Black English Mastiff puppies are a rare and special breed. They can weigh up to 230 pounds and reach 30 inches in height.
Their short, smooth coats require minimal grooming, making them a great choice for busy families.
These gentle giants are known for their calm and gentle nature, which makes them an excellent choice for families with children.
Black English Mastiff puppies are generally healthy, but they can be prone to hip dysplasia and other joint issues. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help prevent these problems.
Breed Characteristics
Black English Mastiff puppies are known to be large, with males weighing between 160-230 pounds (72-104 kg). They are a gentle giant breed, but their size can be intimidating to strangers.
As a breed, Mastiffs are not high energy dogs and tend to enjoy a couch potato lifestyle. However, they can be protective of their family and territory, which is why socializing them from an early age is crucial.
Mastiffs have a short, dense coat that requires minimal grooming, but they can be excessive droolers. Pet parents need to be prepared to keep a rag handy for quick cleanups.
A different take: Black Mastiffs
Origin
The English Mastiff has a rich and fascinating history that spans thousands of years. The breed originates from Britain and is depicted in Egyptian monuments as early as 3000 BC.
Caesar brought a pack of Mastiffs to Rome, where they were put on display as arena gladiators and forced to fight in brutal battles. This marked the beginning of the breed's long history of strength and courage.
As the breed developed in England, they became popular with peasants who valued them as loyal bodyguards and protectors of their families and livestock. In the eighteenth century, the Mastiff was described as being compared to a lion in relation to a cat, highlighting their impressive size and strength.
It's believed that a Mastiff came to America on the Mayflower, and later more were imported from the USA and Canada to help revive the breed in England after World War II.
Size
Mastiffs are massive dogs, and their size is one of their most distinctive features. The minimum height for a male Mastiff at the shoulder is 30 inches.
Females are slightly smaller, with a minimum height of 27.5 inches. Weight can vary significantly, ranging from 130 pounds to 220 pounds or more.
Available English Puppies
If you're looking to bring home a new furry friend, there are many adorable English puppies available for adoption.
The English Bulldog is a popular breed, and for good reason - their gentle and affectionate nature makes them perfect companions.
They typically weigh between 40-55 pounds and have a short, easy-to-maintain coat that requires minimal grooming.
English Bulldogs are known for their laid-back and adaptable personalities, making them a great fit for families with children or for people who live in small spaces.
These lovable dogs are relatively low-maintenance, requiring only short, gentle exercise sessions to keep them happy and healthy.
Their calm demeanor also makes them a great choice for apartment living, as they don't require a lot of space to run around.
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Health and Care
A black English Mastiff puppy is a wonderful addition to any family. They are gentle and affectionate, but also need early socialization to prevent protective behaviors.
Their short, dense coats require minimal grooming, but be prepared for excessive drooling. You'll need to keep a rag handy for quick cleanups.
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Mastiffs are prone to several health issues, including hip dysplasia, which can be a hereditary condition. This can be screened for with x-rays, and treatment will vary depending on the condition's severity.
Hip dysplasia can cause symptoms such as stiffening, falling over, paddling of the limbs, loss of bladder and bowels, drooling, and vomiting. If you suspect your Mastiff has hip dysplasia, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian.
A balanced diet is crucial for your Mastiff's growth and joint health. Feed them a densely caloric diet with an appropriate calcium/phosphorous ratio, and consider adding nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep their joints healthy.
Here are some key nutritional tips for Mastiffs:
- Feed them a densely caloric diet with an appropriate calcium/phosphorous ratio
- Consider adding nutritional supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep their joints healthy
- Omega-3 supplements can also aid in protecting joint health and keeping their skin and coat healthy
Care and Maintenance
Caring for a black English Mastiff puppy requires attention to their unique needs. They have a short, dense coat that sheds moderately and needs weekly brushing to reduce shedding.
Their ears must be cleaned regularly with a veterinary-approved ear cleanser, especially after they get wet. This will help keep their ear canals healthy and prevent infections.
Mastiffs are excessive droolers, so it's essential to keep a cloth handy to wipe their face and clean up any drool that spills onto the floor, walls, or furniture. They may also experience periods of heavy shedding, which requires more frequent brushing.
Proper nutrition is critical for rapidly growing giant breeds like English Mastiff puppies. Feed them a meal schedule rather than free feeding to avoid excessive weight gain and ensure they get the right calcium and phosphorus ratio.
Feeding
Feeding your Mastiff requires careful consideration of their massive size and unique needs. Mastiffs are sloppy drinkers and leave plenty of backwash in their bowls, so it's essential to rinse their bowls daily.
To prevent gastric torsion, also known as bloat, feed your Mastiff 2-3 meals per day instead of one big meal. This will help reduce the risk of this life-threatening condition.
Mastiffs need lots of room to exist comfortably, but they also require a significant amount of food, which can be costly. A highly active dog will need more food than a couch potato dog.
