English Mastiff

Breed overview

The English Mastiff, or simply the Mastiff, is a British breed of very large dog of mastiff type. It is likely descended from the ancient Alaunt and Pugnax Britanniae, with a significant input from the Alpine Mastiff in the 19th century. Distinguished by its enormous size, massive head, short coat in a limited range of colours, and always displaying a black mask, the Mastiff is noted for its gentle and loving nature. The lineage of modern dogs can be traced back to the early 19th century, but the modern type was stabilised in the 1880s and refined since. Following a period of sharp decline, the Mastiff has increased its worldwide popularity, although it continues to be classed as a vulnerable breed in its country of origin, with only 104 registered births recorded in the UK in 2020. Throughout its history the Mastiff has contributed to the development of a number of dog breeds, some generally known as mastiff-type dogs or, confusingly, just as "mastiffs". It is the largest living canine, outweighing the wolf by up to 50 kg (110 lbs) on average.

• Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
• Country of origin: EnglandBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• The English Mastiff, or simply the Mastiff, is a British breed of very large dog of mastiff type.
• Distinguished by its enormous size, massive head, short coat in a limited range of colours, and always displaying a black mask, the Mastiff is noted for its gentle and loving nature.
• The lineage of modern dogs can be traced back to the early 19th century, but the modern type was stabilised in the 1880s and refined since.
• Following a period of sharp decline, the Mastiff has increased its worldwide popularity, although it continues to be classed as a vulnerable breed in its country of origin, with only 104 registered births recorded in the UK in 2020.
• Throughout its history the Mastiff has contributed to the development of a number of dog breeds, some generally known as mastiff-type dogs or, confusingly, just as "mastiffs".

Size and appearance

With a massive body, broad skull and head of generally square appearance, it is the largest dog breed in terms of mass. It is on average slightly heavier than the Saint Bernard, although there is a considerable mass overlap between these two breeds. Though the Irish Wolfhound and Great Dane can be more than six inches taller, they are not nearly as robust. The body is big with great depth and breadth, especially between the forelegs, which causes these to be set wide apart. The length of the body taken from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttock is greater than the height at the withers. Neither height at the withers nor body weight is specified in the breed standards; these are usually in the approximate ranges 70 - 77 cm and 80 - 85 kg respectively.

• Body mass reference: 80 - 85 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 80 - 85 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 27.5 in or moreBreed reference height. minimum, female.
• Height reference: 30 in or moreBreed reference height. minimum, male.
• Height reference: 70 - 77 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 70 - 77 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.

• Coat length: short
• Coat texture: smooth
• Height category: very_tall
• Weight category: giant

Personality and behavior

The Mastiff breed has a desired temperament, which is reflected in all formal standards and historical descriptions. Sydenham Edwards wrote in 1800 in the Cynographia Britannica: What the Lion is to the Cat the Mastiff is to the Dog, the noblest of the family; he stands alone, and all others sink before him. His courage does not exceed his temper and generosity, and in attachment he equals the kindest of his race. The American Kennel Club sums up the Mastiff breed as: :a combination of grandeur and good nature as well as courage and docility. Domesticated Mastiffs are powerful yet gentle and loyal dogs, but due to their physical size and need for space, are best suited for country or suburban life.

• Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.32 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.59 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.81 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.70 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.45 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.88 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.43 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.83 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.14 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.60 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.71 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.75 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.57 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).
• Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.61 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Mastiff (English).

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat length: short
• Coat texture: smooth

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

The lineage of modern dogs can be traced back to the early 19th century, but the modern type was stabilised in the 1880s and refined since. Following a period of sharp decline, the Mastiff has increased its worldwide popularity, although it continues to be classed as a vulnerable breed in its country of origin, with only 104 registered births recorded in the UK in 2020.

Clubs and further reading

• English Mastiff - article and references

Sources

1. English Mastiff - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, English Mastiff, revision 1368878182. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=English_Mastiff&action=history
2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
4. File:Westgort Anticipation 17 months.JPGWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Westgort Anticipation 17 months.JPG - Radovan Rohovsky. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Westgort_Anticipation_17_months.JPG. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.