About Us
As I mentioned on the home page, Ridgeport Mastiffs is not a large breeding operation. Two litters per year is about what we would have here. The females that are having the litters will only be bred three times during their lifetime. I do not believe in over breeding my females just to produce more puppies. So if they've had three litters they've done more than enough. My Mastiffs here roam free in a one acre fenced yard. They do not live in kennels or cages. They sleep in a large building that is air conditioned or heated depending on the season . They all have nice soft bedding to lay on. All of them come and go as they please into the house and are a big part of our family.
Everything here at Ridgeport Mastiffs is kept as natural as possible. All are fed a natural diet of beef heart, beef kidney and liver, chicken and meat products. I've been feeding this type of diet for many years and all my Mastiffs are in very good health.
The males and females will all breed naturally and anyone that knows the history of the English Mastiffs knows that isn't always as easy as it may seem. Alot of work goes into getting the male to get it right. Once you have a male that breeds a female when called upon, you the breeder know he's got a special stud dog. My boys here will usually breed the female 4 to 6 times or as long as the female will stand for him. After a 60 day gestation period and if all goes well with her pregnancy, she will whelp her litter.
It is a fact that Mastiffs have a difficult time giving birth, but I believe that the natural process of letting her have her pups is the best, not only for the pups, but also for the mother. Most Mastiff breeders will take the expecting mother to the vet at day 60 or 61 of her pregnancy and a c-section is done. I will not get into the pros and cons of doing the c-sections, except to say that here at Ridgeport Mastiffs all attempts are made to do everything as natural as possible. During the time the female is whelping, which could take 36 to 40 hours, from the time the first pup is born until the last, I'll be with her providing a calming effect, and stability. She will need help with each pup that is born. Once you have the pup out safe and dry and on the mother, you wait for the next one. I'll give the mother some honey in warm milk to keep her energy level up between each pup. The next 2-3 weeks are crucial for the pups and I seldom leave them, making sure they all get the attention and the mothers milk that is very important for the pups. I keep them on the mother as long as she will except them. Usually starting them on a mushy food at 3-4 weeks. For 8-10 weeks after the pups are born, or until they leave for their new homes, many hours will be spent with the pups preparing them to be placed in a different environment. This is the time when the puppies acquire almost all of their adult sensory, motor and learning abilities. Loving interaction is established at this time and will create a stronger, loving bond that you can rely on, as your pup grows older. All the pups that leave Ridgeport Mastiffs leave happy and well socialized and get used to their new homes quickly. I've never had complaints about any of my pups and I hope that's the way it will continue in the future.
Anyone that might be considering a Mastiff pup from Ridgeport Mastiff can request a list of references from me which I will provide. I encourage people to talk to others that already have a pup from Ridgeport.
In closing, I'd like to thank all of the other Mastiff breeders that I have been in contact with, for all the wonderful input they have given me on this very special breed. I know we all have our own opinions of the right way or the wrong way to look after our Mastiffs, but I do feel we all do the best we can.
