English Mastiffs and Bull Mastiffs: This is One Gentle Giant

The Bull Mastiff and the English Mastiff have a long colorful history. Yet the thing that stands out most about this breed is not that it's a gentle family dog, but that this dog is so big that it can out weigh it's master!

Here are more facts about this interesting breed…

History:
Despite the passing of thousands of years, most breed experts suggest that modern day Mastiffs are similar in shape and size to their ancestors. The origins of all Mastiffs dates back to 2000 B.C. in Asia, although the original ancestors were probably most like the English Mastiff, as they were extremely tall, muscular and weighed a great deal. Because of this, many will claim that the English is the “true” Mastiff. Sources suggest that over a thousand years or so, Romans crossed over the Swiss Alps for war and in search of land brought the Mastiffs from Asia. From here, the breed began to grow in popularity in Europe and other varieties of the breed began to pop up.

The English used the Mastiffs to guard their castles but they were also used by the Celts as war dogs and even by nomads to guard camps. In more modern times, Mastiffs were used as bull baiting and cattle herding dogs. Sources suggest that the English Mastiff was brought over on the Plymouth to America, where they were used as guards for camps. The need for the breed began to decline with the invention of machinery and industry and by the 1900s they were nearly extinct in England and other parts of Europe. From here America became the most populated with Bull Mastiffs, now known as the most popular form of the breed.

Description:
Remember that there will be some variation in the description of a Mastiff, but all are similar in size and shape. There is no mistaking Mastiffs as a large breed dog that weighs between 120-200 pounds. Although the hair color and length will change depending on the type of Mastiff, almost all are shorthaired and are available in colors ranging from brown, red, brindle to black. The muzzle will almost always be short, wide and black in color, framed with short, floppy ears and a long, thin tail.

There are many different varieties of the Mastiff. Many were originally different breeds of dog that were at one point crossed to create different versions of the Mastiff. These varieties include the English, Bull, Neapolitan, French and Tibetan, with the most popular varieties being Bull and English. The Bull is especially predominant throughout North America.

The largest of the breed is the English version, sometimes weighing over 200 pounds. The only major difference between the Bull and English Mastiff is that the English will look considerably stockier and may be upwards of 30 inches tall, while the Bull is usually no taller than 27 inches. There is debate over which of the two is the original Mastiff, but most breeders will consider the English Mastiff the original breed. Another major difference between the English and Bull is that the Bull Mastiff has an extremely powerful head that is wide and a more sleek and muscular body.

Neapolitan Mastiff dogs are more wrinkled, with the entire body full of them, including the muzzle, the neck, chest, and through the legs and underbelly. Keep in mind that while this type of Mastiff might look significantly smaller than the Bull or English, the weight is simply distributed different, as the Neapolitan is significantly shorter than the Bull or English.

The French Mastiff, also known as the Dogue de Bordeaux or the Bordeaux Bulldog by the French, will only weigh around 140 pounds and will be significantly shorter and stockier. The French looks significantly different because of a much wider head that may resemble a mixture of a Mastiff and a Rottweiler, at least in width. As well, the French muzzle may be a solid red, as most French Mastiffs are a solid red color, making the French red from head to toe.

You may not immediately recognize the Tibetan Mastiff as fitting with the breed, because it looks very different from the others. Instead of a short coat, it has a medium to long double coat of fur that is available in a variety of different colors, but not usually singular in color. This breed also has a longer muzzle that is more rounded and narrow than the other Mastiffs.

Breed Temperament:
Mastiffs absolutely love to be part of the family! They are considered a gentle family pet that does well with children but because of their size, they will make an excellent watchdog as well. Despite their large stature, they usually do not make good guard dogs, because they are most often too laid back. Even though they are gentle with children, because of their size, it is best to keep an eye on them with small children because they could easily knock a child over.

Keep in mind that because of early breeding as bull baiters, cow herder and fighters they will need training from a small puppy to ensure that they do not become aggressive in any way. This should not scare potential owners, though, as most aggressive tendencies are long gone in these dogs. Most actually may tend to be on the lazy and laid back side and many owners will suggest that they have to reward their Mastiffs in order to get them to work. Although Mastiffs will be okay without a great deal of exercise, it is important to exercise them regularly to keep them healthy and at an ideal weight.

Life Span:
8-10 years

Suitability with Children:
Yes, can be trusted with all children

Suitability with Other Pets:
Yes, but males may have dominant tendencies

Common Ailments:
This breed is prone to hip dysphasia that can lead to arthritis. Are also prone to eye disease and eyelid problems, such as a cherry eye. As well as bloat, cancer and tumors.

Trainability:
Are sensitive to tone of voice, so will do best with gentle guidance training. The entire breed is known for being especially easy to train with consistency and reinforcement from a puppy.

Living Conditions:
Will need daily exercise, but can adapt to most living conditions.

Required Exercise:
Medium

Maintenance Costs:
Low

As you can see, there's a lot more to this dog than just it's size.