What do I need to know about owning a mastiff?

Mastiffs are gentle and intelligent. They are eager to please and form strong bonds with their family members. Their natural guarding instinct means they will not attack but instead do whatever is necessary to defend.

What is the demeanor of a mastiff?

The mastiff is a dignified yet good-natured animal. He is loving and affectionate toward his family, and his calm demeanor makes him a good companion for older children.

What do I need to know about English mastiffs?

Mastiffs do surprisingly well in apartments. They don’t bark very much and are naturally very clean. They love to lounge and rest. Their bad habits are drooling and digging, both of which are easily handled in an apartment. However, you will need to make sure that you can deal with a dog that size in your apartment.

Are mastiffs easy to train?

Training and socialization are essential with such a large dog. Mastiffs are intelligent and want to please their people, but they can also be quite stubborn. If they are scared, confused, or their sensitive feelings are hurt, even by harsh words, it can be impossible to get them to do anything.

Are mastiffs good house dogs?

The mastiff, by nature, is courageous yet docile and makes an excellent family pet. Mastiffs are gentle with children, but make sure to supervise them around little kiddos—because of their large size, someone might accidentally be stepped on! The mastiff is the epitome of a gentle giant.

How far can you walk a Mastiff?

They can adapt to any environment, city or country, but they do best in a home with a fenced yard. Their exercise needs are moderate. An adult Mastiff will be satisfied with a couple of 20- to 30-minute walks daily.

Are Mastiffs protective?

However, Mastiffs retain a protective instinct, and can unleash inner reserves of aggression if they feel their family is being threatened. This, coupled with their sheer size, makes them ideal guard dogs, although they are known to be reluctant to bark.

Are mastiffs protective?

What to know about a mastiff?

The colossal Mastiff belongs to a canine clan as ancient as civilization itself. A massive, heavy-boned dog of courage and prodigious strength, the Mastiff is docile and dignified but also a formidable protector of those they hold dear.

What are the different types of Mastiff?

There are many different mastiff breeds nowadays, including the Great Dane or German Mastiff, the Italian Mastiff and the French Mastiff, and scientists believe that they all descend from the same dog, who was a molosser. While the beloved English Mastiff is a massive dog, the continental mastiff breeds vary considerably in size.

Is a mastiff right for You?

Mastiffs can be a good idea for a small apartment: after all, if you love a dog, you love a dog, regardless of the messes they might create as they move around. This is also the case for small apartments that are well-organized, where everything has its own place.

What is a mastiff used for?

European and Asian records dating back 3,000 years show dogs of mastiff type. Mastiffs have historically been used guard dogs, protecting homes and property, although throughout history they have been used as hunting dogs, war dogs and for blood sports, fighting each other and such animals as bears, lions and bulls.