Mastiff Dog Breed Guide: Traits, Care & Ownership

Discover the Mastiff, a breed celebrated for its protective, affectionate, and intelligent nature. Recognized as a large dog, Mastiffs have their origins in England, where they were initially bred for guarding and fighting starting in the back to Roman times (around 2000 years ago) century.

In this post, we share insights from nearly 10,000 Sniffspot users, offering practical advice for new and prospective Mastiff owners. Whether you’re considering adopting or rescuing a Mastiff or already have one, you'll find valuable tips on how to care for and enjoy life with a protective Mastiff.

As one Sniffspot user says, "Mastiffs are gentle giants. These are easily the most loving dogs ever. Great family dogs, especially if you introduce them to children when they are young!"

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

Mastiff Quick Characteristics

• Breed Type: Guardian
• Size: Large
• Life Expectancy: 6 to 10
• Healthy Weight Range: 120 - 230
• Height Range: 27 to 32
• Temperament: Protective, Affectionate, Intelligent
• Coat Type: Short
• Color: Fawn, brindle, or apricot with a black mask

About the Mastiff

According to nearly 10,000 Sniffspot community users who shared real-world data about their Mastiff, we learned that these dogs are protective and loyal. The Mastiff is also known to be very friendly and social with children and very friendly with other pets.

When living with an English Mastiff, 91% of our owners indicated that a large house with a fenced yard is ideal. Additionally, 28% of owners found that a rural or suburban area with open spaces is also acceptable. This dog is highly trainable by all types of dog owners and owners say that the Mastiff learns best with positive reinforcement, consistent routines, and socialization.

In terms of exercise, 40% of Sniffspot owners say their Mastiff benefits from low exercise every day, including around 30 minutes of walks and playtime a day. The Sniffspot English Mastiff community would not recommend this dog for first-time owners.

History and Origin of Mastiff

The Mastiff breed has a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Originally from England, these impressive dogs were used as guardians and warriors, known for their strength and bravery. They were highly valued by the Romans, who likely brought them to Britain and further developed their impressive size and protective instincts.

In medieval England, Mastiffs were used in battles and as guard dogs for estates. Their formidable presence made them effective at warding off intruders and defending their homes. They were also popular among the nobility, who admired their loyal and protective nature.

Over time, the breed evolved from a fierce warrior to a more gentle companion. Despite their imposing size, Mastiffs are known for their calm demeanor and loyalty. Today, they continue to be cherished for their protective qualities and affectionate nature, making them both impressive guardians and beloved family pets.

Mastiff Traits and Characteristics

• Temperament: Protective, Affectionate, Intelligent
• Energy Level: Low
• Trainability: Highly trainable - Learns commands quickly and responds well to training.
• Grooming needs: Low maintenance - Requires minimal grooming, such as occasional brushing and baths.
• Good with Kids: Very friendly and social with children
• Good with Other Pets: Very friendly with other pets

What to Expect as a Mastiff Dog Owner

As a Mastiff owner, it's important to know the best dog breed tips and what to expect from current Mastiff owners.

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Research 2024

Grooming Needs

Mastiff dogs require low maintenance grooming. This means Mastiff owners should expect minimal grooming, like occasional brushing and baths. Mastiff dogs have a short coat, which is ideal for protection. Their short coat is considered moderate shed.

To keep your Mastiff's coat healthy and up to breed standards, include brushing in their daily routine and clean their ears regularly to avoid infections. Of the coat types for common breeds in the guardian group, the grooming needs for Mastiffs are considered to be low maintenance.

Exercise Needs

Mastiffs require low activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, English Mastiffs are considered a very athletic, high-energy breed. English Mastiffs make great pets and thrive with around 30 minutes of walks and playtime a day. Owners of English Mastiffs report their dogs especially love tug-of-war, playing with squeaky toys, and chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee.

When large breeds like English Mastiffs don't get sufficient exercise, they're more likely to act out with undesirable behaviors like aloofness or stubbornness. They need consistent training, mental activity, and regular low exercise to avoid excess energy.

Diet and Nutrition

What should you feed your Mastiff to keep them healthy? As a low-energy breed, what you feed them is important. A reported 47% of our community feed their English Mastiff commercial dry kibble.

With low exercise, English Mastiffs should eat 4 to 6 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 120 - 230 lbs. However, your Mastiff's ideal weight and food depend on your pet's sex, activity level, and age.

