English Mastiff

Known to have been a descendent of the famous ‘Alaunt’, an extinct breed of dog, the English mastiff is a large sized dog. Though they seem to be shorter in height while compared to the Great Dane, the mastiff is more athletic and boisterous in nature. A hefty and full-bodied canine, the male usually weigh from 68-110 kgs, the female are seen between 55-91 kgs. Ranging from a plain light brown to silverfish grey in colour, most of these dogs are seen to have black patches around the eyes and nose. Usually having a thick layer of coat, the mastiff is rarely seen in a fluffy variety.

It was only after the Guinness book of world records declared the heaviest dog on planet earth as ‘Zorba’, a mastiff, when the world recognized the massiveness of this breed. Usually noted as a very docile and composed dog, the mastiff is seen to be one of the most sought after dogs in the world. Extremely loyal to their owner and possessing traits of a perfect four-legged companion, the mastiff is a keen and active learner and can be often mistaken for an over friendly breed. Cautious of new faces, this canine is affectionate and well mannered. It is only on rare and extreme cases that these dogs chase or attack.

With a life expectancy between 7 to 13 years, many of them have extreme cases of arthritis and other bone marrow related problems. The mastiff can enjoy a healthy and full fledged life if treated in the right manner. Though excessive exercise is not recommended for this breed and average walk and some exercise is almost necessary to keep the dog fit and in shape. Minor problems like obesity and bone problems is a common sight and therefore care needs to be taken when it comes to the housing of the pet. Many cases of the mother suffocating and killing her pups have been reported. It is found that this phenomenon is due to the massive size and heavy weight of these canines.

It is said that the mastiff were first residents of Mayflower in the United States of America. But certain loop holes are found in this theory as documents suggest the advent of these dogs to the U.S was only in the late nineteenth century. The mastiff was a common breed choice for rich business class families and scientists. Famous personalities, such as Charles Darwin, are known to have had mastiff pets. Soon after the First World War, the mastiff had become an almost endangered breed outside of Europe. It was only in the 1900 that the mastiff started re gaining prominence. It was a tough task for an endangered, almost extinct breed, to come back with such determination. It was during this period that the mastiff was cross bred with breeds of dogs belonging to a close family, like Great Dane, St. Bernard etc. due to this change, the mastiff became bigger in size and broader in width. With its rising popularity, it is now restored all over the globe and is the 28th most popular breed of dog according to ratings and statistics.