Breaking Down the Mastiff Breeds

Some people view the mastiffs as one breed, but in reality there are over fourteen different individual breeds within the mastiff family. When most people think of a mastiff they think of a very large, overpowering dog. While this is a true characterization of the group, there is many varying degrees of characteristics for each individual breed that seperates each from the others within the family.

We will break down the group into the individual breeds within it and share the details on which are more suitable for families, which may be the most affectionate, and even if any of the breeds are recommended to have around children. When many think of the mastiff family of dogs they think of large guard dogs, and while this may be true in many cases, there is so much more you are missing with that generalization alone.

Let's take a look at the individual breeds and help you familiarize yourself with which breed(s) may be best for you and your situation

This breed of mastiff is commonly known as the Argentine dogo.This dog is a loyal guardian of both its family and its property. The Argentine Dogo is playful and gets along well with children. The breed is very intelligent and easy to train with consistency.

Dogos are powerful dogs and not for the weak or inexperienced. The Dogos need leadership from their owner. Someone who is confident and consistent with them.

If raised with other pets, the Dogos can be fine with them, however, they can get aggressive with other (strange) dogs, especially in the hands of an inexperienced or timid owner.

The Brazilian Mastiff is most widely known as the Fila Brasileiro. This breed is a mix of mastiff and bloodhound and full of wrinkles. The Fila Brasileiro will be completely dedicated to their owners and once bonded with its family the Fila will not hesitate to protect them. Also, once the Fila Brasileiro becomes bonded with its family it will take a lot from the family children and can seem incredibly gentle when with them. This breed also tends to get along well with other pets within the family.

Filas should be socialized thoroughly and throughout its life to avoid the dog becoming to wary of strangers. Filas need to be shown that most things are not a threat and they need the confidence building that comes with this socialization. This breed is not for the inexperienced.

The Bullmastiff is a mix of mastiff and bulldog. This breed is a quiet, gentle companion devoted to and guardian of its family. It is very laid back and it takes a lot to get this dog excited or roused, but once it feels threatened it becomes a fearless protector. The Bullmastiff, as it name would imply, is a very stubborn dog and you may have great difficulty in getting this dog to perform against its will.

Male Bullmastiffs can be very intolerant of other male dogs and in general the Bullmastiff breed can be aggressive towards dogs with which they are unfamiliar. With stubbornness aside, this breed can be good with children if they are raised together. This breed is another in the mastiff family that is not for the inexperienced or first time dog owner.

Though they should get daily exercise, their needs are moderate compared to others. A mild walk or short bursts of play are all that are necessary. Coat maintenance for the Bullmastiff is minimal as its coat is short and dense. Its power, alertness and endurance make it a great guard dog for overpowering any threat.

An amazingly gentle breed, the English Mastiff is both gentle and easygoing making a great house dog and loyal family member. The English Mastiff is very devoted in spite of its minimal expression of emotion. Like most, the English Mastiff should have daily exercise. While it handles warm to cool weather fine, it does not do well in hot weather.

The English Mastiff has the tendacy to drool, but coat maintenance is minimal. This breed of mastiff tends to be longer than they are tall and is a powerful dog with great endurance.

The French Mastiff is known to many as the Dogue de Bordeaux and is smaller in size than the English Mastiff. This breed is calm in its temperament and patient and loyal to its family. The Bordeaux can be confrontational with strangers and seems to have no fear, making him a good guard dog with proper training and socialization.

Socialize them young and they seem to do well with other animals with supervision. This breed drools, like many in the mastiff family and is known for its snoring as well. Appearance aside, the Bordeaux is usually gentle with the family's children. Once again, this breed should be in the hands of an experienced dog owner.

The German Mastiff is most widely known as the Great Dane.This breed of mastiff is friendly and dependable and usually good with children. The Great Dane also usually takes well to other household pets, but may not always be aware of its towering size over others so should be monitored.

