English Mastiff

One of the first things that people notice about the English mastiff is its size. These relatively large dogs can weigh anywhere from 140 pounds to 230 pounds, depending on their gender and age. Height-wise, they can stand from about 27 inches to 36 inches at the shoulder. Again, this depends on the mastiff’s gender, with the females being smaller than the males. Physically, these dogs are described as having a huge head and a hefty body. The coat color can vary between mastiffs but all of them have a black masking on their face. Mastiffs, however, have a tendency to snore and to salivate excessively, which may bother some owners.

Don’t let the mastiff’s size fool you. These giants are actually quite gentle and friendly until they feel that their family or owners are being threatened. When this happens, hey immediately put up a guarded stance that they will not drop unless the trespasser backs off or the owner acknowledges the intruder. And while they are almost tender towards children, it is best to keep them away from younger kids because their size might end up causing harm to the child.

Like with any other breed, taking care of an English mastiff involves providing him with the proper diet, grooming him regularly, and ensuring that he gets enough exercise. Other things that English Mastiff owners should watch out for include: obesity, bloating and hip dysplasia. If all goes well, the average life expectancy of a healthy English mastiff is about nine to eleven years.