English Mastiff: description and character. English mastiff: photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The English Mastiff is the largest dog, an old British breed. It looks like a large pug. The heaviest mastiff weighed 148 kg, for this record he was awarded an entry in the Guinness book.

Ancestors of this noble dog with a philosophical state of mind were ancient Egyptian and Assyrian dogs. Powerful animals thousands of years ago participated in military battles, in gladiator fights, in hunting lions and bears.

Today the Mastiff is a respectable and reliable member of the family.

Famous Mastiff

The English Mastiff breed is one of the oldest. These huge animals can easily overpower a large bear. But, despite their size, dogs are great pets. They will not only protect all family members, but 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 dogrepeatedly received military awards for honor and valor.

Main characteristics of the breed

A very large dog, which is distinguished by intelligence and complaisant character, is the English Mastiff, whose height can reach 76 centimeters. But, despite this, he lives well in apartments and easily adapts to urban conditions. The English Mastiff has a rather large weight, its performance fluctuates between 80-85 kilograms. The dog has a stately design, the chest is slightly pushed forward. Her paws are very large and strong, there are black claws that require special attention from the owner. The tail is slightly lowered, looks like a sickle. Hanging ears are located on the head of a square shape. The neck is powerful and slightly elongated, there are some folds on it. The look is very intelligent, the eyes are similar to human ones. The coat has a fawn color with a peach tint, there is a characteristic black mask on the muzzle. The English mastiff dog looks majestic, the photos presented on the page demonstrate this perfectly. Truly a wonderful dog.

How much does an English Mastiff cost? The price in Russia starts at 15,000 rubles.

A bit of the history of the breed

What is worth talking about here? The Mastiff dog breed originated from an ancient Tibetan large dog. BC, this dog was especially valued in Egypt, Persia and Greece. In history there is a recorded fact about Macedonian. He used about 50,000 dogs of this breed during the battles. The Mastiff is a large and powerful dog. He wasan excellent warrior. Especially for dogs, the king ordered equipment, and they opposed the Persians. Even Julius Caesar, in his reports, repeatedly reported that soldiers with a pack of large dogs came out to meet the Roman soldiers. Then the emperor actively used mastiffs in gladiator fights. There was even a special position for the purchase of quality dogs.

The mastiff dog breed regularly crossed with other breeds, people wanted to create something new. At that time, mastiffs were distinguished by their aggressiveness and vicious character. They could easily defeat two warriors without weapons. Dogs were taken on bear hunts and used to kill huge bulls.

Further, in 1066, in Britain, Mastiffs are crossed with Eastern Great Danes. A completely new breed is being formed. At that time, a lot of semi-wild dogs roamed the forests, who hunted local animals. Then King Henry III ordered to control the number of dogs, otherwise they became a threat to local deer. The dogs easily drove the animal and ate it.

In the Tudor era, mastiffs were in every royal family. It was then that the breed gained its nobility. The 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 practically lost, but the breeders were particularly persistent. They crossed an Alpine Mastiff, a St. Bernard, an American Mastiff, and a bit later they added Great Dane blood.

During the First World War, the population of the species was greatly reduced. But afterThe Second World Scientific Breeders clutched their heads. There were only 14 dogs left in the world, twelve of which originated from the American Mastiff. But this time the breed was saved, and today the English Mastiff is one of the most beloved dogs around the world.

It's all about character

Of course, every 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 arena of gladiators, easily coped with such large predators as a lion and a bear, did not give mercy to enemies in military battles. The Mastiff has evolved over the years and turned into a completely different animal. 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 been regularly changed, and today breeders have the perfect pet. Having calmed his ardent temper, the English Mastiff breed has noticeably wised up. To bring the dog off balance, you need to try hard. Mastiffs have endless patience. These animals never panic, behave reasonably, calmly and confidently. They do not bark for no reason, much less jump around the guests, but it is difficult for them to live on the streets of the city without a person. Over the years, mastiffs have come to value home comfort and warmth. When the dog is annoyed by something, he prefers not to argue, but to retire with dignity to another room, like a real sir.

Dog Englishthe mastiff is a devoted and brave animal. It likes to sleep and moves slowly, but can actually be very active. He loves to play with children and develops speed that exceeds a human. It is impossible to run away from him, so the external relaxed and slightly awkward appearance of the dog is quite deceptive. The dog clearly knows his territory and always controls the situation, even when he sleeps. The main thing is that he quickly orients himself and thinks.

General future behavior depends on how the Mastiff puppy has been socialized.

Socialization: a friend and a real family member

Love and kindness in the family appreciates 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 just loves when the owners take him for a walk or travel.

Such dogs are excellent nannies, but it is better not to let them near small children. This is not due to the character, its large dimensions affect here. In a fit of tenderness or during play, the dog can 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 fight with males, which is connected with the desire to dominate.

It is noticed that the representative of this breed, like no other, loveslive in an urban setting. He adapts easily and never succumbs to unruly instincts. Mastiffs will not run after a stray dog or cat. Dogs appreciate the friendly attitude of the owner and want to be trusted. They go along all the time, even when let off the leash. You can go for walks in the park with them, but they have a negative attitude towards sports.

