English Mastiff: the world’s largest dog who is a gentle giant at home

The English Mastiff can be a great companion for anyone who can cope with its large size and doesn't mind a dog drooling. However, people who live in an apartment may want to choose a different breed, because although the English Mastiff doesn't require much exercise, its size takes up a lot of space. If you are looking for a large dog that can provide you with love and security, and you are aware that feeding such a large animal can cost a lot of money, the English Mastiff is the ideal companion.

Massive is the word that comes to mind when you first see this dog. Although other breeds may outweigh him in height, in weight the English Mastiff is the largest as it can weigh over a hundred kilograms. A Mastiff named Zorba who was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1989, weighed 149.7 kg, but his height at the withers of 94 cm and length of 251 cm were also impressive.

History of the English Mastiff

The Mastiff is descended from one of the oldest dog breeds, the Mastiff. It was probably used to protect the herd from predators in cold, high mountain passes. These molossians are solidly built, with heavy bone structure, short muzzles, short, well-muscled necks and drooping ears. Traces of their ancestors can be seen not only in the Mastiff, but also in the Tibetan Mastiff, the Saint Bernard Dog, the Rottweiler, the Dogue de Bordeaux and many other modern breeds. Depictions of Mastiff dogs appear in human records through the ages, in Egyptian, Babylonian and classical Greek civilisations. Archaeologists excavating in the palace of the Babylonian ruler Ashurbanipal have uncovered reliefs of a mastiff dog fighting lions from the seventh century BC.

For thousands of years, Mastiff dogs have served as guards, attack dogs and entertainment dogs when fighting lions and other wild animals. The dogs have been traveled the world by soldiers and traders.

Wherever they went, they were valued for their size and bravery. When Hannibal crossed the Alps, he did so with trained fighting mastiffs, but they were also praised by Julius Caesar. During their travels, the fighting dogs were crossed with local dogs and their offspring became the ancestors of the Bernese Mountain, Rottweiler and other breeds. Even the Pug – described as a miniature mastiff – can lay claim to a Molosser heritage.

In England, where the modern mastiff was developed, the huge dogs guarded estates and patrolled the grounds at night. Lyme Hall was famous for its excellent mastiff bloodlines, bred from the 15th century to the early 20th century, and its members played a role in saving the breed from extinction.

The breed almost disappeared after 1835 when dog fighting and bullfighting were banned. But the rise of dog shows in the mid-19th century helped the Mastiff to revive. They almost became extinct during the First and Second World Wars because food shortages meant they could not be fed, but a pair of Mastiff puppies imported from Canada after the Second World War helped bring them back from the brink of extinction.

Today, the Mastiff’s gentle nature and huge size make it a much-loved companion all over the world.

What a lion is to cats, a mastiff is to dogs

– Sydenham Edwards

Breed standard

English Mastiff is a large, strong, balanced dog. A blend of greatness, good nature, courage and obedience. The skull is broad between the ears, the head is roundly curved and the cheeks are broad. Eyes small, distant, dark hazel preferred. The ears are small, prominent, set on high, close to the muzzle when at rest. Neck slightly arched, muscular, moderately long. Chest broad and deep. Tail set on high, thinning towards the end. Paws broad and rounded. Coat short and dense. Colour dull to grey, with a reddish darker stripe. The nose, ears and muzzle are always black. Expected lifetime 8-10 years.

Character

An English Mastiff from a good bloodline is always dignified and never shy or mean. A well-socialised Mastiff is reserved with strangers, but will come between his owner and anyone or anything that appears threatening. And, of course, he will persuade unauthorised persons to stay away from his yard by his mere appearance. Although outwardly tough, the Mastiff is a sensitive dog who can be shy or aggressive if mistreated. Never be violent with him!

Obedience training is essential for this giant breed. He may look cute, but a full-grown Mastiff without manners is unmanageable. The sensitive Mastiff is relatively easy to train using positive reinforcement techniques. When he reaches adulthood and outgrows his cuddliness and high energy, he becomes a wonderful companion who is calm, quiet, well-mannered and confident. He is an excellent watchdog, although less barky than other breeds.

Ideal environment

Although it would probably find it difficult to fit into a smaller home due to its size, it does not require much exercise and adapts easily to different lifestyles. However, care should be taken not to leave it alone for too long, as it can become destructive.

Like all dogs, the English Mastiff has some less attractive qualities. When he shakes that huge head of his, everything gets covered in saliva. So cleanliness freaks beware! The English Mastiff sometimes tends to think of itself as a lapdog and may try to snuggle up on its owner’s lap. And be aware that he is a real elephant in the china shop when indoors, so it’s a good idea to keep fragile items safe from him.

The Mastiff needs daily exercise, but you need to take into account the age of the dog and the temperature, as he can easily overheat in the summer heat. Without exercise and stimulation, the Mastiff can become bored and destructive. Its large size makes it a poor jogging companion. He can easily overheat and his joints can be damaged by the exertion of running. Plan your walks for cool mornings and evenings.

Although the English Mastiff loves children and is very gentle with them, it is not the best choice for very small children or frail elderly. They can be pushed against their will with their large body. The ideal living environment for the Mastiff is a house with a large yard. It should have strong defensive instincts and socialise well with both people and animals. A dog of the opposite sex is best recommended. Puppies are more active and need free play in a fenced yard. But until they reach physical maturity at 18 months of age, it is important to limit jumping, long walks and other exercises that can damage their still-developing bones, muscles and tendons. After 18 months of age, their exercise levels can be gradually increased to a moderate level.

Care

English Mastiffs are easy to handle but shed heavily. Clean his folds daily to avoid bacterial infections. Clean them with a product specially formulated for dogs and then towel dry. It is particularly important to take the time to trim the claws of this breed, as they are heavy on the legs and too long can be very painful for the animal. The eyes and ears should also be kept clean. Bathing is rarely necessary.

Common health problems

In the English Mastiff, there may be certain health problems. The most common are elbow and hip joint dysplasia. Responsible breeders screen their dogs for this genetic disease. In this breed, great emphasis should be placed on feeding.
Breeding stock should be slightly lean, than overweight as obesity can cause a lot of problems in their skeleton later on.
English Mastiffs can suffer from various heart problems, eye problems, bloating and may also have a risk of gastric disturbance. The breed may develop tumours.

Literature: International Dog Encyclopaedia, Sarah Whitehead – Beverly Cuddy: Dogs, Paul McGreevy: Dogs.