About Mastiffs
About the Mastiff: There is no question that the Mastiff is a very distinct breed in many ways.
This breed thrives only when wholly included in the life of it's family. I would go so far as to say this is their number one desire in life. Simply sharing your living space with your Mastiff is the greatest gift you can bestow. They prefer to be in the same room as their family members, commonly following their owners around the house and yard. A Mastiff who is not permitted to be a part of the family will suffer and to deny them of this is to cause them great heartbreak. I feel this trait is a remnant from their long history of guarding. How can they possibly watch over you if they are denied access to you? Given free access in the house, a Mastiff can often be found patrolling the house several times each night. Checking each person as they sleep to be sure that all is well. For their size Mastiffs can be exceptionally quiet when they choose to be, using deliberate measured steps. They are very attentive and devoted to their family. These traits are not taught, they just are.
The young Mastiff is about as active as other breeds, though the endurance is definitely less. Mastiffs are not typically destructive chewers, but boredom and loneliness can be a deadly combination for your personal property. Keep them entertained and they won't find something of yours to entertain themselves with. They are generally quite easy to house train.
Mastiffs are keenly aware of changes in their environment. New furniture, flooring, an object left out of place in the yard will elicit curiosity and possibly wariness from a Mastiff. They may avoid the new thing for a short time while eying it from afar, then getting closer to investigate. Once they have thoroughly investigated the object and deemed that it is not a threat their behavior will return to normal.
I hope you enjoy a good laugh, because Mastiffs certainly have a well developed sense of humor. For the big dignified beasts that they are you would not expect them to have such a silly side. They can also be pushy, bossy and stubborn. Try to make a Mastiff do something he doesn't want to do and you can find yourself with a 200+ lb dog down on the ground completely refusing to budge. Not a ideal situation.
A Mastiff truly becomes a Mastiff upon maturity around 2 to 3 years of age. This is when the term gentle giant becomes a reality. It is impressive to witness your rambunctious adolescent Mastiff transform as they mature. You will see them reading each situation and adapting their behavior accordingly, such as to be more cautious and gentle when around children and the infirm. The mature dog who has been raised correctly will possess an air of calmness and confidence. Rarely feeling the need to cause trouble, but portraying the confidence to handle any that should come his way. The mature Mastiff commands a great deal of attention and respect. They are noble, dignified, gentle and patient. With their family they are sensitive, often lowering their head in shame if scolded. They are not called the king of dogdom without reason.
Mastiffs can be observant of strangers in their home or around their owners. They will often position themselves between their owner and the stranger, especially if the owner is feeling uneasy. They do have a knack for picking up on the emotions of their owners. A typical adult Mastiff will act if their owners safety is threatened. They are not a breed that is quick to bite, instead tending to use the size and strength of their body as well as their deep bark as their first line of defense.
This breed thrives only when wholly included in the life of it's family. I would go so far as to say this is their number one desire in life. Simply sharing your living space with your Mastiff is the greatest gift you can bestow. They prefer to be in the same room as their family members, commonly following their owners around the house and yard. A Mastiff who is not permitted to be a part of the family will suffer and to deny them of this is to cause them great heartbreak. I feel this trait is a remnant from their long history of guarding. How can they possibly watch over you if they are denied access to you? Given free access in the house, a Mastiff can often be found patrolling the house several times each night. Checking each person as they sleep to be sure that all is well. For their size Mastiffs can be exceptionally quiet when they choose to be, using deliberate measured steps. They are very attentive and devoted to their family. These traits are not taught, they just are.
The young Mastiff is about as active as other breeds, though the endurance is definitely less. Mastiffs are not typically destructive chewers, but boredom and loneliness can be a deadly combination for your personal property. Keep them entertained and they won't find something of yours to entertain themselves with. They are generally quite easy to house train.
Mastiffs are keenly aware of changes in their environment. New furniture, flooring, an object left out of place in the yard will elicit curiosity and possibly wariness from a Mastiff. They may avoid the new thing for a short time while eying it from afar, then getting closer to investigate. Once they have thoroughly investigated the object and deemed that it is not a threat their behavior will return to normal.
I hope you enjoy a good laugh, because Mastiffs certainly have a well developed sense of humor. For the big dignified beasts that they are you would not expect them to have such a silly side. They can also be pushy, bossy and stubborn. Try to make a Mastiff do something he doesn't want to do and you can find yourself with a 200+ lb dog down on the ground completely refusing to budge. Not a ideal situation.
