English Mastiff, the gentle giant

English Mastiff, a giant dog breed from England, muscular and strong in appearance but calm and absolutely loyal in temperament.

English Mastiff originated from England, is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, has a muscular, strong appearance, but is very gentle, calm and absolutely loyal.

If you want to learn more about the origin, appearance, personality or how to care for English mastiffs, please continue reading the article below about this Dog breed!

Where did the English Mastiff come from?

English Mastiff, a giant breed from England.

The English Mastiff, also known as the English Mastiff, is an ancient breed of dog originating from England. Currently, there are many theories about the ancestry of this breed, however, the theory that they originated from the Molosser dog is most widely recognized because there is a lot of related ancient evidence.

The history of the formation and development of the English Mastiff is as follows:

• In 2000 BC, Molosser dogs appeared in the Middle East and Europe, raised as guard, hunting and fighting dogs.
• In the 6th century BC, the Molosser followed Roman soldiers to Britain, and here it gave rise to the English Mastiff breed.
• During the Roman Empire, English Mastiffs were trained to fight in arenas, hunt lions,...
• During the Middle Ages in England, English Mastiffs were used to protect castles, livestock, owners or participate in hunting matches, they were loved by many English nobles.
• During the 16th and 18th centuries, English Mastiffs continued to be used in dog fights and dog fights, but after the law banning dog fighting was enacted, this breed was raised on farms for protection purposes.
• In the 19th century, due to industrial development, the need to use English Mastiffs for hunting gradually decreased, instead they became a family pet because of their friendly and loyal nature.

Physical characteristics of English Mastiff

Appearance of purebred English Mastiff.

The English Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, with a massive body, muscular muscles, a wrinkled face and a very majestic appearance. Let's find out more about this dog's appearance.

• Weight : Males 90 - 120 kg, some weigh up to 150 kg; females from 70 - 90 kg. This is one of the heaviest dog breeds in the world.
• Height : Males from 70 - 91 cm, females from 66 - 85 cm.
• Body : Muscular, long, wide, sturdy body, straight back, many muscles, big, strong legs.
• Chest : Broad, deep.
• Head : Large, wide.
• Face : There are many wrinkles on the forehead, around the eyes and when they are concentrated, the number of wrinkles is more and more obvious.
• Eyes : Small, dark brown, with a calm gaze.
• Coat : Short, thick, smooth, does not shed much, easy to care for.
• Coat color : Fawn, Apricot, Brindle, with black face and ears.
• Tail : Long, thick at base and tapering, low set.
• Lifespan : Over 7 years.

Are English Mastiffs aggressive?

But the English Mastiff is very gentle and calm with its owner.

In contrast to its large, powerful appearance, the English Mastiff is very calm, loyal and extremely affectionate with its owner. Let's learn about the outstanding characteristics of this dog.

Gentle and calm

The English Mastiff is gentle and patient, especially with children and other pets. They are not hyperactive or aggressive dogs, but always calmly observe carefully before acting.

When indoors, this dog also just likes to lie still and relax and only moves when necessary. Sometimes because of this, it is mistaken for being lazy, but in fact this is its nature.

Loyal and protective of the owner

Although the English Mastiff is not aggressive, it still has a strong protective instinct. When it feels that its owner or family is in danger, it will immediately stand up to protect them.

However, this dog is aloof with strangers, so it needs to be trained from a young age to become more friendly.

Barks little but makes a lot of noise

English Mastiffs rarely bark, but when they do, their voice is deep and carries far. They will especially make many whining or snoring sounds when sleeping. So when you see your dog barking a lot, it is definitely having some unusual problems.

A bit stubborn

English Mastiffs are very intelligent and quick learners, but sometimes they can be stubborn and want to do things their own way. Therefore, you need to train this dog patiently to get good results.

Proper care of English Mastiff

English Mastiffs have a lot of loose skin and need to be properly groomed to avoid infection.

To help your English Mastiff grow up healthy, you need a suitable care regimen. Find out the detailed instructions below.

The best diet for English Mastiffs

The English Mastiff is a giant dog breed so it has very high nutritional needs to develop and maintain its physical strength. Let's learn about the appropriate diet for each stage of this dog's life.

Recommended nutritional requirements for English Mastiffs:

• Protein: Makes up 30 - 40% of the diet, found in beef, chicken, fish, lamb,...
• Good fats: Make up 10 - 15% of the diet, found in fish oil, animal fat, olive oil,...
• Starch & fiber: Found in sweet potatoes, pumpkins, carrots, potatoes, apples, bananas,...
• Calcium & minerals: Found in milk, cheese, eggs, seafood.
• Vitamins: Found in vegetables, fruits,...
• Clean water: Always available and needs to be replaced daily.

Fresh food can be replaced with high-quality seeds that are rich in protein (over 25%), low in starch and free of other additives.

Diet for English Mastiff puppies from 2 to 6 months old:

• Divide meals into 3 - 4 meals/day.
• Eat soft, mashed foods and soaked seeds for easy digestion.
• Diet rich in protein and calcium.
• Can add goat milk, milk for puppies.
• Limit eating hard, small bones.

Diet for English Mastiffs from 6 months to 6 years old:

• Eat 2 meals/day, larger portions.
• Add meat, fish, vegetables, eggs, milk, cheese,...
• Can feed additional nutritious dry food if too busy.
• Limit starchy, greasy foods.

