For centuries, there has been a historical breed in rural areas of Spain: the Spanish Mastiff also called the Leonese Mastiff or the Spanish Mastiff. This dog is known for its imposing physique, since it is considered the largest canine breed in Spain, as well as for its skills as a guard dog. However, these are not the only qualities of the Spanish mastiff, because, as we will see later in this PlanèteAnimal file, it is an incredible breed of dog from all points of view, which can become an excellent pet even if you live in the city.Therefore, whether you are considering adopting a dog with these characteristics or whether you already live with one of them and wish to obtain more information, this PlanèteAnimal sheet is made for you because it details the characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff dog, his temperament traits, as well as the main care he needs and the he alth problems he may suffer from.
Origin
- Europe
- Spain
FCI Nomenclature
- Group II
Physical Characteristics
- Rustic
- Muscular
- Short ears
Size
- Giant
Height
- 70-80
Adult Weight
- 45-100
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Very loyal
- Smart
- Affectionate
- Quiet
- Docile
Ideal for
- Children
- House
- Walking
- Shepherd
- The guard
Recommendations
- Harness
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Medium
- Big
Origin of the Spanish Mastiff
Since Antiquity, the Leonese or Spanish Mastiff has been a very present animal in the farms and lands of rural Spain. There are doubts about its origins, since on the one hand it is believed that it arrived through the Celts and Phoenicians, and on the other hand it is suspected that the Romans used it as a fighting dog. , a descendant of the Tibetan Mastiff, while others consider this to be false and claim that he is descended from the Assyrian Molossus or the Pug. What is certain is that as early as 1273, the year the Mesta was founded, and as evidenced by official documents, the mastiffs were already carrying out herding work in the Iberian Peninsula.
It is therefore a dog rooted in the Spanish agricultural tradition and it was the main dog in charge of guarding the fields and protecting them against theft and intrusion.Indeed, even today, thanks to his protective nature and his imposing physique, he fulfills this role of guardian in many areas. It is therefore rare to see a farm without a family of Spanish Mastiffs to guard the land.
" But he was not only a guard dog, the Spanish Mastiff played the role of transhumant shepherd throughout the country through the royal valleys that cross it from north to south, guiding cattle and defending against predators such as wolves. Nowadays, due to the evolution of breeding techniques and the virtual disappearance of many predators that affected livestock, this function has been relegated to oblivion, now belonging to the history of the Spanish Mastiff. Today, the main function of the Spanish Mastiff is both that of guardian and companion dog, because it is not uncommon to see him walking with his master in town, where there are more and more of them. more."
Characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff
Spanish Mastiffs are classified as giant breeds, which is more than justified, as males can weigh up to 100 kilos! The weight normally ranges from 50 to 70 kilograms for bitches and 70 to 100 kilograms for males. As it is a giant breed, it must be taken into account that its growth will be slower than that of other smaller breeds, since Spanish Mastiffs usually reach their final weight between 10 months and two years.
But it's not only their size that makes them imposing, it's also their marked musculature, because they are strong animals with powerful muscles. As if that weren't enough, they are considered one of the largest breeds, if not the largest, in the world relative to their height and weight. This is explained by its weight and height, which can be between 72 and 80 centimeters.
To continue with the physical characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff, we can say that its limbs are robust and strong, but they remain agile.Also, many Great Danes have double dewclaws on their hind legs, which we will discuss in the care section. The head is large, triangular and flat, with drooping ears and pronounced jaws. The eyes are usually dark and small in size and the nose is black. A characteristic trait of the Spanish Mastiff is that his fur tends to hang down at the neck, forming a dewlap, and cheeks, giving him the look of an adorable grandfather.
The colors of the Spanish Mastiff
The coat of the Spanish Mastiff is smooth, dense, semi-long, although somewhat longer in the tail region, and thick coated, exhibiting a woolly undercoat during the cold months which insulates it from the weather. The most common colors are plain and brindle, fawn, fawn and wolf, although there may be many others, as the standardization of the Spanish Mastiff breed established by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI ) [1] does not include a specific range of colors and designs.However, when it comes to the colors themselves, the most common are yellow, red and black in the various patterns mentioned.
Spanish mastiff character
When we talk about a giant, guardian and defense breed, we can think that the Spanish Mastiff is an aggressive and sullen animal, but nothing is less true. Provided they have been properly socialized, they are a well-balanced and very affectionate, docile and extremely loyal dog, and are considered one of the calmest dog breeds in the world. Thus, the character of the Spanish Mastiff is distinguished by these qualities, which make it an animal suitable for any family.
Furthermore, the Spanish Mastiff is highly intelligent and intuitive, so they are easy to train as long as they are consistent and patient. His education is not to be neglected because you must teach him to control his strength and to measure his energy according to the situation.
Now, when we talk about the temperament of the Spanish Mastiff, it is important to take into account that it is true that you must respect what he considers his territory, because, as we have seen, they are a guardian race par excellence, which is why they can attack those they consider to be intruders.For this same reason, they may bark when they hear noises, especially at night when silence reigns and the sounds become higher pitched. For this reason, we can sometimes have problems with the neighbors because of this barking, but with the right techniques, and with the help of professionals in the field if necessary, we can put an end to this inconvenience and enjoy the company of this big ball of fur.
