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(Mastin Espanol, Mastin de la Mancha, Mastin de Extremadura, Mastin de Leon)The Spanish Mastiff is a massive breed with a large, square head and muzzle. Their facial expression is similar to that of a Saint Bernard. They have small eyes, yet medium sized pendant-shaped ears. The breed should have folds of skin around its face giving it a slight hound dog look. Like most mastiffs, they have a broad, muscular body which suggests its great strength. Spanish Mastiffs’ front legs are straight, unlike their back legs, and they have thick, hairy tails. Just as their faces are framed by sagging skin, the same is true for the rest of their bodies. Their thick coat is thick lies close to its body and comes in a number of different colors, such as solid yellow, grey, red, black, red-brown, or spotted in any of those colors with some white.
The Spanish Mastiff can be very protective of people and property. They are also not affectionate or overly loving even with their families. The breed will attack unwelcome guests and will not like other guests until the dog realizes the new people are not a threat. The females of the breed are usually more intelligent, but the males are more affectionate. Even though they do not act like it, they do not want to be away from their owner and will constantly follow their owners around. Despite this apparent devotion, Spanish Mastiffs will sometimes not listen to their owners and will attack visitors. They will give strong warnings before attacking unlike some guard dogs. Additionally, they always act lazy and are not playful but are always alert. Without extensive training and socialization from a very early age, Spanish Mastiffs will be aggressive and will not trust most dogs or people. Because they are a very dominant breed, they need a good leader. Generally, they will do well around people and animals they have always been around but are definitely not trustworthy around new people or animals.
The Spanish Mastiff, like many giant breeds of dog, is prone to CHD (canine hip dysplasia), bloat, and pano-ostiosis. Additionally, entropion is also a concern for this breed. The Spanish Mastiff can live to between 10 to 14 years.
The Spanish Mastiff, like other mastiff breeds, is believed to be an ancestor of the Molosser dogs which traveled throughout Europe with Alexander the Great. They most likely came to Spain thanks to Phoenician traders and have been proudly guarding flocks on the Iberian Peninsula since at least the 15th century. The breed has a long history in the country even though its standard was created only a few decades ago in 1946. Although a common and very popular dog in Spain, outside of that region Spanish Mastiffs are practically unknown. However, they are believed to have played a role in the development of the Saint Bernard, as well as other breeds not as well-known in the West.
The Spanish Mastiff needs to be brushed once a week. They also need their ears cleaned regularly. On the positive side, they do not need a lot of exercise. They are calm most of the time and just need to be walked once or twice a day to release energy. However, if they stay in a large yard they can release the energy on their own. Giving Spanish Mastiffs a job guarding property or livestock is another good way to channel its energy since it prefers that type of work to playing games.
The Spanish Mastiff needs a special family and environment to be at its happiest. The breed gets along well with its family even though it is not affectionate. They do not like any unknown animals or people and will become aggressive because of their guarding instinct. Spanish Mastiffs do better in houses with large yards and in the country instead of the city. They can live with any climate and should usually live outdoors, but they will bark frequently and loudly which is another reason to keep them in rural areas only. The breed needs a strong leader but not a harsh leader. They are smart but do badly with obedience classes because of their strong willed nature. The Spanish Mastiff is an excellent guard dog but not an affectionate family dog.
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