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Choosing From the Many Types of Mastiff |
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When talking about mastiffs, you are not actually just talking about one breed of dog. Sure, the term Mastiff properly refers to the English Mastiff, but it also is used for the many types of mastiff or molosser-type dogs that share the lineage and the general traits of the mastiff breed.
What are the mastiffs known for? Based on their appearance alone, you can tell that these dogs are very capable guard dogs with their sheer size and strength backed by their courage and their natural protective instinct. However, molosser-type dogs are also popular because they have been found to be good as family dogs. They are usually very calm and very affectionate to their masters. They can also go along well with children.
Apart from the English Mastiff, there are actually many types of mastiff and it would be best if you familiarize yourself with the different breeds before you purchase one for you and your family.
The Tibetan Mastiff
Like the other mastiffs, this one is also wary of strangers and is very protective of its masters and its territory. They also possess strong wills and can be very independent. However, what sets this breed apart from other molosser-type dogs is that this comes with a long, thick, and beautiful coat.
The Pyrenean Mastiff
This one also comes with a long coat, like the Tibetan mastiff. Other than its coat, what sets this one apart? Well, this one is described as a dog that has a clear understanding of its capabilities. This knowledge makes dogs of this breed generally able to get along well with other animals and people, as long as these aren't perceived as threats to the dog's master.
The French Mastiff
Smaller in size than the English Mastiff, this mastiff breed might be best for those who don't have much room to keep a large dog. Still, even though they are a little bit smaller, that doesn't make them the least reliable of the breeds. The French Mastiff, even if it has become gentler with breeding, is still a better choice to make a guard dog.
The Anatolian Mastiff
The Anatolian Mastiff, or the Anatolian Shepherd Dog, is a good choice for those who want to engage in a lot of activity with their pet dog. This breed is known to be slender and agile. They have super capabilities for speed and endurance and you might even find a challenge when trying to keep up with a dog like this.
The Brazilian Mastiff
Mastiff plus Bloodhound, this wrinkly breed is one that requires obedience training. This is because the Brazilian mastiff, in general, does not like people. You can only train it so that it will only follow its master and won't attack anyone without its master's permission. Currently, breeders are trying to make this breed more mellow.
The Neapolitan Mastiff
This breed might just be the most wrinkly of all the Mastiff breeds. They share the same qualities as the other mastiffs though, as they are calm although wary of strangers. They are, however, more territorial than the English Mastiff.
The Bullmastiff
Crossing a Bulldog with a Mastiff gave way to this breed, which is shorter and stockier than the rest of the mastiffs. Taking from their Bulldog heritage, they are more energetic and need more exercise.
The Spanish Mastiff
Finally, there's the Spanish mastiff which is not as affectionate as the other mastiffs. However, it makes up for this by being very loyal, very protective, and extremely territorial. Assign it as the guardian of your home and you'll be very happy.
That's it for the many types of Mastiff. Have you found out which one is best for you yet?
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Why American Mastiffs Have Less Complications? |
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Mastiffs are known for three traits: dignity, courage, and dedication to their masters. With their large and mighty bodies combined with their natural protective instinct and extreme loyalty, they are great as guard dogs. On the other hand, dogs of this breed can also be surprisingly gentle and through proper training can be great with children, which makes them good as family dogs.
Taking this description even further are American Mastiffs, which are said to be bred to be family dogs, as opposed to being show dogs.
In addition to what they learn from training, dogs have a natural inclination to fulfill certain roles depending on how they were bred. Some dogs were bred to be on farms, some dogs are best at sniffing out and dealing with dangerous people, and some dogs fit right into homes.
Selective Breeding
This breed is actually a molosser-type dog, and is a fairly new one. Actually, most breed registries won't accept dogs of this breed yet. Only registries which aren't very strict with their requirements will recognize it. One example would be the Continental Kennel Club which recognized the line as a purebred back in year 2000.
The breed was created only over 20 years ago - crossing the English Mastiff and the Anatolian Mastiff. The latter breed is a very old breed which is endowed with a lengthy lifespan among other good traits.
In any case, it was actually one Fredericka Wagner of the Flying W Farms which thought to cross the two breeds to address the health issues, such as dysplasia and the short lifespan, plaguing the Mastiff. She had also hoped to correct the drooling tendencies in the mastiff breed.
The Result
As a result, American Mastiffs were created. With less health problems, dogs of this breed live longer (the typical lifespan is about 10 to 12 years). They are also said to drool less than other mastiffs and other molosser-type breeds. So people who mind the drooling but want a mastiff breed won't have a problem with these.
Dogs of this breed are usually calm and quiet. They are loyal to their masters and have a lot of love to give back when they are treated well. When properly trained and socialized, they get along well with children.
Even though these dogs are highly protective of their masters, they are usually not confrontational. They are not aggressive unless something threatens their masters.
Lifestyle
Unlike other large dogs, those of this breed will do well even in an apartment with little space. To compensate, you must walk your pet dog every day. While they can remain inactive indoors, ultimately a well-exercised dog will be much happier and healthier.
Are you the right master?
While American Mastiffs seem like great dogs to keep as pets, they are not for just any type of master. Proud like the other mastiffs, these dogs need a confident master that they can respect.
