English Mastiff Basics

One of the ancient domestic dog breeds is the English Mastiff. It is a descendent of the Molossus or Mollosser, deadly battle dogs that date back over 5000 years. It is certainly one of the largest household dog breeds in the world. Modern English mastiffs are known for being gentle giants that are popular as pets and show dogs.

This breed, the Old English Mastiff, as it is sometimes called, is a massive dog. Other breeds are taller than the mastiff, but it is far heavier. They are the world’s biggest breed by this standard, weighing up to 220 pounds. The exterior coat of the English mastiff is short and straight. It’s usually a light brown or “fawn” tint, although there are also brindle and “apricot”-coloured variants. Their snouts, cheeks, and ears are all darker, sometimes entirely black. A little patch of white fur may be seen on the chests of certain individuals.

The breed possesses a lengthy life history as security dogs and for human usage, dating back thousands of years. They were originally employed to battle lions and other wild creatures, since they are descended from war dogs. Bull-baiting as well as bear-baiting were made illegal in 1835, and the breed was on the verge of extinction. However, the popularity of dog shows rose in the 1800s, followed by the importation of two pups from Canada during World War II, when the breed was once again waning in favour. The English Mastiff is said to have arrived in America during the colonial period, with Bayard being the first of his breed to be recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

English Mastiff Temperament/As Pets

Mastiffs are popular pet dogs that make great companions. They are, however, bigger than other breeds and need more area. They don’t need a vast outside yard to run about in all day, but they do need appropriate daily exercise, particularly if they live in a limited environment. They will grow lonely and destructive if you do not provide enough attention.

Although their size might be daunting, they are very loving and caring pets. They like to be close to their family and, despite their size, will make every effort to become lap dogs. They may even be classified as placid, yet when their family is in danger, they will fight back. Although some puppies might be hyperactive, most develop into calm and quiet adult dogs.

They could not be suitable for homes with extremely young children or any elderly or fragile family members due to their size. Unfortunately, English mastiffs are noted for having a short lifetime, often surviving just 6–12 years. In each litter, females normally have approximately eight pups.

Fun Facts about English Mastiff!

The English Mastiff has a lengthy and intriguing history as the world’s oldest and biggest domestic dog breed. The species has followed its owners on numerous conquests and undertakings, from the highlands of Asia through European conflicts to colonial America. They are still as faithful now as when they were in, a gentle, sociable variety of a breed that is a popular family pet.

Son of a Soldier

The Molosser, the ancestor of the mastiff, is said to have originated in Asia’s highlands and was used to protect herds. Other breeds with these ancestors include the Tibetan mastiff, St Bernard, and Rottweiler.

Molossers, like the majority of soldiers, roamed the world. Almost certainly, they traversed the Alps with Hannibal, crossing breeding with indigenous dogs along the route and giving birth to a slew of new breeds. The English Mastiff was initially employed as a guard dog on English estates, where it was officially developed.

World’s Greatest

The mastiff is the , despite not usually being the tallest. It is true that a member of the breed owns the world record. A Guinness Book of Records crew registered a mastiff called Zorba weighing 323 pounds in 1989. (146 kg). However, the majority of people weigh less than 200 pounds, which is still a large dog by any standard.

The Original Domestic

The English mastiff is not only the world’s biggest dog breed, nonetheless, it is one of the earliest domesticated dog breeds. Its name, “mastiff,” is derived from the Latin word mansuetus, which means “tame” or “domesticated,” and is derived from Old French and Middle English. The earliest documented trace of the term was found in a Middle English manuscript dated before 1387.

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