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Old English Mastiffs: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Old English Mastiff personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Old English Mastiff, including these excerpts: "The AKC Standard says, "A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor." Indeed, the English Mastiff is calm and quiet (as an adult!), but he belongs in a roomy home with a spacious fenced yard so that his massive body has stretching room. To stay fit, he needs daily walks (whether he seems to want them or not), but he isn't a jogging partner. He also needs companionship -- lots of it every day. To ensure a stable, confident temperament, Mastiffs need earlier and more frequent socialization than many other breeds, and it should continue throughout his life. Most English Mastiffs are polite with everyone, but there is timidity and shyness in some lines, and aggression in others. Watchfulness should be discouraged, as it is best for all concerned if the Mastiff intimidates by size alone, rather than by behavior. Some are peaceful with other animals, while others are dominant (even combative) with dogs of the same sex. Though mildly stubborn, this good-natured dog responds well to patient obedience training. Mastiffs drool and slobber -- big time! -- and are not for people who must have a tidy household." History The Mastiff was a war dog with Caesar's Roman legions, and a gladiator in the arena, fighting bulls, lions, and other dogs. In England he served as village guardian, loosed at night to control prowling wolves. Size 28-34 inches and 125-205 lbs

Old English Mastiffs What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is massive and powerful Has a sleek easy-care coat Is calm and quiet indoors (as an adult) Needs only moderate exercise Is usually mild-mannered, yet makes an imposing watchdog because of his enormous size and self-assurance An Old English Mastiff may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... A huge dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car A heavy dog who wants to sit on your feet, lie on your lap, and lean his weight against your leg Rowdiness and exuberant jumping when young Destructiveness when bored or left alone too much Aggression or fearfulness toward people in some lines, or when not socialized enough Aggression toward other animals Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge Shedding Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring Slobbering and drooling Gassiness (flatulence) Serious health problems and a short lifespan High price tag -- $1000 and up Legal liabilities (public perception, future breed bans, insurance problems, increased chance of lawsuits) An Old English Mastiff may not be right for you. If I were considering an Old English Mastiff... My major concerns would be: Providing the proper balance of exercise. Young Mastiffs need enough exercise to keep them lean and healthy, but not so much that their soft growing bones, joints, and ligaments become over-stressed and damaged. Adult Mastiffs need more exercise to keep them in shape, but not in hot or humid weather for fear of overheating. The proper amount of exercise can be difficult to regulate in giant breeds. Since you have to minimize their exercise, young Mastiffs can be very rambunctious. They will romp with uncoordinated gawkiness all over your house. You need to substitute extra quantities of companionship and supervision. Otherwise, left alone, young Mastiffs become bored and destructive -- and their powerful jaws can literally destroy your living room. Providing enough socialization. Some Old English Mastiffs have protective instincts toward strangers. They need extensive exposure to friendly people so they learn to recognize the normal behaviors of "good guys." Then they can recognize the difference when someone acts abnormally. Without careful socialization, they may be suspicious of everyone, which could lead to biting. Some Mastiffs go in the opposite direction -- without enough socialization, they become fearful of strangers, which can lead to defensive biting. If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend an English Mastiff puppy. Young Mastiffs (up to about three years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people. Animal aggression. Some Old English Mastiffs will not tolerate another dog of the same sex, and some won't tolerate the opposite sex either. Some Mastiffs have strong instincts to chase and seize cats and other fleeing creatures. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of seriously injuring or killing other animals. The strong temperament. Old English Mastiffs are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Some Old English Mastiffs are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Mastiff to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Mastiff Training Page discusses the program you need. Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, the Old English Mastiff sheds more than you might think. The short, coarse hairs come off on your hands, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing. Mastiff sounds. Because of the short face, the Old English Mastiff snorts, grunts, and snores loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others. Slobbering. Most people are not prepared for how much a Mastiff slobbers and drools, especially after eating or drinking. When they shake their heads, you will be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls. Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, Old English Mastiffs who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my English Mastiff Health Page for more information. Serious health problems. The lifespan of an Old English Mastiff is very short and an alarming number are crippled by bone and joint diseases and/or succumb to cancer in middle age. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my Mastiff Health Page. Paying the price. Many breeders are charging $1000 and up. Legal liabilities. The Old English Mastiff may be targeted for "banning" in certain areas, or refusal of homeowner insurance policies. In this day and age, the legal liabilities of owning any breed that looks intimidating and has a history as a guard dog should be seriously considered. People are quicker to sue if such a dog does anything even remotely questionable. Frankly, most English Mastiffs are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge, facilities, or skills necessary to manage this breed. Not all Old English Mastiffs are alike! There are energetic Mastiffs, and placid Mastiffs. Hard-headed Mastiffs, and sweet-natured Mastiffs. Serious Mastiffs, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Mastiffs, and Mastiffs who love everyone. If you acquire a Mastiff puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult Old English Mastiff... There are plenty of adult Mastiffs who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/mastiffs.html">Old English Mastiffs: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.