Mastiff Dog Breed

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By Dog-Trainer

Happy Mastiff!

Happy Mastiff Dog!
Happy Mastiff Dog!

Unique Characteristics of the American Mastiff

The American Mastiff is a very unique dog, and well beloved by their owners. Mastiffs are very powerful, massive dogs, and one of the largest dog breeds. The ears sit high on their heads and are rounded in shape. Their eyes are an amber color and are preferred to be dark. The American Mastiff is the product of an outcrossing, in the early development of the breed, between the English Mastiff and the Anatolian Mastiff. This also produced a drier mouth than many of the other Mastiff breeds because their lower lip line is tighter and more defined. The selective breeding that followed kept this trait in this breed of Mastiff dog.

The American Mastiff has a very strong neck which is slightly arched, with a black nose and a scissored bite. The tail is long and thick.

The American Mastiff dogs develop in a variety of colors including fawn, brindle and even apricot. Most puppies are born dark in color and tend to lighten up as they get older. Though you would not think so at first glance, the American Mastiff is very good with children and makes a great family dog. The females range from 140-180 pounds. Even though American Mastiff dogs are of the largest breeds, they don't tend to be plagued by many of the health problems that are common in other larger breeds. In fact, they are generally healthy and happy dogs. And, contrary to some other large breeds, this breed of Mastiff dog will get along perfectly well in an apartment as long as they are exercised daily. This can be a daily walk or short run. The American Mastiff generally lives 10 to 12 years.

Their grooming is easy due to their short-haired and smooth coat. They can easily be shampooed and shined by drying them after bathing, then brushing their coat with a brush with firm bristles. This dog breed is not for everyone, but for the right owner or family, they are loving, and loveable companions, which can be surprisingly docile and gentle.

Solving Behavior Problems in Your English Mastiff Dog

English Mastiff dogs are not mean dogs; however, they are huge and imposing. The following are suggestions to solving some behavioral problems in Mastiffs.

Aggression

Aggression can be a problem with English Mastiff. Instead of retreating when your dog shoves you, push him back, invading his space. Your actions will teach your dog that you are in control. Always reward good behavior. Spaying or neutering can also reduce aggressive behavior.

Excessive Barking

If your English Mastiff dog has a problem with excessive barking you need to determine why because this is not a common problem in Mastiff dogs. Be sure that you spend plenty of time with your with your dog and that he has toys and play time.

To deter your dog from barking you can wrap you hand around his muzzle and say “Quiet” or “No Barking.” The idea is that the noise with startle your dog and so he stops barking.

Chewing

Providing appropriate chew toys while he young is very helpful. Keep valuable items out of reach of your Mastiff and be sure to rotate the chew toys so your dog won’t get bored.

If you see your English Mastiff chewing on something he shouldn’t, take the object away and replace it with an acceptable toy to chew on. Praise him for chewing on the appropriate item.

Jumping Up

Most people view their pet jumping up as a welcome. Jumping up is a sign of dominant behavior and should be discouraged, especially in giant breeds such as Mastiffs.

Shyness

A common problem among Mastiffs is shyness. Socialization is one of the most critical aspects of owning a Mastiff. Allow your dog to meet people in different places. You can help him get used to other dogs and pets by regularly walking him at a dog park.

These are a few solutions to some of the behavioral problems you can encounter with your English Mastiff dog. If you have severe behavior problems with your dog you might want to get the advice of his veterinarian or see a specialist.

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Family Mastiff

Finding Mastiff Kennels for Your Dog

Finding a good kennel for your Mastiff dog can be a little tricky. You want to be able to find a kennel that has a staff that is experienced in handling Mastiffs. They are not your ordinary pet. You will find that each kennel has different capacities. You can expect that your dog may experience separation anxiety and stress from all the new faces. Being in a kennel can be a very difficult experience for your Mastiff. Choose your kennel carefully to ensure your Mastiff comes out of the boarding experience as unscathed as possible.

