Mastiffs - Why Adopt a Rescued Dog
Mastiffs are specific dogs that can be hard to breed and own. It explains a lot why they are not bred in abundance and not always available. That is why buying a Mastiff puppy is an expensive undertaking. A good alternative is adopting a Mastiff from a rescue organization or a breed club that is involved in rescue work.
Adopting a Mastiff has some advantages other than a lower price. Mastiffs available in rescues are usually full-grown. Therefore, there is no need to worry about socialization and housebreaking. Rescue officers make sure a dog is vaccinated and does not display behavioral problems. In fact, Mastiffs are usually spayed/neutered, which frees you from additional expenses. Volunteers, who are very often Mastiff owners, will gladly consult you on the point of caring for your dog.
Breed knowledge is quite indispensable when owning a Mastiff. One should be aware not only of general dog care but also of some specific Mastiffs' traits. Exhausting information can be obtained in clubs, rescues, and by the means of close interaction with other Mastiff owners.
Mastiffs - Living Conditions
Mastiffs are said to do OK in an apartment. Yet, these mountain-like dogs do need considerable space to stretch out. It is recommended to move breakable objects out of the dog's way. Those who have particular taste for vases and similar pieces of furniture should undertake some steps to place them out of their Mastiff's reach.
Certain precautions are necessary when choosing a place for a Mastiff. Due to their facial build, Mastiffs do not bear hot weather conditions. Thus, it is better to give preference to cool places where your Mastiff will not overheat.
Bedding deserves special attention. In no way should Mastiffs sleep on hard surfaces. Cherishing your pet has nothing to do with it, though. The sole reason for making your Mastiff's bedding soft and cozy is caring for its health. Large weight provokes undesirable rubbing that leads to skin problems.
Mastiffs - Are They Active Dogs?
Mastiffs can be mistakenly taken for lazy dogs when watching them indoors. They spend their day either lying quietly in a shade, or following their owner. However, the first impression is delusive. Mastiffs do need a lot of exercise to keep them fit. Deprived of opportunity to train their muscles, they become a ruin. Mastiffs - Health Concerns
The number of diseases Mastiffs are vulnerable to is not great. They should be tested for hip and elbow dysplasia, and also various eye conditions. Regular veterinary care will help with timely discovery of health disorders.
Mastiffs - Caring for Their Coat
Mastiffs, like all the other short-coated dogs, do not need a lot of coat care. Brushing will help to get rid of dead hairs and distribute natural oils to the whole of the coat. Mastiffs - Feeding
It is advised to feed your Mastiff a few meals a day. Commercially prepared foods are likely to supply your pet with all the necessary elements including proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients. Mastiffs should consume large quantities of premium dry foods and have a constant supply of fresh water.
Mastiffs - Dogue de Bordeaux Rescues Links
Dogue de Bordeaux Rescue of the DDBS - Learn more about this organization's rescue services.
Mastiffs - English Mastiff Rescues Links
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Courtesy of
Homestead Dogue de Bordeaux
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Mastiff Club Of America Rescue - Strives to place abandoned or stray Mastiffs in homes which abide by the code of ethics. Read about adopting the breed and contact the MCOA.
Mastiff Rescue of the Great Lakes Region - This is the regional site for MCOA Mastiff Rescue in the Great Lakes Region.
Mountain States Mastiff Rescue - Specializes in finding homes for Mastiffs that are either stray or abandoned by their owners. Site includes adoption information, success stories, poems, and descriptions and photos of available dogs.
Mastiffs - Neapolitan Mastiff Rescues Links
Neomastiff Rescue -Dogs available for adoption and adoption papers.
USNMC Rescue Program - Things to consider when adopting a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Mastiffs - General Info Links
Amazon - Dogue de Bordeaux Books - Educate yourself about the breed with the help of Amazon books.
Breed Profile - Breed information.
Brough's Books - Mastiffs - Books on training and care.
Dogue de Bordeaux - General information on the breed.
Dogs Central - English Mastiffs - General information on the breed, and links to breeders and clubs.
Dogue de Bordeaux Breed Guide - Find a concise profile of the breed, covering characteristics and health concerns, accompanied by a representative picture.
Dogue de Bordeaux Photo Gallery - Puppies, photos, and classified ads.
English Mastiff Info - Information on the breed.
Is The Neapolitan Mastiff For You? - Learn more about the dog's personality and health concerns.
Mastiff Club of America - Furnishes an extensive FAQ sheet about the breed. Learn how it is judged in competition, find rescue organizations, and read articles.
Mastiff Stamps - Breed stamps from around the world.
Matin de Naples - Picture gallery, history, standard, education, forum, links, and show results. Available in French.
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Courtesy of
The Mastiff Sweet Spot
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Molosserworld - Breed information and related links.
Molosses - History, standard, and photos.
Neapolitan Mastiffs - General Info - History of the breed, plus breeders and clubs.
Neapolitan Mastiff Links - Find breed related sites.
Neapolitan Mastiff Photo Album - A collection of pictures.
Strong Dogs - German site devoted to Molosser breeds. Description, pictures, news, and books.
20-Stone Dog Is World's Heaviest - Article on how an English Mastiff became acknowledged as the heaviest dog in the world.
United States Bordeaux Corporation - Dedicated to the preservation and betterment of the Dogue de Bordeaux. Breed standard, show information, rescue, photo gallery, newsletter, membership, merchandise, and links.
