Identify a Mastiff
While the Mastiff was once a fighting dog, today it is a patient dog that loves family. It is an intelligent breed who guards family with a calm sternness. The dog is great with children, but because of its size, it is advisable to carefully supervise the dog around toddlers. This breed may be aloof with strangers and will probably refuse to let them in, unless specifically accepted by its family. If you plan to have other dogs, you would do well to socialize this breed at a very early age. The Mastiff loves companionship, so be careful about separation anxiety issues. This breed can be difficult to train, but tends to respond to gentle training if its owner has lots of patience. It has a dignified demeanor and should never show shyness or viciousness.
Instructions
1. Look at Mastiff’s general appearance. Though quite large, its frame is well put together. Males are bigger and more massive than females.
2. Make sure the size and proportion is correct. Males are 30 inches at the withers. Females are 27 ½ inches. Males weight about 160 pounds and females weight about 150 pounds. This is a rectangular breed, with the measurement from the forechest to the rear a bit longer than the height at the withers. While the Mastiff is a tall dog, the height comes from the depth of the body, not the legs. It is also somewhat wide. The bones should be massively heavy and should support its heavy musculature.
3. Check that the head is massive in appearance. It should be quite wide. The medium-sized dark brown eyes are set far apart, but are not prominent. The ears are the only small thing on the Mastiff and are quite small compared to the skull, v-shaped and have rounded tips. Ears should be a dark color and match the muzzle. The muzzle is about one-half the length of the skull. The measurement of the circumference of the muzzle should be about three-fifths the measurement of the head. It is a short muzzle with a blunt end and is dark, matching the ears. The broad nose should be black--the darker, the better.
4. Look at the powerful body of the Mastiff, starting with the very powerful and muscular neck. The medium-length neck arches slightly as it increases in breadth and meets the shoulder. It does not support an excess of loose skin. The shoulders are also powerful and muscular and slope into a deep, wide chest that is quite rounded and extends to the elbows. The large front feet are rounded and compact, leading to arched toes and black nails. The rear is muscular, as is the rest of the dog. The second thighs are highly developed. The legs are set far apart. The tail is set high on the rump, and should at least reach the hocks, if not below the hocks. It makes a bit of a curve, but should never be carried over the back.
5. Pet the coarse coat. The Mastiff has a double coat, the outer coat being rather short, and the undercoat is dense and short. There are three acceptable colors: fawn, apricot or brindle. The brindle is created by dark stripes covering a fawn or apricot background. There may be a tiny patch of white on the chest.
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