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Spanish Mastiff Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Spanish Mastiff so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Guard Dogs
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OriginSpain flagSpain
Other Names
What other names does the Spanish Mastiff have?
Mastín de EspañaMastin de ExtremaduraMastin de la ManchaMastin de LeonMastin Espanol
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Spanish Mastiff Size and Weight

Size
Is a Spanish Mastiff small, medium or large dog?

How big do Spanish Mastiff get?

What is the average size of a Spanish Mastiff?

Giant
Weight
How much does the Spanish Mastiff weigh? How much should a Spanish Mastiff weight? What is the normal weight of a Spanish Mastiff? How much does a full-grown Spanish Mastiff weight?
Male: 185-220 pounds (90-100 kg), Female: 145-170 pounds (52-77 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of a Spanish Mastiff?
Male: 202.5 pounds (95 kg), Female: 157.5 pounds (64.5 kg)
Height
How tall is the Spanish Mastiff? Spanish Mastiff height:
28-35 inches (72-88 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of a Spanish Mastiff?
31.5 inches (80 cm)

Spanish Mastiff Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Spanish Mastiff puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of a Spanish Mastiff in the United States? How much money is a Spanish Mastiff?

Where to buy a Spanish Mastiff with a good pedigree?

$600-$800
If you choose to purchase the Spanish Mastiff, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a Spanish Mastiff for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the Spanish Mastiff gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Spanish Mastiff? How many Spanish Mastiff are there in the world?
Average: The Spanish Mastiff is a commonly available dog breed. There is less risk of overbreeding compared to the very popular dogs.

Of course, they may be more popular in some countries, and inbreeding may occur, so be careful.

Spanish Mastiff Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Spanish Mastiff? Is the Spanish Mastiff breed dumb or smart?
Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. They understand and remember new commands after an average of 25-40 repetitions.

The Spanish Mastiff ranks average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Trainability
Are Spanish Mastiff dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train a Spanish Mastiff?
Spanish Mastiff dogs are quite easy to train. Sometimes they can be challenging, but if you're consistent in teaching new commands they will obey for sure.
Watchdog Ability
Is Spanish Mastiff good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Spanish Mastiff dogs are good watchdogs. Their main job is to observe and they're consistent in their effort. Good vocal cords and a sense of hearing belong to them. Usually, they're territorial and protective about their property, so the Spanish Mastiff dogs will alert you if they sense something different.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Spanish Mastiff dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Spanish Mastiff dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. This breed doesn't hesitate to protect its territory so the Spanish Mastiff can be a good choice if you want an excellent guard dog. Keep calm and the Spanish Mastiff will take care of unwanted people or animals.

Spanish Mastiff Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Spanish Mastiff have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
IntelligentAffectionateSelfishDeterminedNoble
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Spanish Mastiff sensitivity:
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. Soft punishment affects them emotionally. Spanish Mastiff dogs don't tolerate irregular daily routines, noisy households, and frequent guest visits really well.

They are receptive to their owner's emotions and make wonderful family companions.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is a Spanish Mastiff a good family dog?
High: Spanish Mastiff dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. They enjoy quality time with their owners despite the activity and are considered great therapy dogs for those in need. This breed responds strongly to their handler's emotions because they bond closely. Their happiness is your happiness.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Mastín de España need? Spanish Mastiff social needs:
Spanish Mastiff dogs need for social interaction is average. This breed likes being around people or other animals, but they don't mind being left alone for a few hours either.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Spanish Mastiff to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Spanish Mastiff roam?
Spanish Mastiff dogs have average wanderlust potential. Sometimes they like to explore the world and they might escape once or twice, but usually, they prefer staying safely at home. Safer to teach them how to get back to you on command.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Spanish Mastiff have high prey drive?
Spanish Mastiff dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. Training can help to achieve good behavior.

Spanish Mastiff Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
Average: Spanish Mastiffs, like any other dog breed, like playing. Sometimes they bark in excitement for playing, but they are not the most playful dog breed.
Barking
Do Spanish Mastiff dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my Mastín de España bark?
Low to Average: The Spanish Mastiff rarely barks. This breed could be a good choice if you're looking for a quiet breed. They don't bark unless there is a good reason.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Spanish Mastiff good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have a Spanish Mastiff in an apartment?
Not an apartment-friendly dog the Spanish Mastiff breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping Spanish Mastiff indoors can cause a lot of problems.

Spanish Mastiff Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Average: Spanish Mastiff dogs adapt to lifestyle changes and different living environments quite okay usually.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can a Spanish Mastiff be left alone? How long can you leave a Spanish Mastiff alone?
Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. With proper socialization and quality time with the dog can solve this problem.