Sport is not for Mastiff

If your dream is to go jogging with your pet, then 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 themselves know how much time they need for a walk. Don't make them take long walks if they don't like it.

Only puppies and growing dogs are important to make move. 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 must be walked at least twice a day, the walk should last thirty minutes.

Buying a Mastiff puppy

If you decide to buy an English Mastiff, then do not buy a puppy at the first exhibition, it is better to visit several such events. Each breeder will invite you home and acquaint you with the living conditions of such a dog. He will answer all your questions and dispel suspicions and doubts.

Meet the puppy's mother and watch her, see how an adult English mastiff behaves. Puppies have a specialattractiveness. They are very cute and just draw to them. I want to urgently pick someone up and take them 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 a future pet. Show what an English mastiff is like (a photo of it can be found in special literature). It may be difficult to keep such a large dog in a small apartment.

Not everyone can afford to buy an English Mastiff breed. The price ranges from $500 to $2,000. 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 have chosen a puppy, but I want him to be smart and know the commands. Mastiffs must undergo a training course, only then the dog will understand you and perform the assigned tasks. Motivate your pet with sweet words and smiles, but do not indulge. If you feel that you do not have enough experience for dog training, be sure to invite a specialist.

The English Mastiff is an excellent guard and bodyguard. It is necessary to start training from 7 months. Remember that classes should not be long, otherwise the dog will get tired and experience negative emotions. Training begins with basic commands that almost all trained animals obey.

If you want tothe dog possessed many skills and quickly navigated in a stressful situation, then give him up for education to a professional trainer. Let your pet interact with other dogs while walking.

The English mastiff is not so popular in our country. The price in Russia is, of course, no less, it starts from 15,000 rubles. To a greater extent, the dog is loved abroad, especially by Americans.

English Mastiff Care

In fact, this breed is unpretentious. The dog's coat is not long, and therefore grooming is not burdensome. The animal must be kept clean, ears, nails and eyes should be monitored. From childhood, teach your dog to stand still when bathing. This will make the process much easier. Clean wool daily, otherwise there will be an unpleasant odor that contributes to skin irritation.

A well-groomed English mastiff looks nice. Photos of such animals will be a wonderful interior decoration. Nail trimming is done once a week. Perform the procedure at the same time, so the dog will get used to it faster and will behave calmly. In general, representatives of this breed are very patient animals with a philosophical attitude to life.

Pay attention to the ears, they accumulate a large amount of sulfur. Because of this, a humid environment prevails there, and harmful mites or infections can develop.

Bathing should be done infrequently, otherwise the protective layer of the skin will be broken. Use only special shampoos, detergents for humans are not suitable for animals. They cancause allergies and cause a lot of discomfort to the dog.

Main diseases of the breed

Each animal is individual, but any breed has certain propensities for disease. If you take this into account, you can easily prevent many he alth problems for your pet. Consider the main diseases that mastiffs are susceptible to.

1. Belly prone to bloating. Make sure that your pet does not grab hot food and does not eat quickly. Otherwise, there will be a strong salivation or vomiting. The mastiff may begin to spin on the floor in pain. It is better not to allow this, otherwise intestinal volvulus may occur. To avoid problems, feed the animal in small portions and do not exercise after eating.
2. Inflammation of the joints. Mastiff is a very large animal. To get up from a lying position, he uses his knees. Due to regular exertion, swelling forms around the knee joint. Air pockets appear and fill with fluid. Further, these areas become coarse and bring pain and discomfort to the pet. For treatment, medicines and compresses are used. But if the pain is severe, the veterinarian may recommend surgery. For a mastiff, this is a very undesirable turn of events. Surgery for animals is dangerous and often ends in death. The animal requires 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 disease prevention.
3. Almost every second dogmastiff breeds are identified vision problems. The dog can even become completely blind. Some diseases are detected at a very early age. Take a look at your pet. If his ability to navigate is impaired or he is too clumsy, then most likely he simply does not see well. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
4. Hip dysplasia is diagnosed by x-ray. The animal suffers from severe pain when walking, especially while climbing stairs. It is important to identify pathology in the early stages and seek help in time. When purchasing a puppy, make sure that this disease is absent at the genetic level (i.e. it is not in the history of parents). The price of a puppy whose parent has hip dysplasia can drop dramatically, but there is a high chance that the dog will also have hip dysplasia when he grows up. You should not take on such responsibility, as it is very hard to see your pet suffer.
5. Ear diseases can occur due to improper cleaning. Make sure that the sulfur is removed, and not pushed deeper. This will lead to the formation of sulfur plugs, the animal will hear badly. Wipe your ears with dry, soft handkerchiefs, a humid environment is a great place for bacteria to breed and dangerous infections to develop. Make sure that insects do not lay their larvae in the auricle.
6. Kidney stones can form due to hard water that the animal consumes as a drink. This disease must be prevented. If you notice blood in the urine, thenrush to the animal hospital immediately.

Now you know almost everything about this wonderful breed of dogs. Mastiff will become not only a good friend, but also turn into a real family member. With proper care, the animal will live 15-18 years. Monitor your dog's nutrition and mood, play with it and talk. Only in this way will you find a faithful companion who will protect you from hooligans and brighten up loneliness.