truth about English mastiffs.! 🥰🥰

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you so much!!

[@Burgercat55]

Thank you for this !!!!!! Im not exactly looking for a mastiff just more of a general cost of owning a bigger breed so this was still helpful for me ❤️🐕

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

I've had a mastidane and an english mastiff. I'm in process of a new english mastiff puppy right now. There is a lot of expense (as you say) beyond the purchase. Food, medical, etc. But, wouldn't trade them for the world.

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

My english mastiff, Brin, was very healthy until he got bone cancer at 9. We chose treatment which was extremely expensive. He was in remission for about 5 or 6 months with 4 really good months. But... the cancer came back - this time in his hips and was inoperable and he passed at 10. I wouldn't trade spending the money because it gave us more time, but... when the dog is as big as you - medical procedures are just as expensive.

[@markh.williamsauthor7286]

At one point I had an english mastiff and 2 great danes - there was quite a food bill because of 3 large dogs.

[@BigDogMom]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We went through a similar experience with our first Mastiff. She was diagnosed at 9 as well. So sad and heartbreaking to go through. :( You are spot on about the cost! People often think if they can afford the dog, they can afford the dog for its life. That, unfortunately, is why many of these big dogs end up in shelters. Financial reasons is one of the top reasons they are rehomed.

[@BigDogMom]

Oh gosh, I can only imagine! We just have Junior and Sulley now... but I dream of adding another puppy (of a different breed) some day soon.

[@AbcDino843]

$50,000 -$55,000 is what ours will cost us in basic expenses, if he lives to be eight, which I hope he will, at least. He is three years old now and healthy. We bought him from a very reputable breather and paid $4,000 for him. We have Trupanion insurance, which is around $160 per month now but it grows gradually, and it will amount to at least between $16,000 and $20,000 by the time he is eight. We spend around $300 per month on his food, that's for high quality kibble, and toppers that we make, which adds up to around $29,000 over eight years. This does not include regular vet visits and out of pocket medical costs, toys, treats, grooming, other supplies etc. Luckily he was healthy so far and other than one day stay at the vet with IV due to a respiratory infection and high fever, medical costs were pretty minimal.

[@bethabernathy6135]

I can't find your video on rescuing a english mastiff. I may need to buy one after I have more money but they are certainly wonderful. I lost my chocolate lab Hanky while in Mexico after 4 vet visits and no good service in diagnosing his asthma and problems with the heat. Both he and I almost died frome the heat in terrible Baja California Sur. I will never ever go back. I am thinking a lab might be easier but not sure. Hanky was only 6 1/2 years old. I am still in tears every day all day...Poor sweet boy.

[@hydroy1]

Being a Mastiff Foster through our local giant dog rescue, and the Florida Mastiff rescue, I can not for the life of me ever understand why anybody would BUY a full price Mastiff???? We have dozens of drop dead gourgues Mastiffs ( all kinds ) looking for proper homes all ages & types. We also have around 30 Great Danes looking for homes and our shelters are over full with outstanding Mastiffs & Danes. The price for these dogs range with age from free to around $450.00 if you qualify. True some do have health issues, but to be honest, most large breeds do. NEVER BUY A BIG $$$$ MASTIFF! P/S finding a really good vet that deals with only dogs over 100 pounds is not easy. If your vet tells you they deal with all pets, DO NOT GO THERE! You must find a Anaimal vet not a small or ALL pet vet, there is a huge difference. My vet I have had for 45 years now and she deals with horses, cows and dogs over 100 pounds ONLY.

[@dmthompson44]

Some people, myself included try to have my dog as early as possible. From 8- 12 weeks so I can get them used to my children and surroundings making a bit easier to train.

