Mastiff – Choosing the Breed of Dog That’s Right For You
Getting a dog can change your life. If you get a dog that is compatible with your lifestyle, it can be a very rewarding experience, but all dogs require love, attention, care and training, so before you make that decision, ask yourself these questions:
- Do I have time to give a dog the attention it requires?
- Do I have the ability to provide proper grooming, exercise and training for a dog?
- Can I afford the expenses that come with a dog?
- Do I have what it takes to be a strong pack leader?
- Do I want to buy a dog from a breeder or adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue?
If, after answering the above questions, you decide to move forward with getting a dog, it would be wise to learn about the different breeds and their characteristics, personality/temperament, possible health conditions and exercise and grooming requirements in order to make an informed decision.
This article is a basic overview of one particular breed — a Mastiff. Read on to decide if this breed of dog is compatible with your particular lifestyle.
History/Background: The Mastiff, also referred to as the English Mastiff or Old English Mastiff, is recognized as the oldest British breed. It is one of the most ancient breeds recorded by man as early as the 6th century BC. Ancient images of dogs like these can be seen on Babylonian relics from 2200 BC. It was forced to take part in bull baiting, lion fighting and fights with human gladiators in Rome and was later used to pull carts, carry heavy loads on its back and to guard estates and businesses. The name "Mastiff" probably evolved from the Anglo-Saxon word "masty," meaning "powerful." Some evidence suggests that the Mastiff came to America on the Mayflower and was almost extinct in England by the end of World War II. It is the largest breed of dog in the world for both weight and bulk. "What the lion is to the cat, the Mastiff is to the dog, the noblest of the family." Talents include watch dog, guard dog, police work, military work, weight pulling and search and rescue.
Physical Characteristics: The Mastiff has a massive, powerful and muscular body and is one of the heaviest breeds of dog. It has a heavy and square head, short muzzle and black mask around its eyes and nose. It has small, dark brown eyes and small dark-colored ears. The tail is high set and tapers to the tip. The coat is short and comes in the colors of fawn, brindle and apricot. The Mastiff has an overall impression of grandeur and dignity. Height is 30 inches (minimum) at the shoulder for males and 27-1/2 inches (minimum) for females. Weight is 150 to 250 pounds for males and 120 to 200 pounds for females. *The world’s largest dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was a Mastiff named Zorba. At 8 years of age, Zorba weighed 343 pounds.
Personality/Temperament: The Mastiff is a good-natured, calm and gentle dog that is affectionate to its master but courageous and capable of protection and will defend its territory and family. It is good with children but is not recommended for toddlers because of its great size. It gets along well with other dogs if socialized with proper leadership. The Mastiff is loyal and devoted to its family, loves to please and needs lots of human leadership. It is very intelligent but can be somewhat difficult to train. This breed of dog rarely barks but does tend to drool and snore loudly.
Possible Health Conditions: Health concerns for this breed of dog include hip dysplasia, gastric torsion (bloat), obesity, osteosarcoma, cystinuria, allergies, cruciate ligament rupture, hypothyroidism, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), elbow dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s disease, entropion and ectropion of the eyes, Wobblers disease, epilepsy, growth and joint related problems such as hypertrophic osteodystrophy (HOD), osteochondritis dissicans (OCD) and panosteitis (Pano) and heart concerns such as aortic stenosis, mitral valve dysplasia and cardiomyopathy. Life expectancy for this breed of dog is 7 to 13 years.
Exercise/Grooming: The Mastiff is inclined to be low energy (an adult Mastiff) but will be happier and fitter if given regular exercise. It should be walked daily on a leash. Grooming is easy and requires brushing with a firm bristle brush and wiping with a towel, bathing or dry shampooing when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
Living Conditions: The Mastiff does okay in apartment if sufficiently exercised. It is relatively inactive indoors and does okay with a small yard.
Summary: The Mastiff is a very large but gentle and docile dog that requires minimal exercise and is fairly easy to groom but needs proper pack leadership and socialization, and due to its large size, its care, ranging from everyday pet supplies to food to veterinary bills, can be more costly.
So, now that you’ve learned a little about this breed of dog, one question remains — Is a Mastiff the right breed for you?
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By Anita Funkhouser
