Mastiff Dog Breeds

Mastiff Dog Breeds

by Eric Salson

With a history of domestication stretching back more than two millennia, the Mastiff dog has been a popular breed since the days of the Roman Empire and likely even longer than this. The Romans were in fact quite fond of these dogs - the Emperor Julius Caesars favorite pet was reputedly a Mastiff and they were widely trained for the hunt and for guard duty. The Mastiff was introduced to Britain with the Roman occupation of the British Isles and these dogs were the ancestors of the English Mastiff. Mastiffs were also popular with the Carthaginian general Hannibal, who brought Mastiffs with him as he crossed the Alps. The breed was also known in Asia, where Kublai Khan reportedly kept thousands of Mastiffs.

In Britain, the Mastiff became favored guard dogs with royalty, though they also found some less honorable work there. Mastiffs were used in the sports of bear, bull and lion baiting from the 1100s until the 1830s when the practice was outlawed in Britain.

Mastiff dogs are one of the largest domesticated breeds in existence and can weigh over 200 pounds and stand 30 at the shoulder. The Mastiff is a very muscular dog with black muzzles and ears and coats which are usually pale shades of fawn, orange, silver or brindle patterns.

The Mastiff used to be trained to be fearsome warriors and hunters, but now these dogs are trained to be loving, gentle pets and helpful working dogs. Of course every dog is a little different, but most Mastiffs are exceptionally calm and even tempered animals. However, they can be a little stubborn, especially once they get older and set in their ways (not to mention very large). It's best to make sure that your Mastiff is well trained while they're still very young.

If you're considering a Mastiff dog for your home, you'll need to be prepared for some drooling and some snoring and snuffling as they sleep. However, they more than make up for this fault due to their loyalty and natural aptitude for guard duty. These dogs very rarely bark, but they will hold any intruder at bay until told that things are under control. Mastiffs also make excellent companions for children. While you'll want to keep an eye of very young children while playing with Mastiffs, they love children and are very patient and gentle with even energetic kids.

They're just as good of a choice for adults. No matter what you're doing, your Mastiff will be there with you if you let them. They bond closely with their families and love spending time with them above all else. A Mastiff is not one of those dogs that are content to do its own thing in the yard all day they prefer quality time with their family.

These dogs are often shy when meeting new people and will usually just sit quietly until being formally introduced. Mastiff dogs usually get along with other pets, as long as they've been properly socialized as pups. If your Mastiff dog hasn't learned how to behave around other animals, you'll need to teach them or simply keep them away from other animals unless they will be closely supervised. - 20511

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New Unique Article!

Title: Mastiff Dog Breeds
Author: Eric Salson
Email: rickwall210@aol.co.uk
Keywords: mastiff dog,mastiff breeders,dog breeders,dogs,pets,family and home,lifestyle
Word Count: 531
Category: dog
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