Working group · England
Mastiff
Also called English Mastiff, Old English Mastiff.
What makes them remarkable
After the Second World War, dogs from America helped rebuild the Mastiff population in Britain.
- Good-natured
- Dignified
- Courageous
- Calm
- Protective
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 54 to 104 kg120 to 230 lb
- Lives
- 6 to 10 years
- Energy
- Low
- Trains
- Moderate
- Barks
- Low
Training
Training a Mastiff
Working breeds. Calm structure beats force every time. These dogs shut down under pressure and thrive on predictability.
Train Before They Outweigh You
Start here
Essential to establish good lead manners and basic obedience while still a puppy. Adults can exceed 200 pounds.
Gentle Giants Need Gentle Training
Surprisingly sensitive despite their size. Harsh methods cause shutdown and distrust.
Drool
Keep towels everywhere. Accept that drool is part of life with a Mastiff.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Mastiff and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to guard, pull and rescue. Big, strong, and serious about their people and their patch.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsModerate
- StrangersModerate
- CatsHigh
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 30-45 minutes daily. Short walks; avoid over-exercising puppies to protect developing joints.
- Grooming
- Low maintenance coat. Weekly brushing. Daily facial wrinkle cleaning essential.
- Drool
- Very High
- Coat
- Short, Double coatFawn, Apricot, Brindle
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Extremely common in giant breeds; causes pain and mobility issues
Bloat (GDV)
Severe
Deep chest makes them highly susceptible; can be fatal within hours
Osteosarcoma
Severe
Bone cancer; unfortunately common in giant breeds
Where they come from
History
One of the most ancient dog breeds, depicted in Egyptian monuments dating to 3000 BC. Used as war dogs, guard dogs, and big game hunters throughout history. Nearly went extinct after WWII but was revived with American breeding stock.
- Hercules · Held Guinness World Record for largest dog circumference at 38 inches
Similar breeds
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Before guarding homes, Rottweilers drove livestock and pulled carts in the German town that gave them their name.
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That powerful build once had a practical job: pulling loaded carts on Swiss farms.
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