Spanish Mastiff Dog Breed Information

Group

Foundation Stock Service

Weight

50-80 kg

Height

71-90 cm

Lifespan

10-12 years

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About the Spanish Mastiff

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

As solitary gentle giants, Spanish Mastiffs are probably not the best fit for every dog enthusiast. But if you have a big yard, a laid-back lifestyle, and lots of time for relaxed walks instead of jogs, this dog will be loyal to a fault and your best friend and guardian for the rest of its life.

To find out whether a Spanish Mastiff is the right fit for you and your lifestyle, this guide provides you with all the important information. This includes their brave history, how to train these impressive specimens, all the way to whether they suffer from separation anxiety.

What is the history & origin of the Spanish Mastiff?

While the precise origin of one of the most ancient dog breeds is not known, the Spanish Mastiffs were originally bred over 2000 years ago in Spain as cattle dogs. With their imposing size and fierce nature, their main job was to keep wolfs and other predators away from the cattle.

Later on, they also assisted in herding the valuable Merino Sheep across the Iberian Peninsula, and the ratio for this usually was at least one Mastiff per 100 sheep. Thanks to their thick coat, they were very resilient to the changing weather while travelling hundreds of miles between the northern and southern Spain as the seasons changed.

Through the efforts of Spanish Mastiff enthusiasts, the Asociación Española del Perro Mastín Español was formed in 1981, to update the breed standard and refocus on their main characteristics as cattle dogs. The American Kennel Club registered this rare breed back in 2008.

What is a Spanish Mastiff breed?

This ancient dog breed is an incredibly large dog, with characteristics such as droopy eyes and jaws. It also has floppy ears on a giant triangular-shaped head, and a muscular body with extra skin layers and a thick coat.

Spanish Mastiffs usually come in particoloured versions such as fawn, black, yellow, as well as “wolf” and “deer” coloured coats, which have thick and short hair.

Who is a Spanish Mastiff best for?

With their imposing size, these Mastiffs bring along a necessity for space to roam and are therefore not well-suited for an apartment lifestyle or a small house without a fenced yard.

Technically, you will make your Spanish Mastiff happiest if you live in a rural setting with a large garden, which they can guard and roam happily.

These giant dogs are somewhat aloof to strangers and other animals, therefore it’d be best if you didn’t already own another dog or aren’t planning on getting another one. Similarly, they can get easily irritated by small children and very much prefer a calm and quiet environment.

With that being said, don’t underestimate the amount of affection a Spanish Mastiff has to give. These incredibly loyal and wise dogs simply don’t like to share their owner’s attention and are probably best suited for a child-less couple or a single person with a large property.

Spanish Mastiff Grooming & Shedding

The Spanish Mastiff has a dense, short-haired coat that requires weekly brushing and sheds about twice a year during shedding season in the spring and fall.

An occasional bath to remove any debris and any smell is recommended. After this, make sure to pat (especially the skin folds around their necks) dry and ensure that they are clean to avoid infections.

One of the Spanish Mastiff’s main characteristics is their droopy jaws, which makes them drool quite a lot. So if you want to avoid having saliva all over your clothes and furniture, you should keep a drool cloth close by to wipe away any excess drool.

Their nails need to be cut as soon as they make a clicking noise on the floor, as they will otherwise cause pain when walking or running.

On top of that, check the ears of your Spanish Mastiff weekly and ensure that they remain clean, similar to their impressive canines.

Do Spanish Mastiffs bark a lot?

Spanish Mastiffs aren’t known for their yappiness. But while it isn’t an excessive barker, you can still expect your guard dog to alert you with its deep bark if strangers approach the property.

What is the average weight & height of a Spanish Mastiff?

This breed truly has an impressive size of up to 90 cm and can therefore weigh between 50 kg all the way up to 80 kg when fully grown.

Are Spanish Mastiffs easy to train?