[@dmthompson44]

Have adopted a dog from a local shelter and had problems with them attacking our other dog and cats

[@TheFunkymohawk]

Excellent content on your Mastiff channel. Very thorough. Nice work. Knock on wood, my baby boy (7 years old) costs me next to nothing so far in vet bills. He did cost $2500 to purchase in Temecula, California. But that included life time pet insurance. He moved with me to North Carolina in 2017. (He didn’t appreciate the humidity) and then He became Canadian at the end of 2019 as he moved back home with me. He was diagnosed with heartworm (thanks NC) so now he is on a monthly hartgard. That’s about $100 for 3 months. My boy is amazing to me in temperament. Food is twice as much for him in canada but I wouldn’t say he eats much. $50 a month. As far as English Mastiffs go, he is smaller. Very healthy 165lbs. Never chews or destroys anything except his chew toy bone but he only chews it a bit at night when I am home. When my parents take care of him, they say “it’s a good thing he is as big as he is or we would never know he is here” (very quiet, loves his couch) I think he vet bills so far have totalled around $800

[@CarolLovesJesus]

Great information. Thanks so much for sharing 😊

[@BigDogMom]

You are so welcome! Thank you!

[@louiszoller9981]

Thank you for the information! One thing that strikes me is the fact that I spent as much (and more) for my pugs at the vets!! And I did have pet insurance once too...🙈 So: in that department I guess it's all about healthy or unhealthy breeds rather than size...?

[@voltrondefenderoftheuniver8658]

Is this the reason that David Ishee developed the Midgard mastiff? To address the health concerns of mastiffs?

[@Ang.0910]

Thanks for this channel! I want a Mastif one day. English or neo.

[@topdog1128]

Can you make a video with regards to the rule on puppy share from stud service..... Enjoyed your vids, very informative.

[@randyfarnsworth7825]

I have a fawn, 18 months old. Breakfast.. pound of lean beef, one frozen Cornish Game Hen. 1/2 pound of lean Hamburger with high end dry. Lunch frozen Cornice Game Hen.. check the dry food. Dinner. Frozen low quality salmon with dry. Biggest issue medically is his skin. I live in Texas, Hobbs is always in lake. It took me 6 months to get rid of a nasty fungus around his neck.. he gets a bath in anti fungus shampoo every 3 weeks. SLOBBER! Change your mindset on the term “Clean” you will always be touching up your walls. Or you learn to live with Slobber Scars on your wall. Shedding… it’s right up there with slobber. He gets brushed twice a day. Full brush of hair always.. you will have hair in ever nook and cranny in your house. I’m retired. Hobbs is my best friend but it’s like living with a special needs child. I would do it all over again! He’s not like any dog I’ve ever owned 🙏

[@dmthompson44]

I'm thankfully my fawn at 2.5 years old doesn't slobber much but sheds like crazy. You are dead on when saying hair will be in every nook and cranny around ur house.

[@boston05011]

Any breeders for pet you know of on East coast or rescues for this breed

[@garrettr.charlton7686]

What a great job with your videos. Thank you! Regarding your strong suggestion of insurance. Yes!!! I had waited for no particular reason. Then Mercedes had two individual ACL surgeries at Peak Veterinary Referral Center in Williston, VT. Dr. Kristian Ash did an amazing job. I then got TRUPANION health insurance after. Had I had the insurance from day one from getting Mercedes would have been VERY helpful!!

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you! It's so hard to look back like this with a bit of regret - if only I had insurance. You just never know what's going to happen. I have one million dollar dog (Junior) and one who has been relatively healthy his whole life until more recently (Sulley). I have wished for insurance many times with Junior. I probably would have saved (so far) $30K! But with Sulley, I might be in the red. In any event, I'm thrilled Mercedes got wonderful care and you were able to help her even without ins. CCL recovery is no joke!

[@garrettr.charlton7686]

@@BigDogMom I would not have it any other way. Mercedes (BullMastiff) was the runt of the litter from someone close to where I live. I saw her and knew I supposed to take her home. My heavy prayers go out to everyone that may not have the ability too easily However, I say sometimes all you have to do is ask. With that being said I always suggest people do their homework. I signed up for your nail trimming session yesterday. I really appreciate you ALL on KZbin . I was talking to gentleman at diner this morning. He was it's no that difficult to complete a video and speak. I said really!! So I brought up my girlfriends KZbin page Griff Art Studio. I showed him my Garrett Live video's (Mercedes and Bentley) are in a video on her page. I said to him listen to this. I'm speaking on the fly no script and I was getting tongue tied. I normally speak very well most of the time. He did not say much after that. My point THANK YOU for your KZbin Video's. Great website also!!!! You have great attention to Detail.

