The mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, sometimes weighing over 200 pounds. This immense dog is big-boned and muscular with a noble, kind, and loyal disposition. Mastiffs are very gentle companions and family protectors that lack aggression, making them lovely family pets. These courageous yet well-mannered dogs can do well in most households.

You don't need a huge home to have this giant dog, but you do need a little extra space (especially because of the long tail). Sadly, like other giant dog breeds, the life span of the mastiff tends to be shorter than the average dog. However, with proper care, you can help your mastiff live a full, healthy life.

Learn more about the mastiff, including their temperament and care needs.

Characteristics of the Mastiff

In spite of their overwhelmingly large appearance, mastiffs are big softies at heart. Affectionately known as gentle giants, these dogs have gained a reputation for their kind souls, calm demeanor, and family-friendly nature. They need a decent amount of care due to their size, but will reward their humans with a lifetime of affection and companionship.

History of the Mastiff

The mastiff hails from England, where they have been bred for over 2,000 years. However, the mastiff breed (or its ancestors) can be traced back to ancient times, with depictions on Egyptian monuments and mentions by Caesar when he invaded Britain.

Though historically seen as a worker and watchdog, at one point in time this magnificent breed was used for fighting, including in gladiatorial fights between humans and other animals. Later, they were featured in dogfights watched in Westminster in London.

Today's mastiff is a lover, not a fighter, and the U.K. prohibited dogfights in 1835. The current lineages of mastiffs stem from the 19th century when they were no longer bred for aggressiveness.

Mastiffs might have been brought to the United States over 200 years ago, but they were not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) until the late 1800s. The breed is referred to as the Old English mastiff, the English mastiff, or simply the mastiff.

The last-recorded heaviest dog in the world was an English mastiff named Aicama Zorba of La Susa, weighing 343 pounds and standing 37 inches at the shoulder, as recorded in the 1989 "Guinness Book of Records." This record will remain standing, as the organization discontinued recognizing record sizes for pets in 2000.

Other types of mastiffs include the Tibetan mastiff, Neapolitan mastiff, cane corso, Dogue de Bordeaux, Fila Brasileiro, bullmastiff, Spanish mastiff, Pyrenean mastiff, and Boerboel.

Mastiff Care

Mastiffs will need regular care and grooming to remain looking and feeling their best. Though they're not considered particularly intelligent or trainable, some light obedience training is always a good idea in order to ensure they remain safe and good companions.

Exercise

In general, mastiffs are quite docile (but not listless). Younger dogs are more playful, but an endearing quality of aloof laziness often develops as they mature. Routine exercise will help keep your mastiff fit and motivated. Aim to let your dog play and exercise for at least 30-60 minutes or more each day, even if that total amount of time is split into multiple sessions throughout the day.

As a large breed, mastiffs do better in cool weather than in hot weather. Exercise your mastiff during the cool part of the day in summer. They do very well indoors, even in an apartment, or a house with a fenced yard. However, you might want to think ahead if your living space requires climbing stairs, as this may be difficult for an aging dog.

Grooming

The mastiff has a short coat that typically needs little more than routine grooming (regular brushing, bathing, and nail trimming). This breed is a moderately high shedder.

Check their ears and eyes often to look for signs of irritation or infection, and clean them gently whenever necessary. Additionally, the mastiff's ears and facial skin folds (if present) should be kept clean and dry.

Mastiffs are known to salivate quite a bit, and they might share their drool when they shake their heads, so keep drool rags handy.

Training

Like all dogs, proper training and socialization are both important for the mastiff. This is especially crucial because of the giant size of this breed. Careful attention should be given to the prevention of jumping and leash-pulling.

You should socialize a mastiff well so their natural protectiveness is appropriate and they won't become overprotective around visitors. 

Consider dog-proofing your home for a mastiff. Their strong tail can sweep items off of tables, and the dog may be tall enough to sample your dinner from the dining room table. Also, because mastiffs like to chew on things, you should provide plenty of durable chew toys in an attempt to save your furniture.

Common Health Problems

Responsible breeders strive to maintain the highest breed standards as established by kennel clubs like the AKC. Dogs bred by these standards are less likely to inherit health conditions. However, some hereditary health problems can occur in mastiffs. Be aware of the following conditions:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia: These are inherited orthopedic conditions that affect the joints, and can get worse with age. Breeders screen for them.
• Gastric dilatation-volvulus: This is bloating that is common in large dogs with deep chests. Gulping down food and water can lead to the stomach filling with gas and then twisting, cutting off the blood supply. This is an emergency situation.
• Elbow hygroma: This is a swollen area that’s painless and filled with fluid. It can grow in size over time, so seeking veterinary care early on can make treatment easier.  
• Cancer: The major cause of death in mastiffs is cancer. Common cancers in this breed include lymphoma, osteosarcoma, mast cell tumors, and hemangiosarcoma.
• Eye issues: Various eye problems can affect mastiffs. They include ectropion, entropion, distichiasis, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), persistent pupillary membranes (PPM), retinal dysplasia, and macroblepharon.

Diet and Nutrition

To ensure your mastiff gets the nutrition they need, choose a high-quality food for large breeds. Work with a veterinarian if you need guidance.

Feed a mastiff puppy food that is specific to large breeds to help them grow steadily and not too fast. This can help reduce the risk of adult-onset hip dysplasia. Puppies will still attain their full size even if they are trim during the puppy years.

Adult mastiff dogs need 6-8 cups of dry food each day, which you should split into two meals to help prevent bloating and stomach torsion. You might explore feeders that enforce slower eating.

Be sure to monitor your mastiff for weight gain and discuss this with your veterinarian to get recommendations on how to address it with diet and exercise.

Mastiffs are sloppy drinkers, and they get a lot of backwash into their water bowls, so it's best to provide clean, fresh water at different points of the day. They are also prone to passing gas.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Mastiff

Pet parents looking for a mastiff can seek out a specialized breeder or look into local adoption agencies. If you’re looking for a Mastiff breeder, it’s normal to be put on a waiting list, but there are generally puppies available throughout the year.

Be sure to seek out a reputable breeder with a history of healthy litters and detailed care—they should be able to answer any questions you have regarding the pedigree, health, and history of the litter and parents. Ideally, you should meet one or both parents to have a better idea of your future pet’s personality, size, and temperament.

Consider rescuing a mastiff through one of the below organizations:

• The Mastiff Club of America
• Mastiffs to Mutts Rescue Inc.
• Southern States Mastiff Rescue

Mastiff Overview

Mastiffs are big dogs that are full of love and have a playful and friendly personality. They also don’t have a high tendency to bark. However, it’s important to make sure this dog gets the exercise and high-quality food they need.

Pros of Mastiffs

• Gentle and loyal
• Protective
• Become endearingly lazy as they age
  

Cons of Mastiffs

• Drool quite a bit
• Large tails can cause damage and require extra space in your home
• Heavy chewers
  

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you think the mastiff is the right dog breed for you, be sure to do plenty of research before adopting one. Consult the Mastiff Club of America for more helpful background on the breed. Talk to other mastiff pet parents, reputable breeders, and rescue groups to learn more.

If you are interested in similar breeds, look into these to compare the pros and cons:

• Bullmastiff
• Great Dane
• Great Pyrenees
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Perro de Presa Canario

There’s a whole world of dog breeds out there. With a little research, you can find the right one to bring home.