The English mastiff is the largest dog, an old British breed. In appearance it resembles a large pug. The heaviest mastiff weighed 148 kg, for this record he was awarded an entry in the Guinness book.
The ancestors of this noble dog with a philosophical state of mind were the ancient Egyptian and Assyrian dogs. Powerful animals millennia ago participated in military battles, in gladiatorial battles, in the hunt for lions and bears.
Today, a mastiff is a respectable and reliable member of the family.
Famous mastiff
The breed English mastiff is one of the oldest. These huge animals can easily defeat a large bear. But, despite their size, dogs are wonderful pets. They will not only protect all family members, but they will also be able to take care of the children. Do not look at the fact that they are slow and passive, they just think through every action. In fact, representatives of this particular breed of dogs have repeatedly received military awards for honor and valor.
The main characteristics of the breed
A very large dog, which is distinguished by intelligence and complaisant character, is an English mastiff, whose growth can reach 76 centimeters. But, despite this, he lives perfectly in apartments and easily adapts to urban conditions. The English mastiff weight is rather rather big, its indicators fluctuate between 80-85 kilograms. The dog has a stately construction, the chest is slightly advanced. Her paws are very large and strong, there are black claws that require special attention from the owner. The tail is a little lowered, looks like a sickle. Hanging ears are located on a square-shaped head. The neck is powerful and slightly elongated, some folds are located on it. The look is very smart, the eyes are similar to human. The wool has a fawn color with a peach hue, a characteristic black mask is present on the muzzle. The English mastiff dog looks great, the photos presented on the page perfectly demonstrate this. Truly a wonderful dog.
How much does an English mastiff cost? The price in Russia starts with a figure of 15,000 rubles.
A bit of breed history
What is worth talking about here? The mastiff dog breed originated from the ancient Tibetan large dog. BC this dog was especially appreciated in Egypt, Persia and Greece. There is a recorded fact in history about Macedon. He used around 50,000 dogs of this breed during the battles. Mastiff is a big and powerful dog. He was a great warrior. Especially for dogs, the king ordered equipment, and they opposed the Persians. Even Julius Caesar in his reports has repeatedly reported that soldiers with a pack of large dogs came out to meet the Roman soldiers. Then the emperor actively used mastiffs in gladiatorial battles. There was even a special position for the procurement of quality dogs.
The mastiff dog breed was regularly crossed with other breeds, people wanted to create something new. At that time, mastiffs were aggressive and vicious. They could easily defeat two warriors without a gun. Dogs were taken on a bear hunt and with their help they hunted huge bulls.
Further, in 1066, in Britain, mastiffs interbreed with the Great Dane. A completely new breed is formed. At that time, a lot of half-wild dogs roamed the forests, hunting local animals. Then King Henry III ordered the control of the number of dogs, otherwise they would become a threat to local deer. Dogs easily drove the animal and ate.
In the Tudor era, mastiffs were in every royal family. It was then that the breed gained its nobility. Dogs became loyal and in danger protected the owner to the last. By 1835, the breed was vigorously exterminated in England, people were afraid of huge dogs with a wild disposition. The breed was almost lost, but breeders were particularly persistent. They crossed the alpine mastiff, St. Bernard, the American mastiff and a little later the blood of the Danish Great Dane was added.
During World War I, the population of the species declined dramatically. But after World War II, plant breeders clutched their heads. Only 14 dogs remained in the world, twelve of which originated from American mastiffs. But this time the breed was saved, and today the English mastiff is one of the most beloved dogs around the world.
