| Getting a dog can change your life. If you get a | | | | grandeur and dignity. Height is 30 inches |
| dog that is compatible with your lifestyle, it can be | | | | (minimum) at the shoulder for males and 27-1/2 |
| a very rewarding experience, but all dogs require | | | | inches (minimum) for females. Weight is 150 to |
| love, attention, care and training, so before you | | | | 250 pounds for males and 120 to 200 pounds for |
| make that decision, ask yourself these questions: | | | | females. *The world's largest dog, according to |
| - Do I have time to give a dog the attention it | | | | the Guinness Book of World Records, was a |
| requires? | | | | Mastiff named Zorba. At 8 years of age, Zorba |
| - Do I have the ability to provide proper | | | | weighed 343 pounds. |
| grooming, exercise and training for a dog? | | | | Personality/Temperament: The Mastiff is a |
| - Can I afford the expenses that come with a | | | | good-natured, calm and gentle dog that is |
| dog? | | | | affectionate to its master but courageous and |
| - Do I have what it takes to be a strong pack | | | | capable of protection and will defend its territory |
| leader? | | | | and family. It is good with children but is not |
| - Do I want to buy a dog from a breeder or | | | | recommended for toddlers because of its great |
| adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue? | | | | size. It gets along well with other dogs if socialized |
| If, after answering the above questions, you | | | | with proper leadership. The Mastiff is loyal and |
| decide to move forward with getting a dog, it | | | | devoted to its family, loves to please and needs |
| would be wise to learn about the different breeds | | | | lots of human leadership. It is very intelligent but |
| and their characteristics, personality | | | | can be somewhat difficult to train. This breed of |
| temperament, possible health conditions and | | | | dog rarely barks but does tend to drool and snore |
| exercise and grooming requirements in order to | | | | loudly. |
| make an informed decision. | | | | Possible Health Conditions: Health concerns for this |
| This article is a basic overview of one particular | | | | breed of dog include hip dysplasia, gastric torsion |
| breed -- a Mastiff. Read on to decide if this breed | | | | (bloat), obesity, osteosarcoma, cystinuria, allergies, |
| of dog is compatible with your particular lifestyle. | | | | cruciate ligament rupture, hypothyroidism, |
| History/Background: The Mastiff, also referred to | | | | progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), elbow dysplasia, |
| as the English Mastiff or Old English Mastiff, is | | | | Von Willebrand's disease, entropion and ectropion |
| recognized as the oldest British breed. It is one of | | | | of the eyes, Wobblers disease, epilepsy, growth |
| the most ancient breeds recorded by man as | | | | and joint related problems such as hypertrophic |
| early as the 6th century BC. Ancient images of | | | | osteodystrophy (HOD), osteochondritis dissicans |
| dogs like these can be seen on Babylonian relics | | | | (OCD) and panosteitis (Pano) and heart concerns |
| from 2200 BC. It was forced to take part in bull | | | | such as aortic stenosis, mitral valve dysplasia and |
| baiting, lion fighting and fights with human | | | | cardiomyopathy. Life expectancy for this breed |
| gladiators in Rome and was later used to pull | | | | of dog is 7 to 13 years. |
| carts, carry heavy loads on its back and to guard | | | | Exercise/Grooming: The Mastiff is inclined to be |
| estates and businesses. The name "Mastiff" | | | | low energy (an adult Mastiff) but will be happier |
| probably evolved from the Anglo-Saxon word | | | | and fitter if given regular exercise. It should be |
| "masty," meaning "powerful." Some evidence | | | | walked daily on a leash. Grooming is easy and |
| suggests that the Mastiff came to America on | | | | requires brushing with a firm bristle brush and |
| the Mayflower and was almost extinct in England | | | | wiping with a towel, bathing or dry shampooing |
| by the end of World War II. It is the largest | | | | when necessary. This breed is an average |
| breed of dog in the world for both weight and | | | | shedder. |
| bulk. "What the lion is to the cat, the Mastiff is to | | | | Living Conditions: The Mastiff does okay in |
| the dog, the noblest of the family." Talents include | | | | apartment if sufficiently exercised. It is relatively |
| watch dog, guard dog, police work, military work, | | | | inactive indoors and does okay with a small yard. |
| weight pulling and search and rescue. | | | | Summary: The Mastiff is a very large but gentle |
| Physical Characteristics: The Mastiff has a | | | | and docile dog that requires minimal exercise and |
| massive, powerful and muscular body and is one | | | | is fairly easy to groom but needs proper pack |
| of the heaviest breeds of dog. It has a heavy | | | | leadership and socialization, and due to its large |
| and square head, short muzzle and black mask | | | | size, its care, ranging from everyday pet supplies |
| around its eyes and nose. It has small, dark | | | | to food to veterinary bills, can be more costly. |
| brown eyes and small dark-colored ears. The tail | | | | So, now that you've learned a little about this |
| is high set and tapers to the tip. The coat is short | | | | breed of dog, one question remains -- Is a Mastiff |
| and comes in the colors of fawn, brindle and | | | | the right breed for you? |
| apricot. The Mastiff has an overall impression of | | | | |