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Mastador -- Mastiff X Labrador Retriever

Mastador

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.
Origin
 Great Britain <> Canada -> U.S.A.
Translation
 Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Mastador
The Mastador is an intentional cross between an ancient guard breed, the Mastiff, and the Labrador Retriever, a dog that has spent the last quarter century at the top of the popularity charts according to the American Kennel Club. The resulting hybrid is a very large, friendly animal that can be particularly lively in its younger years. Although they are generally friendly with most people and animals, they usually retain enough protective instinct to make an excellent watchdog and are fairly easy to train, although some may have a tendency towards stubbornness. Early training and socialization will help this dog become an outgoing and reliable member of the family.

History of the Mastador
The Mastador is a hybrid, a cross between the Labrador Retriever, a hunting dog specialized in retrieving waterfowl, and the Mastiff, an intimidating giant of a dog that is surprisingly good-natured.

 

        

A little of the Mastiff

         
Mastiff-type dogs were even recorded marching alongside Hannibal's armies as they crossed the Alps, and have been depicted in ancient stonework and artwork dating back thousands of years in Mesopotamia and Asia. As accomplished watchdogs and excellent hunting companions, they quickly became appreciated for their steadfast nature and easy-going temperament by the wealthiest farmers and landowners throughout England. The two world wars had a catastrophic impact on the European dog population, and larger dogs like the Mastiff were the hardest hit. Their size put them in double jeopardy, making them both difficult to feed during periods of rationing, and attractive as military dogs, employed to pull ammunition carts to the front lines, a dangerous and sometimes deadly job. Once the two wars were over, the Mastiff breed had all but disappeared, reduced at one point to just fifteen dogs known worldwide and able to contribute to the gene pool. Mastiff puppies were imported to England, the USA and Canada, to help revive the breed, and they regained popularity, capturing the position of 28th most popular breed according to the AKC.es in the USA and Canada have been able to maintain the breed. The American Kennel Club recognized the Mastiff as part of the working group in 1885.
Standard of the Mastiff

A little of the Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever also has a long and somewhat uncertain history, parts of which we can only guess at. Experts generally agree that the St. John's dog, a water dog that became extinct as recently as the 1980s, was the foundation breed used for the Labrador Retriever breed, but little is known about the origin of the St. John's dog. The St. John's dog worked alongside fishermen on the coast of Newfoundland and, with its short, fat coat, was as comfortable swimming in the water as running on land. St. John's dogs, like Labradors, were also hunting dogs, although they specialized in retrieving fish, nets and ropes from the water, rather than collecting waterfowl, for which the Labrador was bred. In the 1800s, James Harris and Walter Scott had the good fortune to meet while filming. Both men were breeding specific St. Johns for their suitability as hunting dogs, and when Mr. Harris offered two of his male retrievers to Mr. Scott, Mr. Scott bred them to his own dogs, giving birth to today's modern Labradors.
Standard of the Labrador Retriever

Appearance of the Mastador
This combination of breeds produces fairly large dogs, generally between 38.5 and 72.5 kilos, with long legs and an athletic build. They have broad heads, although narrower than the Mastiff's, and although the Mastiff's exceptionally short muzzle is sometimes passed on, the Labrador's square, medium-length muzzle is more frequently seen. The Mastador can have wrinkles around its muzzle, its almond-shaped eyes can range from dark brown almost black to hazel, and its triangular ears have rounded tips and hang close to the sides of its head, framing its face. The coat of this crossbreed is double-layered, consisting of a dense, water-resistant undercoat that is covered by a short, relatively coarse layer of straight fur that lies close to the skin, although Labrador Retriever heritage can sometimes contribute a slight wave in the coat. Mastadors generally come in solid colors, with various shades of black, brown and gold, and they often have black or white markings on their feet and chest. Black masks are also commonly passed on to the Mastador by the Mastiff.

Temperament of the Mastador
This crossbreed is generally friendly and social, although they can be more reserved than outgoing, and certain protective instincts are likely to be passed down through the Mastiff breed. The Mastador is a very large and powerful dog that can be a little exuberant, especially during its long adolescence, and any interaction between children and these dogs must be closely supervised to avoid muscle and joint strain on the dog's part or bumps and bruises on the child's. These large-to-giant dogs are generally friendly and gentle towards strangers and other animals, but proper socialization and early training will help to fully cement these tendencies and prevent any shyness, fear or aggression from taking root. This dog should be very trainable in most cases, especially if training is started early in life, however, stubbornness can be a problem and patience will be required.

Needs and activities of the Mastador
The Labrador Retriever is an active, athletic breed of dog that requires plenty of exercise every day. Fortunately for owners of Mastador hybrids, the Mastiff is a much more placid dog and doesn't require as much activity as the Labrador Retriever. In most cases, this particular crossbreed is content with an hour or two of vigorous activity. Labrador Retrievers and Mastiffs are both known for their noisy behavior when young, and although the Mastiff usually outgrows this stage, some Labradors continue to be feisty throughout their lives. It's important to remember that too much activity and activities that involve jumping can cause stress and damage the joints of very large, giant-sized dogs like the Mastador. Even if the dog doesn't appear tired, walks should be frequent but relatively short. Care should be taken to reduce the strain on growing bones and joints at every opportunity, so a nice long walk without impact will please the Mastador. This dog needs a lot of space, and although some mature candidates can adapt to apartment living, most are too active and are better suited to a larger space with a yard.

Maintenance of the Mastador
Mastadors don't have extensive grooming needs; their coats are generally short and stiff, making them adept at removing dirt and water, so in ideal conditions they should only need bathing a few times a year. This dog, being very athletic and water-loving, can have a build-up of yeast or bacteria in the ear if left unchecked. Cleaning and drying the ear at least twice a week is recommended, and even more often if your Mastador is a daily swimmer. Due to his very active nature, observation of his gait and examination of the condition of his foot pads should be included in the grooming routine. Weekly brushing will help distribute the dog's natural healthy oils throughout the coat, as well as removing loose fur.
Details
Written by: Francis Vandersteen
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
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