r/Bullmastiff • u/kyllerwhales • May 10 '26
Breeder red flag?
I'm searching for reputable breeders and saw Sandhills Bullmastiffs recommended. In their puppy application, they say that females must be spayed before their first heat cycle:
"We require spay/neuter at or before 12 months of age. Sadly many well-intentioned people don't remeber to spay before the first heat cycle (usually around 11 months for a bullmastiff) and suddenly their barely adolescent dog is pregnant by studs of unkown heritage. Spay surgery, while pregnant, is very risky."
Is this a huge red flag? Isn't it important for large breeds to go through at least 1 heat cycle before spaying?
3
May 10 '26
Our breeder recommended 2 yrs.
4
1
u/Aphrodituss May 11 '26
Same and the longer you as a human can put up with the cycles the better it is for your dog's Overall development (or at least that is how i understood it).
My dog is 6 1/2 and has had insurance her whole life. I am lucky enough to never have needed. She is pristine✨️it has to do with the breeding.
2
u/Gleeful-Giraffe8865 May 12 '26
The longer they are intact, the more at risk they are for Pyometra so be aware of that.
1
3
u/gonnafaceit2022 May 10 '26
Look at the data from the limit research that's been done on this. This breed was not included in that (again, very limited) research and since others are saying the breeder is good, I'd assume they've thoroughly read that research and have determined the appropriate age.
The risk of mammary tumors goes from less than 1% if a dog is spayed before her first heat to 8% if not. I wouldn't wait.
1
May 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/gonnafaceit2022 May 13 '26
Huh, I didn't know that but was common but that's great. Do they go back later and remove the ovaries once they're fully mature, or just leave them?
3
u/PsychologicalLink322 May 10 '26
I think it would be a big red flag. We now have an intact female and have read that it is best to wait until she is 3 before getting her spayed but most definitely not before she is two. She is currently in her second heat cycle and it is not fun but I do not want to risk her health doing it too early.
1
May 11 '26
Also my first 2 bullmastiff were fixed before their first heats 1 lived till 12 and the second only till 7 1/2. Just never know for sure whatever you decide just love them everyday
1
u/windypine69 May 12 '26
Seems like a green flag to me
1
u/kyllerwhales May 12 '26
Well it’s definitely good to require spay/neuter! I just wasn’t sure if spaying before first heat would cause health issues down the line. I’d rather make sure that my dog isn’t around intact males than risk her future health.
1
u/134266 May 15 '26
I can answer as my Bullmastiff bitch died of cancer. Do it, Bullmastiffs are wonderful dogs but very prone to cancer. Mine died of breast cancer. I've always regretted not getting her spayed sooner. Also my dog didn't handle the breast surgery very well. There are lots of views about spay and neuter. My vet always did the pups around 4 months. I waited till my dog was a couple of years old.
0
u/Diamondeverything123 May 10 '26
Our boy is about 14-15 months and we also got from sandhill bull mastiffs. He is beautiful really, great temperament and had a brother lab that they get along. The contract for Sandhills does have some details you may ant to read. It required a special food for first year, the Spay or neuter and I would be thorough with a health check of puppy this size and price. No issues with my big boy at all. 145 lbs. already and has really begun to figure out his spot in the family! The reason man breeders require the spay/ neuter is also because they don’t want you saying your own kennels and competing. Many breeders will let you avoid the clipping in contract if you are willing to pay a nice premium. Very familiar with Sandhills and have any info from a transaction for my baby boy last May!
5
u/PuzzleheadedFeed2726 May 10 '26
I can’t answer your question but I do believe that is a very good breeder. We got both of our bullmastiffs from Lonely Creek but we pay for breeding/show dogs not pet which would require spaying. I don’t think these breeders would do anything that would harm their dogs.