The Spanish Mastiff: Origin, Characteristics And Behavior
They are patient, hardworking and familiar, though they are not good at following orders. The Spanish mastiff is one of the dogs traditionally used to care for cattle. Here we will reveal all your secrets.
Origin of the Spanish Mastiff
The Spanish mastiff, like other mastiff breeds, is a molosso type dog that is traditionally dedicated to protecting and accompanying cattle. These races are said to be as old as transhumance itself, so their origins date back thousands of years.
The function of these breeds is to protect livestock from danger, especially from wolves and foxes. Mastiffs can be found in all parts of the world where there was or is still extensive livestock, especially when it comes to herds of sheep or goats.
The Spanish mastiff is one of the typical mastiff breeds of the Iberian Peninsula. Although each region receives a different name, the movement of shepherds, cattle and their dogs through the territory made the different characteristics of each region blend together.
It is a breed of dog often found in rural areas: they continue to track and protect livestock from wolves, but they also protect farms and homes outside of urban centers. They are found in cities to a lesser extent, as they generally do not adapt well to living far from nature.
Spanish Mastiff Characteristics
The Spanish Mastiff is a large, well-proportioned and muscular dog, with a robust and broad appearance. He has a broad head and ears that droop to the sides, which reinforce his giant look. In addition, there is a lot of loose skin: on the chest, belly and also on the head, in fact, the lips are so droopy that the upper one covers the lower one.
The breed standard specifies a minimum but not a maximum size: adult males must be at least 77 centimeters at the withers. Females are slightly smaller, reaching at least 72 centimeters. The standard doesn’t specify a weight, although they tend to be over 50 pounds.
The Spanish mastiff has a dense, semi-long coat. It can be any color, although the most sought after are black, brown, reddish, yellowish or spotted dogs. As this breed was bred for work and not for beauty, all possible color combinations are accepted.
behavior of the spanish mastiff
The Spanish mastiff, as its look conveys, is a calm and calm dog. He has a big body, but he knows how to save energy: he doesn’t need to exercise a lot and he’s not very active.
It is a breed dedicated to the protection of cattle, and this has shaped its character: it is a brave, determined and self-confident dog. When he feels his family is threatened, he doesn’t hesitate to protect them or scare off intruders.
Also because of this characteristic, it is a dog that cannot be forced to obey: they are independent, so we must seek their cooperation and not their blind submission. For this reason, Spanish mastiff education should always take a positive approach and be as intrusive as possible: the dog is happy learning on its own rather than following long lists of orders.
Spanish mastiff care
The Spanish mastiff in general is a healthy breed, although due to its enormous size it is subject to health problems that require special attention: its joints, especially the hip, can suffer from dysplasia. It may also have stomach twisting, so owners are advised to be careful with the amount of food they provide.
As it is a dog that works in the mountains, after each excursion the animal’s body must be carefully searched for parasites or spiky thorns. It is also essential to keep your internal and external deworming calendar up to date, as well as vaccinations and medical examinations.
Due to the characteristics of its coat, it needs frequent brushing. Only then will you be able to get rid of dead hair and avoid irritation and other skin problems that can be accentuated by wrinkles that form on the face, chest and neck.
The Spanish mastiff is a large dog, always involved in protection work. They are loyal but independent, hardworking but calm, and big but loving and familiar. Without the work these dogs do, the lives of herds and shepherds would be much more difficult.
