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The Mastiff is a
large and impressive breed that makes a great family
dog in the right situation. Keep in mind that this
is a gigantic dog, compared to other breeds. For
this reason, many families find the size and
strength of the Mastiff simply too much to hand. We
recommend you give serious consideration about
adding a Mastiff to your family, and be prepared to
provide this wonderful dog plenty of room to move
around, both inside and outside.
Mastiffs can be great
with children, especially if the dog comes from good
breeding stock and from a breeder who has taken the
time to socialize his young dogs properly. Because
the Mastiff is so large, putting him in the home
with a very small child may not be the best idea,
not because of aggression but sheer size. With this
in mind, the Mastiff makes an excellent companion,
one that is very loyal and protective to family
members. Additionally, the breed tends to be gentle
and calm, even to the point of seeming a bit lazy.
As with many purebred dogs, the members of the
Mastiff breed show individual personalities. For
instance, some will have a more laid-back attitude
while others will be a bit more outgoing. Do not
mistake the protective nature of the Mastiff for
aggressiveness. A well-bred and well-socialized
Mastiff should not be overly aggressive or a source
of fear for those around it. Aggressive behavior is
a learned response to how a dog is treated so if
your Mastiff comes from a reputable breeder, this
should not be a problem.
With these things in mind, the Mastiff may be a bit
difficult to train, especially if you expect tricks
and a lot of high-energy activity. This is a very
smart breed but one that is best trained in short
sessions, several times each day. Mastiffs can be a
bit stubborn as well, so it is best not to push this
normally gentle dog. In fact, we urge you never to
hit a Mastiff, because the consequences can be
unpleasant. Generally, this dog wants to be
“trained” so it can please its master. However,
expect to use a firm and consistent tone of voice
without being mean.
Formal mastiff obedience training may be
necessary but try to stay involved so there is some
consistency to what the dog and you expect when you
get home. Basics such as sit, stay, and walking on a
lead would help with any new dog. Healthy treats are
also a good way to reward your pet for proper
behavior, with the Mastiff responding well to
positive reinforcement. As for which individual dog
would be easiest to train, we repeat our earlier
suggestion to work only with a reputable breeder to
buy a well-socialized puppy.
Some early training in a puppy “kindergarten” may
also be a good idea. A Mastiff from a good breeder
and good stock should not need any protection
training, as this will be a natural reaction in a
normal family situation. Crate training offers a
practical solution as part of the housebreaking and
other training, providing your pet with a safe haven
and a place to go when it needs to be alone. In
addition, your new pet will naturally want to keep
its “den” clean, so this can be another benefit of
using crate training. Keep in mind that the Mastiff
is happiest when it is a close part of the family,
something very important to this particular breed.
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