ENGLISH MASTIFF

English mastiffs are Molossians - dog-like large pickling dogs originally from Greece, Assyria and Egypt (the name "Molossians" comes from the people of the Molossians (or Molossians) - inhabitants of ancient Greece). The oldest ancestors of modern English mastiffs are considered tibetan mastiffs - ancient dogs from Central Asia, also common in many states of the Ancient World (Persia, Assyria, Babylon, etc.). Tibetan dogs, which performed working functions in their homeland, massively interbred with dogs from Asian countries. Puppies born from such unions were large, massive, hardy, often aggressive. Ancient mastiff-like dogs were used not only to help people in the household and protect housing. These big men fought along with ordinary soldiers in the campaigns of Alexander the Great in Persia (who became the ruler of Asia).

On the territory of Great Britain, mastiff-like dogs (different in appearance, purpose, type of character) were brought by the Celts around the 4th century BC. Numerous wars honed the character of strong, ferocious dogs. For example, the invasion of the Romans (I century BC), with whom the British mastiffs first fought and then served them faithfully, participating in gladiator fights and entertaining the public during the baiting of big game, made these dogs popular on the Apennine Peninsula. The Germanic tribes of the Saxons, who invaded Britain in the 4th century AD, brought their massive fighting dogs to the territory of the island state. Naturally, over time, the blood of mastiffs mixed with Saka dogs. Around the 20th century, Great Britain "sheltered" another four-legged - Alans imported from Europe.

More or less systematic breeding of mastiffs in Great Britain began only by the 15th century. But three centuries later, massive mastiffs ceased to be revered, presumably due to the prohibition of animal baiting in the British Isles. To preserve the breed, almost at the end of the 19th century, the blood of St. Bernards, Great Danes, Newfoundlands and other dogs began to flow to the surviving small mastiffs from Great Britain, then the world recognized the modern type of English mastiffs, officially recognized in 1883. But there were still difficult times ahead for the English mastiff strongmen. - World wars, when the number of these dogs was practically approaching zero. It was only in the 1950s that the breed ceased to be threatened, since from that moment on there were many clubs of lovers of such dogs, kennels around the world.

Living in such a large dog as the English Mastiff in a small city apartment is hard to imagine. Therefore, a free aviary is suitable as a dwelling for him, which the dog, if necessary, can leave to go around the yard, having warmed up a little. The apartment content is not welcome also from the fact that these dogs are not active by nature, they are happy to spend time in a light nap, as if thinking about something. So a passive lifestyle can lead to weight gain. English mastiffs prefer long, but leisurely exercise with the owner as a walk.

The coat of the English Mastiff should be combed several times a week. They cannot be considered excessively shedding, but if the removal of old hairs is neglected, the owner will face not only shreds of hairs on clothes, but also other problems (skin, parasitic diseases). These giants are bathed about 2-3 times a year in warm weather, and then dried thoroughly and combed well.

Obligatory care procedures include cleaning the ears (weekly with a cotton swab moistened with water or a special tool for hygiene of the auricles), eyes (daily or several times a week with a cotton pad moistened with water), teeth (with a toothbrush for dogs and toothpaste daily), nail clipping (every 2 weeks). In addition, the dog's face should be wiped after walking, as dirt accumulates in the folds of the skin. The same procedure should be done after eating.

As food, the English Mastiff can receive both natural food prepared by a caring owner, and ready-made food for large and giant breeds. In choosing a diet, a balanced diet is important. If the owner has enough time, then the Mastiff menu should contain enough protein (meat and offal), which is important for the immune system and proper muscle development. Also in the natural diet should be vegetables, cereals, dairy products (cottage cheese). Dry industrial food is extremely convenient for feeding - it does not deteriorate for a long time, it contains all the vitamins and minerals (and with natural feeding, vitamin preparations prescribed by a doctor will be required). But as a finished feed, preference is given to feed of the highest quality - not lower than the extra-premium level (or premium at worst), which are expensive, but useful. A puppy (up to 4 months) is fed up to 5 times a day, up to six months - 4 times a day, up to 8-10 months. - 3 times a day, and by a year and a half years the animal receives food twice a day. The bowls of the animal must be washed by the owner (after each meal). The dog should not need clean water.

• The average cost of a mastiff puppy in Russia is from 50 to 70 thousand rubles.
• The weight of the English Mastiff breed has been repeatedly recorded in the Guinness Book of Records. In 1989, a mastiff from the UK named Aikama Zorba became the champion among dogs in weight (155.5 kg). The height of the dog at the withers was 94 cm.
• Mastiffs are characterized by profuse salivation and snoring during sleep. As well as a cold mind, lack of anger towards people and animals.

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We borrowed material from the wonderful site of our partners  DOGCATFAN.COM about cats and dogs, the author dogcatfan