The Largest Mastiff Ever Is Taller Than a Black Bear

Mastiffs are among the oldest dog breeds in the world, with roots that go back thousands of years. However, did you know there is a difference between a mastiff with a lowercase “m” and a Mastiff with a capital “M?” A mastiff with a lowercase “m” refers to animals within the broader group of Molosser dogs, which are working dogs that have a common heritage. These include dogs such as Neapolitan Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs. Molosser dogs were historically used as guardians for livestock and homes.

A Mastiff with a capital “M” is a traditional, giant breed of dog from England. These dogs are sometimes called Old English Mastiffs. In this article, we’ll take a look at the largest Mastiff ever and some of the largest mastiff breeds. Is the South African Mastiff the largest dog in the world, or is it the Spanish Mastiff? Read on to find out.

How Big Do Mastiffs Get?

Dog fanciers debate which breeds belong to the mastiff, or Molosser, group. The Molosser dog type includes many breeds, ranging widely in size, shape, and appearance. Breeds such as Boxers, Bulldogs, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, and even Boston Terriers are typically included in this group. Regardless of their size, Molosser dogs generally have relatively large heads, short muzzles, and thick, muscled frames. However, Molosser dogs that are referred to as mastiffs are usually large or giant breeds.

Even among mastiffs, the Old English Mastiff tops the scales with an average weight of 160 to 230 pounds for males and 120 to 170 pounds for females. Males stand about 2.5 feet at the shoulder, while females can stand 2.3 feet or taller. The biggest mastiffs can also reach lengths of 7 to 8 feet.

Zorba: The Largest Mastiff Ever Recorded

The largest mastiff ever was Aicama Zorba of La-Susa, an Old English Mastiff owned by Chris Eraclides of London, England. Zorba holds the record for the heaviest dog ever. He weighed a maximum of 343 pounds as of November 1989, according to Guinness World Records 2019.

Zorba also holds the record for the longest dog ever. He set the record in September 1987, measuring 3 feet and 1 inch at the shoulder and 8 feet and 4 inches from his nose to his tail. This is two feet longer than a black bear, which typically only measures up to 6 feet long.

Although there may one day be contenders for the longest dog ever, Zorba will always hold the official record for the heaviest dog. Guinness World Records stopped accepting submissions for weight-based records in 1998, citing concerns over animal welfare.

The Largest Mastiff Breeds

Even though there is only one true Mastiff, there are other very large dogs with “mastiff” in their breed names. In addition to the Old English Mastiff, there are also Spanish Mastiffs, Italian Mastiffs (Cane Corso), French Mastiffs (Dogue de Bordeaux), Neapolitan Mastiffs, Tibetan Mastiffs, Bullmastiffs, Brazilian Mastiffs (Fila Brasileiro), South African Mastiffs (Boerboel), Japanese Mastiffs (Tosa Inu), Argentinian Mastiffs (Dogo Argentino), Canary Island Mastiffs (Presa Canario), Danish Mastiffs (Broholmer), Pyrenean Mastiffs, and Indian Mastiffs (Bully Kutta).

The largest among these breeds are generally the Old English Mastiff, the Spanish Mastiff, and the South African Mastiff (also known as the Boerboel). All of these dogs can reach 200 pounds or more. Take a deeper look at the largest Mastiff breeds below.

Old English Mastiff

As we noted above, Old English Mastiffs are the largest mastiff breed. Adult Old English Mastiffs usually reach a weight between 120 and 230 pounds, depending on the sex. On average, they are over 100 pounds heavier than their wild cousin, the wolf.

These dogs are also among the most popular. The Old English Mastiff is known for its docile and gentle nature. However, they are also courageous, protective of family, and wary of strangers. These dogs originally bred as guardian dogs, hunters, and even war dogs. They are typically fawn, apricot, or brindle striped with dark ears and a black mask.

Spanish Mastiff

During the Middle Ages, the Spanish Mastiff was used as a guard dog by traveling Merino sheep ranchers, as these massive dogs could defend livestock against wolves and other dangers. They are affectionate, noble, and determined, with confidence in their ability to fiercely protect the animals, and people, under their care.

An adult Spanish Mastiff typically weighs between 140 and 200 pounds, with a minimum shoulder height between 2.3 feet and 2.9 feet. Their coats are a wide variety of colors, including black, red, fawn, yellow, and grey. They may also have brindle or white markings.

South African Mastiff

South African Mastiffs, typically called Boerboels, are strong, agile dogs originally bred to defend remote South African farms from predators. Boerboels are devoted guardians of their homes and families. These dogs are watchful and intelligent, but also dominant, so early training and socialization are important.

Boerboels reach weights between 150 and 200 pounds. Males stand 2 feet to 2.25 feet tall at the shoulder, while females stand 1.83 feet to 2.08 feet tall. TTheir coats can be brown, brindle, red, reddish-brown, cream, or fawn, often with black masks, white markings, piebald patterns, or Irish markings (white on the face, neck, undersides, and legs).