English Mastiff
| English Mastiff | ||||||||||||||||||
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 English Mastiffs, which are more often called simply Mastiffs
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| Alternative names | ||||||||||||||||||
| Mastiff Old English Mastiff |
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| Country of origin | ||||||||||||||||||
| Great Britain | ||||||||||||||||||
| Classification and breed standards | ||||||||||||||||||
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English Mastiff, aka Old English Mastiff aka Mastiff, is a large breed of dog of the general mastiff type.
Appearance
This breed is powerfully built, with a massive body, broad skull and head of generally square appearance.
The size should be very large, but it must be balanced by soundness. The body is massive with great breadth especially between the forelegs, causing these to be set wide apart. While no height or weight is specified for this breed, the approximate height is 25.5 to 30 inches (70 to 76 cm) and weight 175 to 190 lbs (79 to 86 kg).
The short coat is close-lying and the colour is apricot-fawn, silver-fawn, fawn or dark fawn-brindle, always with black on the muzzle, ears nose and around the eyes.
World Record
Guinness Book of World Records recognizes a mastiff from England named Zorba, as the heaviest dog in the world, at over 343 lbs (140 kg). Zorba stood 37 inches at the shoulder and was 8 feet 3 inches from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail. Zorba set this record in November, 1989, when he was 8 years old. Pic 1 Pic 2
Temperment
The Mastiff breed is a combination of grandeur, dignity and courage; calm and affectionate to its master, but capable of guarding. The breed is innately good nature, calm, easygoing and surprisingly gentle. It is a well-mannered house pet but needs sufficient room to stretch-out. This is an extremely loyal breed and though not excessively demonstrative, it is devoted to it family and good with children. However, it can be very protective of its owners and must be handled sensibly, since it is exceptionally powerful and can be difficult to control.
Health
This is a particularly large dog demanding suitably correct diet and exercise. The expected lifespan is 9 to 11 years.
Issues
- Major – CHD and Gastric Torsion
- Minor – Elbow Displasia, Obesity, Osteosarcoma and Cystinuria
- Occasional – Cariomyopathy, Allergies, Vaginal Hyperplasia, Cruciate Ligament Rupture, Hypothyroidism, OCD, Entropion, PRA and PPM.
- Minor – Elbow Displasia, Obesity, Osteosarcoma and Cystinuria
Suggested tests
- Hip
- Elbow
- Eye
- Thyroid
- DNA for Progressive retinal atrophy
History
The Mastiff name probably evolved from the Anglo-Saxon word "masty", meaning "powerful". The Mastiff is descended from the ancient Alaunt and Molosser and is recognized at the oldest British breed. The Mastiff might have been brought to Britain in the 6th century BC. It was used in the blood sports of bear-baiting, bull-baiting, dog fighting and lion-baiting. Throughout its long history, the Mastiff has contributed to the development of a number of dog breeds.
Sir Peers Legh
When Sir Peers Legh was wounded in the Battle of Agincourt his Mastiff stood over him and protected him for many hours through the battle. Although, Legh later died, the Mastiff returned to Legh's home and was the foundation of the Lyme Hall Mastiffs. Five centuries later this pedigree figured prominently in founding the modern breed.
New World
Some evidence exists that the Mastiff came to America on the Mayflower, but the breed's documented entry to America did not occur until the late 1800s.
Decline
In 1835, Britain passed legislation making baiting illegal. Subsequently, the Mastiff lost popularity and was virtually decimated in England by the Second World War; however, sufficient number had been brought to America by that time to keep the breed going. Since that time, it has gradually risen in popularity.
Clubs by country
| Country | Club Name |
|---|---|
| Australia | Mastiff Club Of Victoria Inc. |
| Austria | Molosser Club Austria |
| Belgium | Mastiff Club Belgium |
| Canada | Canadian Mastiff Club |
| Canada | Mastiff Fanciers of Western Canada |
| Czech Republic | Moloss Club CZ |
| Denmark | Dansk Mastiff Klub |
| England | Old English Mastiff Club of England |
| France | Club français du Bullmastiff et du Mastiff |
| Germany | Old English Mastiff Club Deutschland e.V. |
| Norway | Norwegian English Mastiff Club |
| Spain | Club Espanol de los Molosos de Arena |
| Sweden | Svenska Mastiffklubben |
| United States | Garden State Mastiff Fanciers |
| United States | Mastiff Club of America |
| United States | Mid-west Mastiff Fanciers |
| United States | Pacific Southwest Mastiff Club |
| United States | Pacific Northwest Mastiff Fanciers |
| United States | Redwood Empire Mastiff Club |
| United States | Southern Mastiff |