Mastiff Club of America – National Specialty

Anita Sanders

Anita Sanders

My husband, Ric, and I live in Republic, Washington and are home to Rainy Days Mastiffs. I began my love affair with Mastiffs with Autumn, a puppy that I brought home as a companion dog and gift for my husband. I believe that every dog has something to teach, and Autumn had a hefty lesson plan. Those lessons in temperament, structure and soundness paid off and led me to my heart dog, Gracie, CH Dion’s Grace for Rainy Days CGC TDIA. Gracie was a girl of firsts: first conformation dog, first CHIC, first Gold Health Award, first Champion, first of Rainy Days Mastiffs as our foundation bitch, first Canine Good Citizen, first Therapy Dog, and first Rainy Days recipient of the MCOA Longevity Award at almost 12 years old. In the nearly twenty years since bringing Autumn home, Rainy Days Mastiffs has produced multiple champions and nationally ranked dogs by carefully choosing the best pup or two of each litter to be placed in show homes. However, my greatest pleasure has been breeding dogs who love to work, be it as therapy dogs, service dogs, or performance (Rally, Obedience and Carting). My top priority is to produce and place well-bred Mastiffs in loving family homes. I have been a member of MCOA since 2005 and currently serve on the Health Committee and assisting Jennifer Lambden by printing and mailing hard copies of The Castlekeeper Times. I’ve spent decades in rescue work with Paws Across The Northwest lining up rides for dogs out of time at one shelter to another rescue or shelter willing to give them a second chance at finding a forever home and, also, our local shelter, Forget Me Not Animal Shelter. I’m now retired from both. I would like to thank the show committee for this honor and wish all exhibitors the very best of luck. 

Anita Sanders Rainy Days Mastiffs