Lots of great information
1. What is a Mastiff?
A Mastiff is a giant breed of dog, descended from the ancient Alaunt and Molosser. Today, mastiff is used to describe many different breeds around the world, all descended from the same root stock.
2. Where do Mastiffs come from?
In the US and other English speaking countries, Mastiff is used to refer to the
Old English Mastiff or more commonly the English Mastiff, developed in
England and nearly extinct after WW II.
3. What are Mastiffs good for?
Mastiffs excel as companions, family members, therapy workers and as watch dogs. Mastiffs have also done well, when properly trained and conditioned, at carting, tracking, obedience, conformation showing, search and rescue, and weight pulling. They are also great foot warmers and couch potatoes. :-)
5. Are all Mastiffs the same?
No. Like humans, Mastiffs are individuals. Each has its own
genetic and environmental history that effects its attitude,
temperament, health and responses to stimuli. These questions are
answered with the general breed characteristics in mind, no
individual Mastiff will match the answers in every respect.
Oh, that's not what you meant. While it is correct that the breed
of mastiff dog developed in England has pre-empted the official
name of 'Mastiff', according to the AKC's 'The Complete Dog Book',
18th Edition, "The breed commonly called "Mastiff" in English
speaking countries is more properly described as the 'Old English'
Mastiff." From the same source: "The term 'mastiff' describes a
group of giant varieties of dogs rather than a single breed."
If this is what you meant, then No, not all Mastiffs are the same.
6. What are the different types of Mastiffs?
The Alpine Mastiff (Saint Bernard). The American Bandogge Mastiff.
The Argentinian Mastiff (Argentine dogo). The South African Boerboel Mastiff.
The Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro). The Bull Mastiff.
The Cane Corso Mastiff. The English Mastiff.
The French Mastiff (Dogue De Bordeaux). The German Mastiff (Great Dane).
The Japanese Mastiff (Tosa Inu). The Korean Mastiff (Dosa).
The Neopolitan Mastiff. The Pyrenean Mastiff.
The Spanish Mastiff. The Tibetan Mastiff.
4. Are Mastiffs:
a. Aggressive?
Aggression is unnecessary force or dominance in any
situation. Aggression should not be confused with protection
where a dog uses force or dominance to protect its people or
territory when threatened.
The typical Mastiff's temperament, by nature, is one of
gentle demeanor. However, as with any breed, a Mastiff can
become aggressive for varying reasons.
Typically, aggressive behavior is established due to
environment as a "learned response" and/or results from a
lack of proper socialization during the dog's developmental
stages.
A certain percentage of dogs may be genetically unstable and
inherit aggressive tendencies. For this reason, before you
purchase a puppy, it is best to ask the breeders about the
temperament of the sire and the dam and try to see both if at
all possible.
Some dogs may have a predisposition for certain
characteristics which may be the basis for aggressive
behavior: a dominant dog may exhibit Dominant Aggression, an
unsocialized dog may develop Fear Motivated Aggression, or a
dog unsocialized with other dogs may develop Species
Aggression. Most aggression can be prevented by proper
rearing and socialization, beginning as a puppy.
If you are experiencing a problem, consult your Mastiff's
breeder, your veterinarian, and/or a trained animal
behaviorist BEFORE the problem becomes serious.
b. Easy to train?
Both easy and difficult. Mastiffs are smart, and live to
please. However, they go through phases where they are also
stubborn, and these phases can last anywhere from a few weeks
a couple of times in puppy hood to (in some cases) the
lifetime of the dog!
Keep training sessions short (10-15 minutes) and frequent
(several times a day). In addition to their stubbornness,
Mastiffs have very sensitive feelings, and if they are
frightened, hurt, or confused, they cannot be budged. Make
training like a game. Use a happy, excited voice. You have to
be consistent and firm to train effectively. Once a dog is
well trained, it needs practice on a regular basis. Dogs LIKE
to be trained because they WANT to know how to please their
beloved owners. Once trained, a Mastiff seldom needs stronger
correction than a stern voice.
Except for formal obedience training, you can use food treats
for motivation. But the best reward for any Mastiff is lavish
hugs and plenty of praise.
c. Fighters?
Mastiffs, with their gentle natures, do not have the
instincts that dog fighters are looking for. Their protective
instincts make them actually the opposite to the aggressive
fighting personality. However, they will, at times, fight
among themselves, or with other dogs, for the typical canine
reasons such as pack dominance and sexual competition. Two
190 pound adult male Mastiffs in combat for pack leadership
can be next to impossible, as well as exceedingly dangerous,
to separate.
d. Good guard dogs?
