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Last updated
February 15, 2009 |
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So, You Want to Own a Mastiff?
The context of this writing was inspired by an article found at: Midwest Mastiffs.
This information is being offered as an educational tool, and is not meant to discourage puppy buyers from seeking out a Mastiff as a family pet. But as a reputable breeder, we feel it is our responsibility to make sure that a potential buyer knows what owning a Mastiff entails.
So you're interested in a Mastiff. Owning a Mastiff can be the beginning of a wonderful relationship with years of happiness, but it can also be the beginning of an overwhelming responsibility, which you may not be prepared for. Needless to say, we LOVE Mastiffs. We feel they are the most affectionate, loving and loyal canine companions we have ever had. They truly are gentle giants.
Mastiffs are VERY LARGE dogs. There IS a big difference between having a Labrador or a German Shepherd, and a Mastiff. They are the largest of the dog breeds and can range in size from 26 inches to 36 inches at the shoulder and they weigh anywhere from 130 pounds to 250+ pounds. When they are growing puppies, they eat a lot and, for some time, will put on up to a pound a day. The size varies quite a bit within the breed, though. If your Mastiff ends up weighing "just" 155 lbs., most people will still talk about your friend as if he was an average sized pony.
Although they are large and can be stubborn at times, they are very sensitive dogs and a stern voice is all you need for discipline. Striking or hitting as a form of discipline can be very destructive to a Mastiff's behavior.
There are several questions you must ask yourself to determine if you are ready to become a Mastiff owner. You must answer honestly to make sure you, your family, and your Mastiff have the future you all expect and deserve.
Why Do I Want a Mastiff?
Mastiffs are wonderful companions, but they must be just that, a companion. They are not dogs to be left outside, chained to a doghouse or to be left alone in a fenced yard. They need lots of human interaction to be properly socialized, trained and owned. They need to be part of your family. If you don't have the time or the dedication to properly include a Mastiff into your lifestyle, then a Mastiff is not the dog for you. Many behavioral problems can occur when a Mastiff is not a member of the family and is left to the backyard with only occasional human contact. Mastiffs will come up with ways to occupy their time if they are forgotten, and with heads the size of a five gallon bucket, they can be very destructive chewers.
Because of their laidback demeanor, Mastiffs make wonderful house dogs. However, Mastiffs do slobber, some more than others, and all will slobber after they eat or drink. Are you prepared to wash your walls, ceilings, etc. after the slobber flies when they shake their heads? Slobber rags must always be handy in strategic locations throughout the house.
Mastiffs will snore. Boy, do they snore. Sometimes you think a train is going through the house. Are you a light sleeper or one that needs constant quiet to sleep? If so, consider another breed. They will want to keep you warm at night on the bed of course. If not on the bed, then they will want to sleep in the same room. They can be amazingly agile at 2:00 am!
Mastiffs are NOT guard dogs. They will protect their family more along the lines of a watch dog rather than a guard dog. If your intent is to have a dog that is a guard dog then you must think about another breed. They will often bark and let intruders know they are not accepted, but once you accept the guest, chances are they will too. Their mere presence and bark will scare the bravest of burglars.
Mastiffs are wonderful with children. They are very gentle and quite tolerant of ear and tail pulls, sitting on their backs (not a good idea), and they adore licking kid's faces. They are naturally protective of children, but please make sure that you supervise and train your children to respect and treat the dog well. The swinging tail of a Mastiff can knock a small child over. If you have very small children who are just learning to walk, you may want to wait until they are older to get a Mastiff.
Mastiffs can be territorial dogs. They will protect their yard, house, car and family from people or unknown dogs. They want it to be known that this is their yard. They are dogs that can be very good with other dogs and cats, as long as they have had good experiences with them. If you have an adult male dog already, you might want to consider a female Mastiff and vice a versa. This is not to say that two males cannot get along, but males especially have a tendency to want to dominate each other.
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