Owning an English Mastiff
Overview:
Needs
Training and Obedience
Protecting
Health and Nutrition
Traveling
Needs:
Besides the basic needs of any dog, a Mastiff needs love and attention. Mastiffs want to be as close as possible to their human family. Some Mastiff people believe that this need is so strong that if unfulfilled, the Mastiffs emotional development can be stunted if they are deprived of that closeness.
Training / Obedience :
Starting your Mastiff out at a young age on training is the best way to achieve training goals, however you can continue to train them throughout their life they can always learn new things. Mastiffs are very smart and love to please their families. Mastiffs like to be trained because they want to know how to please their family. The best reward for any Mastiff is lavish hugs and plenty of praise.
Protecting:
Mastiffs ARE protective NOT aggressive. Mastiffs tend to react in predictable ways when faced with a threatening person. If their owner is present and a tense situation arises between the owner and a stranger, the Mastiff will usually get between the stranger and their owner, as a sort of giant protective barrier that no sane mugger would reach over.
Mastiffs are creatures of habit, and it is this characteristic that make them good guards.
Mastiffs can recognize something about people who have unpleasant motives, and are watchful or will get in between you and that person. If your Mastiff gets between you and a stranger , trust your Mastiff! The Mastiff may have sensed something you could not recognize in that person.
Mastiffs are not suitable for attack training. If raised in kindness and socialized properly, your Mastiff will be a strong, loving companion who will defend it’s home and family if necessary.
Health and Nutrition:
Some Mastiffs have problems with Dysplasia (hip and elbow), Eye problems, and other inherited traits. Make sure when picking a breeder and your puppy, you ask questions about the health of puppy, parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.
It is also necessary to feed your Mastiff with food that doesn't have a lot of fillers in it. Mastiffs need a high level of protein so also make sure you are finding the best food for your baby.
Traveling:
Mastiffs love traveling with their families so make sure you have a vehicle large enough for everyone.
Sources Include:
The American Kennel Club Dog Book. published by the American Kennel Club
The Mastiff Club of America, website: www.mastiff.org
The complete Mastiff by Baxter and Blaxter, RingPress Books, April 2002
Mastiff by Christina de Lima-Netto published by Kennel Club Dog Breed Series, September 2003
How to Raise and Train a Mastiff by Marie A Moore, July 1983