[@angelo5775av]

Where did you get the shirt!?😃

[@BigDogMom]

Oh my gosh, I love this shirt! It's super soft and I think a very cute design. Pretty boring... Amazon. Here is the link: amzn.to/37o4nhD

[@angelo5775av]

@@BigDogMom thank you!

[@lisalundquist1083]

Love your videos! Great information. Too bad more people don't look at this information before they buy.

[@Mightydoggo]

Insane how expensive dogs are at your place. Here a top tier puppy cost you about 1500€-2000€ and food is comparebly cheap. Vet bills are an issue but there´s pretty good priced insurances for that. (which are mandatory anyway)

[@ColtDee]

Yep great dogs to cuddle in on a winter night on the settee.

[@diegomz1677]

Thank you.. ♥️ Really

[@BigDogMom]

You're welcome 😊

[@chuckforabuck4984]

you averaged the average percent differential on the small vs large breed costs for many things. would be more accurate to average the total costs for small vs lage breed. would be more like 45-50% and not over 80% thanks for thie videos!

[@truman5838]

Well so much for me having a dog. Especially a mastiff.

[@jeffgeorge6208]

My little girl at 8 weeks old

[@sebl6749]

You mam should be a teacher.

[@BigDogMom]

Thank you! 😊

[@dwightbain8328]

My wife 43yr mother of 2 has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer she really wants a English Mastiff

[@carlnichols8594]

i have a bull mastiff lab mix that weighs 130 pounds

[@magdalenasteplewski3963]

From my experience dog food itself is not sufficient. Even good quality foods do not support English Mastiffs immunity system enough. Since I have switched to mixing dog food with meat half half my dogs health has greatly improved.

[@wanton1234]

add $2,000 for the molding and cabinet doors chewed apart...

off topic a little, i was unsubscribed to your channel?

[@BigDogMom]

Humm, I'm not sure why. Can you try and re-subscribe? I'm so sorry!

@@BigDogMom not your fault at all, i have re subscribed i will let you know if this happens again. I am interested in your journey as i am looking the BullMastiff or English Mastiff in the near future. thanks for the content.

[@dddpvt]

As a union boilermaker with a decent pension I had to go back to a life of crime to support Xena. Thank You LASS!!!

[@BigDogMom]

Hahaha! I feel like I need to do the same these days! Food and everything is getting so expensive! 🤣

[@mathewrichards2713]

Pro tip Get health insurance These dogs LOVE to eat things that aren’t food

[@BigDogMom]

Yes they do! Good point!

[@nogerboher5266]

1. Both ''Show Dog'' and ''Pet'' market breeders are the worse type of breeders, as both are responsible for degeneration and irreversible genetic ruination of more than 100 dog breeds - along with kennel clubs and other similar organizations who promote unnatural, unhealthy ''breed standards'' which they made up, by which said breeders then selectively breed dogs, leading to genetic ruination of dog breeds! So, promoting and recommending such breeders as something good and positive to people and future dog owners, is disgusting. 2. Owning a very large / giant breed should not be that expensive! I own a 89cm/81kg Caucasian Shepherd and my yearly expenses NEVER cross 2,000 EUR - 90% of which are food expenses, as I feed my dog raw diet and I still never end up spending more than 2,000 EUR a year on my dog! 3. If you got your dogs from an actually good breeder, not from a ''Show Dog'' or a ''Pet'' breeder, then your dogs wouldn't have as many health issues as they have and you wouldn't have to spend so much money on medical bills and health products! If you got your dogs from an actually good breeder, not from a ''Show Dog'' or a ''Pet'' breeder, then your only expenses would be on food and shampoo - and nothing else!

[@joshuasowash242]

I think about buy a bull mastiff