Mastiffs are excellent guard dogs. They go to the door and
bark, their hackles stand up, and they look formidable, but
Mastiffs, as a breed, are not trigger-happy. They have a
gentle, rather than an aggressive, nature.
Mastiffs need the company of their human family much more
than some other breeds of dogs do. A Mastiff left alone, tied
out, or kept in a fenced yard with too little human company,
will either pine away or develop destructive behaviors out of
loneliness and anxiety. Denied the needed time with its
family, a Mastiff may be much LESS protective because it
isn't sure it belongs to that family.
A normal, well adjusted Mastiff will protect it's family, but
only if the need arises. You don't want an aggressive Mastiff
that protects you from friends and family. The ideal
temperament is one where you never know that you are being
protected unless a true situation arises where a Mastiff's
services are needed.
e. Protective?
Mastiffs ARE protective. However, many people do not
understand the difference between protection and aggression.
If a dog growls when there is no danger, that is aggression,
NOT protection. A protective dog has the judgment to see when
there is a real risk of danger, and therefore, if you have a
TRULY protective dog, you may never know it till you ARE in
danger.
The protective instinct is shown in subtle ways, such as the
Mastiff tending to stand between their person and a stranger.
Many people who have kids discover that they can't spank a
kid in front of the Mastiff -- it looks worried and gets in
between the parent and child! Couples who sometimes
play-wrestle together have reported their Mastiff trying to
stop them for fear it is a fight.
f. Shy?
Because of their great sensitivity, Mastiffs who are not
THOROUGHLY socialized when young can very easily become shy
of strange people, places, and animals. Shyness can be both
inherited and/or the result of inadequate socialization. This
is why puppy kindergarten, obedience classes over an extended
period of time, and visits to parks are EXTREMELY important
to the development of your Mastiff. If you do not have the
time to do these things with and for your Mastiff, you need
to think over whether you are in a position to do right by a
dog, at least at this point in your life.
A shy dog is an uneasy, unhappy dog. If your dog is more shy
than the average, then it is more important than ever to get
the right amount of gentle, gradual socialization with lots
of positive reinforcement for all its friendly, confident,
non-shy actions.
5. What are Mastiffs like in the house?
Clean, quiet, and undemanding. Heaven to a Mastiff is a rug beside
his owner's chair. Mastiffs are naturally clean (except for
slobber), and quick to housebreak. Most adult Mastiffs don't chew
what they shouldn't, and they don't get on the furniture (unless
you let them).
If you do let your young Mastiff on the sofa, just remember that
they grow FAST, and it is unfair and quite unreasonable to let the
dog learn to enjoy something, and then decide the dog is too big
to get up there any more. Mastiffs have long memories, and are
much easier to train correctly the first time than to retrain to
get rid of bad habits.
6. How much does a Mastiff:
a. Cost?
Puppy prices usually run $1000-2000 and up, depending on a
number of variables such as pedigree, show potential,
geographic location, and breeder costs. A higher price does
NOT necessarily mean a better dog! Look for the pup that is
most likely to be healthy, happy, and just what you want.
b. Eat?
Probably not as much as you think. Pound for pound, the
larger the dog the less food it needs for each pound of body
weight. Exactly how much food your dog needs depends on many
factors including its size, age and activity level. Feed your
Mastiff a good quality, balanced diet - low on table scraps -
and don't let him get too fat.
c. Weigh?
Adult males generally run about 150-200 pounds, females are
normally between 130-180 pounds. Males over 200 pounds are
not too uncommon and a few females reach these weights.
7. Do Mastiffs:
a. Bark much?
Puppies are puppies in most breeds. Young pups tend to bark
more than adults because of the excitement of play. Adults
rarely bark except when you first arrive home, or they hear a
sound they want you to investigate, like a doorbell. Most
Mastiffs will howl if they hear a siren close by, since it
sounds like a howl such as wild dogs would respond to.
b. Bite?
Any dog bites if hurt, frightened, or threatened, but a
Mastiff that is properly trained and socialized will
typically not bite except as a very last resort. Do NOT let a
pup (of any age) bite anyone or anything (except its litter
mates) in play, since they NEED to know that biting is not
allowed. They will still bite if there is an absolute
necessity, but will not try it any other times.
c. Chew?
