The Mastiff is called the "Old English Mastiff" in English Speaking Countries. The term "Mastiff" describes a group of dogs rather than one breed.

The Mastiff has a long history. Caesar describes them in his tale of invading Britain in 55 BC, when they fought beside their masters against Roman legions. Soon after, dogs were brought back to Rome where they defeated all other varieties in combat at the Circus. They were also matched against human gladiators, bulls, bears, lions and tigers. Dogfights, bullbaiting and bearbaiting were respectable and popular forms of amusement in England and America little more than a century ago.

While the Mastiff was always in front rank as a fighting dog, this does not account for his popularity in England for two thousand years. Long ago, keeping the Mastiffs was compulsory for the peasants. During Anglo-Saxon times there had to be kept at least one Mastiff for each two villains. This way, wolves and other savage game were kept under control. They were also used in hunting packs by the nobility. It was as protectors of the home that they were most used, and after centuries of this service that the Mastiff has acquired unique traits as a wonderful family dog.

Males should be no less than 30 inches tall, females no less than 27 and a half inches. Their coat is short, straight and coarse. They can be fawn, apricot or brindle. Though grooming a Mastiff is a fairly easy job in itself, you must take into account of their enormous size-if you take him to a professional groomer the fee may be high simply due to the size of the dog and what it takes to get the dog in the bathtub in the first place (usually several people needed to lift the dog in the tub). Mastiffs are very good natured dogs. They adore their families, and are great with children.

If you're considering a Mastiff, this needs to be a decision you think through completely. As stated, Mastiffs are very large dogs- though they are typically very gentle dogs, they will take up quite a bit of room in your home. A Mastiff laying on your couch is much different than a Chihuahua on your couch. Just innocent behavior can cause a great deal of wear and tear to carpet and your furnature.

You should also consider feeding costs- it costs more to feed a Mastiff than it will a Poodle- be sure that you're prepared for that as well. With feeding, also comes the "waste" in your backyard- this will need cleaned up often or your yard will look like a toilet with a few pieces of grass around it.

Owning large breed dogs takes a great deal of time, energy and finances. If you are not prepared for all of this, please do not consider a breed such as the Mastiff. They need an owner who is able to completely care for them for their entire lives. Even if your children are begging you and promise to take care of the majority of the "doggie duties", unless you are personally prepared for the care this dog will need, do not consider it.

Health concerns include Cataracts and other eye problems, knee ligament rupture, hypertrophic osteodystrophy, hip dysplasia, bloat, thyroid problems and von willebrand's disease.