Information, Facts & Origins of the
Mastiff Dog Breed
The Mastiff
originates from England and was bred originally for dog fighting,
bull-baiting and bearbaiting but later for hunting and guarding. A
fierce War Dog and used by the Romans for an attraction in the
arena.
It's origins can be dated back to antiquity.
The Mastiff is also known by the other name of the English
mastiff.
This dog is classified as one of the
Working Dog Group which we
go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this
page. The Mastiff was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in
1885.
Description
of the Mastiff Dog Character and Temperament
Working dogs, like the Mastiff, are
medium to giant size and are strong, often independent, domineering
and difficult to manage. This, together with the immense sizes of
many of the breeds, make many of the working dogs unsuitable as a
normal family pet or first time dog owners. These dogs
require firm control and must be properly trained. Formal obedience
training should include a proper socialising program. Training
need not be difficult as Working dog breeds are generally quick to
learn and intelligent. Some of the working dog breeds are easier
to handle such as the Newfoundland dog, the Portuguese Water Dog,
the Samoyed and the Saint Bernard.
Description
of the Mastiff Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours information
The Mastiff's coat is normally a shade of fawn, apricot and
brindle with black around the face.
The straight outer coat with a dense undercoat.
Dog
Health information - potential health problems of the Mastiffs
All owners of dogs and puppies
are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with
humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog
health problems, including those of the Mastiff, can prove to be
costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining
dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of
trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors,
or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions
occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears,
Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate
to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune &
Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health
problems of the Mastiff can include:
Hip Dysplasia
(abnormal development of hip joints referred to as CHD - Canine
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia)
Entropion (the
inversion, or turning inward, of the border of the eyelid
against the eyeball)
Gastric Torsion
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Information
on Grooming and Care of the Mastiff Dog Breed
The Mastiff
requires weekly care and grooming. All dog breeds require a certain amount of grooming
and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best.
Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing
but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and
nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health
problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially
important in puppies and older Mastiff dogs.
Life
Expectancy information of the Mastiff Dog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is 8 – 10 years.
Age
comparison between the Mastiff Dog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of
debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the
situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to
sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine
a dog's age.
The
Pictures reflect the Size of Adults - not Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes
providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average Mastiff- essential
information but unique to this site. It should also be noted that
the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally
considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can
easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan
" A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated
by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of
the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely
clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will
suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Mastiff
Dog - Puppies Info and Names
The
Puppies section, accessed via the Site Index, provides detailed
information about Choosing the right puppy, Puppy Training, Puppy
Care and Puppy Behavior, Growth & Development. We recommend that
the following considerations should always be taken into account
when choosing puppies:
Budget
- Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding
costs of the breed
Convenience
and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal
situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies,
asthma or back pain
Exercising
requirements for the Mastiff breed
Living
Conditions for the dog breed - suitability for puppies
Family
- child suitability
Puppy and Dog
Names - The Importance of choosing the right names
Working
Dog Breed Information Dogs in the
Working group, which
include the Mastiff, were developed to perform a wide variety of tasks, such as herding,
droving, pulling, hauling, herding, hunting, rescuing and guarding.
The very nature of many of these tasks require a big, strong dog.
These dogs have a long and close association with man and have
provided invaluable help to their owners. The working dogs are
generally large, intelligent, and protective of their masters.
Working dogs have always been viewed as real assets to their
owners and have worked with man replacing larger animals such as
horses when none such animals were available. Advanced technology
and machinery have negated some of the working requirements of
these dogs but strength, courage and a fast reactions ensure that
this partnership will continue long into the future.
Working
Dog Breed Duties and Tasks
Characteristics and features
of Working Dogs have been introduced and strengthened
by
breeding with animals who already demonstrated the desired traits.
Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century.
Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits
helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the
various Working breeds, including the Mastiff, were introduced to help man
according to his specific requirements such as:
Guarding
premises
Herding
or Droving various animals including cattle and reindeer
Pulling
or hauling various vehicles such as carts and sleds
Hunting
which could range from all kinds of smaller animals to big
game including lions and tigers
Performing
water and mountain rescues
In
this day and age not every Mastiff might be called to undertake these tasks, but
nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and characteristics that made
the original Mastiff breeding program successful. Many of the Working
dogs group are still gainfully employed as:
Guard
Dogs
Police
dogs
Sled dogs
Rescue
dogs
Examples
of other Breeds within the Working Dog Group
The Working group includes the Mastiff
and all of
the following breeds:
Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Anatolian Shepherds, Bernese Mountains, Boxers, Bullmastiffs, Doberman Pinschers, German Pinschers, Giant Schnauzers, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Greater Swiss Mountains, Komondors, Kuvasz, Mastiffs, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Waters, Rottweilers, Saint Bernards, Samoyeds, Siberian
Huskys and Standard Schnauzers.
Pictures and information about all of the above Working breeds,
together with all other dog groups, may be found
on this website via the following links:
