Are you looking for a pet to take care of you and accompany you? Do you like big, exuberant dogs? If your answers were affirmative, the Spanish Mastiff dog breed may be exactly the companion you need.
- Size : Giant.
- Weight : Between 50 and 90kg.
- Hair type : Thick and straight.
- Character : Balanced and calm.
- Health : Healthy and strong.
- Life expectancy : Between 12 and 14 years.
The Spanish Mastiff is a calm, balanced canine species, but at the same time vigilant and ready to protect its home and family ... These dogs are truly a valuable option to be part of your family, even if you have children, adapting to these environments is very simple for this dog.
If you want to know even more about this beautiful and interesting dog breed, in this article we will develop relevant aspects that will surely help you choose the Spanish Mastiff as the best alternative to become your new best friend .
origins
Knowing about the origin of this breed will give us more details about its personality and physical characteristics.
Also known as the Leonese mastiff , the history of this dog breed dates back around 2000 years, associated with its arrival in Spain thanks to the Phoenicians and Greeks. After this event, and given its imposing size and body, the Protective Mastiff was taken into account in livestock activities for the protection and surveillance of animals .
As the years went by, and due to the strengthening of his skills as a caregiver, he was taken more into the home environment. Thus, he was adopted by different Spanish families, not only because he truly considered himself man's best friend, but because he saw himself as a good ally in caring for his family.
Physical characteristics
The Spanish mastiff dog breed is considered one of the largest of the canine species, a qualifier perfectly appropriate for its size and weight. Its height can reach up to 80 centimeters, while its weight, in females is usually between 50 and 70 and in males it usually reaches 90 kilograms .
Contexture
Together with their weight and size, the build of these canines gives us at first glance an idea of the relationship that exists between these two details. He has a muscular and well-proportioned body . And, although it has notably heavy limbs, its agility remains intact which, without a doubt, is a great virtue for these animals.
head and face
The head of this mastiff is large, proportionally in line with its body and size, flattened and triangular in shape. Their ears are drooping, also triangular in shape. While its eyes are small in size, as is its nose, both dark in color.
A very peculiar aspect of this breed is its skin, which hangs around its face and up to its neck, forming a kind of dewlap that adds great tenderness to its personality, especially in adult dogs.
Line
The tail of the Spanish mastiff is leafy and elongated, covered with hairs longer than the rest of its body.
Fur
Its fur is thick but smooth, medium long and abundant , even more so in winter, where a layer of hair protects it from freezing temperatures. In general, the colors are usually varied.
You can read about other varieties of mastiffs here:
Personality
Talking about the behavior and personality of the Spanish Mastiff is one of the most fun and controversial topics. Well, although we have mentioned that it is a dog with great ability to protect associated with its large size and weight, it can be considered aggressive or grumpy. But quite the opposite.
The nature of this dog has one of the sweetest and calmest behaviors among many other canines. This is a dog with a fairly balanced character . Although they always remain attentive to any strange situation or person, they do not present aggressive episodes.
A loyal pet and, above all, very empathetic with its owners and loved ones. It is docile and loving, so it adapts perfectly to a family group where there are children. And, in addition to being an excellent company, it will also ensure the safety of the little ones.
All these attributes related to the personality of the Spanish Mastiff make it necessary to highlight the importance of respecting its territory. Although it does not represent a threat, and it is not an aggressive animal, feeling invaded can cause great irritability in this breed , which will do what is necessary to defend its space and those who live in it from anyone it considers inopportune.
Its intuition, protective sense and loyalty make it a highly appreciated species with which it is easy to establish bonds practically immediately.
Education
If there is something that should be highlighted about the Spanish Mastiff, it is its intelligence and docile personality, so training it is not complicated at all. On the contrary, it is quite entertaining.
However, the education of these dogs requires patience and perseverance . It is not only about teaching him what he should and should not do, but also having him learn to do activities that help him properly manage the amount of energy he has in his body.
Outdoor training activities are an excellent alternative. This will not only allow our dog to acquire good habits, but it will also be able to exercise, which will help it maintain a balanced weight.
