Mastiffs Breed FAQ

A. Introduction

Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of the Mastiff! In ...

B. Copyright

This FAQ is a publication of, and Copyright (c) 1995, 1996, ...

C. Disclaimer

This FAQ is provided as is without any express or ...

D. Contributors

+ Laurie ...

1. What is a Mastiff?

A Mastiff is a giant breed of dog, descended from the ...

2. What is the Mastiff Club Of America (MCOA)?

The Mastiff Club Of America was incorporated in 1929 to ...

3. Where do Mastiffs come from?

See Appendix A for a brief history....

4. What are Mastiffs good for?

Mastiffs excel as companions, family members, therapy workers ...

5. Are all Mastiffs the same?

No. Like humans, Mastiffs are individuals. Each has its ...

6a. Are Mastiffs Aggressive?

Aggression is unnecessary force or dominance in ...

6b. Are Mastiffs Easy to train?

Both easy and difficult. Mastiffs are smart, and live ...

6c. Are Mastiffs Fighters?

Mastiffs, with their gentle natures, do not have ...

6d. Are Mastiffs Good Guard Dogs?

Mastiffs are excellent guard dogs. They go to the door ...

6e. Are Mastiffs Protective?

Mastiffs ARE protective. However, many people do ...

6f. Are Mastiffs Shy?

Because of their great sensitivity, Mastiffs who are ...

7. What are Mastiffs like in the house?

Clean, quiet, and undemanding. Heaven to a Mastiff is a rug ...

8a. How much does a Mastiff Cost?

Puppy prices usually run $800-1500 and up, depending on ...

8b. How much does a Mastiff Eat?

Probably not as much as you think. Pound for pound, ...

8c. How much does a Mastiff Weigh?

Adult males generally run about 160-230 pounds, females ...

9a. Do Mastiffs Bark much?

Puppies are puppies in most breeds. Young pups tend to ...

9b. Do Mastiffs Bite?

Any dog bites if hurt, frightened, or threatened, but ...

9c. Do Mastiffs Chew?

As for chewing, puppies of any breed need to be given ...

9d. Do Mastiffs Dig?

Engineers on the Panama Canal project considered bringing ...

9e. Do Mastiffs Make good obedience dogs?

By nature, Mastiffs are eager to please. This makes them ...

9f. Do Mastiffs Need a lot of exercise?

About as much as you do. Most Mastiffs are like most humans;...

9g. Do Mastiffs Pass gas?

Yep. Especially on a diet of beer, hard-boiled eggs ...

9h. Do Mastiffs Roam?

Not usually. A Mastiff of either sex tends to be stay-at-...

9i. Do Mastiffs Shed?

Yes, like most breeds they shed approximately twice a year....

9j. SDo Mastiffs lobber?

Most Mastiffs only drool when 1) they have just had a ...

9k. Do Mastiffs Smell?

Well, Mastiffs aren't bred for tracking, so they don't ...

9l. Do Mastiffs Snore?

Yes. Ohhhh, yes. You'd better believe it!...

9m. Do Mastiffs Live indoors or outdoors?

Indoors, of course. What's the sense of having a Mastiff ...

10a. How are Mastiffs with Burglars, muggers and other miscreants?

Mastiffs tend to react in predictable ways when faced with ...

10b. How are Mastiffs with Other dogs?

By nature a typical Mastiff is friendly and aloof ...

10c. How are Mastiffs with Other animals?

The earliest socialization, at the breeder's, and while ...

10d. How are Mastiffs with Strangers?

A properly socialized Mastiff (which SHOULD be the only ...

10e. How are Mastiffs with Young children?

They are gentle and protective, providing they have ...

11. How long does a Mastiff live?

Books on the breed describe the average Mastiff life span as 6-...

12. Can I get a white Mastiff? What colors can I get?

No, Mastiffs come in Apricot, Brindle, and various shades of Fawn....

13. Male vs. female, which is friendlier? more protective? easier to train?

These are all traits that tend to vary more between ...

14. Is there anything special I should know about raising a Mastiff puppy - isn't it the same as any other breed?

Due to their rapid growth and their eventual giant size ...

15. How much training does a Mastiff need?

Because they are destined to be VERY large dogs, basic ...

16. Do Mastiffs have any genetic health problems?

Mastiffs are probably about average when it comes to the number ...

17. What are the common non-genetic health problems in Mastiffs?

Mastiffs are subject to the same common diseases and ...

18. What other problems do Mastiffs have?

+ Temperament:...

19. What kind of a temperament does a Mastiff have?

Mastiffs are called gentle giants because of their benign ...

20. What does a Mastiff eat?

A Mastiff will eat anything that is not nailed down! Mastiffs,...

21. What kind of living quarters does a Mastiff require? How about crating? Where do they sleep?

The standard answer to this question: Anywhere they want to!...

22a. Does owning a Mastiff Cost a lot?

A Mastiff costs more to maintain than smaller breeds due ...

22b. Does owning a Mastiff Require a lot of work?

Compared to what? Mastiffs, due to their tendency to be ...

23. Are you trying to talk me out of getting a Mastiff?

No and yes. No, because it would be wonderful if everyone ...

24. Where should I get a Mastiff?

+ Middleman who buys puppies from breeders and resells them?...

25. Where can I get more information about Mastiffs?

See Appendix E for Mastiff information sources and Appendix I ...

26. How do I pick a Mastiff puppy?

After you have chosen your breeder and your puppy's sire and dam,...

27. What questions should I ask the breeder (and what answers should I get)?

Before talking to a breeder, before you even start looking for ...

28. What kind of toys and other paraphernalia do I need for my Mastiff?

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29. Is that a Mastiff in:

+ Beethoven? No, a St. Bernard....

30. What's the difference between a Mastiff and a Bullmastiff?

The Mastiff is an ancient British breed and its history can ...

A. History of the Mastiff

There is evidence of Mastiff-like giant dogs dating back as far ...

B. MCOA / AKC Mastiff Conformation Standard

OFFICIAL STANDARD FOR THE ...

C. MCOA Code of Ethics

D. MCOA Rescue Service

1. What is the MCOA Rescue Service?...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 1. Books Unless indicated otherwise, the in-print books can be ordered from most major bookstores and are also usually available from the following, who may also have some of the out-of-print items occasionally: o 4-M Enterprises

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 2. Publications

o MCOA Journal - quarterly magazine - $28.00 a year,...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 3. Video / Audio

o Mass of Love, Joy and Pride - Mastiff song, cassette,...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 4. Computer Programs & Databases

o Devine Farm Pedigree Program & Mastiff Database -...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 5. Mastiffs on the Internet

a. MCOA WWW Home ...

F. Health Tests / Certifications every Mastiff SHOULD have

Mastiffs, like all breeds, have problems that are genetic - i.e.,...

G. Questions To Ask a Mastiff Breeder

The following are offered as possible questions you should ask ...

H. Special Aspects of Raising a Mastiff Puppy

Even a small Mastiff is destined to be a large dog. This ...

I. Mastiff Clubs & Contacts 1. MCOA Officers and Contacts

o President - Joe ...

I. Mastiff Clubs & Contacts 2. US Regional Mastiff Clubs (alphabetical by club name)

The following contacts are constantly changing. If you ...

I. Mastiff Clubs & Contacts 3. Mastiff Clubs in Other Countries (alphabetical by country)

The following contacts are constantly changing. If you ...

J. Mastiff Varieties and Internet References

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