English mastiff - breed description and dog character

English mastiffs belong to the category of large and popular dogs. Representatives of the breed are famous for their hunting qualities, they go with a bear with them. Also, pets are often quite often kept in an apartment or a private house, because the mastiff quickly socializes and fits into the family. Along with the above qualities, dogs have a balanced psyche, high intelligence, and protective instincts are well developed. But in order not to be unfounded, we will consider the characteristics of the breed in detail.

Historical data

Mastiffs from ancient times were planted in Egypt and Babylon. Representatives of the breed, or rather ancestors, were used in military operations against the Persians. According to numerous data, it can be concluded that dogs are not only great helpers in battles, but also guards, hunters, human friends. Assyrians put mastiffs in a high rank, legends about dogs, they were depicted on the walls at the entrance to the house.

The first representatives of the breed came to England in the middle of the 3rd century. After a couple of centuries, the Germans invaded the territory with their military dogs. As a result of crossing it was possible to obtain a breed with a formidable character and dark hair.

Already in the 11th century, dogs were firmly rooted, they began to be used as guards for prisoners, and they also took with them hunting and started as a watchdog. In those days, the pricing policy for English mastiffs was sky-high, for this reason only wealthy families could afford a pet of the breed presented.

International breed standards

1. Dogs with a fierce character and powerful body won the hearts of millions of people around the world. By weight category, this line of mastiffs can reach 80–85 kg. The average height of the dog is 75 cm. (Males), 70 cm. (Females). Dogs have an exceptionally short coat of fawn silver, dark brown or apricot hue.
2. By standards, the breed has a large square head, cheekbones are visible medium. Muscles can be seen on the parietal zone, cheeks and temples. The frontal part has folds, the absence of which is considered a disadvantage. The superciliary arches also hang down.
3. Eyes with a dark iris are spaced apart. When looking at a pet, one may come across its wary gaze. Powerful jaws with a full set of teeth, thin drooping lips, around which there is a border. The nose is slightly flattened, on the face a dark mask.
4. Ears hang down along the head, set at a distance from each other, rounded at the ends. Medium in length, with different colors, can be darkened or black completely. Scissor bite or linear, generally accepted international standards allowed both.
5. The ribs are convex, the chest is massive and deep rounded. The neck is thick, short, with distinct skin wrinkles. In the throat area, several folds are visible, which is characteristic of the breed. The abdomen is tightened medium, does not sag, flows into the groin with folds.
6. The croup is round, the loin is of a standard size, the muscles are developed. The back is strong, as a proof it is worth taking a look at the photos of dogs riding children at the withers. The tail is set high, stands with a sickle, does not curl, does not press against the lower back or thigh.
7. Straight forelegs wide apart, thick, muscular. The hind legs are shorter, but also powerful, they are clearly visible rounded hips. The limbs are widely spaced, which makes the dog even more stable and massive.

What is considered a breed defect?

The above standards are recognized by the International Kennel Federation. When choosing a pet, you should know what applies to breed defects:

• heterochromia, blue shade of the iris;
• not drooping, but raised ears;
• growth in males is less than 74 cm, in females - less than 68 cm;
• there is no dark pigmented mask on the face;
• the dog is aggressive towards the person;
• identicalness;
• there is no dark pigmentation on the lips, nose and eyelids;
• malocclusion, one jaw crosses another;
• cryptorchidism.

It is worth remembering forever that the representatives of the breed are able to move quickly, for them it is not difficult. The dog first runs at a trot, then as it speeds up it goes into a gallop.

Breed character

1. English mastiff means a dog with a stable psyche, restrained, calm. If, according to historical data, the breed was famous for its viciousness in battle, then over the course of a long history, the dog lost these qualities. We can say that a dog cannot be found calmer. The animal does not bark for no reason, does not jump on the owner upon his return home, restrains emotions good and bad.
2. Nevertheless, time passed, the dogs as remained brave, and are so to this day. A distinctive feature of animals of this breed is that they like to sleep, prefer to lie on the couch, and not actively play. But if necessary, the dog will cast aside its apathy, frolic with the children or come to the rescue of the owner.
3. Representatives of the breed love comfort, they are not used to living on the street, usually animals are kept in an apartment or house. The pet will always prefer a calm owner to a merrier. If the dog is bored, it will retire and not tolerate loud noises.
4. For this breed, socialization plays a paramount role. You need to deal with a pet from the first days of its appearance in your home. It is advisable to teach the puppy to small children, other animals and the environment as a whole. You need to show the dog that you are ready to do anything for it. In response, he will show the same fidelity to the family.
5. Despite their lethargy, dogs do not like loneliness. They need regular communication with people, travel, new activities. English mastiff is an ideal dog for joint trips by car, likes to swim.
6. Security instincts are widely developed, so the dog never sleeps. She will be constantly on the alert and in case of danger will protect the owner. Dogs have a division into adults and children, the latter are very fond of and even evil pranks forgive them. They can distinguish a three-year-old from a one-year-old baby, measure their height and weight when playing with a child.
7. Mastiffs of the presented line can easily get along with a cat or other animal, but they need to be raised from an early age. It is advisable that the pets grow together. Then they will become an inseparable couple. A dog can be aggressive if another male appears in the house, claiming to be a territory.
8. Since dogs are lazy by nature, they will become terrible companions when running with humans. Therefore, if you lead an active lifestyle, think twice before starting such a breed. As for walking, the dog will not run after the cat if it walks without a leash. He is too lazy for that.

