About Me
My name is Ben McCaughey. I'm a builder and a craftsman. I've enjoyed building things since I was very young and own a successful custom cabinet shop. I recently finished constructing a 5400 sq. ft. home, almost entirely by myself, for my family on 5 acres in the beautiful Arizona desert.
I got my first dog at 8 years old (a fox terrier mix). I had her for 13 years and loved her dearly. My next dog came shortly after purchasing our land 15 years ago. A friend asked me if I wanted a dog. I told her it would have to be big so that the coyotes wouldn't carry it off. She said that wouldn't be a problem. It turned out to be a 200 pound English Mastiff.
I became interested in the mastiff breed. I started studying the standard and began to pursue breeding. It was then that I met a very respectable breeder who educated me on the importance of movement combined with structure. I became intrigued with the art of breeding. During my years with English Mastiffs, I discovered that I needed a more active and athletic dog. I had been a competitive wrestler, enjoyed exercising, bench pressed twice my weight and needed a dog that wanted to do more than lay in front of the fire place.
One day I saw a poster that had three hundred different dog breeds on it and became fixated on the dogo. I thought, "now there's an athelete". After studying more dogos I knew it was the breed for me. It took me over a year to purchase my first dogo. What a time it was to weed through everything to get into this breed.
I have been working towards goals I had set to build the strongest and fastest, great moving athlete with correct powerful muscular and skeletal structure, along with health and temperament at the forefront and to achieve the highest grade of standard for this super breed.
I enjoy my dogos-they fit my active lifestyle. Their dispositions are great. My dogs are free to run on our five acres, but their favorite thing in the world is to head out the gate while I mountain bike or ride my ATV. They will run for miles, and God help any wildlife they encounter while out. Their hunting and prey instincts are intense! I often say I'll know when my dogs last days are near when they don't jump in excitement when I get on the bike or start the ATV.
When I sit, my dogs all come up to my lap, pushing and nudging each other to see who can receive my hand. I can, and sometimes do, pet four or five dogs at the same time. My dogs eat, sleep and play together. (This may not be possible for all people or all dogs, but it works for me most the time with dogs I have raised.) My dogs are raised with children and are tought to love, play and respect at an early age.
I am a builder, that is my passion. I show occasionally, but do not chase dog shows across the country, but I do invite others to come to Arizona. I am preparing my Gladiators to meet you in the show ring.
Champion Gladiator Buster has been on the top ten list from UKC for 3 consecutive years with limited showing.
