All about the giant dog from the Iberian Peninsula - the Spanish Mastiff. Large and good-natured Spanish Mastiff - education and care Spanish Mastiffs reviews from owners

Until recently, 10-20 years ago, little was known about the Spanish Mastiff. Today he is known as an excellent guard and affectionate pet. Despite its large size, it can be safely left with children. These dogs are gentle, they will not attack a creature weaker or smaller than them. Spanish mastiffs have gained popularity among professional dog breeders, as well as ordinary amateurs.

Description and appearance

The dog's homeland is Spain. Representatives of the breed are used for guarding and grazing. If unbalanced or cowardly individuals are encountered, then such dogs are not used for further breeding. They have a clear appearance characteristic. Any deviation from it is considered a disadvantage.

Representatives of the breed are used for guarding and grazing

The Spanish Mastiff breed is described as a large, powerful, but at the same time affectionate dog. Although the dog looks a little scary, he is kind and loyal to his owner.

Breed standards

The Spanish Mastiff dog breed is quite large. Her height at the withers reaches 72 cm in a female. A male dog has 77 cm. As for weight, it ranges from 50 to 60 kg for an adult.

The breed standards stipulate the following characteristics of the dog's appearance:

• the head is big. The skull is square, the forehead is flat. The muzzle is long and deep. The nose is always black and the nostrils are wide;
• The eyes are relatively small, of a very beautiful shade - hazel or brown. His look is calm, peaceful;
• A characteristic feature of the Spanish Mastiff dog is drooping thick eyelids;
• the ears are small and triangular in shape;
• the neck is short, but very muscular, set high, and has a beautiful curve;
• The body is quite powerful. He is well developed and muscular. An interesting fact is that the chest circumference is greater than the height of the dog at the withers, but the belly is tucked in;
• paws are powerful, angular. The gait of such dogs is soft, proud, and stately, which complements the image of the Spanish mastiff;
• the tail is quite thick.

As for the wool, it is coarse and of medium length. The undercoat is rough. In some places the pet's fur is slightly longer: on the tail, chest and shoulders.

They say about a dog's height that the bigger it is, the better. The minimum height of a bitch at the withers allowed by the standard is 72 cm, but it is desirable that it be at least 75 cm. As for the height of a dog, it should be at least 77 cm.

Colors

The Spanish Mastiff dog can be of almost any color. The standard provides many options for describing color, but deviation from them is considered a defect. Most often, it is yellow shades that are found, which is why many breeders are so eager to get puppies of a rarer color. The following colors are widespread:

• pale yellow;
• ginger;
• white with black;
• brindle;
• black.

In the photo you can see adult individuals, as well as puppies of Spanish mastiffs of various colors.

Character

Such pets are distinguished by their flexibility and reliability. It is because of their nature that they are used to protect pastures. Thanks to their kindness, they are able to protect weaker creatures from predators. But, despite everything, such a dog is calm, never attacks without warning, which has created a stereotype about the Spanish Mastiff pet as a good-natured mattress. Before attacking, it will warn the enemy by barking or growling.

One of the traits for which these animals are most valued is loyalty. They will faithfully serve their owner, especially if they feel affection. Another characteristic of the Spanish Mastiff is its love of freedom. They are uncomfortable in apartments; there is nowhere to move, even if the area is huge. A private house with a large yard is much better suited.

The flexible nature makes it easy to raise a pet. He will get along with other pets, including cats. With proper upbringing, you will find a friend, as well as a reliable one. The species is distinguished by its kindness towards the weaker. Families who sometimes entrust their children to them say that the pets treat the child very carefully and do not get angry at the little pranks of the little ones.

Mastiffs are highly trainable, so they are easy to teach a variety of commands. But you shouldn’t demand precise execution from them after the start of training. To help him learn faster, praise him, because everyone loves encouragement.

Photo

The Spanish Mastiff in the photo looks like a large plush toy. It is recommended to carefully examine your future pet before purchasing. Puppies must match the breed description.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of these gentle giants is approximately 10-11 years. This is the norm for all large dogs.

At the same time, they begin to grow up relatively late. For example, a female is considered fully formed in the second or third year of life, and a male in the third or fourth.