A Spanish Mastiff puppy needs to be trained and socialised as soon as possible, to ensure that you have an obedient and non-aggressive dog. Bad behaviourisms are especially problematic in such large dog breeds with enormous power.

As they are guard dogs they will always be reserved towards strangers. However, if you start introducing a variety of people as well as other dogs to your Spanish Mastiff puppy, it will likely get more used to them and not be bewildered later on in life if you have guests over.

Taking Spanish Mastiff puppies to a puppy school for training sessions with other dogs might just be the best way to generate positive behaviour, socialise your dog, and teach them the right behaviour through positive reinforcement.

Beware that training might take a little longer with this breed than with other dogs, as these dogs have a mind of their own. On the other hand, they are very clever and able to learn quickly when motivated.

How do Spanish Mastiffs behave? A look at their temperament and personality

This breed has a very independent personality but is also very sweet, affectionate, and loyal to its owners.

Don’t expect them to enjoy a trip to the dog park, but rather take them on leisurely strolls mixed with playing fetch since they still need their exercise to ensure their physical and mental health is in good shape.

Even if you have socialised your Spanish Mastiff well, make sure that you always have supervised exposure to young kids and other pets.

They are an intelligent dog breed that bore easily if not being met with tasks and attention from their owners regularly, despite their independent nature.

Does the Spanish Mastiff have any common health issues?

According to their breed standard, they are generally healthy dogs. However, these giants are especially prone to health challenges such as elbow and hip dysplasia, due to the sheer size and weight that this breed puts on its joints throughout its lifetime.

Other health issues the Spanish Mastiff can face are:

Weight Issues: Given their size, maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to prevent obesity-related health problems, which can exacerbate joint issues.
Bloat: A serious and potentially life-threatening condition where the stomach fills with gas and twists; large, deep-chested breeds like the Spanish Mastiff are at higher risk.
Dental Problems: Larger breeds can be prone to dental issues due to size and breed characteristics; regular dental care is essential.
Cancer: Like many larger breeds, Spanish Mastiffs can be more susceptible to certain types of cancer as they age.

What is the lifespan of a Spanish Mastiff?

The life of a healthy Spanish Mastiff can last up to 12 years.

How much does a Spanish Mastiff need to be fed?

Spanish Mastiffs require canine food which is tailored for large breeds. Make sure to feed your dog a healthy and balanced diet and stick to a feeding schedule, while always ensuring plenty of water is available for your pup.

We recommend always consulting your vet when it comes to the right diet for your Spanish Mastiff.

How much can you expect to pay for a Spanish Mastiff in Australia?

As this is quite a rare breed in Australia, you should expect to pay around $2,500 for a Spanish Mastiff from a responsible breeder.

However, if you would rather rehome a more mature dog, it is always worth checking out the local shelters, to see if you can give a Spanish Mastiff a second chance at a forever home.

Spanish Mastiff FAQs

Why do Spanish Mastiffs have double dewclaws?

This characteristic is also called “polydactyl” and means that your dog basically has a second extra toe next to his usual claw.

The reason for this is highly debated! However, many dog breeds use their double dew claws to better hold on to chewy toys or logs to chew on, and also to have more stability in rough terrain. This might be why a Spanish Mastiff possesses these extra claws as they used to roam the whole of Spain along with their herds. Other dogs even use those dew claws to climb trees!

Can Spanish Mastiffs swim?

It is not recommended to make your Spanish Mastiff swim unless it indicates it wants to. However, the Spanish Mastiff can enjoy the occasional swim and it might be a healthy exercise for them to do as it is very gentle on their joints.

Do Spanish Mastiffs suffer from separation anxiety?

Not really. As an independent breed that was not bred to be a pack dog, your Spanish Mastiff will enjoy some time alone and won’t get too anxious when left to its own devices for a few hours.

With that being said, if you cannot commit to spending sufficient time with your dog and have to leave it alone for longer than 3 or 4 hours, you should probably reconsider getting a dog in general.