7 Most Common Mastiff Myths: Facts From Life With a Giant
What Is A Mastiff Dog?
“I had a Mastiff that was 300 lbs! He was SO big he could carry a keg on his back and not break a sweat!”
Really, genius? Really?
Mastiffs are massive. They should be to perform the work they were bred to do; guard, impose, deter. You can’t perform those functions unless you have size. A Mastiff that is not massive is akin to a Big Dog Mom that is NOT big. Ha!
As they say, size matters, but not as much as you might think. What matters more is temperament, health, and let’s expose that elephant right here and now, cleanliness.
Mastiff rescue organizations work tirelessly all across this country re-homing and rehabilitating Mastiffs that are neglected or simply just not the right breed for the owner. My objective today is to provide information for anyone considering buying a Mastiff puppy.
Know what you are getting yourself into. Caveat emptor.
This post contains affiliate links from which I may receive a small compensation. There is NO ADDED COST to you should you use these links.
7 Common Mastiff Myths Debunked
1. Mastiffs Are Suitable For Apartment Living
I suppose for some people, seeing a massive dog in a tiny studio apartment is amusing.
You know, “fat guy in a little coat,” kind of funny.
This image in my head makes me as sad as seeing an elephant in meager accommodations at the zoo.
Just based on an English Mastiff’s size alone, these dogs need space. A lot of space.
Traffic jams and roadblocks are an everyday occurrence when you live with a Mastiff. They will choose to walk in front of you, sloooowwlllyy, whenever possible.
They will follow you into every room in your house no matter how small or smelly the room. And they will sprawl out in exactly the location you need to be mastiff-free.
Exercise is another consideration.
Mastiffs are a working breed.
Unless you have the time to be walking your Mastiff multiple times a day, cramming this huge breed into a puny apartment is a recipe for disaster.
They need exercise. A lot of it. But not in a traditional sense.
When I say exercise, in addition to a traditional walk, I am referring to numerous activities that are absolutely essential in the life of a Mastiff.
These activities include continuous and regular socialization, obedience training, and access to green space to run and play for muscular and cardiovascular health.
If you think a Mastiff will be happy lounging around in your studio apartment from 8 am – 6 pm while you are away at work, the slobbery bits of paper and wood chips from your furniture will be evidence to the contrary.
[READ: Life Lessons: What I Learned from an iPad, Flip Flops, and Two Big Dogs]
2. Mastiffs Are Very Tolerant And Easy Going
On the contrary. Mastiffs are very sensitive. They can get their feelings hurt easily and have very long memories.
While I don’t recommend them now, many years ago we put in an invisible fence on our property for our Labrador, Burton, and our first Mastiff, Maya.
Flags were placed above a buried wire about 3 feet apart along the perimeter of our yard.
The training instructions said to walk along the perimeter and shake each flag and say “NO” while the dogs sat inside the yard watching. The next step was to walk the dog up to the flags where the wire was buried and allow the dog to first hear the warning beep then feel the shock, just once. Eventually, the flags would be removed and the warning beep was their reminder.
We never made it to step two with Maya.
As soon as she heard “NO” she wanted nothing to do with those flags. And that was it. She never even wore the collar.
We moved several times during Maya’s life and with each move, all we had to do was get those flags out and place them where the boundaries of our yard were for a few days and she never crossed it.
Some might consider her smart. I consider her perceptive.
3. Mastiffs Are Wary Of Strangers
From the breed standard, the English Mastiff temperament SHOULD be:
“A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff’s correct demeanor. Judges should not condone shyness or viciousness. Conversely, judges should also beware of putting a premium on showiness”
Let me break this down in the simplest terms I know-how.
- A Mastiff is NOT a Labrador Retriever
- A Mastiff should not be fearful or aggressive.
A fantastic must-read book for every prospective Mastiff owner is Dee Dee Anderson’s book The Mastiff: Aristocratic Guardian.
Dee Dee does a wonderful job using humorous and touching stories from her experience as a breeder to illustrate a proper Mastiff temperament.
In short, a Mastiff must be well-bred and well-socialized.
If either the genetics or the socialization is lacking, a Mastiff’s friendliness toward strangers will be in question (Life With An Aggressive Dog: A Letter To My Sweet Baboo).
This is why it is absolutely imperative to do your research if you are considering buying a Mastiff puppy.
Meet and interview many breeders.
Screen them like you are a member of the CIA and take note of which ones screen you in return. Be patient and be critical.