As for chewing, puppies of any breed need to be given durable
toys that they know it is OK to chew. Any time you catch your
puppy chewing on anything except its own chew toys, take the
forbidden item away from it, and give it a chew toy, and
encourage the dog to chew on its own toy. Praise it when it
DOES chew on its own toy. Repeat as necessary (remember, we
told you these dogs are stubborn!)
d. Dig?
Engineers on the Panama Canal project considered bringing in
a myriad of Mastiffs to do the job, but ultimately rejected
the idea when they figured out the manpower they'd have tied
up in pooper scoopering.
Seriously, though, many Mastiffs do like to dig. You'll have
to ask them why.
e. Make good obedience dogs?
By nature, Mastiffs are eager to please. This makes them good
Obedience dogs. But like any other breed, temperaments vary
between individuals, so some Mastiffs are better candidates
for the Obedience ring than others.
Some Mastiffs are more laid back, aloof, and lethargic; while
others are more outgoing, inquisitive, and athletic. Though
both types of temperaments are trainable, the latter of these
two temperaments would be better suited for competition in
the Obedience ring.
f. Need a lot of exercise?
About as much as you do. Most Mastiffs are like most humans;
they can manage a sedentary life reasonably well - but, also
like most humans, they reach a physical peak with a moderate
degree of exercise. It is important that you NOT over
exercise any Mastiff under 2 years of age. Up until this age
(and sometimes later) their skeleton is still developing.
Since Mastiffs tend to be stoic, and also will do just about
anything to be with and please their people, they can easily
end up with an inflamed joint or other problems like those
that beset humans who run for exercise.
g. Pass gas?
Yep. Especially on a diet of beer, hard-boiled eggs and
beans. Actually, like humans, it depends on how the Mastiff
reacts to the food it eats, so using a good dog food should
minimize the problem. If a dog can digest its food properly,
it shouldn't have gas. Different dogs do best on different
foods.
h. Roam?
Not usually. A Mastiff of either sex tends to be stay-at-home
dog. Learning to stay within property boundaries comes
naturally. Some individuals, however, would put Houdini to
shame. Nevertheless, when your Mastiff is outdoors without
supervision, as with all breeds, it's a good idea to have him
in a secure, fenced enclosure
i. Shed?
Yes, like most breeds they shed approximately twice a year.
But, the short, sleek Mastiff coat is less objectionable,
when it sheds, than the coats of many long-haired breeds. A
daily brushing will prevent accumulation of hair around the
house.
j. Slobber?
Most Mastiffs only drool when 1) they have just had a drink
of water or just ate, or 2) they are extremely agitated and
fearful, or 3) you are eating anything that smells better
than dog food, and you have been foolish enough to feed the
dog some of your food at any time in the past.
Mastiffs with tighter lips tend to drool less. Experienced
Mastiff folks keep hand towels all around, to wipe faces
after every drink and meal, and other times as needed. If you
wipe the drool off immediately, it is a lot less likely to
get slung onto the dog's face or body, your furniture, you,
or the walls.
k. Smell?
Mastiffs need occasional bathing, but since they have a short
coat, they dry fairly fast. If a Mastiff has a bad odor
despite regular bathing with a good dog shampoo approved by
your breeder or vet, it may have a medical problem such as
fungus in the ears or between the toes, or a digestive or
dental problem, which can cause bad breath. Hypothyroid dogs
tend to have B.O., and infected anal glands can cause a
serious stench. Time to go to the vet to check it out.
l. Snore?
Yes. Ohhhh, yes. You'd better believe it!
Actually, snoring is genetic. The reason a dog snores is due
to a long soft palate (the back of the upper palate). This
characteristic, like any other, is inherited. This does NOT
mean that the dog has to have a long 'muzzle' to be a snorer!
It just means that the upper palate has a longer soft palate.
So you may see certain bloodlines which do not have as many
problems with snoring and some which are horrendous snorers.
m. Live indoors or outdoors?
Indoors, of course. What's the sense of having a Mastiff if
you don't have it close to you? It certainly can't protect
you from the boogie man if it's tied out in the yard. And
it's useless as a footstool if you keep it fastened in a
kennel or locked in the garage.
Seriously, Mastiffs seem to have an instinctive need and
desire to be as close as possible to their human family, to
the point that their emotional development can be stunted if
they are deprived of that closeness. Many breeders will
refuse to sell a Mastiff unless the new owner guarantees that
it will be kept as a house dog.
