Mastiff
A massive, dignified British giant with a calm, gentle temperament and a quietly protective nature.
At a glance
- Size
- Giant
- Height at the withers
- Males 76–84 cm · Females 70–78 cm
- Weight
- Males 73–100 kg · Females 54–77 kg
- Life expectancy
- 7–10 years
- Exercise
- 30–60 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Apricot, Fawn, Brindle
- Bred for
- Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United Kingdom
- FCI
- Group 2, no. 264 · Pinschers, molossers & mountain dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 2/5 – Low |
| Playfulness | 2/5 – Low |
| Needs mental stimulation | 2/5 – Low |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 2/5 – Low |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 1/5 – Very low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want a calm, gentle giant
- have space for a very large dog
- like a relaxed pace of life
Think twice if you …
- dislike drool
- want a long-lived breed
- have a small car or home
Care
Temperament
Gentle, calm and loyal, with a natural guarding instinct. Good-natured with people it knows and reserved with strangers.
Exercise
Moderate daily walks are enough; avoid heavy exercise while growing and in hot weather.
Grooming
The short coat needs only a weekly brush; keep a towel handy for drool.
Training
Sensitive and sometimes stubborn; gentle, reward-based training and early leash manners are essential.
Health
Known concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, eyelid problems, heart disease and some cancers. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
- Heart
DNA tests
- PRA (RHO)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Mastiff, often called the Old English Mastiff, is one of the oldest British breeds. Large guard dogs of this type have been kept in England for centuries, and the modern breed was standardised in the 19th century. It nearly died out after both world wars and was rebuilt from a small number of dogs.
It is a calm, gentle and dignified companion that loves its family. It is usually quiet and placid, but its size and strength mean it needs early training. Drool, snoring and big costs are part of life with a Mastiff.
Did you know?
A Mastiff named Zorba was listed by Guinness World Records in 1989 as the heaviest dog, weighing about 155 kg.