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(What is a Mastiff)

Mastiff Picture (Ch.West Coast Skipper .TT)

    Also Known as the Old English Mastiff , The Mastiff is the largest breed of dog in the world for both his weight and bulk.
A mastiff is a large,stately,noble breed.They are known as the gentle giants of  the dog world.
    It was once said.
 "What the cat is to the lion,the mastiff is to the dog.The noblest of the family ,he stands alone and all others sink before him."
    The mastiff is one of the most ancient breeds recorded by man.They fought by the sides of the roman legions before the birth of Christ.
     As dogs of war the mastiff was said to have accompanied the soldiers and chariots to protect their owners should they fall during battle.
 
   The mastiff is a truly versatile working breed.

Their great strength was used to turn the wheels to draw water from the wells.They were used to pull carts and carry heavy loads on their powerful backs.

   They excelled as guardians to the children,homes and grounds of noble's as well as those of  peasants.
 
    Today the mastiff is generally a rather large, lazy, couch potato. The mastiff is very intelligent, easily obedience trained and we have found them to be usually housebroken within a matter of days.

   The mastiff is a dog of massive body, large head, broad chest and powerful hind end. They range in size from small (130 lbs) to large (over 220 lbs),standing at a height of 27 to 34 inches at the shoulder.
Males tend to be larger and heavier than females.