About Spanish Mastiffs
The Spanish mastiff, or the mastín español or simply
mastín, as it is known in its country of origin, is
a breed of mastiff that was developed in Spain to guard
livestock. As the breed has existed for many hundreds
of years, its origins are not known with any certainty.
However, it is believed that the breed descends from
the ancient molosser dog, which was likely brought to
the Iberian peninsula, on which Spain is located, by
Phoenician traders traveling from Syria or India.
A giant breed, the Spanish mastiff measures between
30 and 35 inches in height for males and 28 to 35 inches
in height for females. Males typically weigh 175 to
265 pounds, while the average female weighs between
155 and 220 pounds. The Spanish mastiff has a large,
long body that has a rectangular shape, with a large,
deep chest, a huge, broad head, and a dewlap on the
neck.
Atop the Spanish mastiff's loose, abundant skin sits
a double-layered coat consisting of a short upper coat
that is straight in texture and a dense undercoat that
feels wool-like to the touch. The coat is longer on
the dog's tail and the center of its back. In color,
the coat may be pale yellow, red-brown, red, gray, or
black, and may feature multiple colors or spotting.
Two types of Spanish mastiff exist; one, the mastín
pesado, or heavy mastiff, can be found most abundantly
in the north of Spain, while the other, the mastín ligero,
or light mastiff, is most populous in the south of the
country. The larger, northern type has a more conventional
mastiff appearance, and for this reason is preferred
in dog shows, while its southern cousin is faster and
more athletic. Though they are regional variations,
the two types are not totally isolated, and are often
bred together.
In temperament, the Spanish mastiff is dignified, loving,
loyal, calm, and brave. It may be aloof towards strangers
and even aggressive towards other dogs, and its temperament
can depend significantly upon how its master behaves
towards it. Therefore, proper socialization and firm,
consistent leadership from an experienced owner are
important for a Spanish mastiff.
The Spanish mastiff can be great with children and
other pets, making it suitable for families. However,
given its great size and strength, its owners should
exercise caution if they have small children or pets
to prevent the mastiff from unintentionally hurting
someone. This is especially true for young Spanish mastiffs,
which may tend towards roughhousing during play. Because
of the Spanish mastiff's size alone, it is not well-suited
to life in an apartment.
The Spanish mastiff has a moderate exercise requirement,
generally only needing two long walks per day and occasionally
some extra play to satisfy them. Younger Spanish mastiffs
may enjoy participating in a bit more exercise. The
breed's grooming requirements are also fairly low; the
Spanish mastiff's coat needs only regular brushing,
and the dog's ears should be kept clean.
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