Spanish Mastiff breed characteristics. Large and good-natured Spanish Mastiff - education and care. Video about the Spanish Mastiff dog breed

Photo of a Spanish Mastiff.

Origin of the Spanish Mastiff

The breed owes its origin to Spain. It was here that the breed of dog called the Mastiff appeared as a result of crossing Celtic guard herding dogs with Iberian Mountain Shepherds.

The history of the existence and development of this breed goes back many centuries. From the very beginning of the practical use of dogs of this breed by humans, their main purpose was to perform guard duty. In addition, mastiffs are natural hunters, able to cope with large animals such as wild boar or bear.

As a result of constant selection work aimed at improving and developing the breed, a new variety appeared - the Spanish Mastiff. An excellent breed that has inherited and developed all the best qualities received from the parent breed. It was standardized in 1982.

Photo of a Spanish Mastiff.

Description of the characteristic features of the breed

Spanish Mastiffs have a wonderful character. They are characterized by kindness and loyalty towards their owners. Regardless of the surrounding circumstances, they are always ready to help, showing hostility towards their enemies.

Characteristic behavior in the family is the manifestation of tenderness, affection and a complete absence of aggression. At home, in the circle of people close to him, the Spanish Mastiff is restrained, calm, absolutely predictable and deserves all kinds of trust. And the dogs themselves need attention, care and love from humans. For a normal life and development, they need space, so Spanish mastiffs rarely live in city apartments.

From a very early age, the Spanish Mastiff must go through the process of training and education, since a person cannot cope with an ill-mannered and untrained adult dog. Dogs of the described breed, depending on the requirements placed on them, can perform various services. These are reliable friends and helpers who will never leave their owner, no matter what happens.

As a result of targeted selection work, nervous, cowardly individuals are practically not found among representatives of the described breed. The courage and devotion of Spanish mastiffs can be the envy of owners of dogs of other breeds.

Photo of a Spanish Mastiff.

Appearance

Although at first glance it seems that individuals of this breed are sedentary and slow, this impression is wrong. In reality, it is a powerful, large dog, an excellent guard, hunter, and fighter. The Spanish Mastiff has a beautifully built body, a large square head with a flat forehead. His nose is black and his lips are wet. A dog of this breed has either brown or hazel eyes, a calm look, and a developed, strong, slightly short neck. When you look at her from the front, you get the impression of power due to her well-developed breasts.

The forearms of the Spanish Mastiff are strong and strong. The limbs have well-developed muscles, and in the hind limbs it is more developed than in the front ones. The thickness of the tail decreases from the base to its end. The tail itself does not curl or lift up towards the back. The longest hair is on the tail, shoulders, and chest. The color of representatives of this breed has many variations: red, apricot, brindle, gray.

The Spanish Mastiff is a dog with impressive dimensions: height of at least 75 centimeters for a male and at least 70 centimeters for a female, weight of at least 60 kilograms for a male and 50 kilograms for a female. Males mature in the period from the third to fourth years of life, and in females from the second to third years of life.

The life expectancy of the Spanish Mastiff reaches eleven years.

Photo of a Spanish Mastiff.

Spanish mastiff puppy.

Photo of a Spanish Mastiff.

At first glance, Spanish Mastiffs seem too large and formidable to live in a family and for fun games with children, but the first impression, as they say, is deceiving. These dogs have a long history with a reputation as an excellent shepherd and watchman, but nevertheless they know how to be affectionate and never cause pain to those creatures that are by nature weaker than them. How to make the Spanish Mastiff's life as comfortable as possible from a very early age will be discussed further.

Breed characteristics: Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff belongs to the heavy and huge dogs. The Mastiff has been used by Spanish sheep farmers for centuries as a guard and shepherd. Dogs of this breed have always been known for protecting and escorting huge herds. Nowadays, this dog is often seen in shows and is also kept as a guard dog or as a companion dog.

The Spanish Mastiff is a calm and reserved friend of man; he will never show aggression just like that, so he deserves complete trust. This dog is noble, gentle, invincible and strong. Despite its impressive dimensions, the Spanish Mastiff needs careful education, because it is very smart and perfectly perceives the words of its owner. A Mastiff should not be owned by someone who cannot pay him much attention.

Dogs of this breed require early socialization and obedience training. This must be done so that serious discipline problems do not arise in the future, because it will be impossible to cope with an untrained dog. In addition, it is unlikely that its owner will be able to keep the mastiff in place, because this will require a large amount of physical strength.

The impressive size of a dog is not a condition for its development of excessive aggressiveness. By the way, you cannot allow your dog to be timid or cowardly, because this can seriously ruin its life. Thanks to its warm coat, a mastiff can survive outside, despite the frost, but still a loving owner will probably want to build a warm booth for the pet to ensure its comfort.

The body of the Spanish Mastiff has interesting features.

