English Mastiff

History

The English Mastiff is said to be a descendant of an extinct breed of dog that the Romans named Pugnaces Britannae and two other breeds, the Molosser and the Alaunt. The name is said to have come from an Anglo-Saxon word 'masty' referring to great power. The Mastiff is considered the earliest English breed. They were initially used for blood sports such as bull baiting, bear baiting and lion baiting.

General Description

This breed has a huge body with a broad skull that gives a square appearance. The muzzle is short and they have a black mask around their nose and eyes. The eyes and ears are normally small and dark in color. Their large mass makes it one of the largest breed of dogs and it has great breadth and depth. Its strong physique is accentuated with a muscular frame. Their teeth have a scissors bite and in some cases it could be slightly undershot. The coat is normally light fawn, golden fawn, tiger or apricot and is not difficult to groom.

Temperament

English Mastiffs were originally noted for their capability as good guard dogs. However, the dog is gentle by nature and very self confident. Its watchfulness and patience are evidence of its intelligence and dignity. The English Mastiff is well mannered and rarely barks unless required. They are territorial and defend their boundaries fervently. Their calmness and docility makes them good with children; however, they may not be favorable for toddlers due to their large size and inherent danger of them simply knocking a child down accidentally. This breed is responsive to structured training. They are not known to attack intruders but rather to keep them at bay. As long as they are socialized well, they are able to get along well with other animals. Some negative traits of the English Mastiff include drooling, snoring loudly and heavy wheezing.

Health and Care

English Mastiffs are normally prone to hip dysplasia and bloat. They are to be fed two or three small meals a day rather than a single big one. This breed has the tendency of being lazy, but they need sufficient exercise to keep them fit, healthy and happy. They need soft surfaces to avoid the occurrence of limb ailments such as hygroma and arthritis. The dog's coat should be washed when necessary using mild shampoo.

Other Information

English Mastiffs can survive well if kept in apartments as long as they get regular walks to keep them fit and experience the outside world. When being trained, they need to be accustomed to the master as a pack leader. This will give them allegiance and loyalty. When being taken for a walk, they should be heeled behind or beside the person holding the leash. This will condition the dog to see the person as the leader. These dogs should always be leashed when they are in public areas. The English Mastiff has been recognized by all the major Kennel Clubs locally as well as internationally. Newborn puppies need to be monitored well because the mother could easily squash or smother them due to their large bodies.

Pets4You offers listings of English Mastiff breeders with puppies for sale.