For more tips on how to find a great Mastiff breeder and raise Mastiff puppy, go to:
- Top 7 Questions To Ask A Breeder When Buying A Big Puppy
- Mastiff Puppy 101: Wild Puppy to Gentle Giant, Guaranteed!
- For The Betterment Of The Breed: An Interview With Jadem Mastiffs
- What You Should Know About #AdoptDontShop Before You Use It
- The Fallacy of Dog Rescue – Why Reputable Dog Breeders Are NOT the Problem
4. Mastiffs Are No More Expensive Than Any Other Dog Breed
If only that were true.
After the “who’s walking who” wisecracks and inquiries into my dog’s eating and pooping habits, I often get asked how much a Mastiff puppy costs.
My response is that I have never paid less than $2,500 and I have paid as much as $3,500.
Now, that is not to say a Mastiff puppy being sold for $2,000 is inferior in some way. He may not be.
But if you are going to be on a payment plan just on the purchase of your Mastiff, then this is not the breed for you.
Beyond the purchase price, Mastiffs are very expensive to care for.
Everything costs more.
You can expect to pay 10 – 50% more for everything; bigger Kongs, bigger collars, bigger bags of treats, and lots more food.
I do the happy dance (literally) if I am able to escape the Vet for less than $300. And that is if they are healthy!
When you factor in a large number of potential health concerns with Mastiffs such as hip dysplasia, eye disorders, or cancer, all bets are off. Your costs of ownership just exploded. [READ: The Ultimate Guide to Saving Money on Pet Medications]
That said, feeding a high quality, species-appropriate diet, only buying a puppy from fully health tested parents and a reputable breeder, and providing routine preventive veterinary care are among a few of the factors within your control that can have an impact on the finances and health risks of your Mastiff.
For more on this, go to:
- Mastiff 101: What is an English Mastiff? [And Why it Matters]
- Mastiff Puppy 101: Wild Puppy to Gentle Giant, Guaranteed!
- Buying a Puppy: The Gap Between Desire and Reason
- Feeding Giant Breed Puppies for Dummies – The Protein Myth & More
- Do You Own A Big Dog Or Want To? Big Dog Mom Can Help!
5. Mastiffs Drool, But Not That Bad
If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
Read How To Make A Great First Impression Big Dog Mom Style to get an idea of exactly how much these massive dogs drool.
Put it this way, if Ivan Pavlov didn’t use Mastiffs in his experiments, he should have. Mastiffs have perfected the science of salivation!
6. Mastiffs Are Challenging To Groom
I can understand someone believing that just based on a Mastiff’s size alone.
However, in my experience, they are very easy to maintain.
Mastiffs are a short-coated breed and as such do not need to be bathed very often. A bath once every other month or less is sufficient.
And like all other breeds, ears need to be cleaned and teeth brushed regularly as well.
Trimming nails tend to be the biggest challenge for many mastiff owners.
Mastiffs are huge, strong and determined when they are frightened, which is why positive training in puppyhood is absolutely critical.
[READ: The Ultimate Tool Guide for Trimming Dog Nails and More! and How to Cut Dog Nails Stress-Free And Have Your Dog Actually Enjoy It]
7. Mastiffs Are Not Very Intelligent Or Trainable
I could not disagree with this more.
Mastiffs are easy to train when it is on their terms.
They want to please you desperately, however, not at the expense of whatever is capturing their interest at the moment.
The simple command “come” may or may not result in a Mastiff sitting in front of you. It all depends.
In terms of trainability, Mastiffs excel.
While they certainly are not Border Collies or Belgian Malinois, they are a highly trainable breed.
They have been known to excel in just about every dog sport there is.
With a little time, treats and a clicker, Mastiffs are an eager and responsive student.
They respond best to positive training methods, not harsh ones.
As I stated above, the true English Mastiff temperament makes them extremely sensitive so the use of shock and choke collars is not necessary or recommended.
In my experience, Mastiffs respond better when training is fun and entertaining. All you are shooting for is being more exciting than the grass, so it is not a high bar you need to reach.
A word of caution regarding training.
Be prepared for slobber because it is profuse as soon as the treats come out. And for some of us, slobber begins to flow as soon as the door to the laundry room opens. Thanks, Pavlov!
For more information on dog and puppy training, go to:
- Best Guide to Classical vs Operant Conditioning for Dog Owners [Simple]
- Mastiff Puppy 101: Wild Puppy to Gentle Giant, Guaranteed!
- Puppy Socialization: 5 Common Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make
- 8 Foolproof Ways to Find a Great Dog Trainer for Your Big Dog
- Puppy Fear Periods: The 5 Things that Can Save Your Puppy!