The place of residence is of great importance for the maintenance of a puppy and an adult Spanish Mastiff. It is impossible to raise and raise a dog correctly only in an apartment or house, since walking must be complete, and this is impossible with small areas of buildings. The best option for keeping this breed is a private area with a large, securely fenced yard, an aviary, and a warm booth. This way your pet can move as much as he needs.

You can't keep him tied for a long time. Constant stay in an enclosure is also harmful. Designate a designated area for your dog, but only place him there for short periods of time if necessary. Allow your pet to move freely around the area.

Do not forget: animals need constant communication with humans. An additional walk for the dog outside your property will be helpful. This will allow him to become familiar with the world around him and learn to perceive other, unusual smells or sounds.

Care and hygiene

Dogs require careful care. Compliance with hygiene rules will make the dog’s living near people as comfortable as possible. At the same time, care is completely simple, it does not take much time:

• Representatives of this species require regular brushing of their fur. Puppies do not need to undergo such procedures. Special brushes are used for combing. The procedure is especially important during molting. Be sure to brush your dog if he gets caught in the rain;
• After walks, be sure to wash your pet's paws. Although the breed is quite clean, due to their natural laziness, they still get very dirty;

• The dog does not need frequent bathing. Only 2-3 times a year is enough. But in the summer, when your pet suffers from the heat, you can cool it down with a shower. This is done without the use of soap or shampoo;
• It’s worth checking your pet’s ears weekly. If necessary, they need to be cleaned;
• About once every couple of months you need to trim your nails. This can be done absolutely calmly, since he is amenable to such manipulations without showing aggression.

What to feed (by month)?

Nutrition plays an important role in the life of the Spanish Mastiff. Representatives of this breed are unpretentious to food. They eat almost everything. The menu selection is huge - you can feed them with natural food as well. These are quite large animals, so they eat a lot.

When preparing your puppy’s diet, include a sufficient amount of protein; minerals and vitamins are also necessary for healthy development. Such heavyweights cannot be raised on cereals alone. Such feeding will lead to abnormal development of the puppy. It will be unstable to a variety of diseases. Regulate the protein-carbohydrate balance of your pet's diet. Overdoing it will lead to the accumulation of excess weight. Health problems may soon follow.

The formation of a puppy’s body occurs over the course of about two years. Some dog owners feed their pets dry food with a calculated ratio of nutrients. “” and ““ feeds remain popular today. Those owners who feed their pets natural food need to additionally give the dog the necessary nutrients. For optimal development of the puppy, you must adhere to the following feeding schedule:

• in the first month of life, the puppy requires regular feeding, approximately 5-6 times, it is advisable to feed small portions every three hours;
• at 2-3 months the puppy needs 5 meals, portions need to be increased;
• 4-5 month old puppies should eat 4 times a day;
• at 6-7 months the number of meals can be reduced to three times.

One-year-old puppies can eat twice a day, like adults. The basis of nutrition should be meat products - fresh or cooked meat. Feeding with meat waste is possible. But constant eating like this can lead to health problems. To avoid this, it is recommended to occasionally feed fresh raw meat. It is easier to digest.

Diseases and breed defects

In general, the breed is considered prosperous, however, serious illnesses occur, due to which the mastiff’s quality of life deteriorates. The most common pathologies are the following:

• gastric volvulus;
• hip dysplasia;
• cataract;
• third eyelid adenoma;
• turning of the eyelids;
• gonarthrosis;
• eczema.

In the description of the “marriage” of the Spanish Mastiff breed, there are defects due to which the dog can be disqualified during the exhibition:

• cowardly behavior of an individual or, conversely, excessive aggressiveness;
• malocclusion;
• light colored eyes;
• lack of pigmentation of the nose or mucous membranes.

Naturally, a dog with such defects should not reproduce.

Breeding

Only absolutely healthy representatives without burdened heredity are suitable for breeding. Nervous, aggressive individuals are dangerous to others, so they should not breed. Illiterate breeding is dangerous for the lives of puppies. It also negatively affects the status of the breed among its admirers.

Many specialized nurseries are engaged in breeding Spanish Mastiff puppies, which can be found even here. The purity of the dog breed offered by breeders is not in doubt, because professionals supervise the breeding, as well as compliance with all rules. And if necessary, the kids receive veterinary care.

