Mastiff Dog

The Mastiff Dog is the oldest breed of dogs in Great Britain. Over his long history, he has contributed his gene to various breeds, such as the English Bulldog, the American Bulldog, the Bull Mastiff, etc. This is a large and powerful dog, which has proved to be a superb watchdog, excellent guardian and intelligent hunter.

The English Mastiff of today descended from the Old English Mastiff, which was probably brought to the British Isles by the Roman conquerors. The Old English Mastiff was a noble breed and he was popular as an arena gladiator. Traditionally, Old English Mastiffs were set on bulls, lions, bears and other dogs. Needless to say, such activities required strength, endurance, high pain threshold and ferocious temperament. Those early Mastiff Dogs were also valuable as guardians, cattle drovers and companions.

The modern Mastiff Dog is not as vicious as his distant ancestor, but he is still protective and hence suspicious of strangers. They are still good as guardians, watchdogs, and can be used effectively in military and police missions and sports, such as weight pulling. Mastiffs can also be used as rescue dogs.

The Mastiff Dog is a heavy and sturdy dog. Its weight often exceeds 200 lbs, and wither height is around 30 inches or more. Mastiffs have a square and massive head with a short muzzle. The coat is smooth and short, and it comes in fawn, golden fawn, brindle, apricot, silver and even tiger. Regardless of the coat color, there should be a black mask on the muzzle – around the nose and around the eyes. These dogs have strong mandibles, and the front teeth close in a firm scissors bite.

The Mastiff Dog of today is a docile and easy-going companion. Although they used to be fierce in the old days, today they are restrained and prudent. However, they are naturally protective, and will fight to the last to defend their families, if necessary. English Mastiffs are good with children, and, if socialized properly, they can be tolerant of other animals. Males are usually dominant and therefore dog-aggressive.

Mastiffs are prone to hip dysplasia and bloat. When purchasing a puppy, please, make a thorough study of the dog’s pedigree. Do not be shy to ask the breeder all sorts of questions about the dog. The breeder should not be shy to answer them either! If you have decided to buy a Mastiff Dog, you must be ready to accept a great responsibility, as dog ownership implies tremendous self-sacrifice and requires experience and knowledge.