- Nature Versus Nurture and the Drivers of Canine Temperament
The Facts
So there is no misunderstanding, here are the facts.
Mastiffs:
- Are NOT suitable for living in an apartment
- Are very sensitive
- SHOULD be friendly toward strangers
- Are very expensive to purchase and care for
- Drool … A LOT!
- Are easy to groom
- Are highly intelligent and easy to train
VIDEO: English Mastiff 101 | How Well Do You Know the MASTIFF Breed? | TRUE or FALSE QUIZ
Mastiff: The Dog Breed Of Choice… For Some
Mastiffs are my breed of choice.
Because there is more than one type of Mastiff, I will be specific. The English Mastiff is my breed of choice.
While I adore many other breeds, Newfoundlands, Bassett Hounds, Bloodhounds and St. Bernards to name a few, Mastiffs are my love.
Some people look at me like I am crazy.
Like the Yorkie owner and trainer in 12-week old Junior’s puppy class who skeptically remarked: “he’s actually not too bad, you know, for a big dog.”
While I would never bestow such a “compliment” to people like her, I am perfectly happy to be on the receiving end of such disdain.
My reason is simple. It weeds out those status seekers only looking for the next 300 lb keg lifter, from those who, deep in their hearts, desire to share their home, their life, and their unconditional love with a Mastiff.
Drool and all.
It weeds out those status seekers only looking for the next 300 lb keg lifter, from those who, deep in their hearts, desire to share their home, their life, and their unconditional love with a Mastiff. Drool and all.
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NOT all Mastiffs drool alot
You are correct, Mark, not all Mastiffs drool a lot. I am speaking from my experience with the breed. There are always exceptions to any rule. I’ve never known a Mastiff to not drool excessively, but I’m sure there are some out there. 🙂
You forgot to mention how short their life span is, the grief from losing them. I’ve never experienced such pain. They are such a big piece of your every day life. Huge empty spot once they are gone.
I tend to disagree on the apt living. They are where there people are. They don’t take up any more space than a teenager. Our house is small and we had 3 Mastiff’s and 2 kids at home. Had enough room for everyone.
Thank you, Marcia! I’m so happy you were able to be comfortable with kids and 3 mastiffs in a small home. I agree with you that mastiffs tend to just want to be where their people are and they don’t really care if it’s an apartment or a huge home. They are laying at your feet no matter the dwelling. That said, my point was more with regard to the space for them to exercise and stretch out and the fact that their bodies do take up space. Some people are just not prepared for that when they get a Mastiff unfortunately.
I caution anyone reading this article to first read the disclosure statement buried second to last item in the menu.
I would recommend moving that disclosure to the landing page.
Because you write well and speak with authority people that are seeking information are led to believe “The Facts
So there is no misunderstanding, here are the facts”. This is highly misleading because your 7 rules are posed as facts when they are actually opinions based on anecdotal evidence not science backed and tested theory and postulation. I am sure that everything you said was true… in your given situations with your specific dogs. Making broad brush sweeping generalizations is a danger because it is becoming the norm in today’s world. For as connected as we are these days we have never been so divided or ill informed because of all of the misinformation out there.
I am not writing this to be mean, I hope you read with an open mind and hopefully write even better and more informed articles for us big dog owners in the future. So please take this all with a grain of salt.
Making a decision that
Mastiffs “Are NOT suitable for living in an apartment” because of the way it makes you feel sad when you think about it. Have you ever lived in an apartment with a mastiff? The science actually backs up the argument and evidence suggests less exercise than what had been previously thought. Mastiffs (along with Great Danes and St. Bernards)are genetically modified molossus (not dogs, not wolves, a totally different family of ancient K9s) through hundreds of years of breeding to be indoor, family oriented couch potatoes. Over exercised and field wandering mastiffs develop more physical, mental and systemic ailments than do their city dwelling counterparts. I would recommend staying current with the latest news in breed specific veterinary clinical studies
avma.org is a good source.
“Are very sensitive”
Anthropomorphizing our pets is a natural inclination but sensitive is not particularly accurate. We are the sensitive animals. What we associate with our pets are survival instincts and defense mechanisms for staying alive … your pets do not hold grudges. It may seem that way but that is because of something I do agree with you on, the incredible intelligence and memory of Mastiffs! They are skilled puzzle solvers, escape artists and trainers of their humans. Remember they have been bred to guard, protect and serve families, especially young children. It is in their nature and DNA to manipulate, control and train us so they can do what they are made for.