The head of these dogs is large, has a square skull and a flat forehead. The mastiff's muzzle is deep and long. The nose is always black and has wide nostrils. The lips are black. The eyes are relatively small, slightly slanted, and have a hazel or brown tint. Spanish Mastiffs have a slight sagging of their thick eyelids, but their gaze is confident and very calm. The mastiff's ears are small, thick, triangular in shape and not cropped. The teeth of this hunting dog are large, white and have a scissor bite.

The neck of these large mastiffs is relatively short, but very muscular, beautifully arched and set high.

The body of these dogs is muscular and broad with a developed chest. It is interesting that this dog's chest circumference exceeds its height at the withers. The belly of mastiffs does not sag and is moderately tucked.

The Mastiff's front paws have sufficient angulation to allow the Spanish Mastiff to move freely and elegantly. Nails are usually dark in color and short in length.

The tail of this large Spaniard is thick at the base and, when excited, tends to rise and curl, but does not curl over the back.

The nature of the coat is coarse, it is of medium length and has a fairly thick undercoat. Longer hair is observed in dogs on the shoulders, chest and tail. The coat color is varied - from fawn, red, wolf, white and gray, to black, red or brindle.

The movements of the Spanish Mastiff are distinguished by freedom, elegance, and pronounced strength.

Dimensions: weight, height

As with any dog, the sizes of females and males vary significantly. The height of a dog is determined by the height at the withers, which in adult males in normal physical shape ranges from 75 to 80 centimeters, while female Spanish Mastiffs are usually lower and reach a maximum of 70-75 centimeters in adulthood. Spanish mastiffs, both females and males, are rightfully considered heavyweights compared to other dogs. The smallest females at one year of age weigh at least 50 kilograms, and as for males, their weight can be about 60, and in some cases as much as 70 kilograms.

Of course, all these indicators are considered average and it’s okay if your dog falls somewhat short of these parameters. On the contrary, you need to start worrying when the dog is overweight, because this can in the future provoke cardiovascular diseases, obesity, poor physical shape, and also a lack of cheerfulness in the dog.

Character

The character of this dog is determined by its main occupation - good protection of a flock of sheep. He is always confident and has an independent spirit, as he can do his job as a guard on his own, without the help of his owner. The dog's hoarse bark confidently frightens enemies. Even though the dog may seem fierce, it still has a big and kind heart. He always responds to a person with nobility and friendliness. Spanish Mastiffs have a persistent character and are able to remain calm even in negative situations. During conflicts, this dog maintains self-control and will never attack without a warning growl or low bark.

The Mastiff serves its owner very faithfully, showing him great devotion and subtly responding to manifestations of love and affection. By the way, there is no need to be afraid that a large Spanish mastiff can harm children and the elderly. On the contrary, it is in the genes of this dog to protect those who are much weaker than themselves. Provided proper upbringing, he becomes a reliable friend and loyal protector of young children. This breed has a unique ability to get along well with other animals, both small kittens and large dogs.

Thanks to its hunting instincts, the mastiff’s behavior at night is restless, because it is during this period that his guard instincts become aggravated.

What to feed a Spanish Mastiff

As for food, the Spanish Mastiff is absolutely not picky about it. Many people mistakenly assume that a dog of such a huge size has a large appetite and a frequent need for food. But in fact, it is quite enough for an adult dog to eat twice a day. The first meal should be taken no later than 10 o’clock in the morning, and the second time the dog can be fed at the end of the working day, that is, at approximately 7 o’clock in the evening. The amount of food consumed by a mastiff may vary due to climatic conditions and seasons of the year. For example, in the summer a Spanish mastiff eats half a kilogram of food per day, and in cold periods of the year the dog needs an increased dose of up to one kilogram of food.

The Spaniard needs to be fed with specialized dry and wet food. At the same time, we must not forget about adding minerals, vitamins, and nutrients to the diet. Fresh lamb or rabbit will be a real treat for a mastiff. The digestive system of these large dogs does not accept pork, so we completely exclude this meat from the diet.

So, a puppy who is one and a half months old and ready to eat on his own should receive it on average six times a day. It is in vain to believe that it will be enough for a small mastiff to eat only dry food. Even the highest quality food will not replace all the necessary elements that help the dog develop properly. When a dog is going through a period of active growth, it is recommended to add more fresh meat (lean beef) and dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir, milk) to the daily diet. Steamed vegetables (all except potatoes) and fruits can be an excellent source of mineral supplements and vitamins. The main thing is to approach your puppy individually and take into account what he really likes. A puppy is considered physically healthy when its weight and height fully correspond to its age.

It is believed that mixing different types of food in a puppy's diet is very dangerous for its digestive system. Therefore, if problems are observed when feeding with dry food, then it is better not to risk the health of your pet and start feeding him exclusively natural products. The basis of the diet should be lean meat and homemade cottage cheese. If you want to diversify your dog’s diet, then you need to be careful and introduce each new product not immediately, but gradually. By the way, it is better to give dry food to the dog in a softened form, that is, slightly soaked in water at room temperature.

