Health Guarantee

Guarantee Duration & Coverage

We offer a one-year genetic health guarantee on every English Mastiff puppy, which is in line with or exceeds the standard among reputable breeders​. This guarantee means that your puppy is warranted to be free from serious congenital or hereditary conditions that would significantly impair its quality of life​. In other words, we assure you that at the time of sale, your puppy is in good health to the best of our knowledge and has no known life-threatening genetic defects​

• Initial Health Check: All MDH puppies receive a thorough veterinary health exam and age-appropriate vaccinations before going home with you​. Your puppy’s health record (including vaccines and deworming) will be provided. We guarantee your puppy is free of any serious contagious illnesses at the time of pickup (such as parvovirus or distemper). We give a short-term 7-day period from the date of purchase covering any incubating major viral disease​ for extra reassurance. If your veterinarian diagnoses a serious communicable illness within this initial period, notify us immediately.
• Genetic Defects: Our one-year guarantee specifically covers debilitating genetic or congenital conditions. This includes life-threatening hereditary defects of major organs or functions – for example, severe heart defects, liver shunts, or other organ dysfunctions that are present from birth​ If a puppy is diagnosed by a licensed veterinarian with a covered genetic condition within the first year, we will work with you to make it right (see Remedies below).

Why One Year? Most hereditary issues will manifest within a puppy’s first year or shortly thereafter, which is why one year is a common guarantee period among breeders​ (Some breeders offer 2+ years or even extended guarantees if specific diets or supplements are used​, but we have found our one-year guarantee, backed by our careful breeding and health testing, provides confident coverage for our puppies’ new families.)

Buyer Responsibilities

To ensure the health guarantee remains valid and your puppy stays healthy, we ask that you fulfill certain important obligations as the new owner:

• Veterinary Exam: You must have your puppy examined by a licensed veterinarian within 72 hours (3 days) of receiving your puppy​. This initial check-up is standard practice to confirm the puppy’s health. If the vet finds any undisclosed serious health issue at this exam, please contact us immediately with the vet’s written report. (Failure to complete a vet exa.)
• Vaccinations & Routine Care: You agree to continue routine vet care, including all necessary puppy vaccinations, deworming, and heartworm prevention as recommended by your vet. Keep records of these vet visits and treatments. Proper healthcare maintenance is part of responsible ownership and is required for the guarantee to remain in effect.
• Proper Nutrition: The puppy should be provided with a high-quality diet and fresh water at all times. Malnutrition or obesity can contribute to health problems, so a balanced diet is essential. (Some breeders condition extended health guarantees on feeding specific approved foods or supplements​. While we do not require a specific brand, we do strongly recommend a premium puppy food and proper portion control, especially for Mastiffs who can be prone to weight and back issues.)
• Safe Environment: The buyer must provide a safe, loving environment. This includes proper housing, exercise appropriate for a Mastiff (avoiding excessive jumping or high stairs to protect their long backs), and supervision to prevent accidents. Until your puppy is fully immunized, avoid high-risk areas like public dog parks where they could be exposed to contagious diseases.
• Veterinary Documentation: If a health concern arises, you are responsible for obtaining documentation from a licensed veterinarian. For any claim under this guarantee, you will need to provide us with the vet’s diagnostic report, including any relevant test results or X-rays, confirming the genetic or congenital nature of the issue​. In case of an unforeseen death, a necropsy (animal autopsy) report may be required to determine the cause. These documents ensure that we can take appropriate action under the guarantee.
• Spay/Neuter Agreement: (If applicable) Unless otherwise agreed in writing, our puppies are placed as companions (pet homes only) and not for breeding. If your puppy is sold on a spay/neuter contract, you will be required to have them spayed or neutered at the appropriate age. Proof of spay/neuter may be required, as failure to spay/neuter (when required) can void the health guarantee in some cases, per standard breeder contracts.
• Ongoing Care: The buyer is expected to provide regular veterinary check-ups throughout the dog’s life, proper exercise, and affection. Neglect or lack of proper care will void this guarantee, as a breeder cannot be responsible for health problems arising from a buyer’s negligence​. Simply put, keeping your Mastiff healthy through preventative care is a condition of this guarantee.