“SHOULD be friendly toward strangers”
Towards most of the general public, yes. But not strange strangers. if your mastiff ever gets inbetween you and someone you don’t know i suggest you trust that he is picking up on something you didn’t, like body language, being in an altered state or ill intent. It is their job to protect you. I have learned that if my giant baby becomes Mr. Hyde around some people, there is a reason.
“Are very expensive to purchase and care for”
Definitely true in the long term care but there are several ways to keep from paying the $2500 sticker price for a companion. Remember that is ‘the going rate’ and EVERYTHING is negotiable. You will pay that much with out a plan and laying some groundwork on relationships and bargaining tools months before you look for a pup. My current boy is purebred and even the grandson of India, a Romanian Old English who was introduced to the American line to reestabkish breed traits that were falling away from line bred families. He is a show quality specimen, ACK registered and about the most regal and handsome thing I have ever seen and I was able to get him for $500 from reputable breeders.
Also don’t forget about adoption. Tons of mastiff shelters around the county filled with mastiffs that need good homes…
“Drool … A LOT!”
But not as much if you understand the science behind why mastiffs and other wet mouth dogs drool and how you can preemptively curb a lot of it. A lot is actually based on studies that Pavlov pioneered. If you dig a little deeper than what we were taught about those experiments in our high school psychiatry classes, you will be astonished with what has taken off in drool reduction progress.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s still going be Drool.
“Are easy to groom”
Easy is subjective. As is what is meant by grooming I suppose. Can’t just pick mastiffs up and bathe them in the sink. And there is a lot more animal to groom so time and money need to figured in assessing ease.
“Are highly intelligent and easy to train”
Yes to the first part but because of that, not so much ‘easy to train’. More like “willing to negotiate”
Anyway, I’ve ranted too long so I will give up the soap box. I just like transparency and I need to point out when non scientific based cursory information is presented as fact. Also, a LOT of changes to diet, food, neutering, among a bunch of interesting recent studies show consistsant repeatable results which changed a lot of what had previously been thought on best practices for our mastiff pals.
Thanks again for providing the disclaimer. Had I seen that before hand I would have been prepared to read your article with a different filter/lens. Not the one that focus on mistakes and get all overly critical. Just think people should be more informed with actuals instead of assessments. they can be if you are able to expand beyond your current sources of reliable information.
Thank you for your comment, Michael. I am not going to address each and every point you made, but I accepted your comment because you do provide some good information about the breed which is relevant to the topic at hand. Here are my thoughts for what they are worth and then, perhaps we part ways and agree to disagree. First, my disclosure is a top menu item on the homepage of my blog. It is NOT buried and I have absolutely nothing to hide. Second, I have never stated that my opinions are facts or based on scientific data. How could they be? They are opinions based on my knowledge and experience in the breed. Additionally, this is a blog, not a scientific journal. What I find interesting is that in the thousands of big dog owners who have read this post, not one has disputed what I wrote. Some may have a difference of opinion on one point or another based on their experience, but overall, most have agreed with my take. Lastly, I have never seen or heard of a Mastiff puppy being sold for only $500 from what I would consider a reputable breeder. Again, this is not based on fact, because I am not in a position to dispute what you say. I can only tell you that of all of the reputable breeders I know (and there are many), not one sells his/her show puppies for less than $2000-2500. I do appreciate your comment, and welcome your feedback. But please do not come here expecting scientific, peer-reviewed journal articles – this is a blog. There is a difference. I have never been anything but transparent about who I am, what I know (and don’t know) and what I write. One last point I will make is that you disputed every point I made in this post, presenting your opinion as fact. Is this not what you are criticizing me for doing? Hummm????
As an owner of a DDB and a Boerboel I can categorically state that there is no doubt that mastiffs are very sensitive in relation to harsh words from their favourite person and mine can sulk for several days. It’s not a regular occurrence because I know how sensitive they are and that and if I loose my cool I loose their respect and and lessen my self respect.
So true so true…. my Big Boy just passed away he was 200 lbs. and 11 years old… my little girl passed year before. They truly are a very special breed….
thank you,
Thank you so much, Jason! I’m so sorry about the loss of both of your dogs. They definitely take a piece of our heart when they go. There really is nothing like the love of a big dog. I couldn’t imagine life without them.
Sorry for your loss. I just looked up the life expectancy of our mastiffs yesterday. I’ve got two girls turning 6 early next year and my boy will be 3 in Nov.
That is something else buyers/adopters need to keep in mind as well.