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The quality of dog food you buy makes a difference, and the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog. If you're unsure whether your Mastiff is overweight, give them the eye and hands-on tests.
Mastiffs are prone to gastric torsion, which can be caused by eating a large meal and drinking large amounts of water, heavy exercise directly before or after a meal, giving food in raised feeding dishes, and stress. To prevent this, avoid exercise around mealtimes and use a regular feeding dish.
The recommended daily amount for an adult Mastiff is 6 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food daily, divided into two meals. However, the amount you feed your Mastiff depends on the individual dog, and it's always best to talk with a veterinarian about your dog's diet and nutritional needs.
Discuss your dog's diet with your veterinarian, as they can make recommendations based on your pup's specific medical history. A dog food approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and formulated for large breeds is a good starting point.
Grooming Guide
English Mastiffs have a short, dense coat that's pretty low-maintenance. They're moderate shedders, but weekly brushing can help reduce shedding.
Their ears need regular cleaning with a veterinary-approved ear cleanser, especially after they get wet. You'll want to clean their ears after a bath or a swim.
Managing their drool is a big part of Mastiff grooming. It seems to flow endlessly from their droopy jowls, so it's a good idea to always have a cloth handy to wipe their face and clean up any mess.
Bathing is only really necessary every few months, but they may experience periods of heavy shedding once or twice a year. During these times, they'll need to be brushed more frequently to keep their coat under control.
For more insights, see: Welsh Corgi Ears
Training and Behavior
Training a black English Mastiff puppy requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. They are eager to please and respond well to fun training methods that keep their attention.
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One of the most important things to remember is that Mastiffs are naturally wary of strangers, so early socialization is key. This means exposing your puppy to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences from a young age. Enrolling them in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start.
Mastiffs are also gentle with humans and animals they know, but they can be fiercely protective of their family and territory. They don't bark much, but they'll hold intruders at bay if necessary. With proper training and socialization, your black English Mastiff will be a loyal and loving companion.
Training sessions should be kept short to keep your Mastiff's attention, and it's essential to establish yourself as the pack leader. This means being firm, calm, and consistent, with an air of natural authority. By doing so, you'll help your puppy develop good behavior and a strong bond with you.
Behavior and Training
Mastiffs are naturally wary of strangers, so early training and socialization are crucial to ensure they grow up to be well-rounded dogs.
They're not typically aggressive, but rather gentle with humans and animals they know. In fact, they're often referred to as "gentle giants" due to their massive size and calm demeanor.
Mastiffs are not high-energy dogs, but they do spring into action when they perceive a threat, whether it's the mail carrier or an intruder. They're naturally protective of their territory and family, but they're more likely to hold an intruder at bay rather than attacking them.
One of the most important things to remember when training a Mastiff is that they respond well to positive reinforcement methods. They're eager to please and learn quickly, making training a fun and rewarding experience.
However, training sessions should be kept short to keep their attention and focus. Mastiffs can be a bit stubborn at times, but with consistency and patience, they'll learn to obey commands and behave well.
To establish a strong bond with your Mastiff, it's essential to establish pack leader status. This means being firm, calm, consistent, and confident in your communication with the dog. By setting clear rules and boundaries, you can avoid any potential conflicts and create a harmonious relationship with your Mastiff.
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Here are some key traits to look for in a Mastiff puppy:
- Curiosity and playfulness
- Willingness to approach people and be held
- A calm and even temperament
- A gentle nature
By choosing a puppy with these traits and socializing them properly, you can help them grow into a well-adjusted and well-behaved adult dog.
Breed Organizations
Working with a reputable breeder is key to getting a well-socialized puppy. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems and provide lifetime support.
Reputable breeders take the time to socialize their puppies from a young age, which is crucial for their development.
Backyard breeders, on the other hand, are more focused on making a profit than on producing healthy dogs. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a black English Mastiff?
On the West Coast, a Mastiff puppy can cost between $1,500 and $4,000, depending on the breeder. Prices may vary based on factors such as location and breeder reputation.
What is the lifespan of a black Mastiff?
Mastiffs typically live 8 to 10 years due to their large breed size. Understanding their lifespan can help you prepare for the responsibilities of owning one.
Sources
- AKC Weekly Winners (akcwinners.com)
- temperature guidelines for safety (fetchpet.com)
- stress, high temperatures, dental problems, allergic reactions, or nausea (vets-now.com)
- Mastiff Rescue Oregon (mastiffrescueoregon.org)
- Mastiffs To Mutts Rescue, Inc. (mastiffstomutts.org)
- Great Lakes Mastiff Rescue (glmr.org)
- veterinary-approved ear cleanser (chewy.com)
- English Mastiff Puppies For Sale | Available in Phoenix & ... (animalkingdomaz.com)
- English Mastiff Dog Breed Pictures, 3 (dogbreedinfo.com)
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