![\"Mastiff](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/mastif-pond-700x800.jpg\")
Keep on reading to find out if they may be the right four-legged companion for you and\/or your family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spoiler alert:<\/strong> While we\u2019ll share the good, you\u2019ll also get to read about the bad & the ugly of Mastiffs.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n This one may hit you as a surprise: While Mastiffs were originally used as war dogs, guard dogs and to help hunt big game in ancient England, they actually have fairly low exercise needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping that in mind, they do perfectly fine with two 30-45 minute daily walks at a medium pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While they\u2019re good-natured, calm and affectionate, they also tend to be a bit on the stubborn side. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So don\u2019t be surprised if your big pup hits the brakes on a walk, sits down and decides they\u2019re done walking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At least in that direction! <\/p>\n\n\n\n That happened to me a few times back in my professional dog walking days. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When it did, we just turned back around and headed back home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, their stubborn side doesn\u2019t take away from their courage which makes them protective of their family and turns them into a great watchdog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately and as all extra large dog breeds<\/a>, Mastiffs have a fairly short life expectancy of only 6-10 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s always hard to have to say goodbye to our furry friends after a lifetime together, so when it\u2019s cut short by 5-8 years due to their size, it\u2019s extra heart breaking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you prepared to handle that?<\/p>\n\n\n Bloat happens when the stomach turns on itself and cuts off the air and blood supply to vital organs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can be fatal even when it gets treated quickly by a vet, so it\u2019s important to be aware of the symptoms and to try and avoid it in the first place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When dogs are bloating, the skin across their belly feels and looks tight like a drum. Additionally, they\u2019ll try to throw up but can\u2019t, so you\u2019ll notice unproductive retching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bloat is known to happen when dogs drink large amounts of water at once as well as when they exercise right after a large meal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, don\u2019t give your Mastiff buckets of water and hold off on exercise and playtime for 1-2 hours after meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A strict dry dog food diet paired with elevated dog feeders is known to cause bloating as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What you can do is add a little water, bone broth<\/a> or goat’s milk<\/a> to their kibble and place their bowls on the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other alternatives are canned dog food, homemade dog food and raw dog food<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Hip Dysplasia gene can be passed from one generation to the next, which is why responsible Mastiff breeders test the dogs they intend to breed for it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs who suffer from hip dysplasia have malformed joints that cause arthritis paired with intense amounts of pain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s aggravated by excess weight and a diet that doesn\u2019t have the proper balance of Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, please do your Mastiff a giant favor, pun intended, and keep them at a healthy weight along with feeding them a nourishing diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A general rule of thumb is that you don\u2019t want your Mastiff\u2019s ribs covered in layers of fat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, their belly should not be sagging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many commercial dog diets are too rich in Omega-6 fatty acids as chickens, grains, corn and soy are major components. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Grains, corn and soy are rich in Omega-6 fatty acids that cause inflammation within the body. As most chickens are fed diets rich in grains and soy, they turn into inflammatory ingredients as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Foods that are rich in Omega-3s are oily fish like salmon, herring, trout, mackerel, sardines and anchovies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bone broth<\/a> is naturally rich in glucosamine and chondroitin both of which help support joint health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s a good idea to add it to your pup\u2019s diet on a regular basis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Orthopedic extra large beds<\/a> will help your giant pup be comfy and provide support for their hurting joints in their senior years.<\/p>\n\n\n Everything on Mastiffs is huge, including their jowls. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why this breed slobbers quite a bit and is also known to distribute drool more or less evenly across your home\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn\u2019t just include your furniture, but also your walls and ceilings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So if you\u2019re planning on bringing a Mastiff home to live with you, you may want to consider repainting with a wall color that\u2019s easy to clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Either way, you\u2019ll definitely need a cloth to wipe your Mastiff\u2019s jowls with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll also need a soft cloth to care for their wrinkly face. It\u2019s important to regularly wipe their wrinkles to keep drool and other debris from accumulating in there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike their jowls that need lots of attention, Mastiffs have short brindle, fawn or apricot colored coats that are easy to care for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A few weekly brushings with a grooming glove<\/a> or brush is all they need. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s the good news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, bath time may be challenging if you don\u2019t have a walk-in shower that\u2019s large enough to accommodate your giant pup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I say walk-in shower because unless your pup is willing to \u201cclimb\u201d into your tub, you\u2019ll have a hard time lifting them in there once they\u2019re fully grown. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An alternative can be a bath<\/a> in your yard, at least during the warmer months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Other than that, you can see about taking them to a doggie self wash or a professional groomer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mobile groomers may not have the space to accommodate your Mastiff in their van. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Mastiffs have beautiful black masks with cute looking noses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, they\u2019re also brachycephalic, which means they have shortened nasal passages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That means they can\u2019t pant and cool themselves off as effectively as dogs with regularly sized nasal passages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So it\u2019s important to monitor them closely for overheating, especially during the warmer summer months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, Mastiffs are known to snore, so that\u2019s something else to be aware of if you\u2019re thinking of inviting them into your bedroom!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While Mastiffs are good with children<\/a> and make a wonderful family dog, you\u2019ll want to watch your space around them! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly your feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019ve had the questionable pleasure of having a giant Mastiff girl step onto my toes, and it was not a good feeling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Thankfully, I wasn\u2019t barefoot but wore shoes, but I still don\u2019t recommend the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Extra large dogs like Mastiffs come with extra large accessories, there\u2019s just no way around that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That includes: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oh, and did I also mention OVERSIZED<\/strong> food and vet bills?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have medical insurance for your oversized pup, consider putting a monthly allowance into a savings account that\u2019s strictly reserved for your Mastiff expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Early leash training<\/a> and socialization<\/a> is essential for any breed, but especially for the extra large Mastiff!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You definitely don\u2019t want a 200lb pup dragging you down the street, especially if you weigh less than them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n10 Facts Good & Bad About Mastiffs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. <\/strong>Mastiffs Are Working Dogs With Low Exercise Needs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. They Have A Short Life Expectancy Compared to Other Breeds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Barbara](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/barbara-mastiff-700x856.jpg\")
3. Mastiffs Are Prone to Bloating<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Watch Out For Hip Dysplasia In Your Mastiff<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/two-mastiffs-dog-bed-700x649.jpg\")
5. You\u2019ll Need to Keep A Cloth Around Mastiffs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Mastiffs Have Unique Grooming Challenges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
7. Their Flat Face Makes Them Prone to Two Things<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. They\u2019re A \u201cGentle Giant\u201d, But\u2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Prepare for Oversized Everything<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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10. Who\u2019s Walking Whom?!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"So](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/so-you-want-a-mastiff-700x1050.jpg\")
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