Training always using positive reinforcement is the best choice for training these dogs. Let us remember that, although it is a calm breed, physical or verbal violence during training can trigger aggressive behavior in our pet . Factor that can be counterproductive for the security of the family unit.
Health
In general, the Spanish Mastiff breed is usually considered one of the healthiest and strongest. However, there are some diseases that can moderately or severely affect your health if you do not provide the necessary care and attention. Let's look at some of them:
Hip dysplasia
Being a dog of large size and build, it is very normal that this disease can appear in mastiffs . This is commonly associated with inadequate nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle in the canine's life. Dysplasia usually causes great pain in the joints and prevents our dog's proper mobility.
Obesity
As in most large breeds, Spanish mastiffs tend to be very gluttonous dogs, so they are at risk of obesity. Rigorously controlling their diet , in addition to exercising frequently, will prevent this pathology from appearing in canines.
Depression
Because it is a very docile breed with a sweet personality, it requires frequent attention and constant displays of affection . Well, otherwise, loneliness can cause depression and other psychological problems that significantly affect your health.
Visual problems
An uncommon but possible condition in this breed is vision problems. Among them entropion . This disease occurs when the area surrounding the eyelid enters the eye, causing direct damage to the eyeball and even the cornea.
Care
The care of our Spanish mastiff is closely linked to its state of health. This is because, beyond being an aesthetic issue, there are aspects of the daily life of these dogs that cannot go unnoticed by their owners.
Bath and hygiene
As for cleaning and maintaining the mastiff, nothing extraordinary is required. Brushing at least twice a week will ensure that the dog maintains its shiny coat and will reduce shedding. On the other hand, a bath once a month could be enough to keep him well cared for.
Feeding
If there is something that must be taken care of in the life of the Spanish mastiff, it is food. As mentioned, this is a very eater breed by nature, so adapting it to a moderate feeding routine will help it maintain a weight according to its size and height. In addition, we will reduce the risks of obesity.
Scheduling feeding at least three times a day, in proportionally small amounts, will help create an eating habit in these dogs and teach them not to have food available at all times.
It is also necessary to avoid aspects such as the frequent provision of snacks. When it comes to rewarding, doing so with more natural foods such as chicken liver will be an excellent replacement for prefabricated foods and even healthier for your body.
The best variety of feed for the Spanish Mastiff
Exercises
Like food, exercise is very necessary in the life of this mastiff. If you have a large space at home, such as a garden, it is ideal to play with your dog frequently.
On the contrary, if you do not have a large enough space, going for a run, walking or visiting a park will be the most viable alternative . The key is that exercise should be a constant in these dogs' routine.
At least two or three hours after meals it is advisable to take him for a walk. This way you can combine good nutrition with physical activity and prevent diseases that may appear.
Keen
Not depriving the Spanish Mastiff of attention and affection is also of great importance. Doing activities with him on a daily basis, rewarding him when he does a trick or simply showing him the affection you show him within the family group will help this friend not feel alone and avoid psychological problems.
Vaccines and deworming
Trying to properly comply with the vaccination and deworming schedule for this breed is of great importance because it will not only strengthen its immune system, but will also give it greater energy and increase its life expectancy .
Conclusion
The Leonese mastiff, or Spanish mastiff, is a breed native to rural areas of Spain. Due to his agility and intuition in strange situations, he was used for a long time in the care of flocks. However, his social value increased and he became highly appreciated in families due to his loyalty, intelligence and docile personality.
It is a breed of large size and drive, but also of good character. He protects his family and his territory with great zeal, which is why he always remains at the side of those he considers his masters.
The company and love of this breed will never be lacking . As long as they are given adequate care in terms of diet, exercise and signs of affection, their health will remain at an optimal level and you will be able to enjoy them for much longer. There is no doubt that the description of man's best friend fits perfectly with the description of a Spanish mastiff. So, if it comes to choosing the ideal pet, large, strong and with a noble character, this could be the one for the entire family group.
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