Learn More About Mastiff Kennels Here

Since Mastiffs are known for their guarding skills they will continue to guard their new space at the kennel. Understand that this may be rather stressful for your pet. Your Mastiff will suddenly be in contact with strange people and dogs during his stay. When you visit a kennel, check to see that it is clean. Does it look clean and comfortable? Ask them if you Mastiff will have outdoor access during the day. Ask about their feeding schedule as well. The next area of discussion should be about the staff at the kennel. While it isn't always possible to have a full staff of experts, the staff should all at least love dogs and have some general knowledge and experience of dogs.

If you are worried about leaving your Mastiff dog at a kennel because he has never been to one before, then try leaving him there for a day while you are still in town. Once you find a kennel you really like then be sure to keep using it so you dog will get used to the kennel environment. When searching for a Mastiff kennel don't cheat your pet. Finding a kennel that understands Mastiffs is worth the time and energy you give to see that your dog will be properly cared for.

Dog Resources

  • Love Your Dog? - Put A Cap On It

    Do you love your dog and want people to know it? Show off your dog with a cool cap displaying an embroidered picture of your favorite canine breed on the front. Wearing a cap isn’t just for grandpa anymore. Many years since you saw your grandfather in a cap with a feed store logo [...] Do you love your dog and want people to know it? Show off your dog with a cool cap displaying an embroidered picture of your favorite canine breed on the front. Wearing a cap isn’t just for grandpa anymore. Many years since you saw your grandfather in a cap with a feed store logo on it.  Caps have come a long way since your grandpa’s day. Today, you see people of all ages, both men and women, wearing caps. Caps are a fun way to show off your hobbies and interests, and in this case, your dog. Whatever breed your dog, Cocker Spaniel or  Great Dane, there is sure to be a colorful cap portraying him on it that is just your size. With caps available in a variety of colors, you own several so you can have one to accent every outfit.  A nice thing about caps is that they are adjustable and fit almost everyone; kind of a one size fits all. However, they do make smaller caps just for kids, so if you have children or know a child that loves dogs, they can have a cap as well. Buy caps for your whole family so everyone can show the dog they love best! Believe it or not, they even sell caps for dogs, so have a laugh and get a cap with your picture on it for your dog to wear! So whether you are headed for the park, going for a horseback ride, raking the yard or having a bad hair day, put a cap on. Maybe even buy Grandpa one with his breed of dog on it and throw the old the feed store logo cap away! If you want to know more details and informations please visit us or contact us

  • Training Your Dog

    Time spent training your dog is time well spent. Many people have good intentions when they get a new puppy, and want to have a well-mannered companion that they can enjoy having in their home. Many dogs end up in the pound, due to lack of consistency on their owner’s part. When an owner is [...]Time spent training your dog is time well spent. Many people have good intentions when they get a new puppy, and want to have a well-mannered companion that they can enjoy having in their home. Many dogs end up in the pound, due to lack of consistency on their owner’s part. When an owner is not consistent in training their dogs, they get frustrated and may give up on their pet. Patience and consistency are necessary if you want a well-trained dog. If your dog is to be an indoor pet, you will need to begin house training immediately.  This is best accomplished by setting up a routine of taking the dog or puppy outside as soon as it wakes up, within 15 minutes of eating, immediately after play time, and just before going to bed. When the puppy cannot be watched, it should be in a contained area–the best place being in a crate or carrier. If you do not have a carrier, then the dog should be contained in a small room such as a bathroom. Smaller dogs can be taught to eliminate on newspapers or in litter boxes by using the same methods. Training your dog to wear a collar and walk on a leash is also important. Some dogs adjust quite easily to wearing a collar while others take a little more time. Putting the collar and leash on your dog and letting them drag it around can help them learn not to be afraid. The sooner this is done, the easier it is on your dog. After your dog has accepted the collar and leash, you can begin picking up the leash and encouraging your dog to follow you. Once your dog is walking on the leash comfortably, you can precede to teach it other commands, such as: sit, down, and stay. There are a lot of good dog training books out there to help you train your dog. Remember, with a little time and patience now you can have a well-mannered, well-trained dog for life.

