About Us
 

Our first mastiff was Emma (Ch. Tiffma Lady Holly). She joined us in 1993 and lived with us until December 1996. She was a wonderful companion but had many health concerns and these are the reason that her life was so short.

From the time Emma came to live with us, we became “hooked’ with this breed. We commenced conformation showing and became active in the Mastiff Club of Victoria.

Our increasing interest in the breed also lead us to want to pursue conformation showing further and ultimately breed better and better mastiffs. Seven of our mastiffs that we have owned have achieved the title of Australian Champion and have gained many other awards along the way.  We take showing very seriously, ensuring that our dogs our appropriately trained, and always well presented. An important show is always a good excuse for Gabrielle to buy a new designer suit in just the right colour! We are very proud to be able to say that our own bred boy Ch. Marstenmoor First Chapta, “Mungo”, is the first Mastiff in this country for over one hundred years to be awarded Best Exhibit in Show in all breeds competition. Quite an achievement!

During our first year as members to the Mastiff Club of Victoria, our efforts were recognised when we were given a special Patron’s award for contributions made to the Club. We have continued to always support the Mastiff Club of Victoria, & both of us have previously held numerous committee positions, including Secretary, Newsletter Editor, and Rescue Officer. Presently, Paul is the Newsletter Editor & Gabrielle is the Show Secretary.

In addition to this, Paul was the initial Webmaster for the Victorian Canine Association, and is currently a committee member of the Canine Museum Foundation. He is also a Trustee for the Canine Museum. Both of us are members of the Utility Dog Club of Victoria.

In 1995 we purchased “Tillie”, Australian Ch. Fireshon Rain Song. She had some notable achievements and was the  most wonderful companion. Tillie left us due to cancer in August 2002. Disappointedly, we never successfully bred a litter from her, although every scientific procedure was used. She was presented with the MCOV inaugural award in 1999 for Mastiff Companion of the Year. This is a very special award for a very special mastiff!

 Our passion for mastiffs has also now encompassed collecting mastiff ephemera and basically anything that is mastiff related. Paul mainly collects cigarette, trade and postcards, while Gabrielle is more interested in old magazine articles, advertisements and pedigrees.

This breed has become our lives and we have times that are rewarding and very special, but others that are heart-breaking and crushing.

This breed is not for everyone.

We feel it is very important that people who wish to purchase a mastiff be fully aware of the size that they can grow to. Obviously with such a large dog, the feeding and maintenance (worming, heart worming) costs are considerably more than most other breeds. And they do slobber!

Our property is securely fenced. We have invested a lot of money which has been wisely spent and ensures our peace of mind knowing that our dogs cannot leave the property, or that that they can be at risk from other dogs entering.

We ensure that our dogs have the necessary obedience training so that they are always under effective control in public places. This does not mean “off-lead”, but being able to control your dog when you take him/her for a walk where there are people dogs and other animals. Training and socialisation are required – this means time.

This is a giant breed of dog and needs to be managed carefully especially during the juvenile years of its life. Appropriate diet and exercise are especially important, and we do require our puppy owners to keep us informed of their puppy’s progress.

Our mastiffs take an incredible amount of time, energy, money and emotion to produce. This is done for love of the breed and not for financial gain. We wish to place these special puppies in the best possible homes available.

All our mastiffs have their own respective paperwork and documentation. We do require we are given first right of refusal to purchase the puppy back if the new owner can no longer keep their mastiff.

We also provide a detailed diet sheet, and a lot more!

Gabrielle and Paul Simmonds