Purchase and price

If you decide to buy a puppy, then look for a conscientious breeder. You can ask your friends, collect real reviews. View the pedigree of your future pet. Study its appearance carefully. Choose a puppy that is more than 2 months old.

The baby should have soft fur, clean ears, and a wet nose. Observe his behavior. The dog should be active, but without showing aggression.

The cost is quite high - from 600 US dollars for the simplest representatives without a pedigree. There are also more expensive pets, the price of which exceeds $1,000. Such puppies have a good pedigree, they can participate in exhibitions and also in breeding

Reviews

The kindest creatures of the Spanish Mastiff breed collect mostly positive reviews. They deserve this attitude due to their impeccable characteristics as a friend, companion, nanny, and also a guard. Before deciding to purchase such a dog, it is recommended that you read the owners’ comments on the following websites:

Marina: “Friends gave us a puppy for our wedding. We were incredibly happy because we bought a house and were going to get a guard dog. True, my husband doubted our Henry’s abilities and believed that purebred dogs were not meant for this. But we soon became convinced that our boy is a wonderful protector and a very loyal friend!”

Pavel: “Since childhood I was fascinated by the breed. Naturally, when I could afford it, I bought such a dog. He lives in my apartment. There is not enough space, but I try to walk with him for a long time, as often as possible. He eats very well, mostly meat. Therefore, think a hundred times whether you can feed such a giant.”

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”.

The Spanish Mastiff dog began to be bred during the heyday of livestock farming on the Iberian island. The history of the breed begins in the Middle Ages. Harsh conditions forced shepherds to drive flocks of sheep from place to place. The main formidable enemies of the flock were large predators: wolves and bears.

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 easily withstand both 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).

Video

The Spanish Mastiff is a giant dog with a stern expression that can scare anyone just by looking at it. But, despite the fact that the breed is one of the largest in the world, it would be hard to call these dogs ferocious. They are smart, loyal, caring, but definitely not evil. What kind of animal is this, whose appearance and character do not correspond to each other?

Scientists have identified several versions regarding the origin of these giant dogs, but two of them are more reliable. According to one, the ancestors of the Spanish mastiffs were brought to European territory by sea by merchants from Phenicia. According to the second, they entered here by land, thanks to the less than friendly Asian nomads. But the hypothesis that mastiffs were brought by Roman soldiers was not confirmed, since by the time they landed, the local population already had huge pets, which helped the aborigines defend their lands.

Given the similarities between Turkish, Caucasian, Balkan, Tibetan Shepherds and Mastiffs, it is difficult to find out exactly who the ancestors of the Spanish Mastiffs are, but it is not surprising that the above breeds most likely have the same roots.

We can say with certainty that man needed a guard and protector of livestock from predators - an even larger, faster, more resilient animal, capable of sensing a threat from afar and taking action. That’s when the idea of ​​breeding guard dogs came up.

It was possible to find out that Spanish mastiffs existed as a separate breed back in the 15th century. At that time they were grazing cattle in the Pyrenees. For one herd, several dogs were enough, which not only protected the cows and sheep, but also prevented them from wandering off.

Despite their ancient origins, people started talking about representatives of this breed only at the beginning of the last century. The breed standard was determined after World War II ended. After international recognition, the breed's popularity increased, but still did not reach the level of the most common dogs - German shepherds and Rottweilers.

Spanish mastiffs appeared on the territory of Russia in the mid-90s; they were brought from a nursery in the Czech Republic. And after some time, the first Spanish Mastiff puppies were born in a nursery specializing in rare breeds.

Today there are few representatives of this breed on Russian territory and the CIS countries, but we are not talking about their complete disappearance. Two or three dogs from these countries always perform at international level exhibitions.

Naturally, today no one uses Spanish mastiffs for their original purpose - herding herds. But these dogs have proven themselves in a new role - companion and friend. In addition, their protective qualities make it possible to purchase pets to protect family and property. And the Spanish mastiff openly indicates the status of its owner, since not everyone can afford such a four-legged friend.

