The Mastiff, or English
Mastiff, is one of the largest dogs, standing as
tall as 32 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to
175 pounds. Some members of this breed grow to 36
inches tall and weigh more than 200 pounds. Despite
its size, the Mastiff can be a well-mannered and
calm pet, easy to be around and devoted to family
members. Some credit the name as coming from an old
English word “masty” meaning powerful.
The Mastiff is one of the oldest of dog breeds and
may have arrived in the British Isles more than
1,500 years ago. This breed was used in the blood
sports such as bear baiting, bull baiting, and in
dogfights. However, the numbers of the breed
declined rapidly in England by the 1940s, but have
since rebounded. The American dogs helped to keep
the breed alive. Today, families find the Mastiff to
be a great pet, if the dog is provided with
sufficient room to move around and exercise.
Temperament
The gigantic size of the Mastiff belies its usually
easygoing, gentle nature. This dog moves with a
certain dignity due to its size yet it is remarkably
well mannered and extremely loyal to family members,
especially the principal owner. This protective
nature may be a problem at times because of the size
and strength of the dog, so owners must be careful
to keep their pet under control at all times.
This breed is also a watchful and patient dog that
does not bark often. However, it is usually ready to
protect owners and territory. The Mastiff is also
excellent with children but, like other large dogs,
is not recommended for small children or toddlers
because of the chance of injury to the child from
the large body size, not aggression. The Mastiff is
also sometimes wary of other dogs, with its
protective nature showing when other dogs are
around. The key is early socialization, specifically
with a dog of this size and power.
Size and Color
The Mastiff is a huge animal, sometimes reaching
three feet tall at the shoulder and weighing more
than 200 pounds. The female of the breed, though
slightly smaller, can reach 150 pounds.
Additionally, this breed has a large head and very
strong bone structure. Colors range from silver and
apricot to fawn and brindle. Fortunately, the coat
is close and easy to groom. Additionally, Mastiffs
have a black masking no matter what the overall
color of the coat. It is common for Mastiffs to have
great width between the forelegs as the body is very
square and massive.
Feeding and Grooming Requirements
This large dog tends to be a bit lazy, though it
does enjoy regular walks and exercise if there is
sufficient room. Because of the breed’s nature, a
proper diet is absolutely, necessary to prevent an
overweight and unhealthy pet. Some experienced
owners and breeders emphasize that this large dog
actually eats less than many other dogs, pound for
pound. Generally, you should feed your Mastiff a
balanced diet of high-quality food if you choose
commercial brands. We recommend keeping the table
scraps and other treats to a minimum because of the
tendency to gain weight.
The short coat is easy to care for, usually
requiring only regular brushing and some minor
attention. This way, the coat remains silky, while
keeping the hair close to the body from matting. An
occasional bath might be necessary if there is
evidence of odor, but the size of the animal can
make this an adventure.
Exercise Needs
Mastiffs do need to be exercised occasionally,
sometimes with a little urging, because some
individual dogs tend to be lazy. Experienced
breeders will tell you not to over-exercise your
Mastiff when it is under two years old because the
large skeleton is still developing and too much
activity can cause physical problems. A Mastiff
usually exercises and moves about when it is
necessary and rests when it becomes tired.
Therefore, you can leave the dog to make its own
decisions as to exercise but it is best to watch for
signs of overheating, as well as other symptoms that
may require rest. Of course, be sure you provide
your pet with lots of water when outside, especially
on hot, summer days.