8. How are Mastiffs with:
a. Burglars, muggers and other miscreants?
Mastiffs tend to react in predictable ways when faced with a
threatening person. If their owner is present and a tense
situation arises between the owner and a stranger, the dog
will usually get between the stranger and their owner, as a
sort of giant protective barrier that no sane mugger would
reach over. If the stranger does anything to escalate the
tension, the dog will probably growl or snarl at the person.
This may occur even within a family, if, for example, the
owners fight. This may upset the Mastiff greatly and inspire
him to protect the party who is on the receiving end of the
disagreement.
If a stranger breaks into a house where there is a Mastiff,
the Mastiff's tendency is to corner the person and not let
them get away, holding them until their owner gets home to
deal with the intruder. The dog may snarl or bark or even
snap at the intruder if he tries to get away, but usually
will not actually hurt him unless the intruder has tried to
hurt the dog or has succeeded in hurting him.
Dogs are creatures of habit, and it is this characteristic
that makes them good guards. If, while your Mastiff is a
puppy, you allow strangers like repairmen to come into your
house when you are away, the dog will see that as normal for
your household, and will not realize it is not "OK" for other
strange people to come in and do things.
Many Mastiffs, when mature, can recognize something about
people who have unpleasant motives, and are watchful or will
get in between you and that person. If your dog gets between
you and a stranger in a questionable situation, trust your
Mastiff! The dog may have sensed something you couldn't
recognize in that person.
Because of the intrinsic protective nature of the Mastiff,
training as an attack or guard dog is not necessary and to do
so may actually be detrimental to the temperament of the
Mastiff. Mastiffs are not suitable for attack training or dog
fighting and, if raised in kindness and socialized properly,
will be a strong, loving companion who will defend his home
and family if necessary.
b. Other dogs?
By nature a typical Mastiff is friendly and aloof toward
other dogs. But, as with any breed, they must be properly
socialized around other dogs from early puppyhood.
c. Other animals?
The earliest socialization, at the breeder's, and while a
puppy is very young, influences how a particular Mastiff will
behave with other animals. You want him to learn what YOU
want him to accept while he is still small (this means it has
to be done *very* young!) since a larger dog is much harder
to control, and bad habits are harder to break than good
habits. Some Mastiffs are born with a high prey drive and
these dogs will need special training if a multi-pet
household is to maintain harmony.
A Mastiff who hasn't been exposed to cats or chickens or farm
animals or whatever while young may treat them as prey or
furniture, depending on the temperament of the individual
dog. Some Mastiffs live well with cats, and recognize that
the cats have to feel they are the bosses. Others chase cats
without mercy even if they are wonderful dogs in every other
way. Some dogs that were not raised around horses may sniff
once, then ignore them, others may be afraid of them, others
interested, etc. The point is, *you* need to plan what to
socialize your dog to, so it will know how to behave around
the animals that are or will be part of your household. Then
it is not up to the highly individual reactions of a half- or
fully-grown dog, but your choice.
d. Strangers?
A properly socialized Mastiff (which SHOULD be the only kind
there is) will stand or sit beside you politely when a
stranger is around. The world is full of people who are
strangers to you and your dog, but who are nice, normal,
decent folks who pose no threat. A Mastiff that is properly
socialized (and free of severe shyness) should be polite,
possibly aloof, but eventually friendly, after the dog sees
your positive reaction to someone.
e. Young children?
They are gentle and protective, providing they have been
raised with children and are accustomed to them. Small
children should not be allowed to play roughly with a puppy;
Mastiffs are a sensitive breed that can be permanently
traumatized by rough handling.
9. How long does a Mastiff live?
Books on the breed describe the average Mastiff life span as 6-10
years. A few have lived to be 13 or 14; a tiny handful have lived
to be 16-17. Assuming no accidents, an individual dog's life span
will depend on its bloodlines, weight, and freedom from
significant problems such as blindness, heart disease, hip or
elbow dysplasia, spondylosis, immune disorders, etc. Sadly, there
has been an increase in the death of middle aged and younger Mastiffs
in the past 10 years or so, although this is not specific to Mastiffs
but applies to most breeds.