Description of the Spanish Mastiff breed

The latest breed standard was approved by the Spanish Kennel Club in 1994. According to it, it is confirmed that the birthplace of the breed is Spain, and also indicates that dogs can be used to protect herds, people and property. Giant dogs belong to the Molosser group.

Representatives of the breed are powerful, large dogs with a proportional build. Height males are taller than 77 cm, females - 72 cm. The first thing that comes to mind when you see them is that these are the most grandiose and majestic dogs in the world, and their ability to behave speaks of a developed sense of self-esteem.

• Head The mastiff from Spain distinguishes it from dogs of other breeds of similar origin. It is large, but at the same time harmonious in relation to the body. The area of ​​transition from the frontal bone to the muzzle is practically not expressed, the muzzle is expressive, powerful, and the skull is wide. Wrinkles located on both sides of the eyes give dogs a serious expression.
• Leather in animals it is thick, without a tight fit, it is voluminous around the neck, chest and underline, and makes the dogs look like bullfighting bulls.
• Coat It is of medium length, thick, close to the body, slightly wavy. Dogs have excellent protection from the cold - a thick, dense undercoat.
• Frame in mastiffs it is rectangular, with a powerful deep chest, a wide and powerful loin, and the same muscular croup. The stomach is not very tucked, the lines of the bottom and top are located almost parallel. The dog's whole body speaks of its strength and power.
• Paws dogs are reminiscent of cats, which is considered a positive quality and indicates a good ligamentous apparatus of the animal. The paw has strong, curved claws and is gathered into a ball. The standard allows for 1-2 dewclaws (fifths).

Colors of Spanish Mastiffs

If we talk about colors, representatives of the breed of any color fit into the standard. The most common are yellow (any tone, from pale yellow to red), black and brindle Spanish mastiffs.

Dogs mature late, in males from 3 to 4 years, in females a year earlier. Pets of this breed live 10-11 years.

Read also:

Personality of Spanish Mastiffs

For several centuries, the activity of purebred representatives cultivated certain qualities in them, and many of them were useful to dogs for new duties. For example, the habit of grazing livestock and protecting weaker animals from predators transformed into an excellent attitude towards children. Mastiffs perceive children as a herd that needs safety and comfortable conditions. And the dog happily provides them to his little charges.

A dog will remain an excellent nanny in any conditions, because once upon a time, these dogs, even when left without food and water, protected the animals, not allowing themselves to kill at least one sheep. This speaks of the professionalism and dedication of the pets.

Only with a balanced psyche and developed intelligence, dogs could survive in the mountains, bringing cattle back from grazing safe and sound. Today, this property allows the animal to quickly socialize and behave adequately in any conditions. Naturally, the upbringing and training of the pet plays an important role here, but they are quite easy to train. Due to the lack of hunting instincts, mastiffs can be kept with other, even small pets.

Having an independent, and even proud, appearance, in fact this powerful giant needs love and affectionate treatment. Weighing 100 kilograms, the dog is capable of giving 200 pounds of love and adoration. But, naturally, the relationship must be mutual. Pets of this breed are infinitely devoted to both the owner and all members of the family, and he can prove this by even giving his life.

How to keep and care for a large pet

Such colorful, large-sized dogs are not very suitable for apartment living. Therefore, it is better to purchase them for living in the private sector, in a house with a spacious yard. They live well in an enclosure, but when arranging it, you should take into account the size of the occupant, which is several times larger than the average dog.

The dog feels better in the fresh air, and the thick coat with dense undercoat prevents the animal from freezing even in severe cold. But in hot weather, dogs can feel a little tight, so you definitely need to provide your pet with shade. You should think about this already when building an enclosure.

Dog breed Spanish Mastiff photo

Spanish mastiffs were once able to move around for days, without sleep or rest. Of course, today such self-sacrifice is not required from dogs, but they do need long walks and regular training. This is required by their powerful, muscular constitution. And, in addition, they are able to quickly gain excess weight, which for such large animals threatens with diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

If we talk about hygiene procedures, they are standard:

• It is recommended to constantly remove dead fur from your pet (it is better to use a brush with metal teeth);
• eyes and ears must be examined regularly; if dirty, wipe with a cotton pad soaked in plain water or an antiseptic (read more about);
• regularly - at least once a month, since as they grow, they can lead to deformation of the metacarpus.

