Frequently Asked Questions
Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of the Mastiff! In our not-so-humble opinion, the Mastiff is THE best breed of dog to be owned by, bar none. But, the Mastiff is NOT a breed for everyone.
This F.A.Q. is geared towards the breed browser and the potential first-time Mastiff owner. We’ve tried to show both the upside and the downside of the Mastiff/ human relationship. We’re not trying to chase you away (we wish everyone could enjoy the love and companionship of one of these great dogs), we’d much rather have you know about the possible trials and tribulations BEFORE your new Mastiff pup walks through the front door, not AFTER.
As the breed’s popularity and exposure increase, more and more people are getting a Mastiff without any idea of what they’re getting into. This often results in severe disappointment for the human and tragedy for the Mastiff. So, please study this F.A.Q. Ask questions. Look before you leap! We hope that this F.A.Q. helps you make your decision.
Hover over the question to view the answer.
Breed name?
The breed’s name is the Mastiff – that’s it, just Mastiff, though unsuccessful attempts have been made to tack “English” in front of its name – has been known for millennia on the British Isles. The ancient Romans were particularly enamored with the breed. They reportedly exported some back to Italy to fight in the Coliseum – a fate that, ironically, fell to a good number of lions as well.
Much has been made of the Mastiff being the far-flung offspring of the prototypical mastiffs – with a small “M” – found in ancient art, like the famous Assyrian bas-reliefs of heavy-boned dogs led by eunuchs that are housed at the British Museum. But modern DNA research indicates that the idea of a single progenitor spawning all similar types of canines across the globe, from mastiffs to sighthounds, is simply false. Instead, these archetypal body styles – heavy boned and wrinkled, or light boned and aerodynamic, for example – emerged spontaneously in breed populations around the world. As a result, the Mastiff truly is a British original, owing its majesty to no one else.
Source: AKC
Are all Mastiffs the same?
No. Like humans, Mastiffs are individuals. Each has its own genetic and environmental history that affects its attitude, temperament, health, and responses to stimuli. These questions are answered with the general breed characteristics in mind, no individual Mastiff will match the answers in every respect.
That’s not what you meant?
The Mastiff is an ancient breed and the progenitor of many Molosser breeds.
Some examples of Molosser breeds include:
Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, Neopolitan Mastiff, Cane Corso, and Dogo Argentino. These are all individual breeds and should be called by their actual breed name.
How much do Mastiffs weigh?
There is no upper height limit and no weight range in the Mastiff Standard.
In height they generally range from the Standard’s minimum of 27 1/2 inches up to 36 inches for the exceptionally tall ones. They can weigh anywhere from 110 pounds to the 343 pounds of Zorba, the world’s largest dog, although most Mastiff males weigh around 170-240 pounds and females around 120-200 pounds.
This breed is supposed to be very broad with a huge head, wide chest and large bone, and is longer in body than in height- The Mastiff Conformation Standard.
What can Mastiffs do?
Mastiffs excel as companions, family members, therapy workers, and watchdogs.
When properly trained and conditioned, mastiffs have also done well at carting, tracking, obedience, conformation, search and rescue (SAR), scent work, and weight pulling.
Some Mastiffs are more laid back and aloof; while others are more outgoing, inquisitive, and athletic. Though both temperaments are trainable, the latter would be better suited for competition sports.
Are Mastiffs easy to train?
Both. Mastiffs are smart and like to please. However, they go through phases where they are stubborn, and these phases can last anywhere from a few weeks at various times during puppyhood to (in some cases) the lifetime of the dog.
Keep training sessions to 10-15 minutes several times a day. In addition to their stubbornness, Mastiffs are sensitive, and if they are frightened, hurt, or confused, they cannot be budged.
Make training like a game. Use a happy, excited voice. You have to be consistent and firm to train effectively. Once a Mastiff is trained, it needs to practice regularly and will seldom need stronger correction than a stern voice.
Except for formal obedience training, you can use food treats for motivation. But the best reward for any Mastiff is lavish hugs and plenty of praise.
Do Mastiffs like to chew?
