Mastiff

Mastiff History

The current belief is that the Mastiff was introduced into Italy by the Phoenicians, the Mastiff was welcomed enthusiastically by Caesar's legionnaires and soon became a fighter in the arenas. Mastiffs are depicted on Assyrian and Babylonian bas-reliefs. In England, too, the Mastiff was used as a fighting dog; being matched against bulls, bears, and lions. It wasn't until 1835, with the abolition of dog fighting in England, that the breed began to be used for more peaceful ends and turned into a watchdog, a capacity in which he is still used today.

Mastiff Description

The Mastiff has a large head with downturned mouth and pendent muzzle, small ears, and an undocked tail. He has a short, dense, rough coat which is fawn, apricot, or brindle in color. Mastiff males are typically 30 inches tall, while females are around 27 inches in height.