10. What colors do mastiffs come in?
Mastiffs come in three main colors, Fawn, Apricot and Brindle, With a black mask and ears. The shaded in each color very with the Fawn coat they can be very light to a dark sandy color. The Apricot color varies from a light orange color to a dark reddish brown. The brindles have more variation in color, there are Fawn Brindle and Apricot Brindle with black as a background covered in colored strips, or the reverse brindles with the color as a background covered in black strips (in this incense the strips tend to be few in number). In any color pattern the shades very greatly, but they should never be white or have white any place on their body, a small spot on the chest is acceptable as long as it is not excessive.
11. Male vs. female, (WHAT I SAY HERE IS MY EXPERIANCE AND OPINION)
which is friendlier?
Both males and females are friendly but it differs by each individual dog and your definition of friendly. If by friendly you mean wants lots of attention then the female is friendlier, females tend to want to be with you, always by your side and will slip their head underhand to get your attention. Males love attention also but are less likely to take if with out be called over they are not as pushy, but will take all you are willing to give.
more protective?
With my mastiffs my females are more likely to gaurd or protect her family members. And my male are more likely to protect the yard from stray dog and strangers. With that being said all of my mastiffs bark when there is some one or some thing out side of my fence that they don't know. they seem fierce and scary but as soon as I let the person or animal in the fence the mastiffs are quick to become friends.
Easier to train?
These are all traits that tend to vary more between individual
animals than between the sexes. A healthy, alert, intelligent dog
who did well on the Puppy Aptitude test and has been well
socialized and trained from Puppy Kindergarten onward is your best
chance at getting all the above characteristics. Socializing a dog
who started out with a good temperament gives you the friendliest
dog. A dog is protective when it has bonded well with you
(training your dog is an outstanding way to bond with it) and has
at least begun to mature. If you start training very young the dog
learns how to *learn* and will enjoy it more and perform better
13. How much training does a Mastiff need?
Because they are destined to be VERY large dogs, basic obedience
training should be a part of every Mastiff's upbringing.
Adequate socialization is an extremely important part of a puppy's
training. An unsocialized dog, of any breed, can become either
fearful or aggressive. A well socialized Mastiff is a stable
Mastiff.
Most Mastiffs are easy to train because they are so eager to
please, but they are generally more easily trained when young. A
puppy's brain develops very rapidly. New information is absorbed
at an astonishing rate as they learn from their environment. You
want to make certain that WHAT they learn is desirable; therefore,
you must guide them in their learning process. Also, just as in any
other breed, some individuals are stubborn, dominant, etc., and in
such cases the behavior pattern should be identified early and the
training adjusted appropriately to compensate for it.
Unless you plan to compete in conformation or obedience, basic
obedience is all your puppy really needs to become a valued family
companion. Basic obedience consists of: sit, down, stay, come,
walk on lead and proper socialization.
To find Obedience and Socialization classes, contact your local
Kennel Clubs and veterinarians. If you cannot locate classes, take
your puppy out often to places where it can meet people and other
dogs in a friendly atmosphere.
A Mastiff does not need protection training. A well socialized
Mastiff has, in essence, been taught what a normal situation is
and will be able to sense when something is wrong. Even the
gentlest Mastiff will protect its family if it is well socialized
and bonded to them.
14. What are the common genetic health problems in Mastiffs? Mastiffs are probably about average when it comes to the number of
hereditary health problems that they are prone to. Being a large
breed they are very prone to joint problems. For more information
on genetic problems, please refer to Appendix F.
+ Potentially life threatening or serious:
(*these conditions may be inherited or in some cases
acquired)
o Joint: hip dysplasia; elbow dysplasia (ununited anconeal
process, fragmented coronoid process, degenerative joint
disease); osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the
shoulders, knees, elbows or hocks.
o Eye problems that cause blindness: cataracts*, retinal
dysplasia with detachment, glaucoma., progressive
retinal atrophy (PRA)
o Other inherited eye problems: geographic retinal
dysplasia, PPM, entropion.
o Hypothyroidism*, immune deficiencies.
o Wobblers syndrome.
o Skin: demodectic mange, deep pyoderma.
o Nervous system: myasthenia gravis*, muscular dystrophy*,
epilepsy*
o Other: cardiomyopathy*, leukemia.
+ Less serious and/or less common:
(*these conditions may be inherited or in some cases
acquired)
o Eye problems: ectropion, iris cysts, macroblapharon
(haw), corneal dystrophy*, distichiasis, cherry eye, dry
eye, retinal folds.
o Skin: allergies
o Joint problems: HOD (hypertrophic Osteo Dystrophy),
degenerative joint disease*, arthritis*, spondylosis of
the spine.
o Reproductive: cryptorchid, monorchid, vaginal
hyperplasia.
o Heart: murmurs*, pulmonic stenosis.
o Other: hernias, von Willebrands Disease (vWD).
