I am thinking about getting a new dog. And I have always liked big dogs and like the looks of mastiff’s, but I don’t really know much about the breed. In the past I have had a few labs, a few golden retriver and a few muts. I have seen and herd of bull, English and American mastiff. I know people have different opinions but what are good thing about each of them and what are some draw backs? I just trying to get some info to make sure I can provide a good home for a mastiff before bring one home and figure out its not what I had planed

 

Bull mastiffs are smaller than English Mastiffs - I have a friend with an English Mastiff that is 260 pounds, so be sure you have enough room and budget for food..... My experience with his is that it looks like a bear, extremely friendly, wants to be a lap dog.

My brother has a Mastiff/Boxer mix - not much help there - but it is extremely strong, and hyper (it's still a puppy) and will probably be somewhere around 100lbs.

 

my mother in law just got a pup 8 months and 80lbs they are supposed to be protective but good with children

 

They drool.....kinda like madhat.


(This is gonna hurt.)

 

I can tell you anything you want about Mastiffs. We've owned and raised Mastiffs for several years. By ALL MEANS they are the greatest dogs ever.

 

From the AKC Web Site...

http://www.akc.org/breeds/mastiff/
http://www.akc.org/breeds/bullmastiff/

 

they are big, eat alot and make huge piles of poo...again kinda like madhat just kidding...isnt madhat only like 5'8"

brett

 

Mad talks a pile of pooh that is 5'8...

our Bull Mastiff (mom is BM, dad is BM/rottie mix) is 7 months, 77 pounds.
and yes, they do make a mess in the yard.
and he can EAT.

AWESOME personality. good looking (see the "transport" thread)
and just plain smart AND stubborn.

we named him Junior,
he's just like my wife: sleeps, eats, naps, snacks, repeat

he's right under her feet, loves her, think he will protect her.

awesome watch dog for now, our Japanese Akita is training him on that.

he can EAT.
my wife has him spoiled on people food, but what good is a pet if you don't enjoy it?

for the peace of mind my dogs give me as watch dogs, they are worth the effort.

 

I just lost my 210lb English Mastiff Vanessa on June 29th at under 7 years old. The sad part with big dogs is most (not all) but most of the time their lifespan is reduced due to their size. My breeder usually expects 7-9years for a male and about 9 for a female (again on average). Mastiffs are great dogs, but their size is an issue. Getting a 200lb+ dog to the vet can be an issue, and in an emergency can be a problem. You also have to realize their is more responsibility in owning a large dog. You have to make sure they listen and are well behaved. Trust me Im 6'-3" 230+ Lbs and have worked out for 12+ years, and when Vanessa wanted to check something out or go somewhere on her leash I had NO, I mean NO chance of stopping her. Luckily she listened well and I never had a problem. Besides my 1 neighbor calling the cops when he first moved in because I dont have a fence and she was on the porch .

I am in no means trying to tell you not to get one, I feel they are the best breed hands down. Im just trying to give you some objective advice so you can make the best decision.

That being said I went to the same breeder and got Vanessas second cousin, man its been a while since I had a puppy but I cant live in a house without a Mastiff. Good luck with your decision and if you have any questions feel free to PM me. Rye.

 

I've got two and absolutely love the breed. My male is a Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff) mix and my female is a Neopolitian. They are called the gentle giants for a reason too. Very friendly by nature but they are also very intimidating. I have 2 small boys that ride them around the yard and the dogs just love it. They are by far the best dogs I've ever owned. Oh yeah, they don't eat that much either. I go through 100 lbs of food a month for both dogs...costs me @ $30.

 

We have had several E. Mastiffs and currently went with Cane Corso (one of the Italian Mastiffs- not a Neopolitan) as they are a lot smaller;which we wanted at our age, and the most athletic IMO. E. Mastiffs are great though, the only reason we did not get another is we will be 50 our next birthdays, and hossing a 200+ lb sick dog to Vet is getting beyond us. They are great, will not roam (ours didn't anyway). We would go out of town for up to 2 weeks and leave them out to guard ranch, and just have neighbors feed them and check on them daily. They are great with kids, and the male is partial to female of house. Our female Lulu, was 100 lbs at 6 months old and would later go around with stick of good sized firewood in her mouth like a dog carring a little stick. She was great. Our current Cane Corso is blue/black with cropped ears and already looks like a stone cold killer. He is very leary of strangers and they can do man work if trained properly. Get you a giant E. Mastiff if you are young and have room. Research OFA certified. PM me if I can help, we've had several and have had one littter and did not lose a one thanks to my wife. They can lay on them, like a sow will. I am not a professional breeder, just have had several of them. Good Luck

 

our neighbor had one... that dog NEVER barked and my kids smuthered that dog to death and he never once growled at them very awsome dog it was a brindle or neopolatine very pretty

 

http://www.mastiffweb.com/history.htm

drooling & snoring.

ours doesn't drool too bad,

but he SNORES.

 

The English Mastiff is by far the best dog I have ever owned in every respect.
Very loving, highly intelligent, easily trainable and super protective of it's family. But dont expect to see those qualities if the dog is going to be chained up outside, it is a very family oriented dog who wants to be with it's family.
I would suggest you read "The Mastiff:The Aristocratic Guardian" by Dee Dee Andersson.
I would never even consider another breed after having an English Mastiff..
BTW...here is a pic of my boy Butkus

 

Our pups.
Zoey and her pups.

Zoey and Zebidiah.