Mastiff

Coat & Grooming: The Mastiff coat is short and lays close to the body. These dogs typically come in one of three standard coat colors (apricot, brindle, or fawn for the English Mastiff). Unfortunately, those little hairs tend to show up easily on carpet and upholstery. A good quality brush and vacuum are well worth the investment.

Aside from their coat, you should pay attention to the other necessary grooming tasks. You’re your Mastiff’s nails every few weeks and regularly monitor at their eyes, ears and skin for any new changes. Dental care is critical, so try to get in there with a toothbrush as often as possible.

Shedding: Mastiffs aren’t crazy shedders, but they do produce a fair amount of flying fur. As with any shedding dog, your best defense is a good offense. Invest in the proper tools like a grooming glove and a strong vacuum to pick up the stray hair. Regular grooming sessions are important. You’ll remove any loose or broken hair, and it’s also a powerful bonding experience when done right. If you get your Mastiff puppy used to being groomed and handled, it should help you down the road when they become too big to wrestle.

Training: Since they are such large and powerful dogs, it’s crucial to develop good habits in your Mastiff. Early socialization and obedience training are very important. There is nothing worse than a poorly-trained and badly-behaved 200 pound dog. Take responsibility for your dog and put the necessary time and effort into a proper training regime. Start training when your Mastiff is a puppy and use positive reinforcement training techniques. Reputable breeders try to avoid hereditary behavior or temperament problems with their puppies by screening their adult breeding dogs. If you can, meet the parents and siblings of your puppy to get an idea of what to expect later in life.

Barking: This breed isn’t known for being overly loud, but their bark is thunderous and powerful when they do choose to use it. A Mastiff is generally happy and confident in themselves, so they don’t tend to bark aggressively unless something is seriously wrong with the situation.

There are a few keys to understanding your Mastiff. One of the most common mistakes is playing rough or manhandling your new dog. Despite their strong, powerful bodies roughhousing or aggressive play is something they try to avoid. They are also very sensitive dogs when it comes to conflict or arguing in the home. Mastiffs often play peacekeeper when they see trouble brewing between siblings or couples. One of their favorite tricks to stop fighting from happening is to plant their giant body in between the people in a dispute. It’s impossible to stay mad with a huge dog standing in your way!

Personality: A well-trained Mastiff should be friendly and good-natured. They don’t like conflict, especially between family members. They will often step in between two warring parties or protect you with their large frame if they sense a threat. Don’t be fooled by their sturdy build – Mastiffs are sensitive to rough play and really don’t like to be manhandled.

Temperament & Behavior: Mastiffs are gentle and loving dogs, and they often bond strongly with their owners and immediate family. They tend to be docile and aloof, but they also keep a keen ear out for any signs of threat or danger. It’s common for a Mastiff to plant themselves between two arguing siblings – they hate to see conflict or any signs of aggressive behavior. Mastiffs are courageous and unafraid in the face of a threat to themselves or their family.

Behavior with Kids: This breed is often protective of their family, so it’s important to supervise and educate any new kids around your dog. Mastiffs don’t like rough play, and their huge body can easily knock over a small child. Supervise your dog at all times and don’t rely on your Mastiff’s good nature to avoid any accidents with young children. As a family pet, they are loyal and gentle.

Protection: Mastiffs are generally aloof and a bit wary of strangers, especially anyone acting erratic or aggressive. They are keen to protect their family members, and they will often mistake “goofing around” with a threat. Make sure your visiting friends and family are aware of your dog and its quirks.

Life span: On average, Mastiffs live to be around 6 to 10 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: A number of health conditions have been identified in Mastiffs as a result of either genetics or simply occurring at an increased frequency in the breed. As a giant breed, Mastiffs are prone to developing a variety of joint conditions. Responsible breeders will perform a variety of genetic tests on their breeding dogs to decrease the incidence of genetic conditions in their puppies. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: mitral valve dysplasia, pulmonic stenosis, muzzle folliculitis and furunculosis, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, panosteitis, shoulder osteochondrosis, stifle osteochondrosis, ectropion, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, macroblepharon, persistent papillary membranes, multifocal retinopathy, cystine urolithiasis, vaginal hyperplasia and vaginal prolapse .

Preventive Care: As a giant breed, Mastiffs are prone to number of joint problems, which can be exacerbated by obesity. Although it may be impossible to definitively prevent these issues, the best thing that you can do for your dog is to keep them at a lean and healthy body weight throughout life. Fish oil supplements can be beneficial to decrease inflammation in the joints associated with arthritis.

When you adopt a new puppy, head to the vet for a full physical exam, vaccinations, flea & tick prevention, and heartworm prevention to keep your new four-legged friend in tip-top shape. Routine veterinary care is crucial for monitoring your Mastiff for any changes in their health throughout life, allowing for problems to be diagnosed and treated before they become more severe.

A Mastiff’s large appetite is not a surprise given their imposing size. However, if overfed or under-exercised, Mastiffs can become overweight. Feed a high quality balanced diet with two to three portion-controlled meals per day. Avoid offering too many treats or table scraps because these goodies will quickly pack on the pounds.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Mastiff is 4 to 7 cups

Energy Level: Enjoys some moderate exercise every now and then

Exercise: Exercise is a big commitment when it comes to owning a Mastiff. They need at least 30 minutes of brisk walking to stay healthy and fit. They eat a lot, so it’s up to you to help them burn off those calories with good long walks. A tough and reliable leash is a must – Mastiffs are very strong with a massive torso and powerful legs.

Climate: Mastiffs are hearty animals that thrive in cold climates. They aren’t afraid of a little snow or cold rain, but they can easily suffer on a hot day. Their big body doesn’t cool down easily, so make sure you watch out for signs of distress in your dog if you live in a warm climate.