The Mastiff is one the oldest dog breeds, they are the heaviest dogs in world, bred to be war dogs and human guardians.
They can be intimidating because if their size, but the reality is they are calm, good-natured dogs. If you have the space and don’t mind some snoring and drooling, this could be the perfect companion for you.
They don’t need as much exercise as other dogs and they are lot less intense, than say a terrier. They still need a good walk everyday and plenty of playtime. They are too big for an apartment or even a small house and will appreciate a garden to romp around in.
They are devoted and loving with their families, they are gentle giants and great around kids of any age. They are massive though so, you would want to keep an eye on them around younger kids, they might get injured, only through love though! They are quite playful so they will enjoy running around with older kids.
They are excellent watchdogs and guardians, this maybe something not to encourage as their size alone makes them very intimidating. Anybody messes with their families, these guys will defend you to the bitter end. They are very un-trusting of strangers, you will need to make sure you give them plenty of opportunity to socialise, to combat this.
This is a breed best kept on their own due to their size, any fighting could lead to serious injury. They can be known to be dominant with other dogs and animals. Cats will likely be chased for fun.
They are fairly intelligent and easy to to train, maybe a little stubborn. These are large powerful dogs, you will need to establish yourself as top dog early on, then you will have a lovely well trained companion for life. Try to keep training both interesting and fun for the best results and avoid being harsh with them, identifying their motivation reward early will get you the best results and it’s normally food.
Their hair is low maintenance, its short and they are medium shedders all year round. They tend to shed worse during autumn and spring as they change their coats. Weekly brushing will be enough to keep it under control. They are big droolers, if they shake their heads, run for cover and always have a towel handy. They suffer with the same problems a lot of short muzzle dogs do, snoring, snorting and farting!
Mastiff Stats
The Mastiff (often called English Mastiff) can truly claim an ancient heritage. Mastiff type dogs have existed since the human race began recording history, thousands of years ago. Mastiffs have been used for various purposes, but primarily as guardians of people and their property. Today they are bred as a superb companion and family dog.
- Weight -60kg – 100kg
- Size – 70m – 76cm
- They live for 8-10 years