English Mastiff (Mastiff)
Puppy
Fully Grown
The English Mastiff is a giant breed with a massive, strong body that was used in the past to hunt bears. Their big wide heads feature a wrinkly forehead and a black muzzle.
They are kept these days as family dogs and truly are sensitive giants who are more the defensive type than attackers. They would rather scare intruders away with their imposing bodies and sheer size than actually do physical harm to anyone.
English Mastiffs are calm, friendly and good-natured dogs that are very good observers. You will usually find them quietly lying on their bed observing the action around them. Once in a while you may hear them sigh out loud to make their feelings about a situation known. They tend to react to changes in a reserved way and will just stay back and take a minute or three to decide if they want to join in or stay out of it.
They are quite sensitive and make great watch and guard dogs. If they feel their family is in danger, they will try to scare away the perceived threat by barking and pushing their big body towards it but without attacking.
It is important that English Mastiffs have a consistent upbringing and good early training and leadership. You simply won’t be able to keep back that body mass by holding on to a lead if he really wants to go and won’t listen to you!
They have short coats that don’t require too much care. Just ensure the wrinkles on their face stay clean. Washing this giant might be a bit tricky and teaching them to have a shower with you might not be a bad idea.
| Weight: | 73-100 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 10-12 years |
| Coat: | Short |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | very high |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your English Mastiff (Mastiff) from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding an English Mastiff (Mastiff) to adopt:
To help your rescued English Mastiff (Mastiff) to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your English Mastiff (Mastiff) from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
 Dog Breed Profile - Dog Breed Selector)
