As with any purebred dog, it
is best to begin your search for a Mastiff puppy by
visiting at least three reputable breeders. This
way, you will have the opportunity to look closely
at the living conditions, as well as the interaction
between the breeder and puppies. Because of the
dog’s huge size, proper socialization and good
bloodlines make a tremendous difference in the
personality and behavior of an individual pet.
There are potential health
issues that Mastiff owners should be aware of, again
because of the tendencies of large dogs to develop
certain conditions. With any large breed, it is good
to ask the breeder about hip dysplasia, a
degenerative joint disease related to arthritis.
This condition leads to pain when moving and even to
limited movement. Serious cases may require surgery
or at minimum, on-going treatment with therapy
and/or medication. A reputable breeder should be
open to questions about detecting this condition
early, using the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
radiographic test.
The Mastiff, and other large breeds, are also prone
to “bloat”, in which the stomach twists and blocks
food from passing through the intestines. This
condition often leads to serious health problems and
can even be fatal. Therefore, ask the breeder and
your veterinarian about bloat, as well as gastric
torsion. One thing you can do, as an owner to help
prevent this is to feed the Mastiff two or three
small meals during the day, opposed to one large
meal. Additionally, you want to eliminate the
situation by not allowing the dog to gulp large
amounts of food and water at any one time. It would
be best not to exercise your Mastiff right before or
after a meal, allowing at least an hour after eating
for any real exercise. Then, the breed is prone to
eye problems, as well as the thyroid gland.
Exercise in the proper amounts is key to the health
and happiness of your Mastiff. With this being such
a large breed, it tends to gain weight easily. In
fact, a Mastiff can become overweight and unhealthy
unless the diet and exercise are correct. One owner
has jokingly reported that a Mastiff will eat
anything that is not nailed down. While this may be
a slight exaggeration, the Mastiff does have a good
appetite, needing a solid diet to stay strong and
healthy. Mastiffs typically do best on a diet that
includes about 20% to 25% protein and a fat level in
the middle range, perhaps about 15%.
Too much of any of these ingredients, as well as too
much calcium, may lead to bone and tendon problems.
Therefore, you want to consult with your breeder and
veterinarian for the proper contents and amounts to
feed your Mastiff. It is fine to feed a good
quality, premium commercial food if you follow the
directions that come with the package. You may also
want to feed lean meats and some vegetables if you
prefer to prepare food for your dog. However, be
careful not to include too many table scraps and
high fat/protein foods that can cause problems.
Getting some guidance from your veterinarian and
from other owners with Mastiff experience is always
a great idea.
Some new owners may think that because of the dog’s
great size, it will eat a lot more than any other
dog but in reality, the Mastiff eats about as much
as dogs that are considerably smaller, such as the
German Shepherd. It is important to make sure that
your puppy gets the right amount of food with the
right ingredients, so you can avoid many of the
health problems with a large, overweight dog later
in life.
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