Moderate daily exercise will help keep the dane fit and can be met with a brisk walk or chance to play in a fenced area. This breed of mastiff is not suited for outdoor living and should be considered an indoor pet. There are some danes that drool but coat care on all danes is minimal.

The Cane Corso is a very powerful, agile breed with a great deal of endurance. This breed is usually quiet and relaxed in the house and willing to please its family. They are very intelligent dogs and their eagerness to please makes them very trainable. The Cane Corso makes an excellent guard dog, as well as watch dog. They are great with kids and very affectionate with their owners. Gentle breeds, yet protective. They like to stick nearby their family members and therefore are not very big wanderers.

Not considered a fighting dog, the Cane Corso will protect both family and property if the need arises. This breed still needs socialized early and an owner who is experienced. Obedience training is highly recommended for this breed as well as all mastiffs. Believe it or not, these dogs will do just fine in apartment living with the opportunity for plenty of exercise

The Neapolitan Mastiff is probably one of the most recognizable in the mastiff family with all of its wrinkles. This breed was bred to be a family guardian.The Neapolitan is amazingly loyal and totally devoted to its family, ever so watchful. They are very suspicious of strangers and moderately tolerant of acquaintances. This breed can be loving towards children, but needs to be socialized thoroughly at a very young age and should not be a dog for the inexperienced or first time dog owner.

Though the Neapolitan needs lots of space to 'stretch out', they do not particularly need a lot of exercise. Neapolitans like to be outdoors but do not do well in the heat. This breed is a big drooler and can leave a mess in their wake. Their appearance alone is enough, in many cases, to scare off would be intruders. Despite it's size, the Neapolitan can be surprisingly quick in its reaction when provoked.

The Pyrenees is devoted to family, but uneasy around strangers both of the human and canine kind. With the family, the Pyrenees can be a calm and well-mannered dog that is gentle with its family, including children. This breed can be stubborn and are very independent and therefore should not be the mastiff of choice for a timid owner.The Pyrenees is a wanderer and should not be left off leash in insecure locations. This breed is also a barker.

The Pyrenees needs exercise on a daily basis to stay fit and enjoys being out for hikes in the cold weather, but doesn't do well in hot weather. This breed needs weekly (and sometimes twice weekly) brushing of their coats and even daily during shedding. This breed can drool and it is almost always a sloppy drinker.

An extremely protective and territorial breed, the Spanish Mastiff is one of the lesser friendly of the mastiff family, but they make excellent guard dogs of property. This breed is definitely not a breed any experienced or first time dog owner should even consider. The Spanish Mastiff is a very independent breed and not a very affectionate one. The males of the breed tend to be the more affectionate of the two.

Spanish Mastiff can be prone to annoyance barking. This breed can adapt to most climates, but prefer the dry climate areas. Their short, dense coat should be brushed regularly and their need for exercise is moderate.

The Tibetan Mastiff is very independent and territorial due to their past as a lone sentry. They can be devoted to family while aloof toward outsiders. This breed, like most of the mastiffs, should be socialized at a young age. The Tibetan is patient with their family's children, but can be protective when strange children visit. This breed is usually good with other dogs and animals.

While active outside, the Tibetan tends to be more relaxed and calm indoors. A long daily walk for its exercise should suffice just fine. This breed can become destructive out of boredom when confined. Tibetans should be brushed several times a week as their long coat needs the extra attention. Their thick, water resistant coats makes them happy in cold weather and even comfortable in warmer, dry climates as well.

Mastiffs, generally speaking, make great companions and protectors and with the proper training and socialization they can be great additions to your family. While some are more gentle and laid back then others, many of the mastiff family should not be considered for timid owners.

Mastiffs make excellent guard dogs. They investigate, bark, look incredibly formidable and have the power and strength to back it up, though most have a more gentle, rather than aggressive nature. A well socialized mastiff will protect you and your family, but only when there's a need to.

Consider costs, space, time for training and socializing and possible messes (with many droolers in the group) when thinking about adding one of these magnificent creatures to your family.