Besides the glorious Tibetan Mastiff - one of the most expensive dogs in the world - another breed that is part of the Mastiff group and does not go unnoticed is the English Mastiff. Also called English Mastiff or simply Mastiff, the dog is synonymous with affection, protection, loyalty and bravery. It was from him that other breeds emerged, and he is considered one of the greatest dogs in the world - and not only in terms ofheight, like the Great Dane, but because of its strong and muscular body structure.

This means that having a Mastiff requires planning, both in terms of cost and space for raising the pet. To learn more about this breed of dog, the Paws of the House has gathered everything you need to know about the Mastiff: price, characteristics, personality, care and many curiosities. Come with us!

Learn about the origin of the English Mastiff

The Mastiff is one of the oldest dogs in the world. The breed as we know it was found in Britain around the 15th century, but it is speculated that this little dog has been among humans for much longer. To give you an idea, animals with the same size and characteristics of the Mastiff were depicted on Egyptian monuments dating back to 3,000 BC.

Further evidence of the existence of the English Mastiff from centuries ago was pointed to during the invasion of Britain by the Emperor Caesar in 55 B.C. The emperor described Mastiff-type dogs and the Romans were so impressed with the magnitude of the breed that they took some specimens to Italy. It is even believed that it was from this that the Neapolitan Mastiff arose.

The breed almost became extinct after World War II, but some strains were exported, which allowed the English Mastiff to survive to this day and gain many admirers. It was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.

The English Mastiff is a giant dog with remarkable characteristics

When it comes to the English Mastiff, size is not lacking. Although they don't displace the title of the Great Dane as the largest dog in the world, Mastiffs are big, muscular and very strong. The height of the breed can reach between 70 and 91 centimeters tall, and the weight can reach 100 kg. In some cases, the dog can be even bigger (and proof of this is the English Mastiff Zorba, who is considered theheaviest dog in the world).

But it is wrong that the breed is only about that. The giant has a serious countenance, flattened muzzle - that is, it is a brachycephalic dog -, dark eyes and low ears (but proportional to the rest of the body). In addition, the English Mastiff has short, close hair, with a slightly thicker appearance on the shoulders and neck.

The Mastiff puppy's colors are quite restricted: only apricot, fawn or brindle are accepted. The animal must also have black markings on the muzzle, ears and truffles, which may extend to the cheeks. Any white spots are unacceptable for the breed standard.

Personality of the English Mastiff dog is quiet and amiable with a hint of protective instincts

• Coexistence

The English Mastiff has a tough manner, but is usually a very calm dog with the family that raises him. He is quite observant and calm in general, but has a strong protective instinct and is always on hand to defend those he loves. So don't be surprised if the dog suddenly decides to take charge of the situation if he thinks you are in some kind of danger. Apart from these situationsmore punctual, the English Mastiff puppy or adult is not agitated or aggressive on a daily basis.

In fact, this is one of the laziest dogs. It is much more likely that you will find the Mastiff dog sleeping or resting somewhere than getting up to mischief around the house. Therefore, living with him has everything to be very peaceful - but it is important to stimulate him with activities and physical exercises to avoid sedentary lifestyle and canine obesity.

For the rest, the guardian can expect the Mastiff to be a companionable, affectionate, cheerful, well-mannered and extremely loyal dog. He is not the type who will stick to his owners all the time, but he shows all his affection with small attitudes in everyday life. The dog barks to take care of the house is proof of this: the English Mastiff always cares about the well-being and safety of the whole family.family.

• Socialization

It is essential to invest in the socialization of the Mastiff. Although the dog gets along very well with humans in general, it may show some distrust and resistance with those he does not know and with other animals. He will not be aggressive "for free", but if he thinks that someone in the family has been threatened, the English Mastiff will not think twice before going to his defense. Therefore, the ideal is that he grows uphaving contact with different people and dogs.

With children, the English Mastiff usually maintains a great relationship. This giant dog has an equally big heart and loves the little ones, always being very tolerant. Still, we remind you that it is important to always supervise these interactions, because the Mastiff dog is huge and sometimes has no idea of its own strength, and can unintentionally hurt the little ones during play. But, in theIn general, the relationship between children and dogs of this breed is very fruitful.

• Training

The English Mastiff has a good level of intelligence, but can be a very instinctive and protective animal. Therefore, it is essential that the guardian knows how to manage the pet's behavior through dog training. The Mastiff puppy needs to learn from an early age who is the "leader" of the house and responds very well to positive association techniques. This means that to have good results, the tutor does notyou can punish the animal when it does something wrong, but reward it with treats and praise when it gets it right. With patience and a little persistence, the English Mastiff can be trained.