Spanish Mastiff Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Spanish Mastiff has a hard bite? What is the bite force of a Spanish Mastiff? How much bite force does a Spanish Mastiff have? How strong is a Spanish Mastiff bite?

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Spanish Mastiff bite force: The Strongest. The Spanish Mastiff bite force is among the strongest in the canine world. The bite force Spanish Mastiff measurements are typically quite high, which is a testament to their powerful and large stature. The bite force of Spanish Mastiff dogs is impressive, and their Spanish Mastiff bite PSI is reflective of their powerful nature.

The Spanish Mastiff PSI bite should be respected, and appropriate precautions should be taken when interacting with these dogs. The PSI of a Spanish Mastiff bite is high, making them one of the strongest breeds in terms of bite force.

They are very protective of themselves and their families, therefore a dog bite from them could be exceptionally dangerous with their PSI being above 400.

To ensure a well-behaved and controlled dog, it's important to learn how to train a Spanish Mastiff puppy not to bite from an early age. It is important that they’re trained to be around others safely.

Biting Potential
Do Spanish Mastiff bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the Mastín de España? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Spanish Mastiff? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Spanish Mastiff has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Spanish Mastiff do?
Spanish Mastiff dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Spanish Mastiff dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Spanish Mastiff Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Spanish Mastiff dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
Spanish Mastiffs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds. Regular vet check-ups are needed.
Health Problems
What genetic/health problems does the Spanish Mastiff breed have? What are the health issues and concerns of the Spanish Mastiff breed? Most common health risks of Spanish Mastiff:
Hip Dysplasia CancerHypothyroidismBloatHeart ProblemsEntropionElbow DysplasiaObesityDental ProblemsPanosteitisJoint Dysplasia
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Spanish Mastiff breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Spanish Mastiff see the vet?
Frequent
The Spanish Mastiff should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Spanish Mastiff dogs live? How old can a Spanish Mastiff be? What is the age limit of the Spanish Mastiff? How many years can the oldest Spanish Mastiff live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of a Spanish Mastiff?

How long is the lifespan of a Spanish Mastiff?

10-12 years
The average lifespan of Spanish Mastiff: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. Dogs with a double coat of fur have a layer of fur that insulates their skin and helps protect them from the cold and the heat.

Spanish Mastiff Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Spanish Mastiff have? What is the activity level of the Spanish Mastiff?
Spanish Mastiff dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does a Spanish Mastiff need? How much exercise do Spanish Mastiff dogs require per day?

Do Spanish Mastiff dogs need a lot of exercises?

Spanish Mastiff dogs have an average exercise need. This breed is satisfied with short walks every weekday and a long ones on weekends.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Spanish Mastiff breed need?
Spanish Mastiff dogs sleep 12-14 hours a day as an average dog and they're not considered a lazy breed.

Spanish Mastiff Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does a Spanish Mastiff need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does a Spanish Mastiff breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Spanish Mastiff? How much food should I feed my Spanish Mastiff?
8 to 10 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Spanish Mastiff risk for obesity:
High: The Spanish Mastiff breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding. If you want to keep balance, increase the amount and frequency of your daily dog walk and play with the Spanish Mastiff more often.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Spanish Mastiff weight regularly.

Spanish Mastiff Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Spanish Mastiff have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
DenseThickStraight
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Spanish Mastiff coats?
BlackFawnSableYellow Brindle
Grooming
How to groom the Spanish Mastiff and how often? How often should I take my Spanish Mastiff to the groomer?
Easy to groom: The Spanish Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections. Spanish Mastiff is a good choice if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Recommended for beginners.
Shedding Level
How much do Spanish Mastiff dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Mastín de España? Do Spanish Mastiff dogs shed a lot?
Spanish Mastiff dogs shed moderately. It's a natural process of the hair growth cycle. Regular brushing reduces the amount of hair that sheds. It mostly depends on their health status and breed type.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Spanish Mastiff need a bath? How often should you give a Spanish Mastiff a bath? Can I bathe my Spanish Mastiff every day?
6-8 weeks
Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. It’s also a good time to look for unusual scratches, bumps, fleas, and other irregularities. When their hair is wet and flat against their body, these details are more visible.

