Mastiffs Breed FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Mastiffs Breed

This FAQ about Mastiffs Breed was compiled and written by mmcbee@access.mountain.net (Mike McBee) with numerous contributions by others.

A. Introduction: Hello and welcome to the wonderful world of the Mastiff! In ...

B. Copyright: This FAQ is a publication of, and Copyright (c) 1995, 1996, ...

C. Disclaimer: This FAQ is provided as is without any express or ...

D. Contributors: + Laurie ...

1. What is a Mastiff?: A Mastiff is a giant breed of dog, descended from the ...

2. What is the Mastiff Club Of America (MCOA)?: The Mastiff Club Of America was incorporated in 1929 to ...

3. Where do Mastiffs come from?: See Appendix A for a brief history....

4. What are Mastiffs good for?: Mastiffs excel as companions, family members, therapy workers ...

5. Are all Mastiffs the same?: No. Like humans, Mastiffs are individuals. Each has its ...

6a. Are Mastiffs Aggressive?: Aggression is unnecessary force or dominance in ...

6b. Are Mastiffs Easy to train?: Both easy and difficult. Mastiffs are smart, and live ...

6c. Are Mastiffs Fighters?: Mastiffs, with their gentle natures, do not have ...

6d. Are Mastiffs Good Guard Dogs?: Mastiffs are excellent guard dogs. They go to the door ...

6e. Are Mastiffs Protective?: Mastiffs ARE protective. However, many people do ...

6f. Are Mastiffs Shy?: Because of their great sensitivity, Mastiffs who are ...

7. What are Mastiffs like in the house?: Clean, quiet, and undemanding. Heaven to a Mastiff is a rug ...

8a. How much does a Mastiff Cost?: Puppy prices usually run $800-1500 and up, depending on ...

8b. How much does a Mastiff Eat?: Probably not as much as you think. Pound for pound, ...

8c. How much does a Mastiff Weigh?: Adult males generally run about 160-230 pounds, females ...

9a. Do Mastiffs Bark much?: Puppies are puppies in most breeds. Young pups tend to ...

9b. Do Mastiffs Bite?: Any dog bites if hurt, frightened, or threatened, but ...

9c. Do Mastiffs Chew?: As for chewing, puppies of any breed need to be given ...

9d. Do Mastiffs Dig?: Engineers on the Panama Canal project considered bringing ...

9e. Do Mastiffs Make good obedience dogs?: By nature, Mastiffs are eager to please. This makes them ...

9f. Do Mastiffs Need a lot of exercise?: About as much as you do. Most Mastiffs are like most humans;...

9g. Do Mastiffs Pass gas?: Yep. Especially on a diet of beer, hard-boiled eggs ...

9h. Do Mastiffs Roam?: Not usually. A Mastiff of either sex tends to be stay-at-...

9i. Do Mastiffs Shed?: Yes, like most breeds they shed approximately twice a year....

9j. SDo Mastiffs lobber?: Most Mastiffs only drool when 1) they have just had a ...

9k. Do Mastiffs Smell?: Well, Mastiffs aren't bred for tracking, so they don't ...

9l. Do Mastiffs Snore?: Yes. Ohhhh, yes. You'd better believe it!...

9m. Do Mastiffs Live indoors or outdoors?: Indoors, of course. What's the sense of having a Mastiff ...

10a. How are Mastiffs with Burglars, muggers and other miscreants?: Mastiffs tend to react in predictable ways when faced with ...

10b. How are Mastiffs with Other dogs?: By nature a typical Mastiff is friendly and aloof ...

10c. How are Mastiffs with Other animals?: The earliest socialization, at the breeder's, and while ...

10d. How are Mastiffs with Strangers?: A properly socialized Mastiff (which SHOULD be the only ...

10e. How are Mastiffs with Young children?: They are gentle and protective, providing they have ...

11. How long does a Mastiff live?: Books on the breed describe the average Mastiff life span as 6-...

12. Can I get a white Mastiff? What colors can I get?: No, Mastiffs come in Apricot, Brindle, and various shades of Fawn....

13. Male vs. female, which is friendlier? more protective? easier to train?: These are all traits that tend to vary more between ...

14. Is there anything special I should know about raising a Mastiff puppy - isn't it the same as any other breed?: Due to their rapid growth and their eventual giant size ...

15. How much training does a Mastiff need?: Because they are destined to be VERY large dogs, basic ...

16. Do Mastiffs have any genetic health problems?: Mastiffs are probably about average when it comes to the number ...

17. What are the common non-genetic health problems in Mastiffs?: Mastiffs are subject to the same common diseases and ...

18. What other problems do Mastiffs have?: + Temperament:...

19. What kind of a temperament does a Mastiff have?: Mastiffs are called gentle giants because of their benign ...

20. What does a Mastiff eat?: A Mastiff will eat anything that is not nailed down! Mastiffs,...

21. What kind of living quarters does a Mastiff require? How about crating? Where do they sleep?: The standard answer to this question: Anywhere they want to!...

22a. Does owning a Mastiff Cost a lot?: A Mastiff costs more to maintain than smaller breeds due ...

22b. Does owning a Mastiff Require a lot of work?: Compared to what? Mastiffs, due to their tendency to be ...

23. Are you trying to talk me out of getting a Mastiff?: No and yes. No, because it would be wonderful if everyone ...

24. Where should I get a Mastiff?: + Middleman who buys puppies from breeders and resells them?...

25. Where can I get more information about Mastiffs?: See Appendix E for Mastiff information sources and Appendix I ...

26. How do I pick a Mastiff puppy?: After you have chosen your breeder and your puppy's sire and dam,...

27. What questions should I ask the breeder (and what answers should I get)?: Before talking to a breeder, before you even start looking for ...

28. What kind of toys and other paraphernalia do I need for my Mastiff?: +

29. Is that a Mastiff in:: + Beethoven? No, a St. Bernard....

30. What's the difference between a Mastiff and a Bullmastiff?: The Mastiff is an ancient British breed and its history can ...

A. History of the Mastiff: There is evidence of Mastiff-like giant dogs dating back as far ...

B. MCOA / AKC Mastiff Conformation Standard: OFFICIAL STANDARD FOR THE ...

C. MCOA Code of Ethics

D. MCOA Rescue Service: 1. What is the MCOA Rescue Service?...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 1. Books Unless indicated otherwise, the in-print books can be ordered from most major bookstores and are also usually available from the following, who may also have some of the out-of-print items occasionally: o 4-M Enterprises

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 2. Publications: o MCOA Journal - quarterly magazine - $28.00 a year,...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 3. Video / Audio: o Mass of Love, Joy and Pride - Mastiff song, cassette,...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 4. Computer Programs & Databases: o Devine Farm Pedigree Program & Mastiff Database -...

E. Mastiff References and Resources: 5. Mastiffs on the Internet: a. MCOA WWW Home ...

F. Health Tests / Certifications every Mastiff SHOULD have: Mastiffs, like all breeds, have problems that are genetic - i.e.,...

G. Questions To Ask a Mastiff Breeder: The following are offered as possible questions you should ask ...

H. Special Aspects of Raising a Mastiff Puppy: Even a small Mastiff is destined to be a large dog. This ...

I. Mastiff Clubs & Contacts 1. MCOA Officers and Contacts: o President - Joe ...

I. Mastiff Clubs & Contacts 2. US Regional Mastiff Clubs (alphabetical by club name): The following contacts are constantly changing. If you ...

I. Mastiff Clubs & Contacts 3. Mastiff Clubs in Other Countries (alphabetical by country): The following contacts are constantly changing. If you ...

J. Mastiff Varieties and Internet References: +

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