4 curiosities about the English Mastiff dog

1) The heaviest dog in the world, according to the Guinness Book, belonged to the English Mastiff breed. Zorba was the name of the big dog, which measured about 94 cm in height and weighed 155.5 kg.

2) In Rome, the English Mastiff was used in fights in the great arenas, facing bulls, tigers and gladiators. The practice is now banned.

3) For those who like dog movies, the Mastiff is one of the breeds that appear in "A Good Dog Hotel".

4) If you have ever heard a dog snore and drool, know that this will be very frequent in living with an English Mastiff.

English Mastiff puppy: how to care for and what to expect from the puppy?

Until it is 2 months old, the English Mastiff puppy must stay with its mother and siblings. This initial moment is important for both nutritional and social reasons. The puppies need to feed exclusively on mother's milk in the first weeks of life to strengthen and acquire all the nutrients essential for their growth. After this period, the English Mastiff is ready to grow up.puppy can go to its new home.

During the adaptation, it is important to create a comfortable and cozy space for the new family member. This includes arranging some accessories such as: bed, food pot, drinking fountain, hygienic mats, toys, among others. The English Mastiff puppy can be more agitated in the first two years of life. He will want to explore everything around and the ideal is to direct this behavior togames and activities that help to burn off the dog's energy.

It is also important to remember that this is the ideal time to start socializing and training the animal. But, before going out for the first walks on the street, it is essential that the English Mastiff has had all the mandatory dog vaccines, is dewormed and free of parasites.

English Mastiff routine care

• Bath The English Mastiff can have a strong smell, so it is important to bathe the dog at least every fortnight or once a month. Excessive bathing can cause dermatitis.

• Folds English Mastiff : being a dog with folds and that drools a lot, the English Mastiff must have its face sanitized with a moistened wipe daily.

• Brushing English Mastiff : Because of its short hair, the English Mastiff only requires weekly brushing to remove dead hair and keep the coat beautiful and healthy.

• Nails Mastiff : the tutor should observe the need to cut the Mastiff dog's nail monthly. Too long nails can bother and hurt the animal.

• Teeth : dogs can suffer from tartar, bad breath and other oral problems. To avoid this, be sure to brush your Mastiff's teeth between two and three times a week.

• Ears The English Mastiff dog's ears can accumulate a lot of earwax, which can cause otitis. The owner should clean them with specific products regularly.

• Heat : The English Mastiff is not very tolerant of high temperatures, so the guardian should offer plenty of water and look for other ways to take care of the dog in the summer heat.

What you need to know about the health of the English Mastiff

Like most large and giant dogs, the English Mastiff is more prone to hip dysplasia. The problem is characterized by the wrong fit of the femur on the articular surface, causing joint instability. In practice, this compromises the animal's movements and can cause a lot of pain and discomfort during locomotion.

In addition, dermatitis and dermatological diseases can also affect the breed, because of the punctual folds scattered around the body. Other conditions that deserve attention are Wobbler Syndrome, eye problems (entropion, ectropion and cataracts) and gastric torsion in dogs.

It is necessary to maintain regular veterinary follow-up to know how the English Mastiff's health is going and to diagnose any pathology early. We also remember the importance of keeping the vaccination schedule always up to date, as well as the application of dewormers and antiparasitic drugs.

How much does an English Mastiff cost?

The price of an English Mastiff can vary according to the characteristics of the animal and its genetic lineage, but it usually varies between R$ 4,000 and R$ 6,000. Sex is one of the factors that most influences this variation, so that males usually have a lower value than females.

If you want to have an English Mastiff, price should not be analyzed alone. It is important to think about other expenses that will accompany the animal for life - such as food, veterinary care, hygiene care - and remember that it occupies a considerable space inside the house.

In addition, we remind you that to acquire a breed dog, it is essential to look for a reliable dog kennel. Whether it is an English Mastiff or not, the guardian must make sure that the place values the well-being of all animals and is careful with parents and puppies.

X-ray of the English Mastiff

Origin : England

Coat : short, creeping and silky

Colors : apricot, fawn and brindle

Personality : protective, loyal, lazy and affectionate with the family

Height : 70 to 91 cm

Weight : 54 to 100 kg

Life expectancy : 6 to 12 years