United States Neapolitan Mastiff Club - USNMC Breed and club information, shows and events, AKC and the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Mastiffs - Other Mastiffs sites
English Mastiffs Breeders - English Mastiffs are definitely ancient dogs. Their history is hard to trace now, even though many brilliant people racked their brains to solve the mystery. What aggravates the task is confusion of the name "Mastiff" that denotes both the family and the breed. However, there are a few suppositions that are adhered to by the majority of English Mastiff lovers.
Mastiff-like dogs probably originated in Assyria. Archeological digs held in Niniveh city revealed some pieces of Assyrian art, among them being an ancient vase. That item, dated about 612 BC, depicted a massive dog with a square head wearing armor. This fact confirms that the ancestors of the English Mastiff were used as war dogs.
English Mastiffs Puppies - English Mastiffs are large dogs weighing about 175-190 pounds, and more. They have a massive head with a square, broad muzzle. Eyes are of medium size should not be protruding. Small ears are black, and set apart.
The English Mastiff is very muscular. It has a rounded chest, long legs, and a tail that never curves over the back. English Mastiffs from American breeding lines are said to be lighter than those from European ones.
English Mastiffs Pictures - English Mastiffs are working dogs that are used in a number of activities. They are considered to be the heaviest breed of dog. According to the standard, the English Mastiff should weight about 175-190 pounds. Some lines though are much larger.
The English Mastiff is a powerful dog. The whole build of its body build gives evidence of great strength and endurance. Long legs carry a massive body and a square-shaped head. The moderately long muzzle which is always black in color matches black, small ears rounded at the tips. Medium-sized eyes are usually dark. The nose is broad and black.
English Mastiffs - English Mastiffs, also called Old English Mastiffs, are one of the biggest breeds of dog. They are known for their huge size and a quiet, yet cautious temper. These diligent dogs are always ready to please their owner, and are said to make wonderful guard dogs. They also serve as watchdogs, weight pulling and obedience competitors, and devoted companions.
English Mastiffs are well-balanced dogs, noted for their size and strength. The head is square, with a moderately long muzzle. Muscles are well developed on the temple and jaw areas. The skull is slightly rounded with a relatively thin skin that tends to form wrinkles when the dog is at action. Small ears set widely apart are of black color matching the black muzzle. Brown eyes are of medium size.
Mastiffs Breeders - Mastiffs are ancient dogs whose history is closely connected with fighting and guarding. The Tibetan Mastiff is thought to be the ancestor of all the present day Mastiffs. This dog in its turn originated from the Molossus, a war dog known in the times of the Roman Empire. All the Mastiffs and some other breeds of dog are regarded as Molossers. They have some common features. Yet, certain differences make each of them specific.
The Dogue de Bordeaux, otherwise called "the French Mastiff," was probably developed in France. It might have originated from a dog that was distributed on the territory of France. In addition, it could have taken its roots from the Alano, an ancient dog that had been brought to Europe by a people called Alano. If this theory is true, the Dogue de Bordeaux can be considered a close relative of the Neapolitan Mastiff.
Mastiffs Pictures - Mastiffs are working dogs that can be used in weight pulling, sledding, tracking, hunting, and are valued highly as good guard dogs. They are massive, strong, and heavy-boned. The muzzle is relatively long with scissors or pincer bite in Neapolitan Mastiffs, undershot bite in the Dogue de Bordeaux and the English Mastiff.
Double coat is short and lies closely to the body. Ears in Neapolitan Mastiffs are usually cropped, whereas in English Mastiffs and Dogue de Bordeaux they are short lying closely to the temples. Dark eyes are of medium size. The Neapolitan Mastiff shows a considerable jaw. Both English Mastiffs and Dogue de Bordeaux have a mask.
Mastiffs Puppies - Mastiffs are usually very small as puppies. One can hardly believe they can grow into large powerful dogs. Nevertheless, Mastiff puppies grow very rapidly increasing their weight tens of times during the first years of their life. English Mastiffs, for instance, can weigh about 145-170 pounds as adult dogs. They are considered the heaviest dogs in the canine world. Other Mastiffs are a little smaller. Yet, when full grown they can weigh about 110-150 pounds.
All the Mastiffs are heavy-boned dogs. They have large heads and move gently. Thus, the Neapolitan Mastiff's gait is often compared to that of a cat. This breed has some characteristics common to all the Mastiff-like dogs. It has a broad muscled back, strong legs, and loose skin. Unlike other Mastiffs, Neapolitan Mastiffs have cropped ears and a docked tail. A profound lower eyelid is also a specific feature, which makes them easily recognizable.
Mastiffs - There exist three versions of Mastiffs: the Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff), the Neapolitan Mastiff and the English Mastiff. All European Mastiffs have descended from the Tibetan Mastiff, the most ancient domestic dog. It's believed that Alexander the Great brought them to Greece from India in about 300 B.C. Later Romans adopted them for circus combats. The Latin word Molossus, for the Mastiff, means "massive." English scientists have a theory that the Phoenicians brought the Mastiff right to Britain around 500 B.C.
Dogue de Bordeaux were known as hunting dogs in France since the 12th century. They hunted large game: bears, wolves, boars, pigs, and deer. Natural born killers, they were used in wars, and helped to guard and drive cattle. It's the main breed to participate in dog fighting that was extremely popular in the 20th century.