It is important that from early childhood the dog knows exactly the place where fresh water can always be found to drink. You need to make sure that the puppies do not deliberately turn over the water bowls, otherwise later this game will be impossible to stop. The daily consumption rate of the main product, that is, meat, per day is about one hundred grams, if we are talking about a one-month-old puppy. As you grow older, this dose increases to half a kilogram of meat. Remember that homemade cottage cheese should not be introduced earlier than the third month.

It is very important that during the first month of being in the new home, the puppy follows the same feeding regime as the breeder. You need to carefully consider the place where the new family member will live. An outdoor enclosure with safe shelter from rain and wind is perfect for him.

Lovers of large and friendly dogs cannot do without the Spanish Mastiff, because he will become a reliable life partner for the one who really takes care of him. But we must not forget that this dog is not a toy, but a self-sufficient person to whom you need to devote time, effort and money. Give your dog a lot of love and warmth and then he will answer you in kind!

The Spanish Mastiff is an incredibly large dog that commands respect with its enormous size and serious expression on its muzzle. However, its advantages do not end there. The qualities of this dog are known to include high intelligence, a loving and devoted heart, as well as innate guarding abilities.

Description of the Spanish Mastiff breed

This is one of the largest dog breeds in existence. The weight of the mastiff reaches 85 kg, and the height at the withers is 80 cm. The breed was bred a long time ago for use as a herding and guard dog.

Outside of Spain, it became known relatively recently. Now these dogs are rarely used for their intended purpose; they are mainly kept in rich Spanish estates, where they are appropriate due to their majestic appearance.

Appearance

The description of the Spanish Mastiff breed says that it is a harmonious, huge dog with powerful bones and a deep chest. The height of males is up to 80 cm, females - up to 75 cm. A characteristic feature of the breed is loosely hanging skin with a thorough dewlap in the neck area.

The coat is thick and dense, slightly rough in texture. The breed standard for the Spanish Mastiff provides for any color. These gigantic dogs are red, gray, black, fawn, brindle, and they also have white spots on their chests and paws.

The Spanish Mastiff is a guard from birth, very strong and efficient. Functionally, it can be anyone, depending on the desire of the owner. Mastiffs are distinguished by exemplary behavior. When they are in the family, they are affectionate and non-aggressive dogs.

Mastiff puppies - small, plump bear cubs - waddle funny on their big thick paws. However, the serious look of the kids and the ability to carry themselves with dignity from an early age mark them out as future formidable guards.

Character

By nature, Spanish Mastiffs have a stable psyche and a high level of intelligence. However, from puppyhood, the pet must be socialized, and for this, the owner of such a serious dog must provide the best conditions for the proper development of the puppy.

The temperament of the Spanish Mastiff can be called ideal for a dog of this size. They are excellent nannies for children, and mastiffs play this role with pleasure. The secret of this behavior is that for many centuries dogs of this breed were used to guard the herd, and they perceive human cubs as sheep that need to be protected from predators.

Even when they had to remain without water and food for a long time, Spanish mastiffs did not allow themselves to kill a sheep. They carried out their service until the last.

Despite some external restraint of feelings, these dogs are unusually loving. They adore their owner and his family. And boundless devotion to the owner can be called a trait inherent in the breed.

Mastiffs have excellent self-control, even when exposed to an irritating factor. They have natural insight, so they quickly identify people with bad intentions. But these dogs will not attack without a warning roar.

Nicknames for Spanish Mastiffs should be chosen according to their size and character. Due to the texture of the breed, this is quite easy to do. However, you can observe the puppy and, having learned the characteristics of its character, name the baby depending on its individual traits.

History of the breed

The history of the origin of the Spanish mastiff begins in the Spanish province of Extremadura, bordering Portugal. The breed was not specifically bred until the beginning of the 20th century. But in 1906, a puppy named Machako was born. Systematic breeding began with him. The puppy was entered into the Spanish stud book.

The breed was first described only in 1929 under the name “mountain Spanish mastiff”. The owner of the Trasumancia nursery, Luis Escurio, set out to find the largest representatives of the breed and, as far as possible, make improvements to it. To do this, he explored the mountainous areas of northwestern Spain.

As a result of the search, the dog Navarro was discovered, which turned out to be the largest representative of the breed, and in 1959 he was exhibited at the Madrid Agricultural Exhibition.

In the 60s of the last century, another kennel specializing in mastiffs appeared, called “El Pinotar”, owned by Amadeo Alejandre. By the 1980s, the dogs from this kennel were very popular.

It was these two breeders who were able to lay the foundation of the breed over 40 years, although they had different views on the standards of Spanish mastiffs.

The appearance of mastiffs in Russia

In 1995, the first representative of the breed appeared in Russia and was the only one in the country for about six months. Then, from the Czech Republic, the breeder of the Dorsdorf kennel, Svetlana Dorogova, delivered several Spanish Mastiff puppies. And a year later, in a dog breeders club called “Rare Breeds”, the first offspring were born in Russia.

