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Mastiff
or Old English Mastiff
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Giant Breed |
  
See your Mastiff's photograph or illustration on our breed pages |
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Working or Utility Dog |
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Country of Origin
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Likely an ancient breed |
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Ancestry |
The Bullmastiff is a 60/40 cross between
the Mastiff
and the Bulldog |
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Original Function |
Guardian of people and property. Sometimes
used in warfare and fighting. |
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Height at Shoulder |
Female 27.5" minimum Male 30"
minimum |
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Weight |
175-190 lbs |
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Lifespan |
8-10 Years |
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Coat |
The Mastiff has a short,
smooth, soft double coat. The overall coat is short, slightly
coarse and smooth. Acceptable colors are brindle, fawn and
apricot with the distinctive black face and muzzle. There is a
recessive gene for long-haired Matiffs. These fluffly Mastiffs or
'Fluffies' are considered out of the breed standard by many. |
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Tail |
Long and smooth |
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Head |
Large, round, heavy with moderately
short muzzle, large jowls and some wrinkling of the face |
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Ears |
Moderately sized, V-shaped
and held down and close to the head |
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Related Breeds |
Bullmastiff,
Neapolitan Mastiff, Tibetan Mastiff, Spanish Mastiff, Pyrenean Mastiff,
Dogue de Bordeaux, St. Bernard, Leonberger, Newfoundland, American
Mastiff (crossbred Mastiff/Anatolian Shepherd) |
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Alternative Names |
Old English Mastiff or OEM |
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Nicknames |
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Grooming: |
The Mastiff's short coat requires minimal attention. This breed can
drool and be messy drinkers. |
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Exercise requirements: |
Low. As with many of the giant breeds, the Mastiff has a relatively
low metabolism and can be walked daily. This is not a breed for
vigorous jogging in hot weather. |
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Aggression: |
Generally placid and gentle but can be intimidating and aggressive when
roused. Mastiffs can be good watchdogs and protectors of the home.
As natural guardians, Mastiffs can be wary of strangers. |
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Temperament: |
The Mastiff is generally a calm breed that is more gentle than it appears.
It can be intimidating because of its great size and weight but Mastiffs
generally get along well with others pets and dogs. They can be aloof
with strangers while being devoted, affectionate companions inside the home.
They may not be playful, active, athletic or high spirited enough for some
families. |
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Owner requirement: |
Firm and physically strong. The Mastiff is not for the timid, skittish
or physically weak. Mastiffs require consistent training and
socialization when young as they are almost impossible to pick up and move
around when they are fully grown. |
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Trainability |
Moderate |
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Health concerns: |
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) in hips and elbows,
bloat and gastric torsion,
entropion, lymphoma. |
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Environmental
requirements: |
The Mastiff has a moderate tolerance for cold but a low
tolerance for heat or humidity due to its short muzzle. The
Mastiff requires firm, soft bedding and close contact with the family.
The Mastiff is as large as a full grown man and takes up the same amount of
space inside the house and the car. |
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Feeding requirements: |
Extra care is required in the feeding of Mastiff puppies to prevent rapid, painful growth.
Giant breed puppies can grow too quickly causing skeletal problems. In
Mastiffs, growing pains can be actual pain. As an adult, the Mastiff requires more frequent
and smaller meals throughout the day to
prevent obesity and bloat along
with gastric torsion. |
AKC:
American Kennel Club USA: Working Group
UKC: United Kennel
Club USA:
Guardian Dogs
CKC: Canadian
Kennel Club: Working
Dogs
FCI: Fédération
Cynologique Internationale: Molossoid Breeds
Group 2/Section 2.1/Mastiff is Breed 264
ANKC: Australian National Kennel Council: Group 6 Utility
KCUK: Kennel Club United Kingdom: Working
NZKC: New Zealand Kennel Club: Utility |
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The Mastiff, or as it is known in England, the Old English Mastiff, is one of the oldest known breeds.
A version of this heavy, giant breed has been around for thousands of
years and is the foundation for many other familiar breeds. The modern
version of the Mastiff originated in England descending from dogs used in
fighting as well as dogs used to guard large estates. A loyal and
courageous Mastiff famously fought at Agincourt alongside Sir Peers Legh.
Although Sir Peers did not survive, the Mastiff did and returned home to
found the Lyme Hall Mastiffs. Five centuries later, breeders used the
line to help develop the modern Mastiff. Mastiffs may even have come across
the Atlantic on the
Mayflower although the record is unclear. Mastiffs did come to the USA
in the 1800s.
Mastiffs rose and then declined in popularity in England due largely to
their need for space and food. A pet of this size was deemed an unnecessary luxury. The
breed almost died out in England after World War II and Mastiff stock
from the USA was needed to revive it.
The Mastiff is generally a mild-mannered, sensitive, slightly aloof and
gentle giant. As with many giant breed dogs, it has a low metabolism and
owners can easily exercise them with daily walks. The Mastiff is a guard
dog and can bark and be intimidating to people and dogs outside the home.
In the home, Mastiffs are loyal, affectionate and gentle with children
although their sheer size can be an issue.
Care must be taken to properly feed, socialize and train Mastiffs while
they are very young. Mastiffs can develop physical problems if fed too much
when young. They must also be properly trained before they become too large
to handle. A dog of this size that is aggressive, domineering,
stubborn or fearful can be a serious issue.
Mastiffs are very large and very heavy.
Kell the Mastiff
from Notts in the UK became the world's heaviest dog in 1999 weighing in at
a daunting 282 lbs. This is not the dog for every family. |
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