Mastiff Health Concerns

The Mastiff breed is most prone to joint problems (e.g., hip dysplasia, arthritis) and skin conditions (e.g., allergies, dermatitis). A reported 43% of our Mastiff owners reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. English Mastiff's risk for these challenges increases as they age.

Similarly, 28% reported skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. Lastly, 23% of Mastiff owners claim their dog struggles with ear infections caused by allergies, ear mites, or contact dermatitis — a common English Mastiff health concern. If you're worried about any of these health issues above, talk to your English Mastiff's vet.

How Friendly Are Mastiffs?

Another important thing to consider when adopting an English Mastiff is whether or not they fit with your current family. How friendly are Mastiffs compared to other large-sized breeds?

Source: Sniffspot Community Breed Survey 2024

With consistent training, you can hone your English Mastiff's guardian instinct into a protective and affectionate family dog. Introducing your pet to positive reinforcement (treats, praise, rewards) and consistent daily training routines early helps them avoid undesirable behaviors like aloofness or stubbornness. Our community Mastiff owners comment on their pet's friendliness:

• People don’t understand how dominant they like to be, you really have to let them know you are in charge from the beginning. (RMW)
• Takes the right training to ensure a good temperament. (Halle)
• Big dog big mess, destroys things inside the house when not looking. (Sabrina )

Vanessa Serpas on Unsplash

How to Train Your Mastiff

Whether you're adopting an English Mastiff puppy or an adult Mastiff, training is a significant part of owning a large-sized breed. Without proper training, your English Mastiff is more likely to display undesirable behaviors such as aloofness or stubbornness. Providing stimulating activities is a great first step, but this needs to be paired with the right training for your English Mastiff.

As a guardian breed, Mastiffs benefit from praise and positive reinforcement. Here's what our English Mastiff community recommended based on their experience with their own dogs:

• Positive Reinforcement (92%): This includes treats, praise, rewards, and so on for positive behavior
• Consistent Routines (58%): A consistent training routine allows your pet to get comfortable with expectations
• Socialization (42%): Socializing your dog with other pets, dogs, and people prepares them to interact with the world

As dogs bred for guarding and fighting, English Mastiffs are considered highly trainable by all types of dog owners.

What Do Owners Love About Mastiffs?

We asked Sniffspot English Mastiff owners what they love the most about their Mastiff pups, and here's what they had to say:

• Incredibly affectionate and big enough for full-body snuggles. (Sarah )
• Incredibly loyal and affectionate with her people, highly intelligent, and thinks her sole job is to please me. (SJ)
• Affectionate and loyal, medium energy level, won't get bored and eat the couch. (Anon)

What Are the Biggest Challenges for Mastiff Owners?

Similarly, English Mastiff owners shared some of the biggest challenges of living with their Mastiff:

• They are BIG, therefore, training is a MUST! They can be very stubborn and independent. And the slobber can be a big challenge as well (Anon)
• Challenging breed, not recommended for first-time dog owners. Lots of behavioral challenges if not socialized correctly at a young age. (LW)
• Reactivity. Sometimes they are blinded by what’s a real threat versus not. Hence training is key with this breed. (Ashley)

Is a Mastiff Right for a First-Time Dog Owner?

Source: Sniffspot 2024 Community Dog Breed Survey

According to 75% of our Sniffspot community, Mastiffs are not a great first-time dog. This comes from their protective nature and large size. Mastiff owners say it best:

• We haven't had any challenges at all in her almost 4 years but I think size could be a challenge for some. Ours instinctively knows to be gentle around kids but has stepped on some toes accidentally and that does hurt little feet. (Laura)
• Reactivity. Sometimes they are blinded by what’s a real threat versus not. Hence training is key with this breed. (Ashley)
• A reactive mastiff is a terrifying prospect because that's a human-sized dog that other owners will perceive as "going after" their dog, even if they are the ones with an off-leash dog in a designated on-leash area. (Sarah)

Advice for Mastiff Owners

Luckily, our Sniffspot community is full of experienced, trustworthy English Mastiff owners. These Mastiff breed owners share the most essential dog breed tips and advice for prospective or new dog owners:

Start training them early.

• Training and socializing - it never ends. Get started early and do it often. This breed needs a job and structure. It's a lot of work if you aren't committed to putting the time in a Cane Corso isn't for you. (FB)
• Make sure you're ready to handle a dog of this size. (SJ)

Make sure you're ready to handle a dog of this size.