I have read all the steps of owning a mastiff. I have adopted 3 and bought 2.In my choice i live the breed and yes they are quite drooly but usually when drinking.as far as live to me there is no other but we are prejudice the live we get from them is unbeluevable and yoy are correct they go in every room and we have a large house 2000sq ft big yard which they live and built in pool which our present boy Tug loves.He actually is a Champion which we never did before and we are finished now.each one has my heart in their own way i love them all they are my world.?Thank Yoy
I loved this 7 myths I have a Bullmastiff and I totally agree with her mastiffs are truly amazing but because of their size you need to really think of the dog & yourself and your activities of daily living before considering getting one there are a lot of breeds out there and research is your closest friend when buying a new family member first and foremost do what’s right for the dog than yourself :)) I’m so glad I found the big dog mom site 🐾 Happy Mastiff Mama :))
Question – do you have a preference for male vs female English Mastiffs? My husband and I can not seem to agree and both of us can find information to support our individual view. We have a large home and three elementary age kids. Suggestions welcome:)
Thank you so much for the great question, Kelley! You know, this really is a matter of personal preference. I have two boys now, but my first Mastiff was a female. I love them both with all my heart. In my experience, both can be amazing with young children if properly conditioned and given respectful boundaries for both kids and dogs. I talk a lot about how to do that in https://bigdogmom.com/raising-a-mastiff-puppy/. In my experience, our female was more observant of the outside world and mildly on guard as compared to our boys today. However, it would not be accurate to say all boys will behave as mine do. Genetics plays an enormous role in the temperament your boy or girl will have, so be sure to do your due diligence when looking for a breeder and a puppy. I have many, many posts on Big Dog Mom about how to do that and I’m to help further if you need it. 🙂 Best of luck!
What do you recommend feeding a puppy English mastiff?
That is a great question, Gina! We live in a wonderful time that presents us with a plethora of options for feeding giant breed puppies. This can be a blessing and a curse of course, because it seems overwhelming for the average puppy owner to sort through it all. I have quite a few posts on Big Dog Mom about diets I’ve fed my boys from the puppy stage to adult, so I won’t go into great detail here. Since you asked about Mastiff puppies, however, I will point you to one very comprehensive post I wrote all about raising Mastiff puppies: https://bigdogmom.com/raising-a-mastiff-puppy/. In there you will find an entire section on diet with many options for feeding. I hope that helps!
My boy Puppy God rest his amazing soul. Was the best boy I’ve ever had the privilege of being with. He was more than a dog he was a best friend. It took me less than three months to train him English, German and hand signals. He was great fun with all four of our kids, yet still an amazing protector. All my life I have been a shepard person but he was a gift from god to us all. I will always miss him. Those who speak ill of mastiffs have no idea how amazing they are.
Hi! I’m hoping you can give me some advice. We have a 2 and a half year old male Mastiff. He is such a stinky guy. We have to bathe him at least once a week or he just stinks. We try to keep him as clean as we can. He gets his legs and paws wiped down every time he comes in from the outside, and we wipe his bottom. I don’t understand what is causing him to smell so bad. I would prefer not to have to bathe him so often as it is a huge job. He also has problems with his ear, so there is that stink on top of it all. Any advice would be appreciated
Hi!
I have a 190# brindle pure blooded male. He is everything you said in your article! I adore him and he is the protector of my home….. long story….. I bought a house in a transitional neighborhood in Atlanta. He has scared off 2 burglers with his bark alone that I have captured on my home camera. He is sensitive, he is smart and he moves on his own time lol! It’s not much more complicated then that- no matter what people say. Thank you for your article. I totally identified.
Our Sammy (Brindle Mastiff girl) will be thirteen years old in June. We adopted her eight years ago this month when her previous owner couldn’t keep her any more. I feel like we won the genetic lottery with her, as she has always been pretty healthy even in her senior years. She’s slowed down, and sometimes has trouble getting out of bed in the morning, but she’s still very much enjoying life. Two years ago we added a Newfie pup. Having done strictly adoptions and rescues since our last puppy in the early eighties, Kira is the first puppy we’ve had in decades, and now we remember why. 🤪
Poor Sammy enjoyed playing with the new puppy when she came to live with us at eight weeks. She’s pretty much over it now, though. Kira still wants to play bitey face and pounce on her. Kira is taller and longer than Sammy, although she’s about twenty pounds lighter. It’s really too much for Sammy at this stage of her life. Kira is crated when we’re not home, and we try to curb Kira’s enthusiastic roughhousing, but she really seems driven. There’s a dominance component to this, too.
As for the drooling, the Newfie drools far more than the Mastiff. We were not expecting that, but it’s not a deal breaker. We’re used to it.