Puppy care - Be patient

Be patient. The mastiff puppy will be a "pup" well into his second year, as it takes the very large breeds that long to completely mature physically. Be gentle and firm; insist that your puppy respect you.

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Puppy care - Monitor your mastiff puppy's social skills

Monitor your mastiff puppy's social skills. Because this breed is notorious for its serious attitude and stubbornness, you should not allow any rough play or biting, as this will be an enormous dog when grown. He could hurt you or others without intending to do so.

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Puppy care - Vaccinate and worm your pet

Vaccinate and worm your pet. Also, put your new puppy on heart worm preventative as soon as your veterinarian suggests it. Your breeder should have furnished you with his medical chart, which will be updated by your veterinarian on each visit.

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Puppy care - Feed your pup for optimal growth

Feed your puppy for optimal growth. Diet is vitally important to the growth of this breed of dog. A raw diet is recommended, consisting mostly of chicken, beef, bones, and eggs. It is important that the diet is balanced, and it's also important that your pup does not gain too much weight while he is growing, as that would create hip and joint problems.

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Owner guide - Mastiff’s can reach 200 pounds or more

Mastiff’s can reach 200 pounds or more, make sure you make the decision to purchase a Mastiff puppy wisely.

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Owner guide - Slobbering and passing gas

Mastiffs are known for both their slobbering and passing gas. Keep an old towel handy for wiping up the drools both on you and the furniture.

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Owner guide - Mastiff puppyhood lasts longer than for most dog breeds

Mastiff puppyhood lasts longer than for most dog breeds. A Mastiff isn’t considered an adult dog until he or she is 18 to 24 months old.

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Owner guide - Show patience with housebreaking

Show patience with housebreaking. Mastiffs want nothing more than to please their humans, so this is generally accomplished quickly.

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Owner guide - Train your puppy to a leash

Train your puppy to a leash as soon as possible. Mastiff’s can reach 200 pounds at adulthood and the last thing you want is to be pulled around by the grown dog.

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Owner guide - Dog toys

Give you puppy several heavy duty dog toys designed for big dogs. This will help keep him from chewing on things he’s not supposed too.

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Owner guide - Provide the Mastiff puppy with a bed of his own

Provide the Mastiff puppy with a bed of his own. This can be as simple as an old quilt on the floor or as elaborate as a high-end dog bed.

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Owner guide - Keep water available for your Mastiff puppy at all times

Keep water available for your Mastiff puppy at all times. Due to their slobbering nature, you will need to change the water several times a day.

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Owner guide - Divide the recommended amount of feed over three meals a day to start

Divide the recommended amount of feed over three meals a day to start. Mastiffs tend to gobble their food and by offering smaller amounts at each feeding, they are less liable to be attacked by bloat. Bloat can kill a Mastiff before you can reach your vet. After six months, you can split the feeding between two meals.

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Owner guide - Feed your Mastiff puppy a good quality puppy pet food until he is three or four months old

Feed your Mastiff puppy a good quality puppy pet food until he is three or four months old. After that, switch to an adult food. Mastiff’s should not be encouraged to grow too quickly as this can put stress on their bones and cause health problems later in life.

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Owner guide - Allow your new Mastiff puppy to get used to your home for a few days before training

Allow your new Mastiff puppy to get used to your home for a few days before trying to do any type of training. Many puppies are fearful after leaving their mothers for a new home.

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Owner guide - Buy your Mastiff puppy from a reputable breeder

Buy your Mastiff puppy from a reputable breeder. Be aware of all the conditions in the contract for purchase. Type Mastiff in a search engine to find the many sites devoted to this wonderful dog. Many sites also list breeders that have met the standard for AKC accreditation.

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DOG FAQ - Do mastiffs Shed?

Yes, like most breeds, Mastiffs shed approximately twice a year. But, the short, sleek Mastiff coat is less objectionable, when it sheds, than the coats of many long-haired breeds. A daily brushing will prevent accumulation of hair around the house.

Mastiff - Dog Lover

DOG FAQ - Do Mastiffs pass gas?

Yes. Actually, like humans, it depends on how the Mastiff reacts to the food it eats, so using a good dog food should minimize the problem. If a dog can digest its food properly, it shouldn't have gas. Different dogs do best on different foods. If a Mastiff should get gas in spite of your best efforts, watch out. It is overpowering.

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DOG FAQ - Do Mastiffs need a lot of exercise?

About as much as you do. Most Mastiffs are like most humans; they can manage a sedentary life reasonably well - but, also like most humans, they reach a physical peak with a moderate degree of exercise. It is important that you NOT over exercise any Mastiff under 2 years of age. Up until this age (and sometimes later) their skeleton is still developing.

Since Mastiffs tend to be stoic, and also will do just about anything to be with and please their people, they can easily end up with an inflamed joint or other problems like those that beset humans who run for exercise.

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DOG FAQ - Do Mastiffs make good obedience dogs?

By nature, Mastiffs are eager to please. This makes them good Obedience dogs. But like any other breed, temperaments vary between individuals, so some Mastiffs are better candidates for the Obedience ring than others.

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