Here’s what you need to know if you’re searching for Mastiff breeders in Illinois. Mastiffs have always been a popular breed. These gentle giants were once bred for game hunting and guarding, but now they are much happier laying on the couch.
The Mastiff isn’t a lazy breed, but they are gentle giants, docile, and just a bit silly with their families. So it’s no wonder that the popularity of this giant breed has stayed steady in the top 40 AKC breeds for many years.
‘Mastiff’ has been used to mean several different types of larger dogs, though the most common in the United States is the English Mastiff. They make great family dogs, but they are significant. Bullmastiffs are a stockier version of the English Mastiff, but their temperament is similar.
Before scrolling down this list of Mastiff breeders in Illinois, check out these recommendations: Best Havanese Breeders in Illinois and Best Shiba Breeders in Illinois.
Mastiff Puppies For Sale in Illinois
Thankfully, due to the size of the Mastiff, most backyard breeders and puppy mills won’t bother breeding them. That doesn’t mean that all Mastiff breeders are legitimate, either. It would help if you always looked for a variety of red flags.
Reputable breeders should have positive reviews from those who have purchased puppies in the past. In addition, you should look on their website for information about breeding dogs, pictures of their dogs at home (not just outside or in a kennel), and pictures where puppies aren’t being held.
A hobby breeder should know about the breed standard, provide AKC registration and health guarantees. You should go with a breeder who requires an application and has a waiting list. Be prepared to put a deposit on the puppy you want, too. As always, low-volume breeders are usually the best option.
Mastiff Product Recommendations: Best Nose Balm For Dogs and Best Shock Collar For Dogs Chasing.
1. PuppySpot’s Mastiffs For Illinois
Since you’re searching for Mastiff breeders in Illinois, you should check out PuppySpot. PuppySpot is an enormous platform or marketplace trusted by many breeders across the United States.
All Mastiff breeders on this platform are strictly screened by the team of PuppySpot, so there’s no need to worry about your puppy being shipped to your home in Illinois. Before you continue searching for a Mastiff breeder in Illinois, check out the link below.
PuppySpot and We Love Doodles have partnered to offer $250 off any puppy! Enter code “WLD250” at checkout!
PuppySpot Details
- Website: PuppySpot’s Mastiffs
2. Ray’s Bullmastiffs
Kirsta Kunkel Ray heads Ray’s Bullmastiffs, a small breeding operation in Somonauk, IL. They are a small-volume hobby breeder with a limited number of litters per year.
Their Facebook page offers more insight, including regular updates, new pictures, and lots of comments from satisfied customers. Puppies are raised in the house, and they are socialized with other dogs, children, and people from birth.
They are exposed to many sounds so they won’t be shy of busy households. Ray’s Bullmastiffs uses a puppy application with questions about your household, where the dog will be, other pets, fenced yards, and more to place their puppies.
You can purchase a puppy for pet or companion purposes for $3,000, which comes with limited AKC registration. According to the puppy application, a puppy registered for breeding or showing is $4,000.
Puppies come with a health guarantee for one year past the date of purchase. They will also take the dog if you find you can no longer care for it for any reason. Overall, this seems like a standard hobby breeding operation with quality puppies.
You can check current breeding dogs’ pedigrees on the website, find out when new litters are expected, and more. According to customer reviews, Ray’s Bullmastiffs is helpful and provides lifelong support for all of their puppies.
Ray’s Bullmastiffs Details
- Location: 470 E Washington St, Somonauk, IL 60552
- Telephone: (630) 688-9477
- Website: Ray’s Bullmastiffs
- Email: [email protected]
3. Pantheon Acres
Pantheon Acres is a low-volume family breeder located in Sugar Grove, Illinois. They only have a few litters a year, but they have a waiting list and application process that you can complete at any time.
While Pantheon Acres doesn’t list prices for their puppies, they require a $500 deposit to keep your place on the waiting list. On their website, you’ll find a complete application with highly detailed questions about your family situation, experience with dogs, other pets, what you expect from a dog, and more.
It may seem extensive, but this is the mark of a good breeder. They are very interested in the home their puppies will go to. They use the information in this application to place their dogs.
All puppies from Pantheon Acres are Puppy Aptitude Tested, microchipped, vaccinated, and wormed. Limited (non-breeding) AKC registration comes with the dog, as well as a contract stating that they will be spayed and neutered at the right age.
You can view pictures of the dogs on their Facebook page. Here, you’ll find images of each dog indoors and outdoors. They are never kenneled, and all dogs are raised in the home and socialized extensively.
Pantheon Acres is a solid breeder with an excellent love for Mastiffs. Even if they can’t place a puppy with you (as they only have a few litters a year), they might know someone who can.
Pantheon Acres Details
- Location: Sugar Grove, Illinois
- Telephone: (630) 596-6539
- Website: Pantheon Acres
- Email: [email protected]
4. Kharisma Mastiffs
Last on the list of Mastiff breeders in Illinois is “Kharisma Mastiffs.” Kharisma Mastiffs has been breeding Mastiffs since 1998. They focus on breeding and raising quality mastiffs that serve as great pets.
Their breeding stock includes some champion lines, but their dogs aren’t raised based on performance. Instead, they have comfortable homes as part of the family. Puppies are raised in the house, though the older dogs are kept in a separate kennel building.
Some hobby breeders prefer to keep their dogs this way. The kennels are comfortable, heated and cooled, and kept clean. To get a puppy from Kharisma Mastiffs, you need to fill out an application on their website.
You have to go through a waiting list and a deposit process before they can approve you for a puppy. Keep in mind that Kharisma Mastiff is a low-volume breeder that may have a long waiting list, as they only sell a few litters per year.
This breeding operation has received the Breeder of Merit certification from the AKC and certification for the Bred with H.E.A.R.T Program, meaning that they meet specific requirements for the breed as outlined by the AKC.
User reviews on their Facebook page reveal several happy customers. From the many photos, videos, and other media they share, Kharisma Mastiffs seem to be in the breeding business for all the right reasons. They always seek to provide healthy, structurally sound puppies.
Kharisma Mastiffs Details
- Location: Northern Illinois
- Telephone: (847) 404-8175
- Website: Kharisma Mastiffs
- Email: [email protected]
Conclusion For The “Best Mastiff Breeders in Illinois”
Adding a puppy to your household takes a lot of thought and careful consideration. This is especially true when it comes to larger dogs. Giant breeds like the Mastiff eat more, may require more extensive vet care, and need more room to run and roam.
Once you’ve decided to add a Mastiff puppy to your family, you should vet breeders carefully. Though backyard breeders and puppy mills often don’t bother with giant breeds, there is still a chance that a breeder may be in the business for the wrong reasons. So make sure to vet even the breeders on this list!
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Andy is a full-time animal rescuer and owner of a toy doodle. When he’s not saving dogs, Andy is one of our core writers and editors. He has been writing about dogs for over a decade. Andy joined our team because he believes that words are powerful tools that can change a dog’s life for the better.
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