Remedies for Covered Health Issues

We stand behind our puppies and will make sure you are not alone in the rare event of a serious health problem. Depending on the situation, the typical remedies under our health guarantee include:

• Replacement Puppy: In most cases, our guarantee is a “return or replace” policy​. If a licensed veterinarian diagnoses your puppy with a life-threatening genetic defect within the covered period, you may return the puppy to us and receive a replacement puppy of equal value from our next available litter​. We know it’s heart-wrenching to even consider giving up a puppy you’ve grown to love​, so we handle each situation with compassion. If the condition is severe enough that humane euthanasia is in the puppy’s best interest, a replacement will still be offered provided proper veterinary proof is presented​. (Any return or replacement under this guarantee will require the puppy’s registration papers and medical records to be returned as well, and any shipping or transport costs are the buyer’s responsibility​.)
• Refund Option: In certain cases, if a genetic defect is identified early and confirmed, we may offer a refund of the purchase price instead of a replacement, especially if returning the puppy is not in the best interest of the family or the puppy. Some reputable breeders will amend a contract to provide a full or partial refund for a puppy with serious congenital issues​. At Elite Mastiff, a refund (full or partial) may be considered on a case-by-case basis if a covered health issue is discovered and verified by a vet specialist. Our primary aim is fairness and the puppy’s welfare.
• No Cost for Vet Care: Please note that we do not reimburse veterinary bills or treatments under this guarantee (which is standard among breeders)​. The purpose of the guarantee is to offer another healthy puppy or a refund of the purchase price, not to cover medical expenses. All veterinary costs incurred are the responsibility of the buyer, as we cannot control decisions on treatments or costs once the puppy is in your care​.

In all cases, the total liability of the breeder is limited to the original purchase price of the puppy​. We will never ask you to pay any additional amount for a replacement puppy if one is warranted, but similarly we cannot be responsible for costs beyond the puppy’s price.

Exclusions and Limitations

Our health guarantee is designed to cover genetic and congenital health defects that are within the breeder’s control. It does not cover other illnesses or issues that can arise due to the puppy’s environment, accidents, or routine puppy maladies. Below are common exclusions and disclaimers found in virtually all breeder health guarantees​:

• Parasites & Minor Illnesses: We do not cover internal or external parasites (worms, fleas, ticks, coccidia, giardia, etc.) or treatable puppy ailments like kennel cough or minor colds​s. Puppies can sometimes carry parasites or get an upset tummy from the stress of changing environments; these are common and usually easily resolved with vet care. Rest assured, your pup has been dewormed on schedule here, but continued parasite prevention is up to the buyer. Similarly, minor conditions that do not seriously impact the puppy’s health, such as small umbilical hernias, benign heart murmurs that will likely be outgrown, or cosmetic flaws (like slight underbites or overbites), are not covered by this guarantee. These issues are often considered normal in growing puppies and can be addressed by your vet if needed.
• Infectious Diseases After Transfer: Our short-term initial health warranty covers the puppy only for a brief period (7 days) against major contagious diseases present at time of sale. We cannot guarantee against viruses or diseases contracted after you take possession of your puppy​. For example, illnesses such as parvovirus, distemper, or kennel cough that manifest more than a week after pickup are typically due to exposure in the new environment. It’s important to avoid risky exposure until vaccinations are complete. After the initial period, the buyer assumes responsibility for protecting the puppy from communicable diseases. We also do not cover any illness or death that results from the puppy ingesting something harmful or injuries once the puppy is in your care​.
• Accidents & Negligence: Any injury or health condition caused by accident, neglect, or improper care is not covered​. This includes things like broken bones, trauma, poisoning, heatstroke, etc., as well as conditions that arise from poor diet or lack of proper veterinary care. We expect that you will take excellent care of your Mastiff; our guarantee can’t cover situations where a puppy’s health is harmed by factors outside our control or normal genetics.
• Breed-Specific Traits: Certain breed-related conditions or tendencies are excluded unless explicitly stated otherwise. For Mastiffs, this is especially relevant to back problems (Intervertebral Disk Disease, IVDD). While we strive to breed for good backs and overall sound structure, Mastiffs are genetically prone to IVDD (spinal disc issues) and no breeder can guarantee against IVDD entirely. Many factors – genetics, age, weight management, and jumping habits – influence IVDD. Therefore, back injuries or IVDD-related conditions are not covered under this guarantee (as is common in Mastiff contracts​). We advise diligent preventative care (such as preventing excessive jumping and keeping your Mastiff at a healthy weight) to minimize this risk. Likewise, luxating patellas (slipped kneecaps) and other orthopedic issues that could be influenced by injury or environment are not covered, unless a vet explicitly determines it to be hereditary and severe.
• Other Exclusions: We do not guarantee things that are not health-related or are unpredictable by nature. For example, we cannot guarantee adult size, weight, coat length, or color of your puppy​. Predictions are made in good faith based on the parents, but Mother Nature sometimes has other plans. We also cannot guarantee your puppy’s temperament or behavior in its new home​ – early socialization here helps, but training and environment play the biggest roles once you take your pup home. Training or behavioral issues (housebreaking, chewing, barking, etc.) are not covered. Finally, if you intend to breed or show your Mastiff (with our prior agreement), note that we do not guarantee fertility or show conformation. Our puppies are primarily placed as companions, and no warranty is made as to breeding success or show championships.
• Void Conditions: Please be aware that the health guarantee becomes void if the buyer does not fulfill their responsibilities. Failing to get the initial vet exam, evidence of neglect or abuse, or breaching any conditions of our sales contract (such as the spay/neuter agreement for pet puppies) will nullify this guarantee. This ensures that any health issue claimed under the guarantee truly stems from genetics or pre-existing conditions and not from mismanagement after the sale

