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Mastiff

Veterinarian Reviewed on December 23, 2007 by Dr. Janice Huntingford

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Physical Characteristics

Breed Group:

Working group.

Weight:

175-200 pounds (80-90 kg).

Height:

27-32 inches (70-80 cm) at the shoulders.

Color(s):

Standard colorings include brindle, fawn, dark fawn-brindle, silver-fawn, apricot, and apricot-fawn, all with a black face mask.

Coat:

Mastiffs have a short double coat with a dense undercoat.

Overview

Character:

Mastiffs are homebodies that deeply love their families. Quiet, affectionate, dignified, and undemanding, Mastiffs are eager to please and love to receive praise and positive attention.

Country of Origin:

Great Britain.

History:

The Mastiff is an ancient breed of dog, believed to have originated around 100 B.C. Stretching back to the time of the Babylonians and Assyrians, this breed was passed on to the Egyptians and then to the Romans. Introduced to Great Britain by the Romans as they invaded the region, Mastiffs were originally used as guard dogs and war dogs. Today, Mastiffs have a much gentler nature, but still make great guard dogs.

Name:

Also known as the Old English Mastiff. Formerly known as the Alaunt.

Temperament:

Mastiffs are gentle-natured dogs that are both sensitive and stubborn. This breed is protective but not aggressive. However, when pushed over the edge, these dogs can sometimes be difficult to calm down, and Mastiffs have been known to be fear biters.

Care

Training:

Mastiffs are intelligent and eager to please. However, because these dogs are prone to stubborn streaks, they may not always be easy to train. Mastiffs generally love to please their owners and respond best to positive reinforcement and reward-based training techniques.

Activity:

Mastiffs require a moderate level of exercise and should be worked up to new activities gradually.

Ownership:

Mastiffs are clean and quiet dogs that do very well as house pets. They love to spend time with their owners and are very loving companions. Mastiffs are generally very good with children, but due to their size and power, these dogs must be properly trained and socialized in order to prevent them from becoming difficult to control.

Breeders

No breeders listed at this time.

List of dog breeds

Read also: German Hunting Terrier
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Our Expert

Dr. Janice Huntingford
Janice Huntingford, DVM, has been in veterinary practice for over 30 years and has founded two veterinary clinics since receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. She has studied extensively in both conventional and holistic modalities. Ask Dr. Jan

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