Is a mastiff the dog for you? | mastiffassociation

Is A Mastiff The Dog For You

Do think carefully before you decide whether a mastiff is the right dog for you and your circumstances.

They are very large with a corresponding appetite and strength. It is not unusual for an adult male to weigh in at over 16 stones (100 kg) ! They do slobber and their saliva can, if left, remove stain and polish from furniture. They do shed hair for considerable periods and their tails can clear a table in seconds. Like all giant breeds, the life expectancy of a mastiff is short and the vast majority do not reach their tenth birthday. Veterinary treatment can be expensive and insurance is highly recommended.

Responsible ownership is absolutely vital (as it is with all breeds) and contact of mastiffs and their owners with the general public sometimes requires great care and diplomacy as the anti-dog brigade will seize any opportunity to bring the giant breeds into disrepute.

On the other hand, mastiffs are exceptionally affectionate and loyal and crave human company. Disinclined to wander, they are generally very good with children and other pets - provided they are brought up together. If not brought up with children, they can be unaware just how easily a child is knocked over.

It is very rare to come across a bad tempered mastiff but there is a certain amount of timidity in the breed. The result of this is that they will love their own family dearly but may not always rush to make friends with your visitors. This, of course, can be an advantage !

It is purely illusory that owning a giant dog gives you status - the only person you fool is yourself !

The comparative high price of puppies leads some people to think there is money to be made from breeding mastiffs. Even without charging for your labour, you are most unlikely to come out showing a profit - probably just frustration or heartbreak.

If you decide that a mastiff really is for you and you are looking for a puppy then, first and foremost, GO TO A REPUTABLE BREEDER - NOT A DEALER OR A SHOP

Pros to owning a Mastiff

Mastiffs are loyal and devoted to their families being calm and relaxed in the house

They are low maintenance on the grooming front

They are good around children of all ages and have a real affinity with kids

They are good watch dogs but would rarely show any aggression

Mastiffs are intelligent and therefore easy to train, albeit in their own time and personal schedule

Cons to owning a Mastiff

Mastiffs are large dogs and expensive to feed

They are known to slobber and drool - a lot

They shed all year round only more so during the spring and autumn

They have quite a high prey drive and may chase any animal that runs away

They are very family oriented and hate being on their own which can see them suffer from separation anxiety

They are not the best choice for first time owners

How to tell if you are ready for a Mastiff

a light hearted look at living with the breed

Push a 100 lb bag of wet sand into your car
Rub fur and gel into the roof of your vehicle
At least twice a day drop that bag on your bare foot
Invite your friends over and them all try and get into the bathroom while you are using it
Have someone operate a chain saw at the foot of your bed all night - record this and play it every night close to your ear
Volunteer at the zoo to help wash the large animals and clear up their poo
Learn that your best clothing accessory is just a mere slobber cloth to them

Fun Facts

* Not only is the Mastiff one of the largest dog breeds out there, but this breed holds the record for the greatest weight recorded for a dog – 343 pounds (24.5 stone) given to an English Mastiff named Zorba

* Because the Mastiff grows so large he typically takes well over two years to reach maturity and should not be subjected to rigorous exercise before then because it could strain his bones and joints

* The modern Mastiff’s lineage can be traced back before the 19th century and well before then they were historically used for, guarding, hunting, and fighting although they do equally well as a family pet – they are surprisingly gentle and patient with children

* We almost lost them during World War 11. When rationing became a serious issue during the Second World War, lots of people were actually encouraged to euthanize their pets in order to preserve Britain’s food stocks. The result though, was that the English Mastiff population shrank to nearly nothing. Grim as that sounds, the breed came back from the very edge of extinction and it is now robust and popular all around the world.

* When in 1415 Sir Peers Legh was wounded in the Battle of Agincourt, his Mastiff stood over and protected him for many hours through the battle. The Mastiff was later returned to Legh’s home and was the foundation of the Lyme Hall Mastiffs. Five centuries later this pedigree figured prominently in founding some of our modern breed.