Mastiff Dog Breeds

It is believed that the original giant dogs who gave rise to the mastiff breeds developed in Tibet many thousands of years ago. As the dogs were traded across the globe, many different types were bred for a variety of purposes, all of which made use of the animals’ massive size, heavy bones, and great strength.

Mastiffs generally have huge heads, shortened muzzles, smooth coats, loose, wrinkly skin, and an excellent sense of smell. They are very territorial and protective but usually do not herd or hunt, in keeping with their guard-dog origins.

Types of Mastiffs include:

War Dogs
Breeders concentrated on aggression, loyalty, and ferocity in addition to size and strength. War dogs, often fitted with spiked, flaming, or bladed collars and full armor, were effective against both foot soldiers and cavalry.

With the development of more modern warfare and the demise of the armored knight, some mastiff breeds were developed as guard dogs, but many were turned into sport-fighting dogs.

Fighting Dogs
The size, strength, and fighting ability of war mastiffs were put to the terrible use of developing fighting dogs. Fighters were pitted against each other, against large animals such as bulls and bears, and even against humans.

The bloodier the match, the more the crowds approved, and huge amounts of money were wagered. From the Roman Coliseum to the dog pit of an Elizabethan English pub, the practice continued for centuries. Sadly, despite modern sensibilities and legalities, this bloody “sport” persists in some areas.

Bull Dogs
Dogs associated with bulls have a long history, and bull dogs included both the bulldog and mastiff types of the time, which were frequently crossed as breeders perfected their dogs. Large dogs were used to herd and protect bulls as they were driven to market, and their skill and tenacity in dealing with recalcitrant bovines were prized.

One specific use of such dogs was behind the development of the Bullmastiff breed, a cross of bulldogs and mastiffs that was widely used to protect game from poachers; the dogs would find and hold poachers until the authorities could catch up with them. They did not attack intruders but used their bulk and strength to prevent escape.

Service
Some mastiff-type breeds avoided a gory history and were developed to serve humankind rather than engage in blood sports. Their size and strength were channeled into guard duty, bearing burdens, and rescue work.

Many of these dogs were general-purpose workers, used alternately for guarding herds, carrying loads, pulling carts, and finding avalanche victims. These were often dogs of the common man, able to protect a farmer’s livestock from predators and pull his wares to market in a cart, as well as guard the homestead and play with the children.

Mastiffs as Pets

As expected with such a diverse group, mastiff breeds vary in their suitability as pets. The breeds that were developed to draw blood from other animals can have problems with aggression, especially to other dogs.

Ethical breeders strive to create sound temperament in their dogs, but not all breeders take this task to heart. And there will always be those uninformed owners who choose these dogs based on a desire for their ferocious reputation, which is certainly not good for the future of these dogs.

This is most unfortunate, as many of these breeds with terrible origins can today make loving pets. A well-bred dog of this sort is typically intelligent, eager to please his owner, gentle, and devoted. Still, their reputation haunts them, and some are considered so dangerous that in some places, laws have been enacted to prevent their being kept as pets.

The mastiff-type breeds that were developed as guardian, pack, or rescue dogs have avoided such controversy. They combine a natural gentleness and protectiveness with their huge size, and these dogs make excellent (if a bit bull-in-a-china-shop) family pets.

Obviously, obedience training from an early age is necessary to prevent problems when dealing with animals that are larger, heavier, and stronger than their handlers. A drawback to their exceptionally large bones and overall size is the strain placed on the animal’s body, which increases the chance of defects like hip dysplasia and shortens the life span.