You know me better than that Sugaree. We have been exchanging emails now for quite awhile. We are all novices at something and very good at something else. I ask questions of those knowing more than I about many topics and am happy to offer advice to anyone asking it of me. One thing about a chow/mastiff mix you need a garden hose and large contained to wash them in, you can trim them with a rake type brush that gets rid of all the narls in the fur and thins it out. No groomers needed....Take the dog to the vet once a month and have its nails clipped.