Additional Terms & Breeder Commitments

This Health Guarantee is part of our sales contract and is designed to protect both the buyer and the breeder in a fair and ethical manner​. We believe in transparent communication so you understand exactly what is covered and what is not​. Below are some additional terms and ethical considerations that come with purchasing a puppy from Elite Mastiff:

• Contractual Agreement: By purchasing a puppy from us, the buyer acknowledges and agrees to all terms of this Health Guarantee. We will provide a written contract that includes this guarantee. Both buyer and breeder will sign to signify understanding and agreement. We encourage you to ask any questions before signing – clarity is key.
• Original Purchaser: Our health guarantee is made with the original purchaser of the puppy and is typically not transferable to new owners without our written consent​. If you rehome the puppy (with our approval), please have the new owner get in touch with us so we can discuss any continued coverage. (We generally continue to stand behind our puppy within the original guarantee period, but we need to be involved in that communication.)
• Breeder’s Liability Limit: In any case, the breeder’s liability will not exceed the purchase price of the puppy​. We do not assume responsibility for any vet bills, training costs, or other expenses once the puppy is in your care, beyond what is outlined in this guarantee. This limitation of liability is standard and ensures we can continue operating responsibly while offering these guarantees.
• Return & Rehoming Policy: We commit to every puppy we bring into the world for its entire life. If at any point in the dog’s life you find yourself unable to continue caring for your English Mastiff, please contact us. We will gladly take the dog back or assist in finding a suitable new home. It is our firm policy that no Elite Mastiff puppy should ever end up in a shelter or unsafe situation​. While we do not offer a purchase price refund beyond the health guarantee terms, we will act out of goodwill to rehome the dog responsibly. In fact, we often contractually require that we get “first right of refusal” if you must give up the dog. Our puppies are family, and we will always accept one back rather than see it displaced. (If a puppy is returned to us within a very short time frame, such as within the first few weeks due to extraordinary circumstances, we may offer a partial refund or credit as a courtesy; however, after a longer period, no refund is provided apart from our health guarantee obligations.)
• Ethical Breeding Practices: We want you to know that our health guarantee is backed by real effort on our part to prevent issues. All our breeding dogs are health-screened for genetic diseases relevant to Mastiffs (for example, we screen for PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) and other breed-specific conditions). We only breed adults with sound backs and good overall health histories. By investing in healthy bloodlines and proper care, we greatly reduce the chance that you’ll ever need to use this health guarantee. Prevention is better than cure, and a strong health guarantee policy reflects the confidence we have in our breeding program​.

Our Promise to You

Bringing home a new puppy is the start of a beautiful journey, and our health guarantee is meant to ensure that journey begins with a healthy pup and a confident owner. We have done everything possible to stack the odds in your favor – from careful genetic selection to thorough veterinary care of the newborn pups. In the unlikely event a health issue arises, we will stand by you and do what is right as outlined above. This professional yet compassionate approach is our way of showing that we take our responsibility seriously while reassuring you that you’re not alone in caring for your new family member.

If you have any questions or need clarification on any part of this Health Guarantee, please reach out to us. We believe in open, honest communication. When you get a puppy from Elite Mastiff, you become part of the Elite Mastiff puppy family, and the well-being of our puppies (and the happiness of our puppy owners) remains our top priority.