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English Mastiff: All You Need To Know
An English mastiff is the domestic dog breed that belongs to the kingdom of Animalia, phylum Chordata, and class Mammalia. Its genus is Canis, and its species is Canis lupus. Its length is up to 70 to 91 cm, and it weighs about 54 to 100 kg. It lives in a domesticated habitat, with a lifespan of up to 6 to 12 years.
What is English Mastiff?
One of the earliest domestic dog breeds is the English Mastiff. It is a descendent of the Molossus or Mollosser, deadly battle dogs that date back over 5000 years, and it is also one of the world’s largest domestic dog breeds. The modern English mastiff is known as a gentle giant who is popular as a pet and as a show dog.
This breed, often known as the Old English Mastiff, is best described as enormous. Despite the fact that other breeds are as tall as the mastiff, it is the heaviest of them all. They are the world’s biggest breed by this standard, weighing up to 220 pounds. The exterior coat of the English mastiff is short and straight.
It’s usually a light brown or ‘fawn’ hue, although there are also brindle and ‘apricot’-colored variations. Their snout, as well as a large portion of their face and ears, are darker, sometimes totally black.
On the chests of certain individuals, there is a tiny patch of white fur. The breed has a lengthy history as guard dogs and various usage by humans, dating back thousands of years. They were previously employed to battle lions and other wild creatures, as they are descended from war dogs.
After bull-baiting and bear-baiting were made illegal in 1835, their popularity waned, and the breed was on the verge of extinction. However, the popularity of dog shows rose in the 1800s, followed by the importation of two pups from Canada during World War II, when the breed was once again falling in favour.
The English Mastiff is said to have arrived in America during the colonial period, with Bayard being the first of his breed to be recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
English Mastiff as Pet
Mastiffs are well-liked dogs who make great companions. They are, however, bigger than other breeds and require additional room. They don’t need a huge outdoor yard to run around in all day, but they do need enough daily exercise, especially if they live in a limited environment.
They will grow lonely and destructive if they are not given enough attention. Although their size might be frightening, they are really affectionate and caring dogs. They like to be close their family and, despite their size, will make every effort to become a lap dog.
They may even be regarded as placid, yet when it comes to protecting their family, they will not hesitate to act. Puppies can be hyperactive, but the majority of them grow up to be calm and quiet adult dogs. They may not be suitable for families with very small children or any elderly or fragile family members due of their size.
Sadly, English mastiffs have a limited lifetime, only live to reach approximately 6-12 years old in the majority of cases. In each litter, females generally give birth to around 8 puppies.
Fun Facts About English Mastiff!
The English Mastiff has a lengthy and intriguing history as the world’s oldest and largest domestic dog breed. The species has followed its owners on numerous conquests and undertakings, from the highlands of Asia through European battles to colonial America. Today, they come in a docile, fun-loving variety that is popular as a family pet and is just as devoted.
English Mastiff: Son of a Soldier
The Molosser, from which the mastiff is descended, is said to have originated in Asia’s highlands and was used to guard herds. Other breeds, such as the Tibetan mastiff, St Bernard, and Rottweiler, have their ancestors. Molossers, like most members of an army family, traversed the globe.
They most likely crossed the Alps with Hannibal, crossing breeding with indigenous dogs along the route and giving rise to a slew of new breeds. The English Mastiff was formally created in England, where they were first used as guard dogs on estates.
English Mastiff: World's Greatest
The mastiff is the world’s heaviest dog breed, despite not usually being the tallest. Indeed, one of the breed’s members holds the global record. A Guinness Book of Records crew documented a mastiff called Zorba weighing 323 pounds in 1989. (146 kg). The majority of people, on the other hand, weigh less than 200 pounds — a large canine by any standard.
English Mastiff: The Original Domestic
The English mastiff is not only the world’s largest dog breed, but it is also one of the oldest domestic dog breeds. Its name, ‘mastiff,’ is derived from the Latin word mansuetus, which means ‘tame’ or ‘domesticated,’ and is derived via Old French and Middle English. The first documented trace of the term was found in a Middle English text published before 1387.
English Mastiff Citations
- Primary synovial osteochondromatosis of the stifle in an English Mastiff. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol . 2012;25(2):160-6.
- Canine models of ocular disease: outcross breedings define a dominant disorder present in the English mastiff and bull mastiff dog breeds. J Hered . Jan-Feb 2003;94(1):27-30.
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