Mastiff

Other names: Old English Mastiff, English Mastiff

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Hair type	Short
Origin	UK
Template	Giant
Head shape	Square

Weight and size
Sex	Weight	Cut
Female	From 60 kg to 90 kg	From 66 cm to 80 cm
Male	From 70 kg to 110 kg	From 70 cm to 82 cm

History of the breed

The Mastiff has been a symbol of valor for millennia . Some stories relating to its origin date back more than 2,500 years. But the most common dates back to the year 55 BC , when Caesar and his troops invaded England . His legions were then forced to face mastiffs whose first type sported an aspect close to the BullMastiff, while the second species would have presented the typical physiognomy of the Mastiff. The power of this second race, unknown to the Romans, made their own mastiffs seem like simple pet dogs.

Once the British Isles were conquered, Caesar’s legions decided to take these war machines with them. They turned them into circus and fighting animals that had to face even more ferocious elephants and animals. It was these exceptionally strong dogs that created the breed known today as the Mastiff.

Like many dogs, the Mastiff breed nearly died out during WWII, but it survived. These exceptionally hardworking and courageous dogs are still popular as ever. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed on November 5, 1964.

Mastiff Pictures

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Physical features

His hair : short and tight, it is denser on the shoulders and on the back.
Its color : the dress can be sand, fawn, apricot, gray or brindle (it has discontinuous stripes). The nose and the ears are black in color.
His head : the square skull is wider between the ears and rather flattened at the level of the forehead, which is wrinkled when the dog is on the lookout. The stop is clear without however being abrupt.
His ears : attached high, they are very thin and small.
His eyes : hazel-colored, they are small and wide apart.
His body : muscular, it presents very harmonious proportions.
Its tail : attached high, it is hanging. She curls up slightly (but not onto her back) when the Mastiff is aroused.

Behavior and character

Behavior with others

Behind the imposing appearance of the Mastiff hides a sentimental dog . Which makes him an excellent companion . Moreover, he does not bind affection for a particular person, but for the whole family who adopted him. Easy going , he appreciates displays of affection. This does not prevent him from having the typical aggressiveness of a good guard dog if he feels a danger for his masters. Above all, he uses his dissuasive physique to ward off intruders even if he is most of the time indifferent to their presence. He is delicate and playful with the children whom he will supervise with the greatest rigor.

The Mastiff
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Education

The Mastiff is not really known for its docility. It is therefore necessary to instill good manners from an early age. In addition, dogs of this breed are not always aware of their power . Better that they get used to the leash early enough, so that even children can hold them from time to time. His master will have to be sure of himself, full of confidence. He has to be both bossy and gentle to get what he is looking for. Thus, the positive method is the best to achieve convincing results.

Living conditions

Due to its large size, it is difficult for the Mastiff to live in an apartment . He needs a large garden to stretch his legs and allow him to move around as he pleases without committing massacres. A house in the countryside will be the ideal place to welcome it in a beautiful family atmosphere. The Mastiff also does not like travel. He prefers to remain lying quietly in front of a fireplace and in the company of his master.

Health

Despite its undeniable physical strength, the Mastiff is quite delicate during the first years of its life . Its bones are particularly fragile during the growth phase, but it gains a little more strength over the years. The Mastiff’s lifespan rarely goes beyond 11 years. The breed having almost disappeared on several occasions, its safeguard could be done by a difficult work of consanguinity . This is why his life expectancy is only 11 years .

To protect you from these risks and insure your companion in the event of health problems, Woopets recommends a Mastiff dog insurance .

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Life expectancy

Maintenance and hygiene

The Mastiff loves freedom as much as cuddling . Incorporating these 2 criteria into your interview is also not complicated . It only needs regular brushing

The Mastiff’s hair only needs to be brushed once a week except during the moulting period (usually in autumn, or even in spring), during which daily brushing is necessary. In addition to that, it is possible to make him take a bath once or twice a year, no more. The nails will need to be cut once a month , while the ear canal requires regular check-ups to avoid possible filling. His coat should also be carefully inspected, especially if he comes back from a walk in the forest, in order to remove parasites such as ticks .

Price and budget

No name is currently proposed. Use our tool to find your Mastiff’s name!

Food

The Mastiff, like all large dog breeds, can be prone to stomach twisting . It is therefore advisable to give him a diet adapted to his morphology and his rhythm of life. High quality kibble is essential for its growth. Finally, it is essential that he does not practice the slightest physical exercise before and after his rations.

Physical activity

It is best to walk the Mastiff in the countryside rather than along crowded sidewalks. Indeed, he prefers to frolic , risking in spite of himself to jostle passers-by and overturn the stalls. Be careful, his physical condition is not suitable for too intensive efforts.

Others

FCI Information