If we manage to train our Spanish Mastiff well, he will be an ideal companion in town and in the countryside, even if it is true that he needs a lot of activity. If he lives in a small apartment or if we don't have a yard or garden, we will need to provide him with more hours of exercise, daily walks and games to keep him balanced and he althy. If we do this, the lack of square meters will not be an excuse not to adopt this breed of dog.
How to take care of a Spanish Mastiff?
One of the main factors to pay attention to in terms of basic care is the diet of the Spanish Mastiff. Care must be taken as they are anxious and gluttonous when it comes to food. This is why it is necessary to ration the quantities and avoid regularly giving them industrial treats. This is important to prevent them from becoming overweight, which would be very dangerous for their he alth, especially for their joints, and which could lead to more or less serious complications. Instead of ready-made treats, one can opt for pieces of chicken liver, which is a great food to use as a treat.
Spanish Mastiff care also includes hours dedicated to exercise. As we said in the previous section, they need to be exercised to exercise themselves, otherwise they could become anxious and even aggressive.This is why it is recommended to take him for several daily walks and to devote time to play, which can be shared with the youngest members of the household. In this sense, for the full pleasure of both parties, it is necessary to teach them to play in a respectful way and thus avoid possible frights and accidents, both for the children and for the animal. For example, it is absolutely necessary to take the time to teach your dog not to bite when he is playing.
You must also keep your coat brushed and clean, both from dirt and parasites such as fleas or ticks, as they can transmit different diseases to our animal. You also have to watch out for the dreaded mosquitoes, which carry dangerous diseases such as leishmaniasis and dirofilariasis or heartworm. For this reason, it is necessary to use pest control products, such as pipettes, collars or tablets.To choose one or the other, it will be necessary to take into account the needs and the situation of the dog. Do not hesitate to talk to your veterinarian about it because some dogs may be allergic to certain components.
Education of the Spanish Mastiff
To avoid any problems in adulthood, it is very important to start the process of socializing the Spanish Mastiff puppy as early as possible, as this will allow him to learn how to behave with other dogs, children, cats, new environments, etc. Due to its large size, socialization is crucial, because if neglected, the animal could become fearful and attack as a method of defense. And if we have adopted an adult Spanish Mastiff, we can also socialize it by showing a little more patience, being very consistent and understanding its character and personality based on its past experiences.
Due to its origins as a guard and working dog, the Spanish Mastiff is loyal, protective, docile and balanced.His training is therefore quite easy, provided you use positive reinforcement, be consistent and meet his needs in play and energy expenditure. He is also an ideal dog for performing canine skills and various tricks as this helps to keep him stimulated both physically and mentally.
One of the main behavioral problems of the Spanish Mastiff is the protection of resources, especially food and people. As we have said, they are very greedy and anxious animals, and if they are not properly educated, they can develop this disorder and exhibit aggressive behavior to defend what they consider their resources. On the other hand, especially in puppies, it is common to confuse rough play with aggression. Remember that they can be biters if they don't have a variety of appropriate toys or are not properly guided.
Spanish Mastiff He alth
After reviewing all the characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff, we will discuss its main he alth problems. In general, it is a strong and hardy breed, but this does not mean that it cannot suffer from various diseases. Some of them are related to the type of breed, since being of giant size, it is a dog prone to suffer from hip dysplasia. This is why it is necessary to carry out controls from childhood and diagnostic tests such as frequent x-rays to assess the state and evolution of the joint. Our veterinarian can suggest tests such as PennHIP or recommend the use of chondroprotectors, which help lubricate all joints to prevent joint problems from occurring. There are also exercises that can help animals affected by dysplasia.
Another common disease in the Spanish Mastiff is entropion, in which the edge of the eyelid folds inwards into the eye, damaging the eyeball and causing complications ranging from irritation or difficulty opening the eyes, corneal damage and even loss of vision.
Sometimes guardians who have lived with a Spanish Mastiff say that they are dogs that end up going crazy. This belief is linked to the psychological problems that many of them develop due to the loneliness and lack of affection to which they are subjected. This has been observed especially in cases where they are kept on grounds that are not frequented by people. But if given attention and affection, our Spanish Mastiff won't go crazy.
As with all other breeds of dogs, it is recommended to carry out frequent veterinary checks in order to prevent and diagnose diseases of the Great Danes in time, as well as to follow the vaccination guidelines and to carry out internal and external deworming as often as necessary, depending on the product used.
Where and how to adopt a Spanish Mastiff?
It's not always easy to find a purebred Spanish or Leonese mastiff to adopt, and it's more common for crossbreeds to arrive at sanctuaries and shelters.However, it's important to remember that what's really important isn't whether he's purebred or not, but that you can take care of him and make him happy.
Unfortunately, due to its large size, special needs and specific care, many people are unable to take care of their Spanish Mastiff and therefore decide to give it up for adoption. We therefore recommend that you go to refuges, shelters and contact animal associations if you wish to adopt a Spanish Mastiff. Of course, we insist, it is essential that you adopt responsibly.
Spanish Mastiff photos
