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The breeder basically said that if I wanted to show him that would be fine and if I neutered him, she would understand. I took the next 10 months socializing him; he goes to work with me everyday and sits at the front desk (at Mark's veterinary clinic). My husband and I took him to obedience classes; we're members of the Cape May County Obedience Club, and took him out almost everyday, exposing him to strangers with pockets full of treats.


When strangers greeted him he was rewarded, and we took him for walks in downtown areas too, just constantly exposing him to new things and reinforcing that he wasn't going to be hurt.

Kubota now is a "Canine Good Citizen®" (CGC) and a Therapy dog as well as a member of R.E.A.D., a program where children read to him so they can build self confidence and come out of their shell.

When I thought he was ready, I entered him in a dog show in Wildwood. I figured it was only a couple of miles away and If he doesn't like it or has a meltdown we'll stop. I went early to watch how to handle -- I hadn't handled a dog in the show ring since I lost my other mastiff and I stayed away from the shows so I needed a refresher. I drove him to the show and basically the pep talk consisted of "I don't care if you win or lose I only care if you enjoy yourself". Once Kubota was in the show ring he lit up; he really enjoyed it and we won Best of Breed (see photo on this page) that day. I didn't really understand what he had done until we got out of the ring and everyone explained it to me.

So... the first time he entered a show ring he won a major and breed, and the next day he won as well. I finished him in September that year. Kubota lights up whenever he sees his show bag he absolutely loves it! This past weekend we showed again in Wildwood and as soon as he saw the bag he jumped in the SUV and just sat there with the doors open waiting on me. He loves to go in RV and as soon as we begin to pack it up he jumps up on his couch and is quite content to wait for hours because he know it means another show. Kubota loves his big brother Buford another English Mastiff and always wants to be with him. A month ago I got A French Bulldog puppy and it's something to see this 200-pound dog play so gentle with the pup. He lays down and lets the pup crawl all over him.

Kubota likes to drink fresh running water and that's why I put the photo of him on the couch in RV drinking out of the sink. We had the RV all of 5 days when he did that, and the salesman thinks we are crazy. Kubota loves bananas and yogurt and hounds my techs when they eat so everyone shares with him. He's usually found at my front desk at the gate waiting to meet people and pets.

More about Kubota -- to be continued!