Now the population of Spanish mastiffs in the Russian Federation is small. However, gradually there are more and more of them. About three dogs of this breed are presented at recent exhibitions.

Features of maintenance and care

Because of their size, Spanish Mastiffs cannot live in small city apartments. Such huge dogs should be kept in country houses with spacious lawns, where they can stretch their paws at any time. For a mastiff to live comfortably, a large enclosure is quite suitable, but several times a day he should have the opportunity to run around without a leash.

Spanish Mastiffs shed very intensely, so they need to be brushed every day, spending several minutes for this. During the molting period, the procedure should be carried out twice a day. When kept in an enclosure, it is enough to brush the dog well a couple of times a week, avoiding the formation of tangles.

Dense and thick coat and undercoat make these dogs easily tolerate frosts. However, on hot summer days they need to be provided with shade and plenty of water.

The weight of some individuals can reach 150 kg, so small children should not be left unattended with these dogs, despite all their love for their owners’ children. Even a small flick of the tail can cause injury to a child.

Walks

For the Spanish Mastiff - a dog, as already mentioned, of quite impressive size - long, but not burdensome walks in nature are necessary. This pet is not suitable for active athletes. Excessive stress can damage the joints and ligaments of a huge animal.

You need to be especially careful with puppies when the formation and growth of bones, muscles and ligaments occurs. However, regular swimming is beneficial for them. Water will relieve excessive stress, but will keep the body moving.

Feeding

The Spanish Mastiff is a fairly expensive dog to keep. His ancestors were working animals with excellent metabolism, which was fully passed on to modern animals. Owners should immediately forget about the budget menu.

The strong and heavy skeleton of these dogs will require a huge amount of building material for its formation. Mastiff puppies grow quickly early in their lives, so they will need a high-quality, nutritious food. A one and a half month old baby should receive balanced nutrition 6 times a day, and dry food will not be enough here.

During the period of active growth, experts recommend adding more fresh meat (lean beef), dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese), boiled vegetables (except potatoes) and fruits to the diet. It is better to soak dry puppy food in warm water.

You should be careful about mixed feeding. And if the puppy does not tolerate it well, then it is better to exclude dry food from the diet and switch to natural food. It is important to adhere to the same diet as the breeder had during the first month of life in the new home.

At the same time, it is necessary to ensure that the dog does not overeat. Excess weight is an extra load on joints and ligaments and the rest of the musculoskeletal system. For the same reason, it is necessary to monitor the puppy’s activity, not allowing him prolonged physical activity, but also not prohibiting him from moving.

It is very important that from the first days of being in the house the dog knows exactly where he can always find fresh water to drink. At the same time, you need to make sure that the puppy does not play with the water dish or overturn it, otherwise this game will be almost impossible to stop later.

A feature of dogs of this breed is their slow maturation, which lasts up to 2.5-3 years. While the animal is gaining mass, its behavior is that of a puppy. And nutrition during this period should be appropriate.

It is enough to feed an adult dog twice a day. Even if an adult pet eats dry food, it should still receive lean meat: chicken, horse meat or beef. The most important thing is not to overfeed!

Training

Many owners, when characterizing Spanish mastiffs, will state their amazing mental and intellectual abilities. But none of the happy owners of Spaniards will say that their pets do not need to be raised. Therefore, despite the fact that these dogs are neither service nor sport dogs, training is necessary for the Spanish Mastiff from early puppyhood until gray hair.

Breeders with experience in breeding and keeping mastiffs know that behind the external equanimity of their pets lies the spirit of a strong fighter and guard. Nobody wants to be the owner of a hundred-kilogram ill-mannered dunce from whom you don’t know what to expect.

Therefore, the Spanish Mastiff must be a controllable dog, and for this he must be trained in the rules of good manners so that his owner can control his dog in any, even the most difficult situation. It would be best to carry out training and any learning processes under the supervision and assistance of a specialist.

Mastiffs are extremely intelligent and receptive to praise and training, so training them will not be onerous.

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This is big, even very big. To be honest, it's huge. Of course, with its size and serious expression on its face, it makes an indelible impression on people. But the feeling of respect that you begin to feel for the Spanish Mastiff upon close acquaintance is associated not only with its gigantic size - this dog amazes with its intelligence, versatility and ability to love.

The Spanish Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds in the world: with a height of 80 cm, the weight can reach 85 kg. This ancient breed of Spain became known relatively recently outside its homeland. You probably won’t see a Spanish mastiff on a pasture among cows today, but the huge, majestic dogs fit very well into the lifestyle of the owner of a large, rich estate.

The homeland of the Spanish Mastiff is Spain - Extremadura. It comes from a mixture of fighting, herding and guard dogs of the ancient Celts and mountain Iberian shepherd dogs. Initially, this breed was bred as a farming breed, it was intended to protect agricultural land and was used very actively. In addition, Spanish mastiffs are excellent hunters; they are capable of hunting even the largest animals, for example, such as bear, wild boar and other large animals. These animals also cope well with security activities. The standard for this dog breed was approved in 1982. Prices for this dog in Moscow fluctuate in 2014, when purchased through an advertisement from 10,000 to 20,000 rubles, and in kennels up to 70,000 rubles. Among the nurseries we can recommend: mastinespanol.ru, e

Appearance

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Externally, the Spanish Mastiff is a powerful dog of harmonious build, with dense bones and a deep chest. The height of an adult Spanish Mastiff is usually 77-80 cm in males and 72-75 cm in females.

A characteristic feature of the breed is loosely hanging skin; a dewlap around the neck is required.

The Spanish Mastiff's coat is short, very thick, rough, and lies tightly to the body.

Character

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The standard allows for almost any color - gray, brindle, apricot, black, fawn, red, and there may also be white spots on the paws and chest.

Nature has awarded the Spanish Mastiff with a stable psyche and high intelligence, but in order for the dog to grow up well socialized and adequate, each owner must provide his pet with the necessary conditions for proper development.

Of course, it is best to keep a Spanish mastiff in a country house (in an aviary). Even a fairly spacious city apartment will not be able to provide this giant with adequate freedom of movement.

Feeding

You might think that a dog as powerful as the Spanish Mastiff doesn't need recognition or love. This is wrong. Even if outwardly the “Spaniard” looks very restrained in his feelings, the amount of love released by this 100-kilogram creature is directly proportional to its mass, and no less will be required from you. The Spanish Mastiff is infinitely devoted to his owner and family, for whom, if necessary, he is ready, without hesitating a second, to give his life.

As for food, the Spanish Mastiff is absolutely not picky about it.

Special recommendations must be followed when feeding a growing Spanish Mastiff.

A puppy who is one and a half months old and ready to eat food on his own should receive it on average six times a day. It is in vain to believe that it will be enough for a small mastiff to eat only dry food. Even the highest quality food will not replace all the necessary elements that help the dog develop properly. When a pet is going through a period of active growth, it is recommended to add more fresh meat (lean beef) and dairy products (cottage cheese, kefir, milk) to the daily diet. Steamed vegetables (all except potatoes) and fruits can be an excellent source of mineral supplements and vitamins. The main thing is to approach your puppy individually and take into account what he really likes. A puppy is considered physically healthy when its weight and height fully correspond to its age.

It is believed that mixing different types of food in a puppy’s diet is very dangerous for its digestive system. Therefore, if problems are observed when feeding with dry food, then it is better not to risk the health of your pet and start feeding him exclusively natural products. The basis of the diet should be lean meat and homemade cottage cheese. If you want to diversify your dog’s diet, then you need to be careful and introduce each new product not immediately, but gradually. By the way, it is better to give dry food to the dog in a softened form, that is, slightly soaked in water at room temperature.

History of the breed

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The ancestors of this powerful herding dog breed of enormous stature were known in Spain about 3,000 years ago. In the Middle Ages, such dogs were called “Mastin”.

Mentions of mastines are found in ancient manuscripts on history and geography that have survived to this day. The official theory is that the ancestors of this breed were brought to the Iberian Peninsula by Phoenician merchants. Other sources claim that the Spanish Mastiff is descended from the large guard dogs of the nomadic peoples of Asia and Eastern Europe. According to one version, the breed comes from the ancient mastiffs of Ancient Rome, which crossed with local dogs on the Iberian Peninsula.

There is also an opinion opposite to this, which is based on the testimony of Roman military historians, who noted that the tribes inhabiting the peninsula already had large fighting dogs, which the Romans had to face. The profession has not changed for centuries. On the Iberian Peninsula, the tradition of driving cattle to the mountains for summer pastures has been preserved for many centuries.

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On the one hand, mastiffs were treated very carefully, they were not punished so as not to break their will. At the same time, if a mastiff was not suitable for protecting the herd, he was simply hanged. Usually two or three puppies were left in the litter, which were kept from hand to mouth.

A dog was considered an adult from the age of two. Puppies often had their tails and ears docked. Lazy and apathetic during the day, mastiffs transformed by night. Equipped with strict collars with spikes, they actively patrolled the herd, responding to the slightest alarm signal.

The image for centuries has symbolized selflessness, loyalty and protection from wolves, which personified evil. This is reflected in the literature of the Golden Age. Like other guard herding breeds, the Spanish Mastiff has always been an exclusively working dog, but these dogs were also kept by the nobility. Velazquez's famous painting "Las Meninas", painted in 1656, depicts the family of Philip IV, and in the foreground sits a bodyguard - a fawn Spanish mastiff with cropped ears and tail. However, in the literature about dogs of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Spanish Mastiff received little attention. They started talking about the breed more actively in the first half of the 20th century. In the “Large Illustrated Album of Dog Breeds” (1929), under the title “Spanish Mountain Mastiff,” the mastiffs of Spain were described. It is noted there that the mastiff is an exceptionally gifted guard dog, a bodyguard for the home, a guardian of sheep and a threat to wolves and other large predators. The color is white with spots of black, red or red-brown, less often one-color. This dog is attached to the home, devoted to members of the owner's family, affectionate and obedient, with a good character, smart, with a well-developed sense of smell, and vigilant, which makes it an excellent watchdog.