16. What kind of a temperament does a Mastiff have?
Mastiffs, like people, are highly individual. Some are placid,
some are high energy animals who need to be kept busy. A lot of
any Mastiff's behavior depends on how well it was socialized while
young.
They should closely resemble the stanerd:
A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility.
Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor.
You should not condone shyness or viciousness.
17. What does a Mastiff eat?
A Mastiff will eat anything that is not nailed down! Mastiffs,
being a giant breed, have the capability of chewing on things that
most small breeds can't even get in their mouths.
Oh, you meant food, huh? OK, Mastiffs do best on a food that is in
the medium range for protein (20-25%), mid range for fat (12-18%)
and is well balanced for calcium and phosphorus and high in iodine
(3-5%). Feeding your Mastiff puppy foods high in protein, calories
and fat will push the growth rate and possibly cause joint,
ligament and tendon problems. It is best to grow your puppy at a
slow, steady rate and not try to make him big too soon. Remember,
the Mastiff will grow to what he was genetically programmed to be
no matter how fast or slow that you get him there. It is best to
take your time and grow them out slowly so as to minimize joint
and bone problems and thus have a sound, healthy dog. If the dog
food you intend to use is balanced for nutrition do not add
supplemental calcium to the diet. Too much calcium causes more
problems than too little!
The amount of food is a judgment call, depending on the type of
food you are feeding, the age of the Mastiff, and the body
condition such as too fat, too thin or just right. Feed a good
quality premium food, following the recommendations on the bag and
adjusting the amount according to body condition. Do not let your
Mastiff puppy or young adult get fat and make sure that you can
feel the ribs or at least see the last two ribs when the dog is
moving. Fat dogs have many problems with bones and joints, heart,
liver, kidney, etc. Generally Mastiff puppies eat a lot of food
while growing, until at least the age of two. An adult Mastiff
generally has a slow metabolism and does not eat an exceptional
amount of food, normally about the same as a German Shepherd
18. What kind of living quarters does a Mastiff require?
The standard answer to this question: Anywhere they want to!
Mastiffs consider themselves to be part of your family, and will
be most content if they are able to share your home with you. Many
Mastiff breeders feel so strongly about the Mastiff's need tobe
with their human family that they will only sell a puppy to people
who guarantee that it will live in the house with them.
How about crating?
Within your home, Mastiffs need a place of their own where they
will feel comfortable and secure, just like any other dog. Crates
are a practical solution, especially for puppy house training and
safety. Wire crates are best so that the pup can see out and
because they are harder to chew or destroy. Purchase the largest
one you can afford so your Mastiff can grow into it.
Where do they sleep?
The best beds are soft pads with blankets over them or even a baby
bed mattress with a cover. Don't be surprised if your youngster
shreds his bed as this seems to be great fun to most puppies - be
sure to remove any pieces because they can be dangerous if
swallowed.
19. Does owning a Mastiff:
a. Cost a lot?
A Mastiff costs more to maintain than smaller breeds due to
its large size and weight. Larger crates cost more. More and
larger consumables are needed - food, toys and the like. Many
medicines, such as antibiotics, heartworm preventative and
anesthesia are prescribed based on weight, so these cost
more. A Mastiff on a 'chewing binge' can cause much more
damage in a shorter time than smaller breeds.
b. Require a lot of work?
Compared to what? Mastiffs, due to their tendency to be inert
(like couch potatoes), and their short hair, do not require
as much work as a breed that needs to run a lot for exercise,
or needs daily brushing to keep a fluffy coat from getting
matted.
A Mastiff with a correct coat only needs a bath when it
begins to smell "doggy" or if it has gotten into something
that needs to be washed off. Bathing a Mastiff is sort of
like washing a hairy Volkswagen except that the VW won't
shake and drench you in shampoo or rinse water.
Mastiffs need MODERATE exercise (if this much is too much for
you, consider an older Rescue dog), a quality food with
moderate protein and fat content, and the normal maintenance
activities that any breed requires: clipping toenails,
keeping teeth clean, ear cleaning, and regular vet checkups
and vaccinations.
The size of a Mastiff means that those toenails will be big
and thick, harder to cut than those on a smaller dog. And
they will eat a lot more food than your neighbor's poodle.
