"What the lion is to the cat - the mastiff is to the dog"
The noblest of the family; he stands alone, and all others sink before him. His courage does not exceed his temper and generosity, and in attachment he equals the kindest of his race.
About THE BREED
The History of the Breed
There is evidence of Mastiff-like giant dogs dating back as far as 2500 BC in the mountains of Asia. Bas-reliefs from the Babylonian palace of Ashurbanipal (now on display in the British Museum) depict Mastiff-type dogs hunting lions in the desert near the Tigris River.
Their coloration, of course, cannot be told, but other than being taller and leaner than current-day Mastiffs (as ours would be if raised in a desert and fed lightly), they are remarkably like our modern Mastiffs, despite the passing of nearly 4500 years.
Read more…
The AKC Mastiff Standard
General Appearance
The Mastiff is a large, massive, symmetrical dog with a well-knit frame. The impression is one of grandeur and dignity. Dogs are more massive throughout. Bitches should not be faulted for being somewhat smaller in all dimensions while maintaining a proportionally powerful structure. A good evaluation considers positive qualities of type and soundness with equal weight.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size – Dogs, minimum, 30 inches at the shoulder. Bitches, minimum, 27-1/2 inches at the shoulder. Fault-Dogs or bitches below the minimum standard. The farther below standard, the greater the fault. Read more…
Want to learn more about the Mastiff breed?
The Mastiff information packet includes:
Breed Information, Breeder Referral List & Rescue Adoption Information.
Please enclose $5 check payable to MCOA to cover costs, and mail to:
Kelly Meyer 2229 Tennessee Avenue Savannah, GA 31404
kellysmastiffs@comcast.net
Frequently Asked Questions About Mastiffs
FAQ
What is A Mastiff?
A Mastiff is a giant breed of dog, descended from the ancient Alaunt and Molosser. Today, mastiff is used to describe many different breeds around the world, all descended from the same root stock. In the US and other English speaking countries, Mastiff is used to refer to the Old English Mastiff (OEM), developed in England and nearly extinct after WW II.
FAQ
Are all Mastiffs the same?
No. Like humans, Mastiffs are individuals. Each has its own genetic and environmental history that effects its attitude, temperament, health and responses to stimuli. These questions are answered with the general breed characteristics in mind, no individual Mastiff will match the answers in every respect.
FAQ
How much do Mastiffs weigh?
Adult males generally run about 160-230 pounds, females are normally between 120-170 pounds. Males over 200 pounds are not too uncommon and a few females reach these weights. According to the Guinness Book of Records the record holder for the world’s largest dog is Zorba, a Mastiff, at 343 pounds. He stood 37 inches at the shoulder.
Other Resources
Non-Fiction Books
The Mastiff by Marie Moore (1978) pub. by Denlinger’s Publishers
The Ultimate Book of Mastiff Breeds by Douglas Oliff (Editor) (1999) Howell Book House
Mastiff, The Aristocratic Gurdian by dee dee Andersson
The Mastiff And Bullmastiff Handbook by Douglas B. Oliff (1988) pub. by Howell Book House
Non-Fiction Books Out of Print
Champions, A View of the Mastiff in America by Joan Hahn & Judy Powers (1983) pub. by The Mastiff Club of America, Inc.
Grandeur and Good Nature – The Character of the Mastiff by Joan Hahn (1992) pub. by Joan Hahn
The History and Management Of The Mastiff by E. Baxter & P. Hoffman (198?) pub. by Scan House
History of The Mastiff by M. B. Wynn (1886) pub. by Wm. Loxley and Melton Mowbray limited edition reprint (1988) pub. by Peregrine Press (500 copies)
Making Of The Modern Mastiff by Norman Howard Carp-Gordon (1978) pub. by North & East Mastiff Fanciers
Videos
Club Publications
Pedigree Database
Health Testing Information
The following PDF is a list of all potential health screening available for Mastiffs. Click to Download PDF
SHOP with MCOA
The MCOA Charitable Trustees and the MCOA Health Committee volunteers have been working on fundraising events and opportunities to bring in revenue to meet our current and future financial obligations related to Mastiff Health. You can help us in this effort by making a direct donation or by shopping with MCOA.