Matter in character
Of course, each dog, like a person, has individual traits and inclinations. But still, each breed has special characteristics. Many years ago, at the very beginning of its history, it was a very cruel and ferocious breed of dog. The dog tore at the gladiators' arena, easily coped with such large predators as a lion and a bear, and did not spare the enemies in military battles. The mastiff has evolved over the years and turned into a completely different beast. Of course, the dimensions became even more impressive, but this did not affect the emotional mood of the dog. The gene pool of dogs has undergone regular changes, and today breeders have the perfect pet. Having calmed down his ardent disposition, the breed English mastiff noticeably wiser. To get a dog out of balance, you need to try hard. Patience mastiffs have infinite. These animals never give in to panic, behave rationally, calmly and confidently. They do not bark for no reason, much less jump around guests, but it is difficult for them to live on the streets of a city without a man. Over the years, mastiffs began to appreciate home comfort and warmth. When the dog annoys something, he prefers not to argue, but with dignity to retire to another room, like a real sir.
The dog is an English mastiff - a faithful and brave animal. It likes to sleep and moves slowly, but in fact it can be very active. He loves to play with children and develops a speed exceeding human. It is impossible to run away from him, so the external relaxed and slightly awkward appearance of the dog is quite misleading. The dog knows his territory clearly and always controls the situation, even when he is sleeping. The main thing is that he quickly navigates and thinks.
Common future behavior depends on how the mastiff puppy was socialized.
Socialization: friend and true family member
Love and kindness in the family appreciate the English mastiff. The largest dog, without hesitation, will give his life for any member of the family. The dog does not like to be alone and simply adores when the owners take it with them for a walk or on trips.
Such dogs are excellent nannies, but it is better not to let them in to small children. This is not due to the character, its large dimensions affect it. In a fit of tenderness or during play, the dog may crush or injure the child. Therefore, control the communication of such a large dog with small family members.
The English mastiff gets along well with other animals that live in the house. The giant treats cats positively, especially if it is a small pet. He will even protect him and protect him from dangerous enemies of the outside world. Dogs can only conflict with males, which is due to the desire to dominate.
It is noted that the representative of this breed, like no one else, loves to live in urban conditions. It adapts easily and never gives in to uncontrollable instincts. Mastiffs will not run after a stray dog or cat. Dogs appreciate the friendly attitude of the owner and wish to be trusted. They walk close all the time, even if you let go of the leash. With them you can go for walks in the park, but here they are negative towards sports.
Sport is not for mastiff
If you dream of jogging with your pet, this dog is not for you. Mastiffs do not like the bright sun and are unable to run for a long time, although they are very hardy dogs. Just such an active lifestyle is not for them. As a rule, dogs of this breed independently know how much time they need to walk. Do not make them walk for long if they do not like it.
Only puppies and growing dogs are important to make moving. This is necessary for the proper development of the body. Play active games with dogs, because you need to keep your pet in good shape. It is necessary to walk him at least twice a day, the walk should last about thirty minutes.
Buy a mastiff puppy
If you decide to buy an English mastiff, then do not buy a puppy at the first show, it is better to visit several such events. Each breeder will invite you home and introduce you to the living conditions of such a dog. He will answer all your questions and dispel suspicions and doubts.
Get to know the puppy's mom and watch her, see how an adult English mastiff behaves. Puppies are especially attractive. They are very cute and simply attract to themselves. I would like to urgently choose someone and take to my home. But stop and think about the correct choice of breed. Think about whether you can provide all the conditions for the life of such a dog and proper care. Be sure to discuss with all family members the possible problems of caring for the future pet. Show what the English mastiff is (a photo can be found in the literature). Difficulties may arise regarding the maintenance of such a large dog in a small apartment.
Not everyone will allow himself to buy an English mastiff breed. The price ranges from 500 to 2000 dollars. It depends on the pedigree of the dog. It is worth checking the documents and awards of the parents of your future pet.
When to start training?
You chose a puppy, but I want him to be smart and know the team. Mastiffs must undergo a training course, only then will the dog understand you and carry out the tasks. Motivate your pet with affectionate words and smiles, but do not indulge. If you feel that you do not have enough experience to train a dog, be sure to invite a specialist.
The English Mastiff is an excellent security guard and bodyguard. Begin training with 7 months. Remember that classes should not be long, otherwise the dog will get tired and experience negative emotions. Training begins with basic commands, which almost all raised animals obey.