Mastiffs tend to shed twice a year like most breeds, but when
a huge dog sheds lightly, it can still add up to a lot of
hair to vacuum.
If you are grossed out by slingers and goobers, please be
advised that if you own a Mastiff you might spend the rest of
the dog's life wiping the walls and complaining about the
mess. If you CAN handle it, you will learn tricks like wiping
the dog's face as soon as it has finished drinking (to catch
the slingers before they are slung).
20. Are you trying to talk me out of getting a Mastiff?
No and yes. No, because it would be wonderful if everyone could
experience the joy and satisfaction of being owned by one of these
gentle giants. Yes, because, as great and wonderful as they are,
they have idiosyncrasies and problems particular to the breed. It
would be much, much, much better if you found out that a Mastiff
wasn't the breed for you NOW instead of after you've already
gotten one.
Mastiffs are not the right breed for everyone. Mastiffs are giants
and take up a lot of space on the couch and in the house and car.
They have powerful tails that can clean off a coffee table in one
fell swoop or knock a small child down with one wag. And the smack
of a tail is like being tortured with a rubber hose! Most
Mastiff's drool and slobber, especially after eating and drinking.
Many leave water trails all over the house after a drink and
prefer to wipe their faces on their owners. Mastiffs like to be
close to their family and will sit on your feet, lean against you,
often put their paw on you and lay their heavy head in your lap.
Occasionally people can be unintentionally injured by an exuberant
Mastiff. Mastiffs like to follow you where ever you go and be part
of whatever you do. They can block doorways with their huge
bodies, stand in front of the TV and block your view, and take up
large amounts of space with their crates and toys. If you can't
handle any of the above, then a Mastiff is not the dog for you!
Not recommended for:
+ Guard dog - Mastiffs possess the natural ability to defend
their family should the need arise. They should know the
difference between friend and foe and pick up on the emotions
of their owners. Mastiffs are not recommended as a guard dog
for businesses or junkyards because of their instinctual need
to bond with people and because they are so strong that they
may overdo the guarding and hurt the wrong person. The
Mastiff temperament is not suited for formal "guard dog"
training due to their sensitive nature and because to do so
may permanently ruin their temperament.
+ Neat Freaks - Do not get a Mastiff if you are a person who
must have a clean house at all times, can't stand dog hair on
everything, or does not like the furniture being rearranged
when a Mastiff decides that he wants to sleep behind the
couch or under the table. Try to match your decor to the
color of the dog hair and slobber.
+ Workaholics - If you work long hours and someone isn't home
often, you may want to rethink getting a Mastiff. Mastiffs
like people and do not like being left alone all day in a
crate or back yard. They bore easily and will find ways to
entertain themselves while you are away. A bored, lonesome
Mastiff may destroy things or turn their boredom on
themselves causing such things as having to replace furniture
(or walls), or requiring treatment for lick granulomas. If
your home is frequently empty except for your dog, please
reconsider getting a Mastiff and may we suggest a toy breed
where you could have two to keep each other company or
perhaps a cat, bird or reptile.
+ Those on a tight budget - Mastiffs are giants and therefore
the cost of upkeep is high. Everything you need to maintain
one is expensive from the bedding, the collars, the food
bowls, the food, to the vet bills. If you are on a tight
budget or do not enjoy spending money on your dog, please
reconsider getting this breed. The initial purchase price of
the pup will be the least expensive part of owning a Mastiff.
21. How do I pick a Mastiff puppy?
After you have chosen your breeder and your puppy's sire and dam,
you're ready to choose your Mastiff puppy. But which one? The most
important aspect of this choice is temperament. Puppies'
temperament's vary even within the same litter.
Many people will choose the first puppy that runs up to them and
pulls at their pant leg because they think this must be a more
outgoing puppy. Not every Mastiff is for every family and this
puppy may not necessarily be THE puppy for your family. So how DO
you choose a puppy?. You should choose a Mastiff puppy that has a
temperament that compliments your family's.
Ideally your puppy's breeder will use Puppy Aptitude Testing and
family profiles to match puppies with their new owners. Puppy
Aptitude Testing evaluates the individual temperament of each
puppy. A family profile consists of a series of questions which
allows the breeder to assess your family's situation and
disposition. The breeder may even ask to choose a puppy for you.
If the breeder is skilled in Puppy Aptitude Testing, they can
generally choose the best puppy for your family. If the breeder
does not perform these tests, you will need to know how to choose
the right puppy yourself.
