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Breeds 101: Mastiff, the huge sweetheart

By Vanessa Rodriguez

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: A mastiff lays on the floor on the third day of Crufts 2016 on March 12, 2016 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images)
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: A mastiff lays on the floor on the third day of Crufts 2016 on March 12, 2016 in Birmingham, England. First held in 1891, Crufts is said to be the largest show of its kind in the world, the annual four-day event, features thousands of dogs, with competitors travelling from countries across the globe to take part and vie for the coveted title of 'Best in Show'. (Photo by Ben Pruchnie/Getty Images) /
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They don’t come sweeter than the Mastiff. This dog’s size and demeanor will make it easy to sacrifice bed space.

Some deterred by this massive dog, sitting anywhere between 160-230 pounds, can find these guys intimidating. Until close inspection it becomes clear their scary nature is only skin deep.  Of the big breeds, they have the most gentile nature.

They are big-boned, standing as high as 30 inches tall. Coats are commonly brown with dark shading around the eyes. Their droopy eyes and folded face are the epitome of the mastiff look. Giving you the pout of a sleepy old man.

They have a long history dating back 5,000 years.

The English Mastiff was found on the shores of Britain during the Roman invasion. Also coming with the pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, they are one of Americas earliest colonists.

They are kind, good-natured, and protective. If you’re looking for a guard dog that doesn’t make your ears ring, the mastiff is the one. Silent for the most part, they will defend their family and home. Most will take a step back immediately, even if they are sweet as can be.

In the famous coming of age movie “The Sandlot,” the beast beyond the fence is a mastiff. He is looked after by none other than Darth Vader himself, James Earl Jones. The mastiff, known as Hercules, is portrayed as a man eating dog.  At the end of the movie, the mastiff is licking the protagonists face, proving not a beast after all.

Another famous onscreen Mastiff is Hooch of the 1989 Tom Hanks movie Turner and Hooch, and fans of Cynthia Rylant’s writing will know that Mudge, of her “Henry and Mudge” series of picture books, is also a Mastiff.

Mastiffs like most enormous breeds have a short life span of 8-10 years. They are prone to hip dysplasia, ill-fitted hip sockets that are easily dislocated. Vets recommend two solid meals a day, as opposed to a single meal. Mastiffs are subject to bloating. They’re also at high risk for heart problems such as aortic stenosis (the heart valve narrows)  and cardiomyopathy (the heart has difficulty pumping blood to the body) . Close maintenance of your mastiff will keep them healthy and happy.

Due to their size and not temperament, supervise them with small children. They are not too playful, often choosing a nap over running across a dog park. Their stubbornness is most displayed when they are lazy, so try to train an active lifestyle at a young age.  Socialize them early with other animals and people, so that you don’t have aggression issues toward guests and their pets.

There are some mild downsides to having a mastiff. First, they are known for loud snores. You may want to give them a doggie bed in another part of the house if you’re a light sleeper. Next, they are known for flatulence and drooling. So if you’re sensitive to these things, a mastiff is not a good fit.

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