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 All About
Mastiffs
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Origin: Great Britain
Height: Males—Minimum 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder
Females—Minimum 27˝ inches (70 cm) at the shoulder
Weight: Males: Approximate weight for the adult male is from 175 pounds (80 kg) to 230 pounds (106 kg);
Females: Approximate weight for the adult female is from 130 pounds (59 kg) to 190 pounds (86 kg)
A Brief History of the Mastiff Breed:
There are several theories as to
where the Mastiff breed originated but it is generally believed that
the British created the breed as he is known today. Legends and
folklore abound regarding the breed's ancestry and there is evidence of
Mastiff-like dogs dating as far back as 2500 BC in the mountains of
Asia.
Mastiffs were used to guard
castles and estates, as war dogs accompanying soldiers into battle and,
when the Romans invaded Britain, they took dogs back to Italy and used
them to guard property and prisoners as well as to fight in arenas.
During the Elizabethan era, Mastiffs were used to fight large game,
including bears and tigers, usually for the entertainment of the Queen.
By the mid-1800s, dog showing
had become popular in England and the first recorded pedigrees for the
Mastiff had begun with the Kennel Club of England. By the late 1800s,
Mastiffs were being imported into North America where they were often
used as plantation guards.
During the First and Second
World Wars, Mastiffs were used to pull munitions carts on the front
lines. During World War I, the breed started to decline in England and
by the 1920s, the breed was almost extinct in that country — It was
considered unpatriotic to keep dogs who ate as much in a day as a
soldier and, as a result, entire kennels were put down. At the end of
World War II, British fanciers began to import stock from Canada and
the U.S. in order to revive the breed. Today, the Mastiff breed is well
established with the greatest numbers likely being in the U.S.
Breed Profile:
The Mastiff, also known as the
English Mastiff and Old English Mastiff, is one of the heaviest breeds
— an adult male can weigh more than 200 pounds. He is massive,
powerful, stately and noble in appearance and he is known as the gentle
giant of the dog world.
The Mastiff is a versatile
working dog. His great strength was once used to turn water wheels,
pull carts and carry heavy loads on his back. He was also orginally
used as a guardian and fighting dog. Today, Mastiffs are excellent
companions and family members. They can be seen participating in
various activities such as carting, tracking, weight pulling, obedience
competition and conformation. They are also used as Therapy Dogs and in
Search and Rescue.
The Mastiff is watchful,
self-confident and patient. He is very devoted to his family and will
protect both his family and property in a calm and dignified manner.
While some Mastiffs tend to be aloof with strangers, others are fairly
friendly. However, the breed has a strong guarding instinct and will
always be very watchful of strangers entering the home and/or around
his family members. His good nature, patience and calm, steady demeanor
also means that he is generally excellent with children. The Mastiff
needs human companionship and is not a dog to be left alone for long
periods of time.
Physically, the Mastiff is
massive, heavy boned, and muscular. He gives an overall impression of
grandeur, power and dignity. Although the Mastiff grows at a tremendous
rate for the first 12 months, he does not physically or mentally
mature until the age of three or four years. His outer coat is
moderately coarse and the under coat is dense, short and close lying.
The coat colour is either apricot, silver fawn or dark fawn-brindle.
The muzzle, nose and ears are always dark in colour, the darker the
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