English Mastiffs and Bull Mastiffs: This is One Gentle Giant

The Bull Mastiff and the English Mastiff have aunderbelly. Keep in mind that while this type of
long colorful history. Yet the thing that stands outMastiff might look significantly smaller than the Bull
most about this breed is not that it's a gentleor English, the weight is simply distributed
family dog, but that this dog is so big that it candifferent, as the Neapolitan is significantly shorter
out weigh it's master!than the Bull or English.
Here are more facts about this interestingThe French Mastiff, also known as the Dogue de
breed…Bordeaux or the Bordeaux Bulldog by the French,
History:will only weigh around 140 pounds and will be
Despite the passing of thousands of years, mostsignificantly shorter and stockier. The French looks
breed experts suggest that modern day Mastiffssignificantly different because of a much wider
are similar in shape and size to their ancestors.head that may resemble a mixture of a Mastiff
The origins of all Mastiffs dates back to 2000 B.C.and a Rottweiler, at least in width. As well, the
in Asia, although the original ancestors wereFrench muzzle may be a solid red, as most
probably most like the English Mastiff, as theyFrench Mastiffs are a solid red color, making the
were extremely tall, muscular and weighed aFrench red from head to toe.
great deal. Because of this, many will claim thatYou may not immediately recognize the Tibetan
the English is the “true” Mastiff. SourcesMastiff as fitting with the breed, because it looks
suggest that over a thousand years or so,very different from the others. Instead of a
Romans crossed over the Swiss Alps for war andshort coat, it has a medium to long double coat of
in search of land brought the Mastiffs from Asia.fur that is available in a variety of different colors,
From here, the breed began to grow in popularitybut not usually singular in color. This breed also has
in Europe and other varieties of the breed begana longer muzzle that is more rounded and narrow
to pop up.than the other Mastiffs.
The English used the Mastiffs to guard theirBreed Temperament:
castles but they were also used by the Celts asMastiffs absolutely love to be part of the family!
war dogs and even by nomads to guard camps.They are considered a gentle family pet that
In more modern times, Mastiffs were used as bulldoes well with children but because of their size,
baiting and cattle herding dogs. Sources suggestthey will make an excellent watchdog as well.
that the English Mastiff was brought over on theDespite their large stature, they usually do not
Plymouth to America, where they were used asmake good guard dogs, because they are most
guards for camps. The need for the breed beganoften too laid back. Even though they are gentle
to decline with the invention of machinery andwith children, because of their size, it is best to
industry and by the 1900s they were nearlykeep an eye on them with small children because
extinct in England and other parts of Europe. Fromthey could easily knock a child over.
here America became the most populated withKeep in mind that because of early breeding as
Bull Mastiffs, now known as the most popularbull baiters, cow herder and fighters they will need
form of the breed.training from a small puppy to ensure that they
Description:do not become aggressive in any way. This
Remember that there will be some variation inshould not scare potential owners, though, as
the description of a Mastiff, but all are similar inmost aggressive tendencies are long gone in
size and shape. There is no mistaking Mastiffs asthese dogs. Most actually may tend to be on the
a large breed dog that weighs between 120-200lazy and laid back side and many owners will
pounds. Although the hair color and length willsuggest that they have to reward their Mastiffs
change depending on the type of Mastiff, almostin order to get them to work. Although Mastiffs
all are shorthaired and are available in colorswill be okay without a great deal of exercise, it is
ranging from brown, red, brindle to black. Theimportant to exercise them regularly to keep
muzzle will almost always be short, wide and blackthem healthy and at an ideal weight.
in color, framed with short, floppy ears and aLife Span:
long, thin tail.8-10 years
There are many different varieties of the Mastiff.Suitability with Children:
Many were originally different breeds of dog thatYes, can be trusted with all children
were at one point crossed to create differentSuitability with Other Pets:
versions of the Mastiff. These varieties include theYes, but males may have dominant tendencies
English, Bull, Neapolitan, French and Tibetan, withCommon Ailments:
the most popular varieties being Bull and English.This breed is prone to hip dysphasia that can lead
The Bull is especially predominant throughoutto arthritis. Are also prone to eye disease and
North America.eyelid problems, such as a cherry eye. As well as
The largest of the breed is the English version,bloat, cancer and tumors.
sometimes weighing over 200 pounds. The onlyTrainability:
major difference between the Bull and EnglishAre sensitive to tone of voice, so will do best
Mastiff is that the English will look considerablywith gentle guidance training. The entire breed is
stockier and may be upwards of 30 inches tall,known for being especially easy to train with
while the Bull is usually no taller than 27 inches.consistency and reinforcement from a puppy.
There is debate over which of the two is theLiving Conditions:
original Mastiff, but most breeders will consider theWill need daily exercise, but can adapt to most
English Mastiff the original breed. Another majorliving conditions.
difference between the English and Bull is that theRequired Exercise:
Bull Mastiff has an extremely powerful head thatMedium
is wide and a more sleek and muscular body.Maintenance Costs:
Neapolitan Mastiff dogs are more wrinkled, withLow
the entire body full of them, including the muzzle,As you can see, there's a lot more to this dog
the neck, chest, and through the legs andthan just it's size.