4 Month Old English Mastiff: What to Expect and How to Prepare

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Posted Oct 16, 2024

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A Mastiff Dog on a Concrete Floor Near the Body of Water
Credit: pexels.com, A Mastiff Dog on a Concrete Floor Near the Body of Water

At 4 months old, your English Mastiff is likely to be a ball of energy, weighing around 40-60 pounds and standing about 15-18 inches tall. They're still growing rapidly, so be prepared for some big changes in the coming months.

Their coat is probably starting to thicken and may require regular brushing to prevent matting. A weekly brushing session will help keep their coat healthy and shiny.

Their diet will also be a major consideration at this age. English Mastiffs are prone to gobbling down food quickly, which can lead to bloat and other digestive issues. Feeding them multiple small meals throughout the day can help prevent this.

Additional reading: 4 Months Dogo Argentino Puppy

Growth and Development

At four months old, your English Mastiff puppy is likely weighing between 50-70 pounds.

As they grow, it's essential to track their weight against a growth chart to ensure they're developing at a healthy rate. A chart like the one provided in Example 1 can help you gauge their progress.

Credit: youtube.com, 4 month old English Mastiff and 8 week old American Molossus pups

By four months, English Mastiff puppies should be around 50-70 pounds, but keep in mind that every puppy grows at their own pace. If your puppy is significantly behind or ahead of these numbers, consult with your veterinarian to ensure they're growing appropriately.

To monitor your puppy's growth, refer to the growth chart periodically and adjust their food intake as needed. This will help prevent overfeeding, which can lead to joint problems.

A balanced diet is crucial for optimal growth, and a meat-based diet like the one recommended in Example 5 can be beneficial for large-breed dogs like English Mastiffs.

Feeding Your Puppy

Feeding your 4-month-old English Mastiff puppy is crucial for their development. You should feed them at least three meals a day, as their stomachs aren't big enough to eat enough food in only two meals per day.

Mastiff puppies need to eat a lot of food relative to their size to grow properly. This is because they have a high metabolism and burn calories quickly. Their small stomachs can't hold a lot of food, so they need to eat frequently.

Credit: youtube.com, How much food to feed your puppy? | Veterinary Approved

A good rule of thumb is to divide the amount of food they should have daily between 3-4 meals. As they grow, you can decrease the number of meals to 2-3 times a day, and eventually to 2 meals a day.

You should also avoid free-feeding, as it can lead to overeating and serious issues like joint disease and obesity. Instead, measure their food carefully to ensure they're getting the right amount.

Here's a general outline of the feeding schedule:

Remember to always check your puppy's growth against an English Mastiff puppy growth chart to ensure they're growing at the right rate. If they're larger or smaller than expected, you may need to adjust their feeding schedule.

A high-quality, meat-based diet is essential for your puppy's growth and development. Look for reputable brands that don't have regular recalls, and consider a raw, meat-based diet like We Feed Raw, which is complete and balanced for dogs of all life stages.

Behavior and Training

Credit: youtube.com, Is the ENGLISH MASTIFF Right for You?

At 4 months old, your English Mastiff puppy is still a ball of energy and curiosity, but they're also starting to develop their confidence and personality.

Socialization is still key, so take your puppy to as many different places as you can, such as dog-friendly stores, parks, and walks around town. Exposing them to people, other pets, and different environments will help prevent behavioral problems in the future.

Your puppy may start getting at a command or two during this month, so be sure to start using them in real life and while you're socializing.

Basic obedience training should continue, and you'll probably still be working on commands like sit, stay, and come. Puppies tend to learn slower than adults, but it's still important to teach them.

Most puppies will be at least somewhat potty trained at this stage, but accidents will still happen, so remain consistent in your toilet training and reward the desired behavior every time your dog gets it right.

Credit: youtube.com, Dog Training: 5 Day Private Seminar! Five Month Old English Mastiff, Nyla!

Chewing tends to be a problem at this age, so don't leave your dog with anything that you don't want to be chewed and destroyed, and redirect them whenever they chew something they aren't supposed to.

Some dogs have a surge of independence at this time, so be firm and avoid getting frustrated if your puppy is occasionally resistant to commands.

Sleep

At 4 months old, your English Mastiff puppy needs a significant amount of sleep, around 11 to 15 hours a day.

Puppies at this age are basically still babies, and sleep plays a crucial role in their development.

Providing a cozy crate for your puppy to sleep in can help them calm down and rest when they become tired.

Their sleep is generally divided into several naps and a longer stretch at night, so it's recommended to crate your dog at night to ensure they rest and sleep.

By 4 months, most puppies will be sleeping through the night, but some may still need a potty break in the middle.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should a 4 month old Mastiff eat?

For a 4-month-old puppy, plan to feed 3-6 cups of food daily, as this age group requires a moderate to high caloric intake to support growth and development.

Patricia Kreiger

Writer

Patricia Kreiger is a passionate writer with a focus on canine-related topics. She has established herself as a knowledgeable and engaging voice in the pet care community, with a portfolio that showcases her expertise in covering various breeds and their characteristics. Patricia's writing often delves into the intricacies of specific breeds, such as the Ridgeback and German Shepherd, as well as the complexities of breed comparisons and the FCI breed standard.