• If others are considering this breed definitely consider the size of these dogs as well as training commitment up front. This breed is also a guardian protection breed, their minds are built to be skeptical of new people and loyal to you. Not a dog that is going to be happy-go-lucky around everyone. (LW)
• They need to be with their people a lot of the time, their size alone = $$ food, vet, care, etc. be prepared financially. But be prepared for a best friend for life. Incredibly loyal and affectionate - make a great family pet with a calm demeanor. Very sweet when properly socialized. (Alana)

Many owners say this dog is picky.

• You will sweep up more dog hair than you could ever imagine; you need to have somewhere cold for him to sleep at night; his food requirements change daily (one day wants frozen beef and the next day cooked chicken; doesn’t like the same thing two days in a row). (Karyn)
• You need a lot of time, patience, and money (because many medications are by weight). You also have to be prepared for the heartbreak of them not living as long as other breeds. They're not ""stubborn""; you have to understand and work with their particular motivations and breeds are not a monolith. The dogs within a breed are still individuals with preferences. (Sarah )

Have the right lifestyle for them.

• You need extra time for training consistently, good for families with PROPER socialization, and make sure your dog does not think he is the alpha of the house (the owner is). (MiKayla )
• You need to know what you’re signing up for and understand it is a lifestyle breed that needs a lot of training, exercise, and mental stimulation. They also feel very unhappy being left alone for long periods. They want to be with their family. (S. P)

Frequently Asked Questions about the Mastiff

What is the average lifespan of a Mastiff?

The average lifespan of a Mastiff is typically between 6 to 10 years.

What is the size of a Mastiff?

An adult Mastiff weighs between 120 - 230 pounds and stands between 27 to 32 inches tall.

How much grooming does a Mastiff need?

Mastiff dogs require low-maintenance grooming. Regular grooming helps to keep their coat healthy and manageable. Mastiff dogs have a short coat, which is well-suited for protection. They are considered moderate shedders.

To maintain your Mastiff's coat, it's important to brush weekly and clean their ears regularly. Among guardian breeds, Mastiff grooming is categorized as relatively easy.

How much exercise do Mastiffs need?

Mastiffs require low activity each day. Though one of the most popular dog breeds, English Mastiffs are classified as a minimally athletic, low-energy breed.

English Mastiffs are excellent companions and thrive with around 30 minutes of walks and playtime a day. Owners of English Mastiffs note that their dogs particularly enjoy tug-of-war, playing with squeaky toys, and chasing/playing with a ball or frisbee.

If large breeds like English Mastiffs don't receive enough exercise, they may develop unwanted behaviors. These dogs need ongoing training, mental stimulation, and consistent exercise to channel their energy effectively.

How friendly are Mastiffs with children?

According to our data, Mastiffs are very friendly and social with children with children.

How well do Mastiffs get along with other pets?

Our research indicates that Mastiffs are very friendly with other pets with other pets.

What should you feed your Mastiff to keep him healthy?

As a low-energy breed, the diet of your English Mastiff is crucial. A significant 47% of our community feed their English Mastiff commercial dry kibble.

For optimal health, English Mastiffs should consume 4 to 6 cups of vet-recommended food to maintain a healthy weight of around 120 - 230 pounds. The exact amount and type of food will depend on your Mastiff's sex, activity level, and age.

What health concerns are common for Mastiffs?

The Mastiff breed is particularly prone to joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma and skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. Our data shows that 43% of Mastiff owners reported joint problems like arthritis, elbow dysplasia, degenerative issues, and osteosarcoma. English Mastiff's risk for these health issues increases as they age.

Additionally, 28% reported skin conditions like allergies, yeast infections, impetigo, ringworm, alopecia, and folliculitis. Finally, 23% of Mastiff owners indicated their dog struggles with ear infections caused by allergies, ear mites, or contact dermatitis, which are common English Mastiff health concerns. If you have concerns about any of these health issues, consult your English Mastiff's veterinarian.

Resources for Mastiff Owners

Whether you're a current Mastiff dog owner or you're considering adopting an English Mastiff, Sniffspot is here to lend a helping hand. Here are some of the most relevant resources for Mastiff owners.

• Most Popular Mastiff Dog Names
• AZ Mastiff Rescue
• Mastiff Club of America

Sources:

• Mastiff Dog Breed Information. (American Kennel Club)
• Mastiff Dog Breed Characteristics. (DogTime)