The largest of dog breeds, standing up to 36'' or 90cm tall to the shoulder and weighing up to 230 pounds or 104kg. According to Cynographia Britannica, published in the 1800s "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".

These dogs were found in Britain at the time the Romans invaded their island. When the Romans took them back to Italy, they were frequently pitted against gladiators, bears, bulls, lions, and tigers. Despite their past, they are generally good-natured, peaceful family- orientated dogs. Historically, they were used as guard dogs.

The mastiff family includes the Bullmastiff, the Neapolitan Mastiff, and the Tibetan Mastiff. All-powerful breeds, with unique personality traits, used as guard dogs, war dogs, and fighting dogs throughout the ages. Owning a mastiff is a responsibility as large as the dog themselves.

The Bullmastiff - was bred in England, from the bulldog and the old English mastiff, (which is now extinct) in the 1860s. Owned mostly by gamekeepers to protect their estate and game preserves against poachers. Unlike other guardian breeds, they are rather quiet. It is their size and strength that deters strangers.

Neapolitan Mastiff - also known as an Italian bulldog, they have distinctive folds of loose skin and long drooping jowls. Most dogs of this breed can be a little standoffish with strangers. Without socialisation, these dogs may become suspicious of everyone. This can lead to either aggression or shyness, and both attitudes are dangerous in a giant breed.

Tibetan Mastiff - these heavy-coated mountain dogs are notoriously independent, reserved, intelligent, and highly protective. King George IV had two Tibetan mastiffs in the early 19th century, but the breed was largely ignored during both world wars and, nearly extinct, was narrowly revived in the 1980s.
Yet, after the Chinese invaded Tibet, this dog became very popular with wealthy Chinese and many people started breeding the dogs in the hope of making a fortune. Two Tibetan mastiffs were sold for $2.7 million US dollars in 2010. But by 2015 their popularity ceased, and breeders just abandoned the dogs leaving thousands homeless. Some of these dogs supposedly attacked local residents, while others were hunting the native wild blue sheep and competing with the leopards and wolves for food.

The dogs became dog meat for the Chinese, with their cruel methods of torture for "tastier meat". This was very upsetting for the remaining Tibetan people, and rescue centres for these beautiful and once-proud dogs were set up; the Chinese government helped pay for the dog's sterilisation fees; a problem they helped to create.

Pam Brandis 
Dip. Canine. Prac.