Mastiff

Everything you need to know about the Mastiff dog

A Mastiff is one of the larger dogs, but although its size may seem intimidating, it is surprisingly affectionate towards its people. Once it bonds with its owners, it becomes extremely faithful and loyal, which is why some would describe it as slightly overprotective. It is a breed that you just have to get used to, and where you just have to reconcile appearance with behavior. At first it is very calm and friendly, but it doesn't take much before it can come up with a strong reaction if it perceives something as threatening to itself or its family.

Where did the breed come from?

The Mastiff dog has been found throughout history for more than 2,000 years, and it shows up in art and other cultural artifacts throughout time. The breed is said to be traced back to the ancient Romans, where this breed of dog was used in battles against large animals such as tigers, bears and even the gladiators themselves. The large fighting dog accompanied them as they advanced through Europe, and over the years they were also used as guard dogs.

The dog breed has been exposed to a lot over the years, and this has affected the dog's temperament. But since the Second World War, dog kennels all over the world have fought valiantly to breed it back to the gentle and protective dog it is known as today. The Mastiff is a food-loving dog, and therefore the breed has been close to extinction several times, because people have not had the means to feed them properly. However, it has been possible to save the breed with the help of other larger dog breeds like the bullmastiff and Saint Bernard.

How active is a Mastiff?

A Mastiff puppy is considerably more active than an adult. However, it is important to take care of your Mastiff puppy when it first starts frolicking around. Unfortunately, it can become too stressful for its joints and tendons, which can lead to injuries later on. Therefore, you should always supervise it when it is activated in this way. As the puppy grows, you will also find that the activity level gradually decreases. It still needs to move, but it is limited how much activity is needed when the dog is an adult.

It is a good idea to make sure you have plenty of space outside for this breed. If you have a large garden for your home, that would be preferable. Because even if it doesn't run around and use nearly as much energy as a puppy, it still needs space. With an adult dog, don't count on having to walk several kilometers every day, because it can't stand that at all. Instead, you have a calm dog who nevertheless dares to make himself noticed with a bit of barking from time to time.

Ensure proper diet and care

As your dog grows bigger, you will also find that it needs more food. In fact, the adult mastiff will always need food and human contact more than exercise. With this need it is important that it is the right diet. You can always find help and guidance for this here at PetLux, where we have a large and growing selection of dog food.

The large mastiff has a fairly short coat that does not require much care. There is a limit to how much it sheds, as long as you make sure to brush the coat regularly. On the other hand, you must be prepared to keep an eye on your dog's eyes and lip folds. The eyes have looser rims than the eyes of other dogs. The furrows on the head must always be kept clean, otherwise it will cause skin irritations for the dog.

The dog breed can grow at least 76 cm tall, with a bitch reaching a minimum of 70 cm. However, it is the weight of a mastiff that is most impressive. It can easily creep up to between 80 and 86 kg, which is why it is also important to keep a close eye on how much it eats. But if you help your Mastiff and provide the right lifestyle, you may be lucky to have it as part of your family for almost 12 years.

A Mastiff is the protective family dog

It is not recommended to acquire a Mastiff as a first-time dog owner. A lot of patience is needed, especially when it needs to be trained. The training should preferably start as early as possible. You must remember that with a Mastiff you always get the furthest with praise. It won't respond to a negative approach, and don't expect it to bother learning many different or fun tricks. It's too smart for that. On the other hand, it is an extremely good guard dog that warns of dangers and protects its family.