Diet for English Mastiff dogs over 6 years old :

• Eat 2 small meals/day.
• Limit foods high in fat, spices,...
• Prioritize soft, easy-to-digest foods, foods rich in fiber, vitamins....

Grooming and grooming for English Mastiffs

The English Mastiff has short fur and sheds little, so you don't need to spend too much time grooming this dog. However, please note the following:

• Use a soft brush to brush the fur 2-3 times/week.
• Bathe 1-2 times/month with specialized shampoo for short-haired dogs.
• After bathing, you need to dry your fur completely to limit bacteria growth.
• Weekly, regular ear hygiene checks are required.
• Clean eye discharge and skin folds daily.
• Brush your teeth 2-3 times/week.

Exercise & Training Regime for English Mastiffs

English Mastiff is not a very active dog, but you still need to spend time helping them exercise and train them every day to ensure their health. Please pay attention to the following things.

• Walk 30 - 60 minutes/day.
• Don't run and jump too much when you are young because it can easily damage your bones and joints.
• Do not exercise vigorously after a full meal.
• Train basic commands like "sit", "lie down", "stand up", "come here" to help this dog become more obedient and less stubborn.
• English Mastiffs need to be socialized early to help them become less aggressive towards strangers and other pets.

Health care, vaccination for English Mastiff

In addition to paying attention to nutrition, hygiene, exercise and training for English mastiffs, you need to pay attention to health care and vaccination for this breed of dog, specifically as follows:

• Vaccinate with 7 in 1 and 5 in 1 vaccines to prevent common infectious diseases in dogs such as distemper, parvo, kennel, corona,...
• Regular rabies vaccination.
• Deworm 2-3 times/year depending on age.
• Regular health check-ups to detect abnormalities and genetic diseases early for timely treatment.

Suitable living environment for English Mastiff

English Mastiffs are large in size, so they are only suitable for large spaces, especially this dog also likes quiet. If you raise them indoors, you need to prepare a separate resting area for them, do not let them play outdoors when it is too hot because they can get heat stroke....

Common diseases in English mastiffs

English Mastiffs are prone to bone and joint problems, dermatitis and digestive problems.

English Mastiffs are large in size and have deep chests, so they often suffer from some diseases related to bones, joints, stomach, and respiratory system. Besides, they are also susceptible to skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Let's learn in detail about some common diseases in English Mastiffs to know the signs and how to prevent them.

Hip and elbow dysplasia

This is a common bone and joint disease in large dog breeds and English mastiffs are no exception.

• Causes : Genetics, rapid growth, diet lacking in calcium and glucosamine.
• Symptoms : Dogs limp, have more difficulty standing up and sitting down than usual, dogs do not like to run and jump,...
• Prevention and treatment : Limit improper exercise from a young age, supplement calcium, omega 3, glucosamine to support bones and joints, control diet well to avoid obesity.

Gastric torsion - bloating in English mastiffs

This is a dangerous disease that is common in large breed dogs and it can be fatal to dogs.

• Causes : Eating too fast, exercising vigorously after eating, drinking a lot of water while eating,...
• Symptoms : Abdominal distension, restlessness, anxiety, drooling, gagging,...
• Prevention and treatment : Divide meals into smaller portions instead of eating a large meal at once, use a separate bowl to avoid overeating,...

BOAS syndrome

BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome) is a respiratory disease common in short-nosed dog breeds such as English Mastiffs.

• Symptoms : Dog snores loudly, wheezes, gets tired quickly when exercising vigorously
• Prevention and treatment : Do not leave the dog in a place that is too hot. Cool down to prevent the dog from getting heat stroke, especially in the summer.

Dermatitis

English Mastiffs have many wrinkles on their face and body, so if not cleaned properly, it will create favorable conditions for bacteria to accumulate and grow, causing skin diseases.

• Symptoms : Red rash, hair loss in patches, dog scratches a lot, often rubs body on the floor,...
• Prevention and maintenance : Clean and dry wrinkles regularly, apply anti-tick and anti-flea medication, etc.

Price list and experience in buying English Mastiffs in Vietnam

Below is the price list and some experience when buying an English Mastiff, please refer to it.

English Mastiff price list

Currently, English Mastiffs are not popular in Vietnam due to their high cost and special care requirements. The common prices are as follows:

• English Mastiffs bred in Vietnam: 70 - 100 million VND (purebred).
• Imported English Mastiff: from 90 million to more than 200 million VND, depending on origin, purity, and country of import.

Experience buying English mastiff

If you have the financial means and want to own an English mastiff, please note the following.

• Only buy dogs with clear origin and complete papers to ensure the purity and health of the dog.
• Check the health and general appearance of the dog you are buying to see if it has a standard appearance and does not have any skin or genetic diseases.
• Re-evaluate your conditions to see if you can take care of this dog because it needs a special diet, a spacious, cool living environment,...

Beautiful and cool English mastiff pictures

Finally, we invite you to admire the collection of the most beautiful and cool pictures of English mastiffs that we share below.

English Mastiff with a large appearance.

English Mastiff puppies in various coat colors.

English mastiff with a rather fierce appearance.

English Mastiff with wrinkled face and sagging skin.

Through the above article, giongcho.org has shared with you full information about the English Mastiff, a dog with a giant size but very calm and affectionate. If you want a strong, reliable "companion", the English Mastiff will be a great choice. However, make sure you have enough financial conditions, love and patience to be able to raise this dog.

Don't forget to visit our Blog section to learn more about many other mastiff breeds or pet dogs in the world.