Spanish Mastiff aka Mastin Espanol

History and Origin of the Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff is an ancient breed of dog though to have descended from Greek dogs that were brought to Spain to explorers around 1000 BC. The breed was officially developed in the Estremadura region of Spain. It is widely accepted that the Spanish Mastiff was introduced to not only Spain, but also the Iberian Peninsula by Maritime traders who brought the dog’s ancestors from India or Syria.

The dog was created over many centuries, from many other lesser known dog breeds. The breed has been bred over the years for guarding purposes, both of the home and flocks of livestock. The bulky breed makes an excellent livestock guardian, protecting the flock from both wolves and other large predatory animals. The Spanish Mastiff is the official dog of Spain where you will find at least 24,000 of the dogs. This breed of Mastiff is also considered an ancestor to many modern-day dog breeds such as the Asian Shepherd, St Bernard, and Dogo Argentino.

Appearance

The Spanish Mastiff is a large, Molosser breed of dog. They have a general appearance that is close to many other Mastiff breeds. For example, the breed has the usual large head and loose fold of skin, especially around the dog’s neck. These dogs can stand anywhere from 28 to over 30 inches tall at the shoulders, while weighing anywhere from 110 to 150 pounds.

One difference between the Spanish Mastiff and other Mastiff breeds is the fact that the Spanish Mastiff has a longer, thinner muzzle. The dog’s eyes are small and their ears are almost triangular. The breed comes in several colors including fawn, black, red, grey, reddish, or brindle. The coat of a Spanish Mastiff is slightly thicker than most other mastiff breeds.

Spanish Mastiff Temperament and Personality

This breed of dog is characterized by its nobility and gentleness. Given the proper amounts of training and socialization from a young age, the Spanish Mastiff can make an excellent family pet. They really are devoted to their family; they show acceptance to most strangers but they will not hesitate to protect their family if the need arises. These dogs are alert and food-motivated; however they can become bored easily so you should provide this kind of dog with firm and consistent, albeit gentle training.

Health of the Breed

The Spanish Mastiff, like many other dog breeds have several health issues to watch out for. The dogs are considered large breed and are at a higher risk of developing hip dysplasia than some smaller breeds. In addition, the breed is prone to developing eye problems such as entropion (eyelids begin to grow inward). Much like the Great Dane, the Spanish Mastiff should be fed several small meals per day instead of one large meal; this will help avoid bloat which can be fatal for this breed. Breeders will find that some Spanish Mastiffs have a hard time with natural birth and will require a C-section. Finally, due to the excessive skin around the mouth, and overall large jaw size, the breed does drool a lot; in addition their facial structure causes them to also snore greatly.

Exercise and Other Care Requirements

These dogs were kept for centuries in different region of Spain, so the breed can adapt easily to new climates. They have an adequate amount of energy for such a large breed dog, so they do best in homes that allow them plenty of space to run. Since the dogs can adapt to extreme heat and cold, they do well as both indoor and outdoor dogs. Just beware, if you keep one as an indoor dog it will shed heavily year-round. This Mastiff has a double coat and will shed twice per year if kept outside most of the time. The dog’s coat requires a weekly brushing and a monthly bath.

Something you may not know about the breed…

There are actually two types of Spanish Mastiffs: a smaller, lighter version called Mastin Ligero and a heavier, mountain-type called Mastin Pesado. The larger Mastin Pesado is the more widespread of the two types as it is the one that participates in dog shows and other events.

Spanish Mastiff aka Mastin Espanol