What to feed your dog

A balanced diet for such giants is the basis of their health, because they are prone to heart and joint diseases and may have problems with growth.

But the dogs themselves are not picky and can eat anything. Many people think that Spanish mastiffs have a huge appetite, and they must eat more and more often than other dogs. Of course, the pet eats a lot, but the standard diet is used - morning and evening.

The amount of food varies depending on the time of year. So, if in winter the dog ate 1 kilogram of food per day, then in the summer the norm decreases by 2 times.

Even when feeding, you can include natural food in your pet’s diet, for example, fresh meat - veal, lamb, rabbit. But the animal’s digestive tract cannot digest pork normally, so it should not be given.

If the owner is determined to feed the dog natural products, then the majority of the diet should be meat, the smaller part should be cereals, vegetables, and fermented milk. And you should definitely take care of special mineral supplements that strengthen and support bone and joint tissues.

Photo of Spanish Mastiff

Video about the Spanish Mastiff

How much does a Spanish Mastiff puppy cost?

These big beauties are not a cheap pleasure. The price of a Spanish Mastiff varies depending on the class of the puppy:

• representatives of the pet class (healthy dogs for the soul, not suitable for exhibitions and breeding) – 35,000-45,000 rubles;
• breed class (puppies that are suitable for breeding, but without an exhibition career) - 50,000-70,000 rubles;
• show class (the best representatives of the breed, who are capable of becoming the founders of a new kind, future champions) - 80,000-150,000.

You can find a lot of advertisements where Spanish mastiffs are sold much cheaper, for 15,000-25,000 thousand, however, there is a risk of buying a dog with physical, and even worse, mental disabilities, which can make the pet dangerous when it grows up.

It is worth noting that no self-respecting breeder will sell a puppy before one and a half to two months. This is exactly how long it takes for a baby to receive the necessary knowledge from his mother and learn to communicate with his own kind. Without this, the pet can grow up nervous and mentally unstable.

Spanish Mastiffs are wonderful, loyal dogs. They are an excellent option for people who love large breeds, and most importantly, know how to handle them.

Spanish Mastiff Kennels

• Moscow http://spanishgrand.ru
• St. Petersburg http://www.giantpets.ru

The Spanish Mastiff dog is one of the largest dogs on the planet. Not everyone can afford to keep a huge pet; it’s not just about food costs. Its bulkiness and impressive size make it difficult to keep a dog in a small apartment. The best solution would be to live in a private home. Let's turn to history to learn about the origin of the majestic breed.

History of the Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff breed appeared a long time ago, in the 7th century BC. At first, the size of the dog seemed smaller, but prolonged selection did the job. The ancestors of the current Mastiff were brought to the Iberian Peninsula in the first millennium AD.

Livestock breeding often becomes the main source of income and way to ensure subsistence. Huge herds fill the meadows and plains of Spain. Climatic changes often occurred on the Iberian Peninsula. The weather did not allow residents to properly raise livestock or plant crops; the population had to change their location. Moving the herd to a new place took more than one week. Having arrived at the designated area, the farmers were annoyed and counted the losses of their livestock.

Bears and lynxes actively destroyed livestock as they moved on the peninsula. Farmers lost income because wild animals significantly reduced the number of livestock. Then the idea was born of breeding dogs capable of repelling any animal, preserving the herd. The bred individual became a salvation. From all sides, dogs accompanied the herd - impressively sized dogs with a large head and massive paws. It can be seen that each dog has its own role. Several dogs lead the herd. With a confident, firm gaze they look into the distance, looking back at the chaotically weaving sheep. Several dogs accompany the herd on the left and right sides, with a couple walking behind. They move along with a group of shepherds wearing fancy hats and carrying heavy baggy bags. A low bass bark is heard periodically. Then all the dogs look warily in the direction of the sound. And the shepherds, knowing that their faithful assistant the Spanish Mastiff will not in vain attract attention, are preparing to make important decisions aimed at keeping the herd intact.

