1. What is a Mastiff?
Description
This article is from the Mastiffs Breed FAQ, by mmcbee@access.mountain.net (Mike McBee) with numerous contributions by others.
1. What is a Mastiff?
A Mastiff is a giant breed of dog, descended from the ancient
Alaunt and Molosser. Today, mastiff is used to describe many
different breeds around the world, all descended from the same
root stock. In the US and other English speaking countries,
Mastiff is used to refer to the Old English Mastiff (OEM),
developed in England and nearly extinct after WW II. With that in
mind, Mastiffs (OEMs) are generally very large dogs; fawn, apricot
or brindle in color; all with a black mask and ears; possessing a
medium to short coat with very little white (which, if it appears,
should be confined to the chest but often appears on the toes as
well). There is no upper height limit and no weight range in the
Mastiff Standard. In height they generally range from the
Standard's minimum of 27 1/2 inches up to 36 inches for the
exceptionally tall ones. They can weigh anywhere from 110 pounds
to the 343 pounds of Zorba, the world's largest dog, although most
Mastiff males weigh around 160-230 pounds and females around
120-170 pounds. This breed is supposed to be very broad with a
huge head, wide chest and large bone, and is longer in body than
in height (see Appendix B, the Mastiff Conformation Standard).
Mastiffs are not supposed to resemble Great Danes except possibly
in height, nor Saint Bernards, except for the bone, width, chest
and large head. They should not be as wrinkled as a Neapolitan nor
as dome headed as a Dogue de Bordeaux, nor 'houndy' like a Fila
Brasileiro. Mastiffs possess characteristics unique to the breed,
especially the head with a broad, deep muzzle with flews hanging
over the bottom lip, giving the head a square appearance. A
Mastiff should possess a calm, self assured temperament and be
devoted to its family and friends. Mastiffs should not be
aggressive to humans or other animals, including other dogs,
although, unfortunately, some of them are. Mastiffs should be
steady, gentle, eager for affection, good with children, calm and
self assured, and used primarily as a family companion.
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