  • Skin Issues Affecting Cats

    In this article we will take a look at some skin disorders which could affect your cat, the symptoms of these conditions and what you can do about them. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of your cat suffering then you should speak with your vet. The majority of cats have a thick, [...]In this article we will take a look at some skin disorders which could affect your cat, the symptoms of these conditions and what you can do about them. If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of your cat suffering then you should speak with your vet. The majority of cats have a thick, protective layer of fur.This makes it very hard to spot if a cat has a skin issues prior to it becoming a lot more serious.It is vital to take some time on a consistent basis to study your cat’s skin carefully for anything that may be wrong. Move your hand steadily over his body and explore the skin for any strange patches. If you find any, part the fur by brushing it slightly, so that you can see beneath the fur and have a better look at the skin. If you carry this out regularly and understand your cat’s body, you should notice any problems very quickly. You will learn to know what looks normal and what doesn’t. Cheyletiellosis  is a skin disorder in cats is caused by skin mites and is particularly contagious between cats as well as humans. In cats, the symptoms are itching and it usually results in heavy scaling and flaking of the skin, which is why Cheyletiellosis in cats is often known as “walking dandruff”. This particluar condition is usually not deadly and can be easily treated with the correct medication as soon as the condition has been diagnosed and confirm. Alopecia is a skin disorder in cats that will result in hair loss due to endocrine disturbances, localized infections, or generalized illnesses. The condition can also be a result of stress. The cats symptoms included bald patches on the skin and can be accompanied by reddened or inflamed skin. Not a deadly skin disease, and with proper treatment, the fur would most likely grow back.  While most skin conditions are cause by allergies to food and pesticides bite, and can be easily managed and treated, early detection is still important.A short amount of time daily could stop any period of discomfort later on. Please see cats fleas and cat illnesses for related articles.

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Comments

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Kdoodle  says:
15 months ago

Cute puppies, LARGE dogs. Good info on the American Mastiff and kennels. I hadn't given much thought to kennels. Just figured one was like another. I can understand the wisdom in researching a kennel that can handle these magnificent dogs. Thanks!

jeffwend profile image

jeffwend  says:
15 months ago

Mastiffs are great dogs. Thanks for spreading the word on these great pets.

simonds.doe@gmail  says:
15 months ago

I love dogs. i havent had the mastiff before but i thinking i should get one now.

coltyler  says:
15 months ago

very cute dog!!! thanks for sharing things about mastiff dog.

traffickahuna profile image

traffickahuna  says:
15 months ago

great dogs! ty for the information

chordpiano profile image

chordpiano  says:
15 months ago

Awww, they are so cute!

Garden Furniture  says:
15 months ago

Very nice hub with lots of useful interesting content.

Shari Kraemer  says:
15 months ago

I am such a dog lover and I think that Bull Mastiffs are a delightful breed, they truly are terrific family dogs!

Greg from Maine profile image

Greg from Maine  says:
15 months ago

Cute puppies, but they grow to be VERY LARGE dogs. I can understand the wisdom in researching a kennel that can handle these magnificent dogs. Thanks for a very useful hub!

raymondphilippe profile image

raymondphilippe  says:
15 months ago

I am not that fond of dogs, but this breed seems ok.

christyn1224 profile image

christyn1224  says:
15 months ago

Great info on Mastiffs! This really is a wonderful breed... they may be quite large, but they have to be the most gentle creatures in the world based on my experience. :)

metalman123  says:
15 months ago

Mastiff are cool but you make it really seem to great to have one.

catzillaz  says:
15 months ago

I love dogs and must admit mastiffs are one of my favorite breeds - not hard to see why when you get puppies this cute.

chronosafe profile image

chronosafe  says:
15 months ago

Great hub. I love mastiffs but there's no room for them in my flat. :(

tom shields  says:
6 months ago

THEY ARE WONDWEFUL DOGS. BUT ARE BIG BUT ARE GUICK LEARNERS.

cc  says:
5 months ago

aww he is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cuite i luv dogies

Wendy T.  says:
3 months ago

These dogs makes a wonderful family pet!!!very protective!! I love my English Mastiff!!

CoCo Bean profile image

CoCo Bean  says:
6 weeks ago

Aaaw, they are so cute! I was reading about English Mastiffs lately, and they totally dominate all world records for largest and heaviest dogs. Interesting hub page!

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