If the dog world were an NFL team, Mastiff Dogs would be its defensive linemen. These are big, strong, muscular dogs, and although they may not set any new speed records, Mastiff Dogs will always be noted for their persistence.
Mastiff dogs are also as old as they are big. Images of Mastiff dogs appear on Egyptian monuments as early as 3000 B.C. and were used in the gladiator rings of ancient Rome - fighting humans, bulls, bears, lions and tigers. Mastiff Dogs fought on the side of the English when Roman legions attacked that country in 55 B.C.
Today, there are several distinct recognized breeds of Mastiff Dogs as well as a number of Mastiffs from different regions of the world. Fortunately, dog fighting has been outlawed almost everywhere, so the Mastiff Dogs of today fill roles as companions and often work beside humans in a variety of capacities.
Most prominent among the Mastiff Dogs is what the American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) simply calls the Mastiff. These are the dogs that thrived in England and are known to many as the Old English Mastiff. The other breed recognized by the AKC is the Neapolitan Mastiff.
The Mastiff is a massive breed, standing at least 27 1/2 inches at the shoulder. It is big-boned and cuts a thick, rectangular shape. Mastiffs may weigh from 100 to 125 pounds. Its short, dense double coat comes in three colors: fawn, apricot and brindle.
Another AKC recognized Mastiff is the Bullmastiff. This breed is the result of breeding the Mastiff and the Bulldog to create what came to be known as the "gamekeeper's night dog". They were used on English estates to stop poachers. They represent the size of the Mastiff and the comparative "speed" of the Bulldog. They were meant to chase and hold poachers once they caught them, not attack them.
A newcomer to the ranks of the AKC is the Neapolitan Mastiff. Like the other two Mastiffs in the AKC registry, the Neapolitan is a massive dog. They differ in that they have loose skin covering their bodies, especially their heads, not unlike the Shar Pei. {mosimage}The Neapolitan also comes in different, often darker colors than the other two.
This ancient breed is enjoying some overdue popularity. Fang, a dog in the wildly popular Harry Potter books and movies is a Neapolitan. So, a breed that was all but forgotten today is well known.
In addition, there are other Mastiff Dogs around the world:
- Dogues de Bordeaux, the French Mastiff.
- Tibetan Mastiff.
- Fle Brasileriro, the Brazilian Mastiff.
- Bully Kutta, the Pakistani Mastiff.
- Boerboel, the South African Mastiff.
- Tosa, the Japanese Mastiff.
In some instances, the Great Dane is also called the German Mastiff.
There are many Mastiffs around the globe today, all sharing some sort of connection, even if it is in the distant past. But clearly, Mastiff Dogs are popular and prized as companions, working dogs and faithful protection dogs.
