The Mastiff, also known as the English Mastiff, is a breed of molossoid dog, that is to say, it is characterized by its robust body, powerful muscles and a large head with a short muzzle. The Mastiff is similar to the Mastiff, although the Mastiff, considered a giant dog, is much larger than the Mastiff. He attracts attention because of his appearance because, being so muscular, he has enormous strength, which has made him an excellent watchdog. This is a dog that has lived with us for a very long time, a very long time ago it was used in fights with other animals, but over time it has become a watchdog of the livestock, a job he continues to do today.
If you want to discover all the characteristics of the Mastiff, this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal is made for you! because we will explain everything there is to know about this breed of dog.
Origin
- Europe
- United Kingdom
FCI Nomenclature
- Group II
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Short ears
Size
- Giant
Height
- Over 80cm
Adult Weight
- 45-100
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- Average
Character
- Balanced
- Strong
- Society
- Very loyal
- Affectionate
- Quiet
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- Shepherd
- The guard
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
- Hard
Origin of the Mastiff
The history of this breed begins around VI BC, when the Romans conquered Great Britain. There are records that demonstrate that the Phoenicians were the first to introduce the first specimens of the English Mastiff and the Neapolitan Mastiff, a breed extremely similar to the Mastiff.It is since this time that this race, due to their powerful build and incredible strength, have been used in the arenas to entertain the bloodthirsty masses. In addition, also at this time, due to its affable nature, it was also used as a watchdog and companion.
In the 19th century, it was introduced to the United States, information that may seem unimportant if you don't know that this is what kept the breed from going extinct because, the Second World War being raging, when it ended, the Mastiff had almost completely disappeared from English lands. Nowadays, it is a breed associated with the work of livestock guarding dogs that can be seen very easily in most countries.
Characteristics of the Mastiff
" The denomination of giant dog for the Mastiff is absolutely not unfounded, indeed, it is a dog which can end up measuring between 70 cm and 1 meter in height for a weight which is around 100 kg in females and almost 120 kg in males.These insane measurements make him one of the biggest dogs in existence!"
His body is broad and very muscular. Compared to the rest of the body, the head of the Mastiff is very large headed, wide and square. To contrast, its muzzle is rather short. It has powerful jaws, so its bite, which is rarely observed due to the calm character of this dog, is extremely powerful. Its legs, well separated from each other, are quite long and very robust.
Another of the most representative characteristics of the Mastiff is its short coat and hard to the touch. Its color can vary between brown, fawn and cinnamon all over its body, but its muzzle, nose and ears are usually black in color.
Character of the Mastiff
Contrary to what one might think knowing its past as a fighting dog and seeing it, so powerful and robust, the Mastiff is a dog that stands out for its calm and very docile temperament.It is absolutely necessary to educate him from an early age, because he can sometimes be a little disobedient and managing him as an adult can turn into a real adventure. It is a very protective and quiet breed that stands out for being very cuddly and very courageous. It is not a breed of dog that stands out for its intelligence because, generally, it acts more by instinct and it can end up being slightly clumsy. This is why we insist on the fact that it is absolutely necessary to educate it from its young age, in addition to socializing it well, another essential factor for your companion to turn into a quiet and respectful dog.
It should be emphasized that he is a very loyal companion for slightly older children, as he is very patient with them, especially if he has a suitable space for his size that allows him to exercise. His protective instinct is well marked and he can be suspicious with strangers, but not really aggressive, therefore, as soon as a stranger approaches your Mastiff, you will have to take the time to so that your dog feels confident.Generally speaking, he is not a dog with behavioral problems, but he can be destructive when he is bored.
Caring for a Mastiff
This dog needs at least an hour of exercise a day, otherwise he may end up getting slightly lazy. When he is a puppy, he should not do too much sport because he is a dog that tends to develop bone problems, which during the growth period can end up causing him sprains or tears.
His fur, being short and hard, does not need to be brushed so often, although it is recommended to wash him thoroughly about every month. It is also important to keep its muzzle clean, as it is a breed that tends to drool a lot. Also, checking his ears to keep them clean is vitally important to prevent him from getting infections.
And as we said before, educating it well (especially through positive reinforcement) from an early age can prevent you from having a disobedient adult, because being a large animal , it can be very difficult to control.In the same way, combining sport with education will allow your Mastiff not to get bored. Finally, the space your Mastiff will live in is really an important factor, as it is a dog that needs a lot of space to be able to move around and run.
Mastiff Education
Educating a Mastiff from an early age is essential to have a good cohabitation, to manage to make sure that he learns to bond positively with other animals and people and, ultimately, to have a balanced dog both mentally and physically. To do this, you must use positive reinforcement by rewarding good behavior and correcting bad behavior by offering concrete alternatives. Punishment or violence will cause the Mastiff to become stressed and scared, which can cause them to develop aggressive behaviors, something that is negative in all dogs, but becomes a concern in large dogs that have a powerful bite.
As this is a bit of a stubborn dog, patience and consistency are key. In addition, succulent rewards will be your greatest allies, since this breed is generally not very interested in toys or balls. On the other hand, he loves to play with his human family and with other dogs.
Mastiff He alth
This breed, due to its nature, is susceptible to certain diseases, such as hip dysplasia or gastric torsion. Obesity is also a very common pathology in Mastiffs, this is due to their robust complexion and this is also the reason why it is absolutely necessary that they play sports daily. On the other hand, he can also easily develop eye problems, such as retinal atrophy. If given the proper diet and exercise, the Mastiff has a life expectancy of around 12 years. Also common are the following diseases: ectropion, vaginal hyperplasia, elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.
Mastiffs aren't very active dogs, but they do need daily exercise. Jumping and too intense sports sessions are not recommended, especially before the age of two years, because this type of exercise can injure the joints of these heavy dogs. Daily walks are a necessity, both for exercise and to keep him well socialized.
Keep in mind that the Mastiff does not tolerate very hot climates well. He can live outdoors in temperate and slightly cold climates (not too cold) but he prefers to live in a house with his family and use the garden just to exercise.
Although the Mastiff can live in urban areas, he prefers to live in the countryside.
Where to adopt a Mastiff?
If you have decided to incorporate a Mastiff into your family, the first thing to do is to inform yourself well about it in order to be aware of the care and needs it requires and then make research in order to discover the most recommended places to adopt it.Nowadays there are associations like the SPA which are dedicated to rescuing and finding new homes for abandoned animals.
Mastiff Pictures
