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Mastiff
Puppies for Sale
Mastiff
(English Mastiff) (Old English Mastiff)
Sassy, the Mastiff came in 3rd, overall, at the National Mastiff Specialty, with
79 entries - Ch. SalidaDelSol MistyTrails Sassy R.O.M. - Courtesy of MistyTrails
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Pronunciation |
Mastiff |
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Description |
The Old English Mastiff is one of the heaviest
breeds; a male Mastiff can exceed 200 pounds. This dog is very massive, powerful
and muscular. The head is heavy and square with a short muzzle. There is a black
mask around the eyes and nose no matter what the general coat color.
The eyes are small, dark, and hazel. The small ears should also be dark-colored.
The teeth should meet in a scissors or slightly undershot bite. The tail is set
quite high, tapers to the tip, and reaches to the hocks. The short coat comes in
golden fawn, light fawn, brindle, silver, tiger, and apricot and is easy to
groom. In the eighteenth century it was described as follows:
"As a lion is to a cat, so is a mastiff compared to a dog." |
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Temperament |
Originally valued for their abilities as a fierce
guard and fighting dog, today's Mastiff is a gentle giant. It is a
self-confident, watchful, and patient dog who is gentle-natured towards his
family. Intelligent and dignified. It rarely barks, but it is in its nature to
defend its territory and family. Calm, steady and docile, this dog is normally
excellent with children, (not recommended for toddlers though, because of their
great size). Good natured, but very large and heavy. Responds well to gentle,
patient training. This breed loves to please and needs lots of human leadership.
The Mastiff's dominance varies widely depending on the lineage. They can be
aloof with strangers or fairly friendly, socialize them well to lean them towards the friendly side. A born guard dog, brave and loyal. The Mastiff
generally holds intruders at bay rather than attacking. Protection training is
unnecessary for this naturally protective breed. Owners need to be firm, calm, consistent, confident with an air of natural authority to communicate to the Mastiff that dominance is unwanted. If socialized with proper leadership it will get along well with other dogs. The Mastiff tends to
drool, wheeze and snore loudly. They can be somewhat difficult to train. The objective in training this
dog is to achieve a pack leader status. It is a natural instinct for a dog to have an order in their pack. When we humans live with dogs, we become their pack. The entire pack cooperates
under a single leader. Lines are clearly defined and rules are set. Because a dog communicates his displeasure with growling and eventually biting, all other humans MUST be higher up in the order than the dog. The humans must be the ones making the decisions, not the dogs. That is the only way your relationship with your dog can be a complete success. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs from 30 inches
(76cm) Bitches from 27
inches (69cm)
Weight: Dogs about 160 pounds (72kg) Bitches about 150
pounds (68kg) |
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Health Problems |
Beware of hip dysplasia. As these dogs are prone
to bloat, feed two or three small meals a day, instead of one large one. Also
prone to CHD, gastric torsion, ectropion, PPM, vaginal hyperplasia, elbow
dysplasia and PRA. Occasionally seen is cardiomyopathy. |
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Living Conditions |
The Mastiff will do okay in an apartment if it is
sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard
will do. |
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Exercise |
Mastiffs are inclined to be lazy but they will
keep fitter and happier if given regular exercise. Like all dogs, the American
Mastiff should be taken on daily regular walks to help release it's mental and
physical energy. It's in a dogs nature to walk. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog's mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. They should always be leashed
in public. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 10-12 years. |
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Grooming |
The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom.
Brush with a firm bristle brush and wipe over with a piece of toweling or
chamois for a gleaming finish. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. This
breed is an average shedder. |
| Origin |
Found in Britain as early as the Roman invasion,
the Noble Old English Mastiff was probably brought to that island by Phoenician
traders as early as the 6th century BC. Since then, the Mastiff has been used as
an arena gladiator by the Romans, in the bloody sport of bull, bear and dog
combat, and as a sheep guardian, bodyguard, protector, and companion. A Mastiff
came to America on the Mayflower and subsequently other dogs were imported.
By the end of World War II, Mastiffs were almost extinct in England. However,
with fresh imports from the United States and Canada, the breed is once again
well established in today's England. Some of the Mastiff's talents include:
watchdog, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, and
weight pulling. |
| Group |
Mastiff, AKC Working |
| Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC,
APRI, ACR |
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CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération
Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American
Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel
Club
KCGB = Kennel
Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian
Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian
National Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry
Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
Sassy the English Mastiff and her litter
of 11 adorable Mastiff puppies at 5 weeks old - Courtesy of MistyTrails Mastiff's.
Leo, the English Mastiff Puppy at 8 weeks old weighing 14
pounds.
Leo, the English Mastiff Puppy at 6 months old weighing about 60
pounds.
"Photo by Phoebus". Iron Hills Mastiffs and Argentine Dogo's.
Tigger
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Mastiff Pictures 1
Mastiff Pictures 2
Mastiff Pictures 3
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