Our days. Spanish mastiffs have become larger. In the middle of the 20th century, breeders began to select exclusively large dogs and predictably achieved their goal. Today it is a dog weighing up to 80 kg and up to 77 cm at the withers, inspiring respect, even awe in observers and genuine pride in its owners. An ideal security guard, a faithful nanny for children.

Spanish Mastiff dogs are a stern animal, self-confident, ready to defend its owner, putting its own life at risk.

Description of the breed

The description of the Spanish Mastiff breed in the sources begins with a description of the size. Breed characteristics:

• A one-year-old Spanish Mastiff weighs at least 50 kg. Girls show a slightly smaller size.
• The height of an adult representative is at least 77 cm. This gives the dogs the opportunity to remain formidable and self-confident. Standing on its hind legs, it becomes level with the head of its short owner.
• Wide convex chest. The muscular, straight back flows into a short, strong loin. The belly is moderately tucked.
• The tail is thick due to thick skin and forms a dewlap at the base. When at rest, the length reaches the hock joints. When in motion, when active, it rises crescent-shaped to the level of the back. A tail that is ringed or curled to one side is considered a defect in the breed.
• The forelimbs are massive, straight, with strong bones and developed muscles. Sloping shoulders create an angle that helps the dog move freely and steadily. The paw is in a ball, the nails are in dark colors.
• The hind limbs are massive and muscular. The hock joints are located relatively low.
• The head is large, the muzzle is not very elongated. Shows a wide, flat forehead. The transition from forehead to muzzle is smoothed.
• The neck is short, set high, with well-developed muscles. Thick, loose skin forms a noticeable dewlap on the lower part of the neck.
• The nose is black. The nostrils are wide.
• The teeth are white, with prominent fangs, forming a scissor bite.
• The lips are raw, black at the corners of the mouth due to overhanging skin, forming “pockets”.
• The eyes are set deep. The nose is rather big. Under the thick overhanging skin, the eyes take on a triangular shape. The eyes are dark in color, predominantly hazel tones. A slightly melancholy look does not detract from the overall impression of iron confidence and strength.
• The ears hang on cartilage, are of medium size, triangular. Today docking is not accepted.
• The coat is medium in length, light in color. Requires special care.

The Spanish Mastiff has a medium-length, coarse coat and a developed undercoat. Color options:

• Ginger;
• Pale yellow;
• Wolf;
• brindle;
• White with black;
• Black and red;

The Mastiff's characteristics indicate enormous size. It is impossible to keep a pet in an apartment. Many people refuse to adopt a puppy of this breed due to its impressive size. The nature of the creatures is flexible and kind. Endowed with impressive intelligence, they will not bark without a reason.

Dogs are extremely difficult to piss off. They allow themselves to growl if they see a real threat. They get along well with other pets. The mastiff is so serious and imposing that he will not pay attention to an irritated cat that is afraid of such a large new family member.

The relationship with children is wonderful! The Spanish Mastiff dog breed views babies as a kind of herd that requires control and comfort. The dog treats even small children with care and love. The Mastiff is clumsy and should not be left alone with tiny children. Starting from the age of three, children boldly sit astride this “calf” and ride. The dog does not react to the ears and tail pulled by the baby. Endless kindness makes dogs loyal and irreplaceable family members.

Despite its menacing appearance, the dog is freedom-loving and sincere. Spanish Mastiff puppies show interest in things around them, but, as a rule, they are lazy to run and chew on everything. They prefer a measured life; pets cannot be called active.

Character of the breed

“Someone who is truly naturally strong and self-confident does not find the need to prove anything to anyone.” The statement will become a true description of the Spanish Mastiff. The breed is not aggressive and does not attack without a warning growl. Thousands of years of evolution help the mastiff, with its huge muscular body, remain confident in its own superiority. Spanish farmers, who continue to use dogs to guard their herds, tell stories about the invincibility of Spanish mastiffs in fights with wolves or relatives. Thick skin, hanging freely in places that are particularly dangerous for injury, creates reliable protection from the teeth of the enemy.

The general calmness and even melancholy of the mastiff in no way diminishes the dog’s natural talent for observation. The pet keeps the situation under control. Always knows his owner's mood. If the owner has a positive attitude towards the guests, the mastiff is calm. However, the slightest tension in the air will lead to increased attention from the dog.

Many owners confirm the information that, in terms of behavior, the Spanish Mastiff remains a puppy until 2-4 years of age. And only by these years do dogs stop growing, become calm and wise. The dogs seem to be endowed with a special feeling that gives dogs care for people whom mastiffs consider harmless, weaker than themselves: children, the elderly.

Caring for a Spanish Mastiff

Proper care of the Spanish Mastiff guarantees comfortable coexistence with the family. Let us outline the main points on how to care for the Spanish Mastiff:

• The dog must be brushed regularly! Otherwise, the house will be filled with wool. A dog of impressive size requires a lot of trouble; it is recommended to think carefully when adding such a large pet to your home.
• The mastiff is quite big. The dog has amazing muscles and bones that need training. The measured and even lazy disposition of dogs does not allow them to readily respond to regular training. It is enough just to take an adult Mastiff out for an hour's run once a week. It is recommended to walk away from other people and dogs, since such a large pet will be frightened by passers-by.
• It is possible to cut your nails once every couple of months. Any family member performs the action, the pet will remain unperturbed.
• In the summer, the Mastiff gets hot because of its thick coat, so it is recommended to give your pet a shower occasionally, without using shampoo or soap. Animals are extremely sociable, try to constantly show your dog your love.
• Timely vaccination is required. Modern veterinary clinics have developed a universal vaccine that inoculates an animal with a number of antigens at once. You need to take care of your Mastiff's health, vaccinations are required!

Caring for a Mastiff is difficult; the procedures cannot be performed by a busy person.

Keeping a dog in a city apartment is very problematic. For complete happiness, the mastiff needs open spaces and fresh air; suitable living conditions would be a country house with a plot where the dog will have a spacious enclosure. Thick coat and rich undercoat make the Spanish Mastiff resistant to thirty-degree frosts and heat. It's not easy for a dog in the heat. When planning an enclosure, it is important to take care of a shaded area. A constant supply of fresh water will be required.

Protective instincts in a dog are inherent in nature. Reflexes worsen at night. The Spanish Mastiff is attached to a person, it is a helper dog. Despite its impressive size and intimidating appearance, it needs the love, approval and attention of its owner.

Regular training is recommended for the mastiff to be healthy and fit. It is important not to overdo it as the puppy grows. During certain periods of growing up, in particular, from six months to a year, the puppy undergoes an unimaginable increase in body weight. It is not recommended to overload the dog with intense physical exercise during this period, for fear of diseases of the joints of the musculoskeletal system. Unfortunately, joints and ligaments grow disproportionately to the dog's weight.

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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 mastif.ru, malossy.ru, donmastin.ru.

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. 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.

The love for Spanish mastiffs begins with meeting a little bear cub, clumsily waddling on his thick legs. And yet, through the infantile plumpness the formidable features of your future defender are already visible. Some special seriousness in his gaze and demeanor hint that this baby is fully aware of his mission - to be a reliable, strong and faithful friend.

The Spanish Mastin is a very strong dog, a born guard. Such dogs are amazingly efficient, and they can perform different functions depending on what their owners require. In the family, the Spanish Mastin behaves exemplary, never shows aggression, is affectionate and gentle. A faithful assistant and reliable friend, he needs attention and love. In addition, such dogs need space; they live mainly outside the city, since there is too little space for them in a city apartment. They need regular physical training to stay in shape. The pet must be brushed regularly.

Character

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The Spanish Mastiff loves children and always enthusiastically performs the role of a nanny. The whole secret is that this dog perceives children as a “herd” that needs to be ensured complete safety and comfort. This instinct has been developed in the Spanish Mastiff over several centuries, because this breed was once successfully used as a shepherd dog, protecting sheep from predators. Her professionalism is evidenced by the fact that even in critical situations, when the dog was forced to remain without food and water for a long time, she never allowed herself to slaughter the sheep and guarded them to the last.

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.

You might think that a dog as powerful as the Spanish Mastiff doesn't need recognition or love. This is wrong. Even though outwardly the “Spaniard” looks very restrained in his feelings, the amount of love emitted 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.

Feeding

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 depending on climatic conditions and the season 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.

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.

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 be introduced into the diet no 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.

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. From about May to September, cattle are grazed in the mountain ranges of northern Spain - in the Cantabrian and Iberian mountains, as well as in the Pyrenees, and in the cold season, the herds return to the valleys of Extremadura, Andalusia, the sea coast of Catalonia and the Ebro River valley. The condition of the livestock was monitored by the senior shepherd, and if the animals belonged to the church, then by the priest-steward. The size of the herd could be several hundred head for a modest owner and reach 60 thousand, such as the cattle that belonged to the El Paular monastery.

Mastiffs were highly prized. "Mesta", an association of large sheep breeders, mainly feudal lords, entered into an agreement with the shepherds that the dogs should receive the same food as the shepherds, and the number of dogs to work in the herd was established. Fines were also imposed for killing a puppy or an adult dog, and it was possible to appropriate a lost mastiff only with the permission of the “Mesta”. From birth, the mastiff fed and lived side by side with sheep, which were a real family for him. Sheep protection was the life's work of the mastiff, whose sense of ownership was developed from an early age. The bitch could only leave the sheep to feed the suckling puppies. There was no need to train herding dogs to guard livestock: they knew their job very well. However, some sheep breeders tried to develop the working qualities of their dogs by baiting them on a fox or wolf that had become entangled in a vine or caught in a trap.

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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. They fed the dogs a mixture of bran. They also prepared pressed fat and lard in the form of circles weighing from 20 to 100 kg. Lard was added to flatbreads made from rye flour. The shepherds did not even allow the dogs to try lamb so that they would not get used to its taste.

The breed developed thanks to wool sheep breeding. Manuel del Rio noted in A Shepherd's Life that there were usually five dogs per thousand sheep. According to these data, at the time of the greatest number of livestock in the middle of the 18th century, about 20 thousand mastiffs accompanied the sheep. Although their selection was carried out exclusively for working qualities, breeders still paid attention to such physical features as head size, body depth, the presence of jowls and skin folds. Depending on the natural conditions in different areas, different types of dogs were formed. The largest mastiffs, at least for the last hundred years, were found in the areas of Extremadura and Leon. In the valleys, mastiffs were lighter in build. Mastiffs were also used for hunting large game, for which they were often crossed with local greyhounds.

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

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The modern history of the breed began in 1906, when the piebald mastiff Machaco was born - the first representative of the breed recorded in the Spanish stud book. Judging by the surviving photograph, it can be noted that this mastiff had a very wide chest, a triangular head, and cropped ears. He was awarded an honorary royal prize in 1912. Although Machaco probably cannot be considered the standard of the breed, in those days mastiffs were not brought to the exhibition in Madrid, and an opinion about their appearance had not yet been formed. The piebald color indicates that the original stock of modern Spanish and Pyrenean mastiffs was the same, and the differences between the breeds were achieved by later selection in accordance with officially established breed requirements.

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.

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. Essentially, over four decades, these two kennels laid the foundation for the modern Spanish Mastiff stock, despite the fact that Luis and Amadeo had different points of view regarding the ideal of the breed.

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By coincidence, the first champion title for a Spanish mastiff was awarded not in Spain, but in Portugal. In the early 1970s, Conchita Citron from Portugal, who was involved in bullfighting, acquired two puppies from Luis Esquiro - Leon and Aida. Aida was shown in many exhibitions and received the title of Portuguese champion. Only in 1971 the Spanish mastiff Peter (Saguer line) became the first champion of Spain. Then the title of champion was won by Leon Junior and Primavera, which the breeder Diaz Navarro purchased from Luis. In his kennel "El Aviador" Navarro worked on the stability of the breed type of Spanish mastiffs.

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

The Spanish Mastiff is a very powerful and very large, heavy working dog of the Molossian type, well proportioned and with a medium length coat.

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 bone 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.

Tail

Thick at the base, with dewlap, reaching to the hock. When excited, it rises and bends in the shape of a sickle, but is not twisted or thrown over the back.

Coat and color

The coat is coarse, medium length, thick undercoat. Longer hair on the shoulders and chest, as well as on the tail. The color is fawn, red, wolf, white with grey, black or red, brindle.

Movements

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.