watch more about living with mastiff , one of the oldest dog breeds .
The mastiff , also eff as the English mastiff or Old English mastiff , is one of the oldest dog strain known to homo . They are famous for their extra - large size and have historically wager an of import character in protect humans as a safety and even a wartime aid .
While the heel is not specially common in the U.S. , proprietor who do acquire a mastiff quick realize he ’s a gentle and unagitated family addition — and dead content to laze on the lounge . A thou is a incentive for mastiff owners , but not a requirement . And while the mastiff ’s grooming needs are minimum , they ’re not on the button goodish animals : The dog ’s drooling is excessive — and can even end up on your roof .
Lifanimals / Adobe Stock
Appearance
" Extra - big " is practically an understatement for these dogs when it comes to mass — especially with the English mastiff male .
" The largest frank I ’ve ever seen , in terms of free weight , was a mastiff—[he ] was over 200 pound , " says Scott Neabore , DVM , who ownsNeabore Veterinary Clinicin Haddonfield , N.J. " And that ’s not an heavy dog . They ’re just an enormous dog . "
The mastiff is so openhanded , in fact , that the official breed standard does n’t partake the utmost for the firedog ’s height , only the lower limit : A female English mastiff ’s meridian is at least 27.5 in at the shoulder , while the male is at least 30 inches . weighting can span 120–170 pounds for females and 160–230 pounds for male person .
Cara Johnston / Adobe Stock
Even with his spare - large size and sinewy build , there ’s a natural prettiness to the mastiff , with his wrinkled hilltop , droopy jowls , and propensity for drooling . The mastiff ’s colors can be fawn , apricot , or brindle ; his gun muzzle , ears , and nose are sour , and his eye are brownish . The dog ’s coat is short andsheds at times , but is easy to maintain .
Temperament
These dogs have served as guardians to human being since ancient times , and with that dutiful desoxyribonucleic acid come an English mastiff disposition that is deeply loyal , ripe - natured , and eager to please . The mastiff , by nature , is courageous yet gentle andmakes an first-class family darling . mastiff aregentle with children , but make certain to oversee them around piffling kiddos — because of their big size , someone might accidentally be stepped on !
The mastiff be given toget along with catsand other dogs , peculiarly if they ’re introduced while young .
" They ’re usually pretty good - natured , " Neabore suppose . " I think at this full point , most people breed mastiff who are responsible stock breeder … endeavor to breed for temperament in a mickle of cases , and they end up being pretty squeamish dogs . "
CallallooFred / Adobe Stock
Mastiffs are reasoning and raw . Whentraining , mastiff puppy , as with all stock , respond well to kindness , consistency , andpositive reinforcement — never harsh words or corrections .
Living Needs
mastiff can be lounge potatoes . While theybenefit from walks , they ’re also perfectly contented to curl up on the piece of furniture , within view of their owner .
Because they are prone to educate joint issue , the ideal livelihood distance has confine or no stair , Neabore says . In fact , in the mastiff ’s early years , they must avoid excessive run , jumping , and even long walks , as those workout can overburden their apace growing bodies . Even in late age , they can be quite willful on walk , and when they ’re done , they ’re done . Good portion catch them to keep move once they ’ve decided to plop down in the supergrass !
Thisisn’t a breed that enjoy time spent alone . The mastiff prefer to be with his family , and he also enjoy time spent with other house darling . A family of stay-at-home would make this work-shy boy glad .
Neabore say mastiff owners should keep plenty of towel nearby , and steel themselves for a torrent of drool . " People that are uncomfortable with all the drooling and all the drool are not going to like having a mastiff , " Neabore tell , add together that the tongue will , indeed , cover the floor and even twist up on the walls and ceilings whenever your mastiff shakes his head . " They are big , drooly dogs , " he says .
Care
Like all dogs of bring down sizing , the mastiff should be civilize andsocialized earlyso he ’s well - behaved as he rise into his large — and sometimes willful — frame . Mastiffs learn well through light training sessions filled withpositivity , kudos , and treats . If the seance fail too long , he may get bored and distracted , or could even precipitate asleep !
Groomingneeds are minimum when it comes to mastiffs . Throughout the year , his short coat should bebrushed a couplet of times a week , and more so during twice - a - yr shedding time of year . The crinkle around his head teacher and nerve may take cleaning , and , as with all dogs , he ’ll needregular nail trimsandteeth cleansing .
Health
Mastiffs , because of their sizing , are prostrate to several wellness conditions , include joint and musculoskeletal conditions such as human elbow andhip dysplasia . They can also put up fromheart disease , hypothyroidism , middle problems , sealed cancers , and neurological problems includingepilepsy .
As an special - large stock , mastiffs are prone togastric dilatation - volvulus ( GDV ) building complex , or bloat , which is a breadbasket condition that befall when air accumulates in the tummy , causing it to twist . It can be life sentence - threatening . A determinate cause of bloat has n’t been identified , but you’re able to speak with your veterinarian about how to reduce the risk .
When Neabore speaks with owners of large - strain puppies , including mastiffs , he recommends a procedure name gastropexy . This can be perform when the puppy is beingspayed or neuter . A doctor sutures the outer paries of the abdomen to the consistence paries , preventing it from moving .
Because of their size and aesculapian challenge , mastiffs have a curt lifespan than many dogs , averaging 6–10 years . " citizenry need to be prepared that they ’re not going to live as long as a dog that ’s smaller , " Neabore enunciate . " elephantine breed dogs , in cosmopolitan , incline to have a shorter lifetime , so for a mastiff , seven , eight , or nine year would be really good . "
Mastiffs are prostrate toobesity , which can further contract their life by exacerbating other health experimental condition , Neabore says . " you’re able to not let them be overweight , or their lifespan is go to be importantly shorter , " he says .
History
There ’s grounds of mastiff ancestors as far back as 2500 B.C. , where they ’re portray on ancient mural hunting lions near the Tigris River . They were also direct for consumption in war , and hold back by famous full general such as Hannibal .
In 55 B.C. , these tremendous creatures assist fight back Great Britain when Julius Caesar led an invasion of their native land , according to the Mastiff Club of Florida . Caesar was so impressed by their ability that he took them back to Rome with him , where they were prepare to conflict gladiators in the Colosseum .
At least one mastiff is thought to have come to the U.S.on the Mayflower . The breed gained popularity in the New World for their working and guarding ability ; they were first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 , just a year after the organization was founded . And centuries after their first arrival , when the mastiff population in England was nearly nonextant , U.S. breeders played a vital part in rebuilding the breed when they export them to the native land .
Mastiff: Fun Facts
AKC Mastiff Standard . The Mastiff Club of America .
Mastiff History . The Mastiff Club of America .
The Mastiff Breed . The Mastiff Club of Florida .
Arenstam , Peter . The Mighty Mastiff of the Mayflower . Arcadia Publishing , 26 June 2012 .
Longest dog ever . Guinness World Records .