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It also says that the breed is little known in Spain, despite its undoubtedly valuable qualities.

The first Spanish Mastiff standard was approved by the FCI in 1946, developed by Luis del Portillo. The standard was based on the descriptions of the dogs Toconera, Arrogante and Cervera from the province of Ciudad Real. It remains unclear why mastiffs from other areas were not used for this purpose. The first standard describes the Spanish Mastiff as a dog 70-80 cm tall at the withers and weighing 50 kg, but by the end of the 1950s, preference began to be given to larger dogs as more typical. Among these individuals was Navarro, who was successfully presented at the agricultural fair in Madrid in 1959.

In those years, Luis Esquiro, owner of the famous Trasumancia kennel, set himself the goal of finding the largest mastiffs. His passion for giant mastiffs became his life's work.

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In 1957, he explored the mountainous region of Leon in northwestern Spain. Over 40 years of working with the breed, he firmly decided in which direction it should develop. In the 1960s, another famous kennel of Spanish mastiffs, El Pinotar, owned by Amadeo Alejandra, began operating. The dogs of this kennel were famous in the 1980s.

During the 1970s, it became apparent that breeders preferred larger, heavier dogs than specified in the standard. Representatives of the desired type were the male Navarro bred by Manolo Martinez, the legendary Oliveros Herminio Tascona, later Sultan of Sacarias Prieto, as well as the mastiffs of the El Pinotar kennel, which provided the Spanish mastiff not only with great success at exhibitions, but also endowed the best representatives of the breed with typical beautiful heads and abundant folds of skin that have become an integral attribute of this Spanish breed.

In addition, at this time in Spain they began to pay great attention to everything national, including dog breeds.

The popularity of the Spanish Mastiff and the number of fans of the breed have increased significantly. So, going back to the 1950s and 1960s, when Esquiro became very involved with this breed, the number of herding dogs declined as wolves were practically exterminated. However, over the years, enthusiasts have managed not only to preserve the breed and achieve uniformity of the livestock, but also to give it a more impressive modern look. In addition, many cattle breeders in Spain continued to breed mastiffs on their farms, where the dogs performed their traditional function - driving and guarding livestock. In the late 1970s, Spanish Mastiff breeders who were at the origins of modern breeding, as well as new fans of the breed, decided that the standard needed to be revised. The new version was developed by the Spanish Dog Breeds Committee under the leadership of José Manuel Sane Timon with the participation of Luis Esquiro. As a result, in 1981 the FCI approved a new breed standard. In the same year, the Association of Fans of the Spanish Mastiff Breed (AERME) was created, which caused an explosion of activity among its fans.

New nurseries appeared in different parts of the country. One of the outstanding mastiffs of recent years was Florencio Trasumancia, who was recognized four times in a row as the best representative of the breed at specialized exhibitions. In 1998, at the AERME General Assembly, a breeding program for Spanish Mastiffs was developed under the leadership of Carlos Salas. Currently, mastiffs are appreciated and loved in many European countries, including Russia.

FCI-Standard N ° 91 / 30. 08. 2002 / GB

Origin

Purpose

Protection of livestock, farms, people and their property.

FCI classification.

The second group, Molossians.

General form

Proportions

The length of the body is greater than the height at the withers.

Muzzle length/skull length - 4/6.

Chest circumference/height at withers - 9/6.

The width of the skull is greater than or equal to the length of the skull.

Temperament

The Spanish Mastiff is a balanced and reliable watchdog, free from any nervousness, aggressive towards strangers and predators. He has a strong, loud and deep voice. Cowardly, timid and nervous dogs are excluded from breeding.

Head

Large, square skull, length no less than width, occipital protuberance marked. The forehead is flat, the transition is smoothed. The muzzle is deep, long and well filled throughout. The nose is black, with wide nostrils. The lips are raw, black inside. The eyes are small, triangular, slightly slanted, hazel or brown, the eyelids are thick, black, slightly drooping.

The look is self-confident, calm. The ears are small, set at the level of the upper edge of the eye, thick, triangular, hanging, raised at the base, uncropped. The teeth are large, white, scissor bite. The incisors are relatively small compared to the large canines and premolars, a full set of teeth.

Relatively short, very muscular, beautifully arched, set high. The skin is thick, raw, elastic, and forms a dewlap.

Frame

The front is very muscular and wide, but without signs of congestion. The chest is developed, convex, deep, the circumference of the chest is greater than the height of the dog at the withers. The withers are well developed, the top is strong, straight, rigid when the dog is standing and when moving.