A Mastiff truly becomes a Mastiff upon maturity around 2 to 3 years of age. This is when the term gentle giant becomes a reality. It is impressive to witness your rambunctious adolescent Mastiff transform as they mature. You will see them reading each situation and adapting their behavior accordingly, such as to be more cautious and gentle when around children and the infirm. The mature dog who has been raised correctly will possess an air of calmness and confidence. Rarely feeling the need to cause trouble, but portraying the confidence to handle any that should come his way. The mature Mastiff commands a great deal of attention and respect. They are noble, dignified, gentle and patient. With their family they are sensitive, often lowering their head in shame if scolded. They are not called the king of dogdom without reason.
Mastiffs can be observant of strangers in their home or around their owners. They will often position themselves between their owner and the stranger, especially if the owner is feeling uneasy. They do have a knack for picking up on the emotions of their owners. A typical adult Mastiff will act if their owners safety is threatened. They are not a breed that is quick to bite, instead tending to use the size and strength of their body as well as their deep bark as their first line of defense.
Life with Mastiffs: So what is it like to live with a Mastiff? Well lets just look at an average day here. Mastiffs appreciate sleeping in and do not tend to be early risers. Once people are up and about they will however be expectant for breakfast. Mastiffs love to eat! A typical day involves lots of lazing around with periods of play. Snoring is common. As previously mentioned Mastiffs will follow their family to hang out in the same room or area. They will try to anticipate where in the house you are going and watch you for signals, often this means standing just in front of you and turning sideways to watch you, which effectively blocks your path completely. They can be demanding of attention, but are generally content to be in the vicinity. Lying at your feet is a favorite position. Just when you think they are sound asleep and you move to another room in the house you will often find that they have come looking for you.
You can count on being on the receiving end of Mastiff drool everyday. Expect to have drops of water on your floor where their bowl is located. Their drool does get on walls, ceilings, furniture and everything else they come into contact with. Upon returning home from an absence you will be enthusiastically greeted. If any visitor should come to the house you can expect your Mastiffs to bark an alert. The typical mastiff will greet those coming into the home and show affection to people they know. Once the greeting has finished they will likely resume laying around. Mastiffs love to travel with their people, again just happy to be included in the outing.
You may see some changes in your life after adding a Mastiff to your family. Getting a bigger bed so everyone can be more comfortable, a different vehicle that is easier to transport the dog and drool towels available in each room of your house, are just a few. You will laugh more and love more.
Mastiff History: The Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds, thought to have originated in the mountains of Asia. Bas reliefs dating to the Babylonian era depict Mastiff type dogs hunting lions and horses. Phoenician traders likely introduced the Mastiff to England where Romans discovered them and brought them back to fight in their arena's.
Mastiffs were prized in England for their guarding skills and were used extensively for that purpose. World War I brought about a decline in the number of Mastiffs in England and America. After World War II the Mastiff was very close to extinction in England. Once the war was over dogs were imported from Canada and America to re-establish the breed in England. Today they are gaining popularity again as family companions. The breed is also often referred to as Old English Mastiff.
There is a fantastic series of video's on YouTube (one hour in total length) about the Mastiff:
Origins and enduring history of Mastiff-type dogs
You can count on being on the receiving end of Mastiff drool everyday. Expect to have drops of water on your floor where their bowl is located. Their drool does get on walls, ceilings, furniture and everything else they come into contact with. Upon returning home from an absence you will be enthusiastically greeted. If any visitor should come to the house you can expect your Mastiffs to bark an alert. The typical mastiff will greet those coming into the home and show affection to people they know. Once the greeting has finished they will likely resume laying around. Mastiffs love to travel with their people, again just happy to be included in the outing.
You may see some changes in your life after adding a Mastiff to your family. Getting a bigger bed so everyone can be more comfortable, a different vehicle that is easier to transport the dog and drool towels available in each room of your house, are just a few. You will laugh more and love more.
Mastiff History: The Mastiff is one of the oldest breeds, thought to have originated in the mountains of Asia. Bas reliefs dating to the Babylonian era depict Mastiff type dogs hunting lions and horses. Phoenician traders likely introduced the Mastiff to England where Romans discovered them and brought them back to fight in their arena's.
Mastiffs were prized in England for their guarding skills and were used extensively for that purpose. World War I brought about a decline in the number of Mastiffs in England and America. After World War II the Mastiff was very close to extinction in England. Once the war was over dogs were imported from Canada and America to re-establish the breed in England. Today they are gaining popularity again as family companions. The breed is also often referred to as Old English Mastiff.
There is a fantastic series of video's on YouTube (one hour in total length) about the Mastiff:
Origins and enduring history of Mastiff-type dogs