Types Of Mastiffs

Dog is considered to be man’s best friend, and with regards to Mastiffs, they seem to be one of those dog breeds that gave meaning to this phrase no less than a few thousand years ago. There are many types of Mastiffs, and it seems that different cultures seem to favor the breeding of different types of Mastiffs.

In general, Mastiffs are large animals, about 2 feet and 6 inches tall (plus or minus 5 inches), that weigh from 130 pounds up to 220. The World Guiness record for most heavy Mastiff belongs to Zorba, a Mastiff that weighed 323 pounds. Their ancestry goes back to the ancient Molloser, a fearsome, aggressive dog that that was used in battle due to its unstoppable strength. Considering the ancient Molosser, though, Mastiffs, as we know them today, have evolved into benevolent giants; hence the name Mastiff, which comes from the Latin word ‘mansuetus’, which means ‘tame’, ‘domesticated’. All types of Mastiffs can adjust to almost every kind of environment, whether that is in icy cold or warm places, whether it is loose to run free or committed to a life on your living room’s carpet. They are generally quiet and social animals, always protective of their master and of children, as well as courageous. The only misfortune there is in having a Mastiff dog, is that the fact that it drools like a giant baby, but its virtuous character far outweighs such a drawback.

Everyone knows the Saint Bernard Mastiffs, notorious for their heroic actions on the Swiss Alps, or the Bullmastiff, a powerhouse dog that emerged from the crossbreeding of the classic Mastiff with Bulldogs. Yet, there are some other types of Mastiffs, all of them equally impressive, breeds that also deserve your attention for one reason or another. For example, the Tibetan Mastiff is a Mastiff that looks a lot like Saint Bernard dogs, but with a different color (a mixture of black and brown) and a more bushy look (with regards to its coat). This breed was fist developed in the 11th century BC China, although it received official recognition as one of the many types of Mastiffs in 2006.

Another interesting breed of Mastiffs is the Cane Corso. An Italian breed that is very intelligent and easy to train. It is a little smaller than other types of Mastiffs, but what it lacks in sizes, it makes up for in speed and agility. It was originally used as a guard dog that watched over farms and livestock, but thanks to its docile and protective nature, it can be an excellent dog for a family with children, whom they happen to love.

Nevertheless, one of the least known types of Mastiffs, and one of the rarest also, is the Andronicus Mastiff. What makes the Andronicus so unique is its extremely unique DNA, since the English Mastiff, the Great Dane, the Neapolitan Mastiff, the American Bulldog, the Presa Canario and the Cane Corso, as well as the American Staffordshire Terrier, were all used to create this extraordinary breed.

Types Of Mastiffs

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