United States of America
Mastiff dog breed - photos and description
Photos of the breed
Main characteristics of the breed
| Care: | Need regular care |
| Size: | Large |
| Molt: | Shed moderately |
| Need for activity: | Need a moderate amount of exercise |
| Domination: | Lowest level |
| Tolerance of loneliness: | Moderately addicted |
| Type of wool: | Shorthaired, Wirehaired |
| Temperament: | Phlegmatic |
| Friendly to strangers: | Restrained |
| Intellect: | Adaptive intelligence |
| Learnability: | A bit difficult to learn |
| Specialization: | Hunting, Companions, Watch dogs |
| Tendency to bark: | Almost don't bark, quiet ones |
English mastiffs are brave protectors. Despite their menacing appearance, they are good-natured. From their ancestors, dogs inherited courage, strength and protective qualities. However, they are more likely to be “passive defenders”. The dog will defend its territory, but will never attack unless provoked. She uses her bark and menacing appearance to scare away strangers. Ultimately, the defining characteristic of the English Mastiff is its friendliness towards people. They are not aggressive towards strangers, but are cautious.
There are several theories about the origin of the name of the breed. According to one of them, the word "mastiff" comes from the Anglo-Saxon word masty (strong), according to another - from the Latin massivius (large). The Oxford Dictionary associates the name with Old French, which translates to "dog."
The English Mastiff is an ideal dog for people with an active lifestyle. They love to snuggle with their owner on the sofa and prefer to stay indoors rather than go out for walks, especially in bad weather.
The English Mastiff is not suitable for people who lead an overly active lifestyle, who love long walks or hikes, or for families with small children. They are also not recommended as a first dog due to their stubborn nature and tendency to dominate. People with limited mobility and older people find it difficult to handle this large dog. It should also be taken into account that due to the huge size of the English Mastiff, it cannot be kept in small apartments.
The English Mastiff is a very affectionate dog. They maintain royal dignity and nobility. Therefore, dogs of this breed can be called English aristocrats. By temperament they are quite phlegmatic, although they show tender love and devotion to their owners and family.
Mastiffs are very attached to people and always try to be close to them. He loves hugs and tries to climb into your lap. Loneliness is unbearable for him, so people who constantly work should not get such a dog.