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Mastiff

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1. General Description of the Mastiff

   Strong and powerful, the Mastiff’s great bulk does not easily pass by unrecognized. The head is massive and wide, with dark brown eyes that reflect alert kindness. Ears are relatively small, v-shaped and rounded, and set toward the back of the head. The muzzle is short and broad. The neck, body and legs are large, muscular and imposing. The tail is set high and carried below the level of the topline. Both the outer coat and undercoat are short and straight, with the outer coat being straight and coarse and the undercoat being more dense. Color can be apricot, brindle or fawn, but the muzzle, ears, nose, and area around the eyes should be dark.

2. Mastiff Temperament

   Despite its warrior and street fighting roots, the Mastiff is actually a surprisingly easygoing dog. The dog is not terribly energetic or playful, but its proud and sensible demeanor can come as refreshing to a family seeking a devoted pet. Naturally protective of “its people,” the Mastiff may try to herd or mother children, though it is always gentle around little ones. The Mastiff is defensive around its family and wary of strangers, but as long as its master makes it apparent that a newcomer means no harm, the Mastiff is usually pretty quick to catch on. Nevertheless, proper socialization is important, as a belligerent Mastiff (which is rare, mind you) can be highly dangerous to human and animal alike. Generally speaking, however, the Mastiff is a gentle giant and a well mannered pet.

3. Caring for a Mastiff

   The Mastiff requires a little exercise every day, and plenty of space to exercise in. A brisk walk around the neighborhood or vigorous game usually does the trick. Keep in mind, however, that Mastiffs have a tendency to become overweight. Make sure the dog is fed a sensible diet and given his daily exercise, and this should not be a problem. The coat is easy to care for and requires nothing more than an occasional brushing. Mastiffs do not like heat, and should be kept indoors on especially hot days. Known health problems include canine hip and elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, osteosarcoma and cystinuria.

4. Discuss the Mastiff in the Forums

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We include the following list of misspellings so our internal search tools can send you to the right place. People often misspell Mastiff as Mastif, Masstiff, or Masstif