Features of education

1. If you just brought a puppy into the house, do not load it with physical activity until reaching 9 months. Dogs gain strength for a long time and gain strength. Do not let the dog jump from a high bed, do not let it jump into the car on its own. The dog is not allowed to climb the stairs to the high floor on its own. Only a ball is allowed, and then, it should not exceed the size of the animal’s head.
2. From an early age, puppies are taught to communicate not only with humans, but also with other animals.It is important that the dog quickly socializes, gets used to the environment and is not cowardly. Occasionally, you need to appear in crowded places, individual meetings with a dog handler will not be superfluous.
3. Immediately after the puppy arrives at your home, you must accustom him to the toilet. As soon as the dog eats or sleeps, take it to the street to take care of needs. It doesn’t matter that it’s damp or cold outside, from now on it is your duty.
4. From puppyhood, the dog is trained in basic commands, which it must master up to a year. Since the representatives of the breed are famous for their short memory, it is necessary to devote a long time to the exercises. Do not forget to set yourself up as an authority so that the dog listens to you.
5. Despite the fact that dogs are not famous for their activity, they need a walk of 30-60 minutes at least 2 times a day. When the dog does not move, it becomes oily, serious pathologies develop on this basis.

Maintenance and care

1. English mastiffs have a short coat. This feature facilitates the care of animals at times. Water procedures should be carried out in case of emergency. Keep in mind that molting occurs in dogs in spring or autumn.
2. During this period, it is very important to clean the coat daily. For convenience, you should use a special massage brush. The rest of the time the animal needs to be combed 2-3 times a week. Also, every 6-7 days in a dog you need to clean your ears from sulfur and dirt.
3. If you miss such a moment, then dirty ears will begin to bother the mastiff. The pet will constantly try to scratch them. Neglect of such procedures promises the development of various infections. Folds on the face deserve special attention.
4. Every day they must be cleaned of saliva and food debris. Such an environment is favorable for the propagation of pathogenic bacteria. Be sure to rinse your eyes, the procedure should be performed twice a day as needed. To do this, use herbal infusions.
5. Without fail, systematically trim the dog's claws. Otherwise, the pet will feel great discomfort when walking. If you decide to bathe your pet, you should use exclusively special shampoo.
6. It is forbidden to use detergents intended for humans. If you do not follow simple rules, the animal may begin to irritate the skin or an allergic reaction. Also, mastiff is recommended to be kept indoors at a temperature of at least 15 degrees.
7. The peculiarity of the breed is that they are in no hurry to spend all their free time on the street. The animal can calmly lie down all day on the couch. The dog will go to the toilet in a specially designated place for her. With this lifestyle, the pet will quickly become fat and lose its former shape. Therefore, you need to walk with him daily.
8. After acquiring a wonderful puppy, you must immediately accustom him to hygiene procedures. If you do not do this from an early age, you will not be able to cope with an adult dog. A huge carcass simply will not let you cut your claws or wash your eyes.

Feeding

1. It is best to feed the breed presented with premium dry food. As an alternative, you can choose a balanced natural diet. In any case, mixing food is strictly prohibited.
2. When choosing feed, give preference to trusted companies. It should be type holistic and premium. In such formulations, all the necessary components are present that are required by the body of the animal.
3. If you decide to feed the dog with natural products, you should know what exactly can be given to the mastiff. Most often, breeders recommend feeding the pet low-fat red meat. Among these, veal, beef and lamb should be noted.
4. Low-fat marine fish, chicken, and turkey are also allowed. A small amount should be given raw or boiled vegetables.Pamper your dog regularly with low fat dairy products. From porridges it is better to give preference to rice.
5. A small amount of premium sunflower and olive oil should be added to food. This also includes fish oil, raw quail eggs. Also, be sure to add special vitamin supplements for dogs to your food.
6. In addition, you need to ensure that the pet always has fresh purified water. It is strictly forbidden to give the mastiff food from the table, spicy, fatty, salty and smoked products. Dog biscuits or cheese are great as goodies.
7. It should also be noted that overfeeding a pet is strictly prohibited. Improper nutrition or poorly balanced diet contribute to the development of serious pathologies. As a result, the dog's lifespan can be significantly reduced.

Health

1. Separately, it is worth noting that the dog is growing closer to two years of life. Keep in mind that even with proper care and proper maintenance, mastiffs do not live very long. Life expectancy is from 9 to 11 years.
2. In order for the dog to always be in excellent shape and maintain good health, you should regularly train with it, properly feed and maintain it. In addition, the breed is prone to various diseases.
3. The animal may suffer from retinopathy (retinal damage). This pathology refers to a genetic disease in which the pupils are affected. In this case, the pet gradually begins to lose sight. If you turn to a specialist in time, the dog will again be able to see normally.
4. Often, mastiffs suffer from improper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. In order to prevent this, do not give your pet a lot of water to consume. Be sure to feed the animal immediately after a walk.
5. English mastiffs are prone to a third-century congenital flaw. It can also twist or hang strongly over the eye. To cope with such a nuisance, you have to resort to plastic surgery. Therefore, consult with a specialist in advance.
6. Often, the breed presented suffers from hip dysplasia. Fortunately, such a pathology can be detected at an early stage. It is enough to go to the veterinary clinic and take an x-ray. Timely procedures will help to cope with the disease.
7. Unfortunately, mastiffs are still prone to bone cancer. Such a serious illness cannot be treated. In addition, when starting an animal, do not forget to take vaccinations in a timely manner and drive to regular examinations. Systematically treat the animal from external and internal parasites.

English mastiffs have a sharp mind and quick wits. Walking with your pet is better in a calm manner. Running with him is not recommended, and swimming in a pond is occasionally possible. The dog is very important to socialize as soon as possible. Also at a young age, teach your pet hygiene procedures. Follow the health of the animal and feed it properly.

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