For example, if you are someone who will let dogs lead the way when you are walking them, you probably won't be able to properly train a mastiff. If, however, you can establish yourself as the leader of its pack - since dogs assume that the family that adopts them is their pack - then your relationship with the dog will be very fruitful. |
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Blue Mastiff – The Need To Know For Any Owner |
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As someone who's trying to decide if a blue mastiff is the dog for you, there are some points which you'll need to consider since this breed of dog is one that is strictly not just for anyone.
First time dog owners will definitely find these proud dogs hard to handle and especially difficult to train. Confident and experienced dog trainers, however, will be able to properly control these dogs and turn them into good companions and guard dogs - which are a natural at protecting their masters and their family.
A blue mastiff will grow up to be massive - up to around 170 pounds; will have rectangular shaped bodies, and large flat heads. One of their most unique physical traits is that they are covered with wrinkled, and saggy skin around their face and neck.
The rest of their body is covered in a short and dense coat - in the case of this breed - will shine with a blue/gray hue, which is very appealing to some people because it makes their dogs look mysterious and more regal.
On the downside, though, despite their short hairs, they are also prone to shedding so be prepared for that.
For a blue mastiff dog, it might be best if you adopt one while it is still a puppy. This breed needs to be trained as early as possible. Otherwise, you might find it too difficult to correct their habits due to their intelligence, and willful nature.
Without a proper master figure, they will grow up to be too stubborn for anyone to handle!
Knowing this, you should socialize your blue mastiff pup early on. Act like a stern mother to your pup and teach it that it shouldn't have to fear the different objects you show it. Do not coddle it whenever it barks or growls at anything, so that you don't encourage its negative reaction to the object of its attention and prevent that habit from forming.
Basically, once your pup is used to the sights and sounds in your home and in the presence of people and other animals in it, it will hold onto this image for the rest of its life and will be fiercely protective of it.
As your blue mastiff grows up, you will need to train it very firmly. Always remember to be confident in your commands, and be sure to be consistent in the rules you impose on your pet.
A weak willed master is no good for these proud dogs, and it will not take them very long to learn the rules that you set for it.
A well trained blue mastiff will grow up to be a very calm, intelligent, and very dependable guard dog. They will remain quiet inside your home, and they will rarely bark. They will do well living in an apartment, though you will need to take them on long walks daily so they get there proper exercise.
You must know that the blue mastiff is very susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia.
It is very important that you do not over strain your dog during exercise. You must also discourage it from being too adventurous and jumping from high places.
Finally, the more common ailment that blue mastiffs are susceptible to is cherry eye. Fortunately, cherry eye can be dealt with a simple surgery. If you do get this surgery You will have to administer eye drops for the rest of the dog's life.
In summary, train the blue mastiff young and be firm (not mean) and give them regular exercise with causation to the common ailments. You will cultivate a relationship and companion that you will be proud to own. |
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The Boerboel Mastiff - Born to Guard |
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If there's one thing that sets the Boerboel mastiff from the other mastiff breeds, it is that this particular breed has the reputation as being the best guard dog among the lot.
That should say a lot since, generally speaking, mastiffs are born to be very protective of their masters and there is hardly anything that can deter them. Can you just imagine what the best of the best would be like?
The Boerboel mastiff is the only dog in the world said to be bred specifically to guard and protect their masters without being too aggressive. The word Boerboel is actually an Afrikaans word which means 'farmer's dog'. This breed was developed in Africa to be a working dog and a protector.
It is also known as the South African Mastiff
Physical Traits
The qualities of the Boerboel mastiff should be quite evident in its appearance. These dogs are large and muscular, which makes them a very impressive breed. While they don't look mean (they look quite amicable even), anyone and anything alive would be quite unwilling to be regarded as an enemy by a massive creature such as this.
Also, it is different from other large dogs in its movements as it carries its weight with a bit more grace; moving fluidly and are athletic, As opposed to other mastiffs.
They also have less wrinkles than the many other mastiff breeds; with only a slight wrinkling on the skin of their brow - because of this the Boerboel mastiff is often confused with the Bulldog breed.
Short History
The Boerboel mastiff breed was developed from several breeds in Africa that were crossed with the large Molusses type dogs and the existing mastiff types that the English brought to Africa in the 1820s.
The English bulldog and the Bull mastiff are considered key breeds in the development of the Boerboel - I guess that explains why these dogs are usually mistaken to be bulldogs.
A Boerboel Mastiff's Temperament
As for their temperament: because they are born to be guard dogs, they are fiercely protective of their family and their territory. Usually they are quiet and docile, especially in the presence of their masters and those who they can recognize to be a friend.
However, they will bark loudly whenever strangers and other animals are spotted. Furthermore, they will not hesitate to use force when the intruder does not heed their warning.
In training, it is better for you to designate their territory or else they will expand their area of responsibility too wide.
Now don't see the protective nature of this breed as a problem for a family pet. The other side of their aggressive behavior towards any intruders is a genuine intention to protect everyone in their family.
Instead of using their massive strength, they will display gentleness when playing with your children. When properly socialized, these dogs will also be fiercely protective of your other pets. And they are known to get along very nicely even with cats and chickens.
Your search for the perfect guard dog for you and your family may have not begun with the boerboel but it should certainly end with one. |
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