The loin is short and muscular. The belly is moderately tucked. The croup is slightly sloping.

Forelegs

The angles are sufficient to allow the Spanish Mastiff to move freely and elegantly. Shoulders are sloping.

The forearms are straight, very massive, with rich bones and heavy muscles, short, strong, straight pasterns. The ratio of the length of the forearm to the length of the metacarpus is 3:1. Paw in a ball. Nails are dark and short.

Hind limbs

Medium angles. Powerful muscles.

Relatively low set, strong hock joints.

Characteristic dewclaws. The posture is average.

Free, elegant, with an expression of strength. Ambling is not allowed.

Height

The height of a male is at least 77 cm, of a female - from 72 cm. Weight. Males - from 60 kg, females - from 50 kg. The overall proportionality of the dog is important. The preferred height for a male is from 80 cm, for a female - from 75 cm.

Disadvantages of the Spanish Mastiff

Narrow, light muzzle, absence of a premolar, weak bones, cowardice. Serious flaws. Absence of a canine or several premolars, arched or sunken back, close hocks, ambling, too long or curly coat, docked ears and/or tail, inversion or inversion of the eyelid, loose, overly damp build, curled tail.

Disqualifying defects: bifurcated nose, depigmented mucous membranes, light eyes, monorchidism and cryptorchidism.

a brief description of
Aggressiveness
Upbringing
Training
Intelligence
Shedding
Behavior with children
Watchman
Security guard
Difficult to care for
Endurance in the cold

Endurance in the heat

Have you ever met a large dog with folds of skin on its chest and muzzle, a melancholic look, and a light gait that is uncharacteristic of a large animal? This is a Spanish Mastiff, known throughout the world as a freedom-loving dog whose ancestors grew up on the pastures of medieval Spain.

In the past, he was an irreplaceable watchman and security guard, and now he is a family friend and a faithful, devoted companion dog. Lazy, measured at first glance dogs, when threatened, show miracles of reaction to danger. They make excellent watchdogs, as they are very harsh towards strangers and warn of their approach with loud barks or growls.

Noble, dignified, wise, charismatic - these are the epithets this giant animal deserves. Representatives of the breed can reach a weight of 120 kg and occupy 2nd place in the world in weight and size.

Interesting! The dog is invincible. Judging by the memoirs of the shepherds of Spain, where the mastiff is still used as a working dog, it never succumbs to wolves and emerges victorious from the fight.

The breed belongs to group 2 “Pinchers and Schnauzers, Molossians, Mountain and Swiss Cattle Dogs” in the FCI classification, to section 2 “Molossians”.

Dogs have always been people's friends and helpers. Facilitating the work of the shepherds, they helped them graze the flock and acted as night guards, protecting the sheep from the encroachment of wild animals. The formation of the Spanish Mastiff breed occurred separately within the Iberian Islands. The exact name of the place of origin of the breed is Extremadura. It was in this historical province that the breed began to form. It is believed that the mastiff is the result of a mixture of blood between the guard and herding dogs of the ancient Celts, who lived in Spain, and the Iberian mountain shepherd dogs.

Bred to guard farmland, Spanish mastiffs possessed all the qualities that farmers demanded of them: calmness, strength, which helped cope even with a large animal. The story mentions a situation where a dog, being hungry for several days, did not even touch the sheep from the flock and showed the highest degree of dedication and loyalty to its work.

The breed standard was approved only at the end of the 20th century - in 1981. The modern Spanish Mastiff is larger than its ancestor. Breeders purposefully selected large individuals in order to obtain a dog of impressive size, arousing respect and admiration.

Nowadays, a “Spaniard” is a dog with a large, square head. She has thick skin that hangs in folds not only on her muzzle, but also on her skin. Such “thick skin” was a necessity when fighting predators, as it protected against wounds and bites of animals. The whole body: chest, limbs, back is muscular. The dog’s appearance inspires confidence now, and it did so to shepherds hundreds of years ago who entrusted the protection of their flocks to Spanish mastiffs.

Characteristics, description, character

The Spanish Mastiff breed has an even, calm and balanced character. The dog feels superior to others. She is not aggressive, and never attacks without reason. If you hear a growl or a low bark from him, then something serious has happened.

It has:

some melancholy;
observation;
restraint. Thanks to his absolute predictability, you can trust him 100%;
attentiveness, tenderness and affection towards the owner and members of his family;
boundless devotion.

Representatives of the breed have a great mind and a stable psyche. They take root well in families with small children, and treat children with care and great attention. The dog treats them like a herd that needs to be looked after.

In order for all the positive traits of a dog to fully manifest itself, training and socialization are necessary. An ill-mannered and disobedient dog poses a threat, since only a person with great physical strength can cope with it.

