Content
- Origin of the English Mastiff
- English Mastiff Characteristics
- Temperament of the English Mastiff
- English mastiff care
- English mastiff education
- English mastiff health
- Where to adopt an English mastiff
The English mastiff, also known as the mastiff, is a breed of molossoid dog, that is, characterized by its robust body, strong muscles and a large head with a short snout. The English mastiff is very similar to the dogo, although the size of the former can become very large and they are even called giants. It is very remarkable due to its structure, which, being muscular, has a lot of strength, being an excellent guardian. It is a dog that has been a human companion for a long time, which was formerly used in fights with other animals, something that changed over time to become a herd guardian, a task that remains until today.
If you want to know all the characteristics of the english mastiff, do not miss this article by PeritoAnimal, where we will tell you everything about this dog breed.
Source
- Europe
- UK
- Group II
- muscular
- long ears
- toy
- Small
- Medium
- Great
- Giant
- 15-35
- 35-45
- 45-55
- 55-70
- 70-80
- more than 80
- 1-3
- 3-10
- 10-25
- 25-45
- 45-100
- 8-10
- 10-12
- 12-14
- 15-20
- Low
- Average
- High
- Balanced
- Strong
- Sociable
- very faithful
- Tender
- Quiet
- Docile
- Kids
- Shepherd
- Surveillance
- Cold
- Warm
- Moderate
- Short
- Smooth
- Hard
Origin of the English Mastiff
The history of this breed dates back to the time of the Romans in Brittany, possibly already in the sixth century BC. There are records that show that the Phoenicians were the ones who introduced the first individuals of the English mastiff and the Neapolitan mastiff, a race very similar to the mastiff. It was since then that this breed was used in combat arenas due to its great size and strength, in addition, already at that time it was a guardian and excellent companion due to its affable temperament.
In the nineteenth century it was introduced in the United States, which was essential for the race not to become extinct, since with the end of World War II, the English mastiff had practically disappeared from all over England. Nowadays, it is a breed seen as a herd guardian and is very easy to find in most countries. In this post, we explain what types of mastiff are.
English Mastiff Characteristics
The name giant for the English mastiff is not unfounded, since it is a dog that can come to measure between 70 cm and 1 meter high, while its weight is about 100 kg in females and almost 120 kg in males. These dimensions make it one of the largest breeds of dogs that currently exist.
your body is broad and muscular. Its head stands out for being larger in relation to the body, wide and square. In contrast, the muzzle is much shorter. It has strong jaws, which reflects in a very powerful bite that can rarely be seen due to this breed's quiet temperament. Its legs are quite long and very robust, being well apart from each other.
Another of the most representative characteristics of the English mastiff is its short coat and well attached to the body, besides being hard to the touch. Its coloration can vary from brown, fawn or cinnamon all over the body, but its muzzle, nose and ears are usually black.
Temperament of the English Mastiff
Contrary to what its origins show and what we can think when seeing its strong and enormous complexion, the English mastiff stands out for its temperament quiet and sweet. It is very important to educate him as a puppy, as he tends to be a little naughty and handling him can easily become an adventure. It is an extremely protective and calm breed, also standing out for being a dog. very affectionate and very brave. He doesn't stand out for being highly intelligent, as he usually acts on instinct and is somewhat clumsy, so once again we emphasize the importance of good early education, in addition to socialization, another vital factor for our companion to be a calm dog and respectful.
It is noteworthy that he is a loyal companion for older children, having a lot of patience with them and with their games, especially if they have an appropriate space for their size, which will allow them to exercise. His protective instinct is very evident, being suspicious of strangers, but not aggressive, so it is also very important to convey confidence when someone unknown comes to our house or approaches from the street. It usually has no behavioral problems, but it can be very destructive when bored.
English mastiff care
this dog needs to do exercises daily, at least an hour as it can get lazy. When they are puppies, excessive exercise is not recommended, as they are prone to develop bone problems, which during the growing season can bring problems such as sprains or injuries.
Its coat, being short and hard, does not need a lot of brushing, although a coat is recommended. full bath every month and a half about. It is also important to keep your muzzle clean, as it is a breed that tends to drool a lot and can be very uncomfortable. Also, checking your ears and keeping them clean is vitally important to avoid infections.
And as we mentioned, providing an education (mainly positive) to a puppy can prevent it from being disobedient when it becomes an adult, since being a large animal, it can be very difficult to control it. Likewise, combining exercise with education will help our English mastiff not get bored. Finally, the space where our mastiff will live is really a very important factor, as they are dogs that need a lot of space to move and run.
English mastiff education
Educating the English mastiff from a puppy is essential to have a good relationship, to get him to learn to relate in a positive way with other animals and people and, finally, to get a dog physically and mentally balanced. For this, you must resort to positive effort, rewarding good behaviors and correcting inappropriate ones, offering correct alternatives. Punishment or violence will cause the mastiff to be stressed and fearful, which could develop aggressive attitudes, something negative in all dogs, but especially worrisome in dogs with a size and bite like the English mastiff.
Being a bit stubborn dog, the patience and constancy are fundamental. In addition, the sweets or pieces of succulent food will be your greatest allies, since this breed does not usually show interest in toys or balls. Of course, he loves playing with his human family and other dogs.
English mastiff health
This breed, by its nature, is prone to certain diseasess, such as hip dysplasia or gastric torsion, are also very common in other dogs. Obesity is also another pathology that can be common in mastiffs, this due to their robust structure, so it is extremely important that they exercise daily. On the other hand, you can develop eye problems, such as retinal atrophy. If they have a proper diet and exercise well, the English mastiff has an average lifespan of about 12 years. Ectropion, vaginal hyperplasia, elbow dysplasia, and progressive retinal atrophy are also common but less frequent.
Mastiffs are not the most active of dogs, but they do need a good deal of exercise every day. Jumping and very intense exercises are not advisable, especially before 2 years of age, as they can damage the joints of these heavy dogs. Daily walks are a necessity, both to exercise the dog and to maintain its good socialization.
Keep in mind that the English mastiff does not tolerate very hot climates well. You can live outdoors in temperate and somewhat cold climates (not too cold), but prefer to live indoors with your family and use the garden just for exercise.
Although the mastiff can live in urban areas, it lives best in suburbs and rural properties.
Where to adopt an English mastiff
If you have decided to incorporate an English mastiff into your family, first of all you should be very well informed about the breed and all its care and requirements and then find out about the most recommended places where you can adopt it. Currently, there are many protectors and associations in almost every city, and these are dedicated to the rescue and care of dogs and cats. Even so, there are many that are dedicated exclusively to the rescue and recovery of this breed, so we advise you to look for these types of places, so that you are collaborating with the protectors and giving a new home to a puppy.