Mastiff

Julius Caesar, it is said, described a Mastiff in his accounts of invading Britain in 55 BC. In other words, Mastiffs have been around a long time, at least since the ancient civilizations of Egypt and Rome.

During ancient times, the breed was noted for its courage and intimidating appearance and was therefore bred to be guard and fighting dogs, even being pitted against bears, bulls, lions, tigers, and human gladiators for amusement. Breeders in the known world took note and began to breed them to suit regional needs and preferences, which is why we have several noted types of Mastiff today: Bull, English, Italian, Neapolitan, French, and Tibetan.

Despite the regional variety, each type of Mastiff exhibits the same dignified strength, massive size, and kind manner toward their family as was evident thousands of years ago. This has made them an ideal family dog.

Types of Mastiffs

The Mastiff is a very large dog with a double coat of short hair, regardless of whether it is a Bullmastiff or Italian or Tibetan. Males’ average height is 31 inches tall to the shoulder, the females’ 28 inches. The weights of an adult male and female can be up to 230 and 170 pounds, respectively. It is quite common for a 9-week-old Mastiff puppy to weigh 30 pounds. They become fully grown at 3 years old. Here are the six types of Mastiffs:

• Bullmastiff: A cross between an English mastiff and an Old English Bulldog, the Bullmastiff was bred in the 19th century to be the ultimate guard dog. While not as large as other mastiffs, the Bullmastiff can still weigh up to 130 pounds.
• English Mastiff: This colossal canine, and the largest of the various Mastiff types, is strong and courageous while also being quite sweet and dignified.
• Italian Mastiff: Perhaps more commonly known as the Cane Corso, this breed traces its origins to ancient Rome, where it was known as the bodyguard dog. Also, during these times, Romans used them as war dogs who fearlessly charged enemy lines with flaming oil-filled buckets atop their backs. Their physical appearance—short stiff coat, enormous broad head, and defined muscles—was surely as terrifying as the flaming buckets on their backs.
• Neapolitan Mastiff: The Neapolitan Mastiff has been guarding homes against intruders since the days of ancient Rome. This heavily wrinkled behemoth is sweet to its loved ones but wary of strangers.
• French Mastiff: Also known as Bordeaux Mastiff, the French Mastiff has a powerful, muscular body capable of pulling carts, transporting heavy objects, and guarding flocks. They are fawn-colored with a massive bulldog-like head and undershot jaw.
• Tibetan Mastiff: These imposing giants are considered one of the best guard dogs for their watchful, imposing, and intimidating presence. Like the others, the Tibetan Mastiff is sweet and mellow with their families, but they can be territorial and somewhat aloof with strangers. These noble canines have V-shaped ears and expressive brown eyes.

Cons of Owning a Mastiff

While Mastiffs make great family dogs, as with all pets, there could be reasons not to welcome one into your home. For starters, heavy drooling. The breed is notoriously famous for its drooling, and this can be messy and inconvenient.

Two, size. Mastiffs weigh as much as another adult, making transporting them in a small vehicle or carrying them in a crate quite a hurdle.

Three, cost. The price to buy a Mastiff from a reputable breeder could be as high or higher than $2,500 depending on the type. Also, due to their size, there is the large expense of feeding them.

Common Health Issues

Conditions to watch out for in this very large breed dog are hip and elbow dysplasia. Both are inherited. When the dog’s hip and elbow joints do not properly fit into their respective joints, pain and problems associated with arthritis and mobility arise.

Additionally, Mastiffs are vulnerable to eye issues that could lead to partial or full vision loss, particularly in the case of progressive retinal atrophy, a condition that occurs when the photoreceptor cells in a dog’s eyes start to deteriorate.

Temperament and Behavior

Mastiffs have affectionate, friendly personalities, making them ideal for families, especially ones with older children. These dogs are often described as “couch potatoes,” but they do need regular exercise such as a walk in the woods, a game of chase in the backyard, or fetching a ball to control their weight and stave off bone, joint, and muscle issues. Thirty minutes a day is recommended.

Two things that are not advised with a Mastiff are jogging with them as they can overheat in a short time and apartment living. Although not an overly active breed, Mastiffs are large, and they would be better suited to a home with a yard where they can stretch their legs.

One of the most notable traits of this breed is its sensitive nature. They have a talent for reading the facial expressions of their owners. They are people pleasers. This makes obedience training a relatively easy process, but it should be noted that an owner who uses a harsh tone is not likely to have success. Words of praise and treats go a long way toward effectively training a Mastiff.

These gentle, affectionate giants make for a great family dog. However, a family with small children should get a Mastiff puppy, so that the dog has an opportunity to learn how to interact with them and become accustomed to their behavior.

The Best Dog Food for Mastiffs

The nutrition needs of puppies and adult dogs are, not surprisingly, different. Due to this breed’s immense size, it is even more crucial to provide adequate nutrition throughout each life stage.

Puppy food: The goal of quality food at this stage is to promote a slow rate of growth. This occurs with food that has adequate amounts of protein, calcium, and DHA. Protein should be the first ingredient listed in quality puppy food. While building muscle and contributing to skin and coat health, protein is also a source of energy without adding needlessly to weight gain. Calcium ensures proper growth of bones and teeth, and docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, promotes brain development and continued eye health and could help to prevent progressive retinal atrophy.

Do not overfeed a Mastiff puppy. If this breed puts on weight too quickly, it can put them at risk for development health issues. Their bones, muscles, and joints need time to develop, so they can fully support their adult body.

Adult dog food: Protein will remain an important nutrient for Mastiffs at every adult life stage. It can head off hip and elbow dysplasia by providing what the dog’s body needs to maintain strong bones, muscles, and joints. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids contribute to an adult dog’s healthy coat and skin, and antioxidants in their food supports the immune system.

Maintenance and Grooming

English, Neapolitan, and Bullmastiffs moderately shed. While the Tibetan Mastiff does very little, its Italian cousin is a heavy shedder. These dogs shed more during the change of seasons.

The daily grooming routine of this dog breed is relatively easy. Use a soft brush with boar’s hair bristles to remove loose or dead hair from their coat. A grooming glove, an effective tool especially when it comes to removing loose hair from their legs and wrinkly face, offers more control while working around their ears, nose, and eyes. Begin brushing at the head and move in the hair’s natural direction toward the tail.

An owner should check for patches of dry skin, bald spots, and itchy areas, as food or skin allergies or even a shampoo could cause these skin conditions.