Pictures of Mastiffs: A Guide to Their Breeds and Characteristics

Mastiffs are a breed of dog known for their massive size and distinctive appearance. They come in a variety of breeds, each with their own unique characteristics.

The English Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, with males weighing up to 230 pounds. Their short coats come in a range of colors, including apricot, fawn, and brindle.

The Bullmastiff is a muscular breed with a short, easy-to-maintain coat. They are known for their loyalty and protective instincts, making them a popular choice as guard dogs.

The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed with a thick, double coat that sheds heavily. They are highly intelligent and independent, requiring regular exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.

Additional reading: Bernese Mountain Dog Coat

The English Mastiff is a massive dog breed, with a broad skull and head that's generally square in appearance. They can weigh as much as 250 pounds, making them the largest dog breed in terms of mass.

Their body is large, with great depth and breadth, especially between the forelegs, which are set wide apart. The length of the body is greater than the height at the withers.

A typical male English Mastiff can weigh 150-250 pounds, while a typical female can weigh 120-200 pounds. Very large individuals can reach 300 pounds or more.

Their height is impressive too, with males reaching at least 30 inches at the shoulder and females reaching at least 27.5 inches. Some English Mastiffs can even grow taller than the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane.

Despite their massive size, English Mastiffs have a natural cuteness to them, with wrinkled brows, droopy jowls, and a propensity for drooling. Their coat is short and sheds occasionally, but is easy to maintain.

Their colors can range from fawn to apricot to brindle, with dark muzzle, ears, and nose, and brown eyes.

Broaden your view: Are Mastiffs Good with Kids

The Mastiff breed is known for its noble temperament, which is reflected in all formal standards and historical descriptions. They stand alone among other breeds, with a courage that is matched by their temper and generosity.

Their docility is perfect, and they will hardly resent the teasing of smaller breeds. I've seen Mastiffs gently put down a Terrier or cur that has bitten them, without offering further injury.

In a family setting, Mastiffs will permit children to play with them and suffer all their little pranks without offense. They're a great breed for families with kids.

Their ability to distinguish between friend and foe is impressive, and they will enter the field with temper, engaging in an attack as if confident of success. If they're overpowered or beaten, their master can take them in their arms without fear of retaliation.

This ancient and faithful domestic breed has been sought after by foreign nations and perpetuated on the continent, but sadly, it's nearly extinct in its original homeland.

Take a look at this: Types of Mastiffs List

The Bullmastiff is one of the most recognizable mastiff breeds, known for its large size and powerful build.

They can weigh up to 130 pounds and stand as tall as 30 inches at the shoulder.

The Bullmastiff's short, easy-to-maintain coat is a major advantage for busy owners, who can appreciate the low-maintenance grooming needs of this breed.

Discover more: Bullmastiff Temperament

The English Mastiff's coat is a beautiful and iconic part of its appearance.

The AKC considers a long coat a fault, but not a disqualification, and it's caused by a recessive gene that results in "Fluffies".

English Mastiff colours are apricot-fawn, silver-fawn, fawn, or dark fawn-brindle, always with black on the muzzle, ears, and nose and around the eyes.

A black mask should occur in all cases, and the fawn is generally a light "silver" shade, but may range up to a golden yellow.

The apricot may be a slightly reddish hue up to a deep, rich red, and brindle markings should ideally be heavy, even and clear stripes.

Piebald Mastiffs occur rarely, and other non-standard colours include black, blue brindle, and chocolate (brown) mask.

Brindle is dominant over solid colour, other than black, which may no longer exist as a Mastiff colour.

Apricot is dominant over fawn, though that dominance may be incomplete.

Here's an interesting read: Pitbull Terrier Brindle

The English Mastiff is a gentle giant, known for being good-natured and intelligent. They're eager to please and love to learn, making them a great breed for first-time dog owners.

These massive dogs can weigh up to 230 pounds and stand as tall as 30 inches at the shoulder. They're direct descendants of the ancient Molosser dog breed, which is pretty cool.

English Mastiffs are also known for their impressive size, with the greatest weight ever recorded being 343 pounds. This was achieved by an English Mastiff named Aicama Zorba of La Susa, who stood 37 inches at the shoulder.

Their massive size is quite a sight to behold, with some English Mastiffs reaching lengths of 8 ft 3 in from nose to tail. That's almost the size of a small donkey!

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If you're considering bringing a Mastiff into your family, you'll want to know about the different breeds available. There are many types of Mastiff dog breeds to choose from.

The English Mastiff is one of the largest dog breeds in the world, with some males weighing over 230 pounds. They are known for their gentle giant nature.

The French Mastiff is another large breed, with a muscular build and short, smooth coat. They are often used as guard dogs due to their protective instincts.

You'll find that the Bullmastiff is a cross between a Bulldog and a Mastiff, making it a unique breed with a short, easy-to-maintain coat. They are known for their loyalty and affection towards their families.

The Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed from the Himalayas, with a thick, double coat to keep them warm in cold climates. They are highly intelligent and can be independent at times.

Here's a list of some popular Mastiff breeds:

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a powerful breed with a short, easy-to-maintain coat and a calm demeanor. They are often used as guard dogs due to their protective instincts.

The Cane Corso is an Italian breed with a short, smooth coat and a muscular build. They are highly intelligent and can be trained for various tasks.

Ultimately, the right Mastiff breed for you will depend on your lifestyle, living situation, and personal preferences.

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The Dogue de Bordeaux, also known as the French Mastiff, is a breed that's sure to turn heads. They're known for their massive heads, which are technically the largest of all canines.

These sweet pups are super affectionate and laid-back with their owners, making them a joy to be around. Dedicated positive reinforcement training is essential for bringing out the best in them.

They may only weigh around 100 pounds, but they're quite zippy, so finding the right leash is crucial for enjoying the great outdoors together. With proper training and socialization, they can be great companions for active families.

As French Mastiffs, they're loyal and protective of their families, making them great guard dogs. However, they can be aggressive toward other dogs and strangers if not properly trained and socialized.

Their average life expectancy is between 7 and 10 years, although this can vary depending on their health and lifestyle. They were ranked 70 out of 197 in the most popular breeds by the AKC in 2021.

For another approach, see: Pembroke Corgi Training

The Bull Mastiff is a very large dog, a cross between the Bulldog and the Mastiff breeds. It's strong and alert, with a large and square head and a pronounced stop.

This breed has a solid body with a deep, broad chest and a short back. The coat is short with hard water-resistant hair lying smoothly on the body.

The Bull Mastiff's colors include brindle, fawn, or red and can have black markings on the head. They can weigh between 110 to 130 pounds for males and 100 to 120 pounds for females.

Male Bull Mastiffs stand 25 to 27 inches tall at shoulder height, while females stand 24 to 26 inches tall. They belong to the American Kennel Club (AKC) Working Dog Group.

The Bullmastiff is known for its sweet disposition and friendly interactions with most creatures. They genuinely prefer spending time with their owners, often wanting to be right by and even on them!

The Tibetan Mastiff is a relatively rare breed, and for good reason - it's a big dog with an even bigger personality. They can grow up to 26 inches tall and 150 pounds, but despite their size, they're surprisingly nimble and quick.

This breed is known for being independent and strong-willed, often requiring an experienced dog owner who can understand their unique attitude. They're not likely to fawn over their owners, but they'll happily spend time with them in a fenced yard.

The Neapolitan Mastiff is a gentle giant that requires minimal grooming, but be prepared for some serious drool - those large jowls can release a lot of slobber!

This Italian beauty is known for her calm nature and can thrive in a big enough apartment, where she'll be comfortable with her 150-pound frame.

A daily stroll and plenty of nap space are all this breed needs to be happy, making them a great fit for owners who don't need a high-energy companion.

The Pyrenean mastiff is a gentle giant, reaching weights of up to 240 pounds. They have a fluffy coat that requires regular grooming, especially during seasonal shedding.

These massive dogs are intelligent and calm, making them excellent family pets. Their calm nature is a great asset for families with children.

Their appearance is similar to the Great Pyrenees, with a droopy face that adds to their adorable and lovable personality.

Spanish Mastiffs make excellent family companions, but they can be wary of strangers. They are dignified and loyal dogs.

Their short coats are fairly easy to maintain with regular grooming. Expect shedding to increase seasonally.

Mastiffs require daily care to prevent ingrown hairs, cysts, and infections in their deep wrinkle folds.

Cleaning these folds multiple times a day is essential to keep your mastiff healthy.

Saggy eyelids can cause vision problems like cherry eye, so regular eye checks are a must.

Mastiffs shed a lot, with some breeds releasing so much fur it fills the air.

Tibetan mastiffs are particularly furry, so be prepared for a lot of shedding.

You'll also need to deal with a lot of slobber - all over everything!

Mastiffs need a lot of mental stimulation and training to stay happy and healthy.

Early socialization and exposure to different situations are key to raising a well-adjusted mastiff.

As your mastiff matures, it's essential to establish clear boundaries and routines.

Mastiffs can be wary and defensive around people and things they don't know, so socialization is crucial.

Only families with older children should consider bringing a mastiff into their home.

Mastiffs can accidentally hurt toddlers with their wagging tails or big bodies.

You can find high-quality stock photos of mastiffs online, but be aware that some may not accurately represent the breed's appearance.

The American Kennel Club recommends using reputable sources for stock photos, such as professional photographers or official breed clubs.

Mastiffs are often depicted in stock photos as gentle giants, but this can be misleading - in reality, they can be wary of strangers and require proper socialization.

Some stock photos show mastiffs with a short, easy-to-maintain coat, but this is not always the case - many mastiffs have a thick, double coat that sheds heavily.

If you're looking for stock photos to use for commercial purposes, be sure to check the licensing terms and ensure you're allowed to use the images as intended.