Let Slip the Dogs of War
Have you ever seen a huge dog the size of a small pony? Some of the more common giant dog breeds are Mastiffs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Newfoundlands and Irish Wolfhounds. All these breeds are tall, but Mastiffs and Newfoundlands tend to lead in the sheer mass category.
Mastiffs are an ancient class of breeds that were used in Roman times as dogs of war. Generally ranging from 110 to 190 pounds, these dogs rushed into battle with their owners and would die defending them if necessary. Cerberus, the three-headed canine guard of the gates of Hades in Greek mythology was said to be a Mastiff, albeit a strange one. In the middle ages, England’s King Henry the VIII sent King Charles of Spain a gift of 400 Mastiffs as war dogs.
The general Mastiff grouping contains several specific breeds including the Mastiff, Bull Mastiff, Neapolitan Mastiff, Dogue de Bordeaux, various Bulldogs and Bull Terriers, even Pugs are miniature mastiffs.
The breed we generally refer to as Mastiff, here in America, is also known as the Old English Mastiff. Despite the breed’s war-like origins, Old English Mastiffs are generally calm, loving, and safe around children. This Mastiff breed averages 175 to 190 pounds and 27 ½ to 30 inches high at the shoulder. They have a smooth, short hair coat that can be apricot, fawn, or brindle, all with a black mask.
Bull Mastiffs are relatively smaller, running from 110 to 130 pounds. This breed was created in the 1800’s by crossing Mastiffs with Bulldogs in an attempt to decrease the Mastiff’s size. They were originally called Gamekeeper’s Night Dogs. They were used to hunt poachers at a time when poaching was punishable by death. These dogs still have strong protective instincts and benefit from a disciplined owner.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are an Italian breed descended from the Roman dogs of war. They average 110 to 150 pounds and are gray (also called blue), black, mahogany or blond.
The Dogue de Bordeaux is a French breed. The French word “dogue” means mastiff and for a time Mastiffs were so popular in France and England that the word “dog” was adapted in English to refer to all dogs. The Dogue de Bordeaux is usually 120 to 145 pounds. It can be territorial and aggressive to strangers, both dog and human. They can range in color from fawn to mahogany with a red or black mask.
Something to keep in mind when considering a giant breed dog as a pet is its sheer size and weight. These are not practical dogs for an apartment dweller. You cannot squash a Mastiff into a sports car for a trip to the vet. Because there are just so many square inches of hair-covered dog, the amount of shedding is considerable. These dogs are expensive to feed and the cost of heartworm preventative medication is much higher than for your average Chihuahua. Giant breed dogs are not particularly well designed for their size. They have an increased risk of a heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This disease may result in sudden death of a young giant breed dog without any warning. Giant breeds are more likely to have hip dysplasia, gastric torsion (bloat) and bone cancer than their smaller counterparts. They generally don’t live as long as smaller dogs, with an expected lifespan of 7 to 13 years. Mastiffs also have huge, blocky, beautiful heads, covered in wrinkles and loose hanging jowls. The amount of slobber a Mastiff can produce and sling on people, walls, and ceilings is profound.
Nevertheless, the Old English Mastiffs I have met are instantly loveable and laid back to the point of couch potato-ness. Despite the drawbacks of a giant breed, they turn heads in a crowd, instantly dissuade burglars, and are very huggable.
Dr. Anndrea Hatcher is a veterinarian at Olive Branch Parke Veterinary Clinic in Greenwood. She provides medical and surgical care, and boarding for dogs, cats and exotic pets. She graduated from Center Grove High School and Purdue University and her children attend Center Grove schools.