If you want the dog to have many skills and quickly navigate in a stressful situation, then give him upbringing to a professional trainer. On a walk, let your pet communicate with other dogs.
English mastiff is not so popular in our country. The price in Russia from this, of course, is no less, it starts at 15,000 rubles. Mostly the dog is loved abroad, especially the inhabitants of America.
English Mastiff Care
In fact, this breed is unpretentious. The coat of the dog is not long, and therefore care is not burdensome. The animal must be kept clean, monitor the ears, nails and eyes. From childhood, teach your dog to stand still while swimming. So the process will be much easier. Clean the coat daily, otherwise there will be an unpleasant odor, which contributes to the appearance of skin irritation.
The well-groomed English mastiff looks nice. Photos of such animals will be a wonderful decoration of the interior. Nail cutting is done once a week. Perform the procedure at the same time, so the dog will get used to it faster and will behave quietly. In general, representatives of this breed are very patient animals with a philosophical attitude to life.
Pay attention to the ears, they accumulate a high sulfur content. Because of this, a humid environment prevails there, and harmful ticks may develop or infections may develop.
Bathing should be carried out infrequently, otherwise the protective layer of the skin is broken. Use only special shampoos; detergents for people are not suitable for animals. They can cause allergies and cause a lot of discomfort to the dog.
The main diseases of the breed
Each animal is individual, but any breed has certain propensities for disease. If you take this into account, then easily prevent many health problems of your pet. Consider the main diseases that affect mastiffs.
- The abdomen is prone to bloating. Make sure that your pet does not grab hot food and does not eat quickly. Otherwise, excessive salivation or vomiting will occur. A mastiff in pain can begin to spin on the floor. It is better not to allow this, otherwise a gut twist may occur. To avoid problems, feed the animal in small portions and do not subject to physical exertion after eating.
- Joint inflammation. Mastiff is a very large animal. To rise from a lying position, he uses his knees. Due to regular stress, edema forms around the knee joint. Air pockets appear that are filled with fluid. Further, these areas coarsen and bring the pet pain and discomfort. For treatment, medicines and compresses are used. But with severe pain, the veterinarian may recommend an operation. For a mastiff, this is a very undesirable turn of events. An operation for animals is dangerous and often fatal. The animal needs a rather large dose of anesthesia, and the body does not always withstand it. Therefore, this problem should be approached responsibly and it is better to carry out the prevention of the disease.
- Almost every second mastiff dog has vision problems. The dog can even completely go blind. Some diseases are detected at a very young age. Take a closer look at your pet. If his ability to orientate is impaired or if he is too clumsy, then most likely he simply does not see well. Call your veterinarian immediately for help.
- Hip dysplasia is diagnosed with an x-ray. The animal suffers from severe pain when walking, especially when climbing stairs. Pathology is important to identify in the early stages and in time to seek help. When purchasing a puppy, make sure that at the genetic level this disease is absent (i.e. it is not in the history of parents). The price for a puppy whose one of the parents suffered from dysplasia can drop sharply, but there is a high probability that the dog, when it grows up, will also suffer from hip dysplasia. You should not take on such responsibility, as it is very difficult to see how your pet suffers.
- Ear diseases can occur due to improper cleaning. Make sure that sulfur is removed rather than pushed deep. This will lead to the formation of sulfur plugs, the animal will be hard to hear. Wipe your ears with dry, soft handkerchiefs; a humid environment is a great place to breed bacteria and develop dangerous infections. Make sure that insects do not lay their larvae in the auricle.
- Kidney stones can form due to hard water that the animal consumes as a drink. This disease must be prevented. If you notice blood impurities in the urine, then immediately rush to the animal hospital.
Now you know almost everything about this beautiful dog breed. A mastiff will not only become a good friend, but will also turn into a real family member. With proper care, the animal will live 15-18 years. Keep track of your dog’s nutrition and mood, play with her and talk. Only in this way will you find a faithful comrade who will protect you from hooligans and brighten up loneliness.