First, look at your family's situation: Do you have small
children? Do you have elderly in your household? Is your family
quiet or of gentle nature? Do you already have another dog? Do you
feel guilty when disciplining your children or current dog?
If you have answered "yes" to any of these questions you may
prefer a puppy with a more subordinate temperament. A dog with
dominant tendencies would not fit into this particular family
situation. Dogs are pack animals and they will try to establish a
pecking order within their pack, and your family will be their new
pack.
Subordinate (submissive) does not mean shy or timid. A puppy with
a subordinate temperament will simply be closer to the bottom of
the dominance ladder (pecking order). A subordinate puppy will not
try to dominate the small children within your household, nor will
it be as apt to challenge your authority or to compete with
another dog for dominance. Note: Timidity (shyness) is a genetic
fault in Mastiffs.
If you already have a dog: Is it submissive or dominant? What is
its size? Is it male or female? With another dog already in the
family, especially a dominant one, consider a Mastiff puppy with a
more submissive temperament and/or one of the opposite sex. A
submissive puppy will be less likely to challenge your existing
dog for pecking order. Males seldom compete with females for
leadership position. Smaller dogs can be easily injured if they
are involved in disputes with a Mastiff.
Are you experienced with large breeds? Do you NOT have small
children nor elderly within your home? Are you comfortable
offering constructive criticism? Have you had any dog training
experience of any kind? Is your current dog a larger breed of
submissive nature? Do you have the time and are you planning to
train this puppy in either Obedience, Conformation, or for Canine
Good Citizenship? Is your family active and outgoing?
If you have answered "yes" to all of these questions you may wish
to consider a puppy with more dominant tendencies. Dominant does
not mean aggressive. A Mastiff with dominant tendencies is one
which would compete for its place higher up on the dominance
ladder. It will be more apt to challenge a child or another dog.
There is a difference between a dog with dominant tendencies and a
true Alpha dog. An Alpha dog, of any breed, may even try to
challenge YOUR authority. It is never a good idea to place a
dominant puppy into a home with another dominant dog, especially
of the same sex. Properly reared dogs with dominant tendencies can
be wonderful, loving family companions.
22. My final words.
Even a small Mastiff is destined to be a large dog. This is
something that must be taken into consideration when rearing it.
As a puppy, your Mastiff should not be allowed to do anything that
you would not wish your full grown Mastiff to do, such as laying
on the couch. And because your puppy is going to be such a large
dog, it is also a very, very good idea that it receive, at a
minimum, basic obedience training. You DO NOT want a 200 pound dog
that won't listen to you; this can lead to obvious problems.
Mastiffs grow at such an astonishing rate that it is best not to
force their growth with artificial vitamins and calcium
supplements. A good quality dog food is all that they require. A
Mastiff is going to get as large as it is going to be,
genetically, anyway; allowing them to grow at their own pace will
give them a more stable foundation once they get there. Many
breeders recommend NOT feeding a 'puppy chow' beyond the first few
months due to the high protein content.
During growth periods your Mastiff puppy is subject to joint
injury. You will need to be especially careful during these times
to control excessive exercise. A puppy may play at its own rate
but should not be encouraged to take long walks, jump obstacles,
or any other exercise that will stress the joints. This is not to
say the puppy has to be confined. Just use caution and do not
allow it to over exert itself. After about 18 months the growth
rate has decreased and the puppy has just about reached its full
stature.
A Mastiff remains a puppy much longer than most breeds. Even
though a Mastiff is already quite large by the time it is 6 months
old, it is still growing and maturing rapidly. A Mastiff does not
reach its full physical or mental maturity until around 3 years of
age.
You will be surprised at how much a Mastiff puppy will drink.
Fresh water should be kept available at all times. Drool will
accumulate in the bottom of the pup's water dish. Since the pup
will not drink its own drool, the dish should be rinsed out at
least daily.
All puppies love to chew. Mastiffs have very powerful jaws, even
as a puppy. Some chew toys that are fine for other breeds may not
be suitable for your Mastiff. Caution should be used when choosing
toys or chew bones because the pup could bite off pieces and
swallow them, resulting in intestinal blockage. Mastiff puppies
also have a tendency to chew, or swallow, rocks and sticks. They
should be watched closely and discouraged from doing so.
MASTIFF Q&A
Browns NC Mastiffs
English Mastiffs & English Bulldogs
Original Drawing
By Vanessa Brown o
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