As for chewing, puppies of any breed need to be given durable toys. Any time you catch your puppy chewing on something other than their chew toys, take the forbidden item away, give it a chew toy, and praise that behavior. Repeat as necessary (remember, we told you these dogs are stubborn!)
What is a Mastiff's temperament
supposed to be?
The typical Mastiff’s temperament is one of gentle demeanor. However, as with any breed, a Mastiff can become aggressive for varying reasons.
Typically, aggressive behavior is established due to the environment as a “learned response” and/or results from a lack of proper socialization during the dog’s developmental stages.
A certain percentage of dogs may be genetically unstable and inherit aggressive tendencies.
For this reason, before you purchase a puppy, it is best to ask the breeders about the temperament of the sire and the dam and try to see both if at all possible.
If you are experiencing a problem, consult your Mastiff’s breeder, your veterinarian, and/or a trained animal behaviorist BEFORE the problem becomes serious.
Are Mastiffs protective?
Mastiffs are excellent guard dogs. They go to the door and bark, their hackles stand up, and they look formidable, but Mastiffs, as a breed, are not trigger-happy. They have a gentle, rather than an aggressive, nature.
Mastiffs need the company of their human family much more than some other breeds of dogs do. A Mastiff left alone, tied out, or kept in a fenced yard with too little human company, will either pine away or develop destructive behaviors out of loneliness and anxiety. Denied the needed time with its family, a Mastiff may be much LESS protective because it isn’t sure it belongs to that family.
A normal, well-adjusted Mastiff will protect its family when needed. The ideal temperament is one where you never know you are being protected unless a true situation arises where a Mastiff’s services are needed.
How much does a Mastiff puppy cost?
Puppy prices usually run $1500 and up, depending on a number of variables such as pedigree, show potential, geographic location, and breeder costs.
A higher price does NOT necessarily mean a better dog! Read this FAQ thoroughly to learn about testing, evidence of health and soundness, and show wins, as the basis for selecting the pup most likely to be healthy, happy, and just what you want.
RAISING A MASTIFF
Even a small Mastiff is destined to be a large dog. This is something that must be taken into consideration when rearing it. As a puppy, your Mastiff should not be allowed to do anything that you would not wish your full grown Mastiff to do, such as laying on the couch. And because your puppy is going to be such a large dog, it is also a very, very good idea that it receive, at a minimum, basic obedience training. You DO NOT want a 200 pound dog that won’t listen to you; this can lead to obvious problems.
Mastiffs grow at such an astonishing rate that it is best not to force their growth with artificial vitamins and calcium supplements. Good quality dog food is all that they require. A Mastiff is going to get as large as it is going to be, genetically, anyway; allowing them to grow at their own pace will give them a more stable foundation once they get there.
Many breeders recommend NOT feeding a ‘puppy chow’ beyond the first few months due to the high protein content. During growth periods your Mastiff puppy is subject to joint injury. You need to be especially careful during these times to control excessive exercise. A puppy may play at its rate but should not be encouraged to take long walks, jump obstacles, or do any other exercise that will stress the joints.
This is not to say the puppy has to be confined. Just use caution and do not allow it to over-exert itself. After about 18 months the growth rate has decreased and the puppy has just about reached its full stature.
A Mastiff remains a puppy much longer than most breeds. Even though a Mastiff is already quite large by the time it is 6 months old, it is still growing and maturing rapidly. A Mastiff does not reach full physical or mental maturity until around 3 years of age.
You will be surprised at how much a Mastiff puppy will drink. Fresh water should be kept available at all times. Drool will accumulate in the bottom of the pup’s water dish so it should be rinsed throughout the day.
All puppies love to chew. Mastiffs have very powerful jaws, even as a puppy. Some chew toys that are fine for other breeds may not be for your Mastiff. Caution should be used when choosing toys or bones because the pup could bite off pieces and swallow them, resulting in intestinal blockage.
Mastiff puppies tend to chew or swallow rocks and sticks. They should be watched closely and discouraged from doing so.
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Disclaimer
This FAQ is provided without any express or implied warranties or guarantees as to the content’s accuracy, completeness, or applicability to a specific animal.
While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, the MCOA, the contributors, and the maintainer assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, or damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.