Spanish Mastiff Information-Everything You Need To Know

The Spanish Mastiff is a massive dog that was designed to defend cattle. Except around strangers, he is a fantastic guardian for his family and Therefore is typically extremely peaceful. Like most farm animals’ guardian pups, his nature is independent, and he would rather sit and watch than play games with the family.

He is reserved and a rather simple keeper. A male Spanish Mastiff is more likely to form deep bonds with family members than just a female Spanish Mastiff. He snores loudly and slobbers profusely. However, if you can accept these flaws, he will be a devoted friend.

Spanish Mastiff History

The Spanish Mastiff’s origins may be traced back to the Iberian Peninsula. He is thought to have been brought more than 2,000 years ago by the Phoenicians & Greeks. He was a loving dog in Spain, and he spread to the rest of Europe.

He is supposed to be descended from the Molosser dog, a 2,000-years-old breed. The Spanish Mastiff is a breed of dog that originated in Spain’s Estremadura area and has been employed as a herding dog & livestock protector.

Thanks to his largely white coat, he was able to mix in with the sheep, which helped him stand out from wolves or other predators. Mesta, the Spanish Shepherd’s Association, possesses the breed’s most extensive records.

Since the 1400s, the Spanish Mastiff’s greatest importance has been in his capacity to guard his herd against wolves, according to Mesta’s papers. 4 million Merino sheep traveled throughout Spain in 1526, according to written sources Spanish Mastiffs escorted the herds.

About 100 sheep were under the command of a single Spanish Mastiff. According to researchers, the Spaniards utilized the Spanish Mastiff to combat native peoples they attempted to subjugate.

The breed’s sheer size and might were scary, yet many had been taught in protection and might attack if given the order. Although the Spanish Mastiff was widely exhibited at dog exhibitions by the early twentieth century, no official crossbred standard was published until 1946.

He is still exhibited at numerous dog shows in Spain, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula, although he is now seldom seen outside of his homeland. There are around 24,000 Spanish Mastiffs in Spain, and he has been designated as the country’s national dog breed.

Spanish Mastiff Characteristics

The Spanish Mastiff is a big dog with long legs and a huge chest. He has a lot of muscle and a lot of bone. His head should be as big as the rest of him, with a large nose and powerful jaws.

On his broad neck, he has a dewlap. He also has more slack in his mouth. Many sporting breeds have double dewclaws on their rear paws, and he will have them on his back feet as well.

His thick coat is short and thick, almost woolly in appearance; it is straight, and the topcoat should be rougher in texture. His undercoat should have a woolly texture and be softer than his topcoat.

His skin should be loose-fitting. He used to be mostly white but now comes in various colors, including black, brindle, fawn, red, wolf-sable, and yellow. He might be solid or speckled, with white as the primary color. The black eyes of the Spanish Mastiff are tiny and slightly round.

He has triangular ears that droop down. The coloring on his lips & eye rims is black, as is his nose.

How Big Can A Spanish Mastiff Get?

The Spanish Mastiff is a huge dog, standing 30 to 35 inches in height at the shoulders & weighing 160 to 220lbs on average.

How Long Can A Spanish Mastiff Live?

The average lifespan of a Spanish Mastiff is ten years.

How Much Does A Spanish Mastiff Cost?

The cost of a Spanish Mastiff is 1200$-1800$.

Spanish Mastiff Personality/Temperament

Typical livestock guarding dog is the Spanish Mastiff. His activity level is moderate, and he likes to sit back & examine before doing something new. Strangers, whether human or animal, will make him nervous.

Consider the Spanish Mastiff to quickly bond with his family and, if necessary, protect them with his life. Because he wants to be with his family, he will accompany them practically any place.

The Spanish Mastiff requires an expert trainer and must be trained regularly during his life to ensure that he understands his function in the household. He will strive to seize the pack leader position if there isn’t one.

Spanish Mastiff Nutrition

A Spanish Mastiff is a huge dog that needs 4 cups of dog food each day, and it should be high in protein and carbs.

How Do You Groom A Spanish Mastiff?

 The Spanish Mastiff is not hypoallergenic and sheds periodically. His coat does need to be brushed once a week to keep stray hairs from strewn about the house. When grooming, use a pin brush & a metal comb. When he is severely shedding, he can also use a de-shedder.

Expect him to lose his undercoat once a year, in the spring & fall, respectively. Shower him when he begins to shed heavily to speed up the process. Every few weeks, check his nails and clip them as needed. The Spanish Mastiff has a lot of drool.

Spanish Mastiff Activity Level

The Spanish Mastiff requires a lot of physical activity to stay in shape & stay healthy. Because these dogs tend to gain bulk, they should be exercised daily. It’s important to keep in mind that her bones & joints are weak, so strenuous exercise, especially during puppyhood, isn’t recommended.

A 30-minute walk once a day, either mornings or late in the evening whenever the climate is nice, will be welcomed. She will also benefit from running and playing in a park or garden without being restrained by a leash.

Spanish Mastiff Health Concerns

One of the most crucial elements to consider when purchasing a dog is the dog’s condition. Purebred dogs are frequently less healthy than mixed breeding dogs, so they’re more susceptible to health issues.

On the other side, the Spanish Mastiff is an outlier. This breed is generally healthy, with few health concerns to worry about. Aside from elbow and hip problems, this breed is free of other ailments.

Similar Breeds To A Spanish Mastiff

• American Mastiff
• Mastiff
• Weiler Dane

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Sources

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