Diseases

Like all large breeds, the Spanish Mastiff is susceptible to hip dysplasia. Rapid growth and large size contribute to the appearance of the disease. Also diagnosed:

gastric volvulus, which, if left untreated and without surgery, can lead to the death of the animal:
gonarthrosis, accompanied by destruction and dysfunction of the knee joint;
eye diseases: cataracts, entropion, third eyelid adenoma.

Care

The Spanish Mastiff is genetically endowed with a love for large space and freedom, so keeping him in an apartment will not bring him complete happiness. It’s different - a country house with a fenced-off area where you can walk without embarrassment.

The breed has a very thick coat and an equally thick undercoat, which is necessary for protection from heat and frost. To remove dead and shedding hair, brush the dog regularly. The procedure will be more effective if you use a brush with metal teeth.

Eye and ear hygiene comes down to regular examination. If there is discharge or contamination, they must be removed using a cotton pad moistened with water or an antiseptic solution. Purulent and foul-smelling discharge is a signal to contact a veterinarian.

Nail trimming is done about 2 times a month. Long claws cause inconvenience when walking and can cause the metacarpus to become deformed.

Walks are as necessary for this calm dog as air. They should last at least 1 hour so that the mastiff can frolic, run and get some air. Lack of walking can lead to passivity, loss of appetite or, on the contrary, obesity and anger.

Education and training

When raising a Spanish Mastiff, the main thing is an individual approach to each dog. Thanks to their intelligence, they are easy to train if the owner is consistent and shows patience and perseverance. Mastiffs were developed as dogs that make their own decisions. It is with this quality that learning difficulties can arise.

The basis of education should be obedience training and early socialization. The owner of a mastiff must let the dog know who is boss. It is important for the pet to see him as an authority, and the dog itself will be interested in training. Rudeness and punishment during training are unacceptable, but encouragement and praise greatly motivate the dog to follow commands.

Puppies

Spanish Mastiff puppies need early training, a balanced diet and age-appropriate physical activity. Even though the breed is more lazy than active, they need activity to avoid obesity and stay in good physical shape.

When caring for a puppy, make sure that it does not develop bad habits, for example, biting or standing with its front paws on a person. The little “Spaniard” already weighs 40 kg at 4 months, and more than 70 kg when he is a year old. Playing and placing its front paws on a person, it will knock down a child or an adult of delicate appearance.

In order not to overfeed the puppy, it is necessary to adhere to the diet: if at 1.5 months he is fed 5-6 times a day, then by the age of one year the number of feedings is reduced to 2 times a day.

The Spanish Mastiff, whose puppies develop psychologically and physically before the age of 3, belongs to a breed of late development, therefore, from birth to 3 years it is necessary to train it.

Experts advise you to accustom your puppy to a leash; you should start doing this at 3 months. Like all Molossians, for example, or the Rottweiler, the Spanish Mastiff can show stubbornness, independence and a desire to make decisions for itself. Therefore, basic obedience training is mandatory to avoid becoming the owner of an uncontrollable dog in the future.

Continuity of training, patience and determination of the owner are the key to successful education. A Spanish Mastiff up to one year old must be introduced to a large number of people and situations, and taken with you everywhere if possible. This will contribute to the dog’s socialization and readiness to adequately respond to any “extraordinary” situation, not including aggression or, on the contrary, cowardice.

It is important for the owner to behave correctly when the puppy is introduced to a new object or situation. There is no need to push or rush him, but wait for the pet to sniff, get comfortable and come up on his own. And then praise the puppy for showing courage, this will instill confidence in him.

Prices

A Spanish mastiff, the prices of puppies for which depend on the severity of the breed's qualities, costs from 35 to 100 thousand rubles.

All puppies are given to new owners no earlier than 1.5-2 months. Until this age, the little mastiff learns to communicate with his mother and brothers and sisters. Without proper contact with its mother, the puppy will grow up nervous.

Elite show-class puppies cost from 80 thousand rubles.
Representatives of the breed class can be bought for 50-70 thousand rubles.
Pet-class puppies have a price tag - from 35 to 45 thousand rubles.

In private advertisements they offer to sell Spanish mastiff puppies for 15-20 thousand rubles. Often “cheap” puppies do not have documents, and the private breeder does not provide reliable information about the parents of the future pet.

Photo

In this article you got acquainted with the Spanish Mastiff breed, photos of which are presented in the gallery above. He, along with the St. Bernard, is among the TOP 3 largest dogs in the world.

Interesting facts about the breed

Thanks to its luxurious coat, the Spanish Mastiff can withstand frost of -30 degrees and extreme heat.
The ancestors of the Spanish mastiff lived 3,000 years ago and were called “mastins.” These were ancient herding dogs.
Despite the fact that the mastiff was a working, farm dog, it was also kept by the nobility. For example, King Philip of FranceVI, grafted intoXIII century, he kept a dog of this breed at court.
According to the standard, any color is acceptable for a mastiff, but most often puppies are born black, brindle, yellow (with shades from almost white to red).