Appearance of the American Mastiff
|
The American Mastiff is a giant dog weighing up to 85 kilos. Although they resemble their English counterparts, they are much slimmer than the English Mastiff and have a longer muzzle, fewer wrinkles and seem to have a kinder expression. They have a solid rectangular head, high, floppy ears, a drier, less drooling mouth and a black nose. The body of this imposing dog is massive and a solid muscle, although they still have that athletic look. Their neck is thick with a slight arch that blends into the chest. A long, straight back and strong, powerful legs are complemented by a set of massive, padded paws. They have a long, muscular, whip-like tail. This breed comes in colors such as fawn, brindle and apricot and can vary in tone, as well as complementary white markings and a black mask that gives them a mysterious, almost forbidding look at first glance. That's until you see their warm brown eyes sparkling with humor. |
Temperament of the American Mastiff
|
Although the size of this friendly dog may seem disconcerting to a visitor, it's not an aggressive dog, unless you or a family member is threatened. Then beware, for they will defend their family with remarkable courage and determination. The American Mastiff is a calm, dignified dog that is totally loyal and devoted to you, they are kind and gentle and can even tend to be clingy. They love to be with their family and become exhausted when left alone. They have certain habits that sometimes take some getting used to, such as flatulence, snoring, shedding hair and mud. They may be dignified, but they are not refined. They can be wary in the presence of strangers, but once they've gotten to know someone, they're back to their usual friendly selves. They make good watchdogs as they will alert you to intruders. They can be stubborn to train, as they like to do things their own way and can put off your methods. Patience and kindness are required; yelling or losing your temper will do nothing with this dog. Instead, make training fun. Plan fewer repetitions to avoid boredom, and incorporate challenges that stimulate their mental abilities to get them to think harder about how to solve a problem. They love children and are patient and gentle with them, but always supervise a young dog as their size can cause unwanted injury to toddlers. |
Needs and activities of the American Mastiff
|
American Mastiffs need a certain level of exercise to keep them healthy and happy, although they can tend to get lazier as they get older. A daily walk or two is ideal, as they'll happily stroll alongside you and drink within sight. Walking is an excellent opportunity to socialize your dog and get him used to meeting other people and other dogs. Forget long runs or cycling with this dog, as their size cannot maintain a fast pace for long. They need to be challenged mentally and physically. If either is lacking, this puppy can become nervous, destructive and generally difficult to live with, as they can become stubborn and disobedient. Although they are very intelligent, they can be difficult to train as they want to do things their own way. Make sure training isn't too repetitive, otherwise they'll lose concentration and get bored, which means they won't obey you when you want them to. They need a strong leader/owner, who respects their training and abides by their own rules. This impressive dog is best for the experienced handler who is used to managing a huge dog. |
Maintenance of the American Mastiff
|
Generally, you can brush once a week, but if your dog is in a heavy shedding phase, you should at least increase brushing sessions to at least twice a week. American Mastiffs rarely need to be bathed, but it's a good idea to rub them every two weeks with a damp cloth, just to keep them smelling sweet. Although the coat is short and straight, the sheer size of this dog means it will take some time to complete its grooming. Grooming time won't worry your massive companion as he loves your attention and solicits your interaction. It's a good idea to train your dog when he's still small to get him used to having his teeth brushed almost every day, his ears examined and his nails trimmed. If you leave it until later, your gentle giant may push you away and refuse to cooperate. This large dog needs to have his mouth wiped after eating and drinking to avoid any smudging. |