110-170 lbs
28-35"
Spain
The Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed originally bred as livestock guardian dogs. He is a great protector for his family and is usually very calm except around strangers. His nature, like most livestock guardian dogs, is independent and he will prefer to sit back and watch rather than play games with the family. He is aloof and is a relatively easy keeper. A male Spanish Mastiff is likely to bond more closely with members of his family than a female Spanish Mastiff. He does snore loudly and he does slobber quite a bit, but if you can overlook these, then he will make a loyal companion.
The earliest documentation of the Spanish Mastiff comes from the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed that he was brought by the Phoenicians and Greeks over 2,000 years ago. He was a popular breed in Spain and even gained popularity throughout Europe. He is thought to have originated from the Molosser dog, an ancient breed that dates back to 2,000 B.C. The Spanish Mastiff is native to the Estremadura region of Spain and has been used as a herding dog and a livestock guardian dog. His mostly white coat helped him blend with the sheep and differentiate him from wolves and other predators. The Spanish Shepherd’s Association, Mesta, has the most comprehensive records for the breed. Mesta has documents showing the Spanish Mastiff’s greatest value was in his ability to protect his flock against wolves since the 1400s. Written documents from 1526 show that 3.5 million Merino sheep migrated throughout Spain and with these sheep, Spanish Mastiffs accompanied the herds. One Spanish Mastiff was in charge of about 100 sheep. Researchers also believe that the Spaniards used the Spanish Mastiff when fighting native peoples that they were trying to conquer. The sheer size and power of the breed was intimidating, but many were also trained in protection and could attack when given the command to do so. Even though by the early 20th century the Spanish Mastiff was being exhibited regularly within dog shows, no official breed standard was written until 1946. He is still found in many dog shows within the Spanish, especially the Iberian Peninsula, however he is now rarely seen outside of his native country. There are approximately 24,000 Spanish Mastiffs within Spain and he has become the national dog breed of Spain.
The Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed with a longs legs and body and a massive chest. He is well-muscled and heavy boned. His head should match the rest of him and be massive with a thick muzzle and strong jaws. He has a dewlap on his thick neck. He also has looser lips. His back feet will sport the typical double dewclaws that many working breeds have. His double coat is short and very dense giving him almost a wooly appearance, it is straight and the topcoat should have a harsher texture. His undercoat should feel slightly wooly and be softer then the topcoat. He should have loose fitting skin. He was predominantly white but now can be found in black, fawn, brindle, red, wolf-sable and yellow. He can be solid in color or spotted with white being the base color. The Spanish Mastiff has small, slightly round dark eyes. He ears are triangular shaped and hang. His nose is black as is the pigmentation on his lips and eye rims.
The Spanish Mastiff is not a hypoallergenic dog and he does shed seasonally due to his dense double coat. His coat does require weekly brushing to minimize loose hairs floating around the house. Use a pin brush and metal comb when grooming. A de-shedder can also be used when he is shedding heavily. Expect him to shed his undercoat twice a year, generally in the spring and fall. Bathe him when heavy shedding starts to help quicken the process. Trim the hair between his foot pads to keep knots from forming and debris from becoming trapped and causing lameness. His ears will need to be checked often for dirt or moisture and cleaned as needed. Check his nails every few weeks and trim as needed. The Spanish Mastiff does drool heavily. It is best to keep drool rags handy to clean up any drool that gets on floor, furniture or you. He will slobber excessively after exercise, eating or drinking.
Overall, the Spanish Mastiff is a typical livestock guardian dog. His activity level is moderate and he much prefers to sit back and watch before delving into something new. He will be wary of strangers, both human and animal. Expect the Spanish Mastiff to bond quickly with his family and protect them with his own life if necessary. He prefers to be close to his family and therefore will follow almost anywhere. The Spanish Mastiff does require an experienced trainer and needs to have continual training throughout his life to ensure he understands his role within the family. There must always be a clear pack leader or he will try to take that position. Even though the Spanish Mastiff may appear cumbersome and lazy, he is really an agile dog with a quickness that can surprise you. He tends to do well with children he is raised with as long as they respect his space. He also does well with other pets that he is raised with, but should be watched around dogs he does not know.
Written by a Rough Collie lover Holly Ramsey
Published: 11/20/2017, edited: 10/14/2021
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