For example, short-haired dog breeds can go a very long time in between baths. These short-haired breeds shed regularly and that shedding works to naturally remove excess dirt and oil. So unless your weenie dog got into the garbage can, you can probably hold off on a bath for a while.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Spanish Mastiff breed hypoallergenic?
No
Spanish Mastiff dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

High 🔼

The Spanish Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Spanish Mastiff drool?
The Spanish Mastiff drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool more than others, just like the Spanish Mastiff.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Spanish Mastiff Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Spanish Mastiff dogs get along with other pets? Are Spanish Mastiff dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Spanish Mastiff dogs are generally with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Spanish Mastiff temperament with other people:
Spanish Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly
Are Spanish Mastiff dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Spanish Mastiff temperament with children:
Spanish Mastiff dogs are kid-friendly dogs. This breed is a good choice if you have children.
Cat Friendly
How well do Spanish Mastiff dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Spanish Mastiff breed live with a cat?
Spanish Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards cats.
Dog Friendly
Is Spanish Mastiff good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Spanish Mastiff dogs get along with other dogs?
Spanish Mastiff dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Spanish Mastiff breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Spanish Mastiff breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Spanish Mastiff dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Spanish Mastiff dogs good office canines? Do Spanish Mastiff dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Spanish Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Spanish Mastiff dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Mastín de España temperament with senior people? Are Spanish Mastiff dogs good for elderly owners?
Spanish Mastiffs are usually recommended for elderly people.

Spanish Mastiff As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Spanish Mastiff be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Spanish Mastiff is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Spanish Mastiff be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Spanish Mastiff be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Spanish Mastiff is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Spanish Mastiff be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Spanish Mastiff is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Spanish Mastiff be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Spanish Mastiff is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Spanish Mastiff be a boat dog?

Not really

Spanish Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Spanish Mastiff be a drafting dog?

Yes

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Spanish Mastiff breed is a good choice for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Spanish Mastiff dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Spanish Mastiff Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is a Spanish Mastiff pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Spanish Mastiff breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Spanish Mastiff: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Spanish Mastiff have in a litter? How many puppies can the Spanish Mastiff breed have for the first time? How many puppies does a Spanish Mastiff have? How many puppies can a Spanish Mastiff give birth to?
3-6 puppies

Spanish Mastiff Recognition

AKC Group
Is Spanish Mastiff recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group
Is Spanish Mastiff recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Recognized by FCI in the Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs group, in the Molossian type section.
Breed Recognition
What kennel clubs and organizations recognize or register the Spanish Mastiff breed?
American Canine RegistryAmerica's Pet RegistryDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.American Canine Association, Inc.Continental Kennel ClubNational Kennel ClubUnited Kennel ClubAmerican Rare Breed AssociationFoundation Stock Service

Spanish Mastiff Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Grooming: Easy to groom: The Spanish Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming.
  • Watchdog Ability: Spanish Mastiff dogs are good watchdogs.
  • Child Friendly: Spanish Mastiff dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Spanish Mastiffs are usually recommended for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Spanish Mastiff dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
  • Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog: A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling.
Cons
  • Health Issues: Spanish Mastiffs tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
  • Hypoallergenic: Spanish Mastiff dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
  • Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the Spanish Mastiff breed.
  • Drooling Tendency: The Spanish Mastiff drools quite a lot, so if you dislike being covered by slobber spots on your clothes, you may want to choose another dog breed.
  • Stinkiness: The Spanish Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell.
  • Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity: High: The Spanish Mastiff breed has a strong tendency to be overweight.
  • Office Friendly: Spanish Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Spanish Mastiff History

The Spanish Mastiff, once was also known as Mastiff of Leon (a Spanish town in the North), Mastiff of Extremadura (a region in the South West of Spain) and Mastiff od Castilla-la-Mancha (a region in the South of Madrid). However, people don’t exactly know where the Spanish Mastiff comes from, though the breed is certainly native to Spain and it has likely existed for over a thousand years. Many people claim that the breed is a distant relative of the ancient Molosser dog of southern Europe , with written record from 2000 years ago referencing to white Mastiffs. Other people believe that the Mastiff has come from the famous Tibetan Mastiff, who was mentioned by Marco Polo, but this claim is without any scientific base.

Furthermore, the Spanish Mastiff has been used as a guarding of livestock and property, as well as a herding dog. The shepherds would use only one dog for one hundred sheep, and the canines would blend nicely with the flock thanks to their light coloured coat. The dogs’ coats also helped to protect them from the harsh weather in the Spanish mountains. Moreover the breed was always very connected to the flock of sheep and defended them against wolves and thieves. Written documents from 1526 show that they were usually Marino sheep, which meant that they were extremely valuable to the Spanish people and would migrate from south to north each year accompanied by the Spanish Mastiff. The breed’s role as a guardian dog on farms and on their temporary movements towards south or north had a huge significance in the past. During the thousand years a balanced character was developed, without showing aggressivity. Additionally, they were so popular that even images of them can be seen in Spanish art and literature. For example in Diego Velázquez’s painting Las Meninas, created in 1657, a brown Spanish Mastiff type dog can be seen at the front of the children, lying peacefully. There was a time when their numbers were decreasing due to the end of the sheep movements and the disappearing of the wolves but the breed has recovered its position especially in places where there have always been wolves. Given their huge contribution to history, it is no surprise that the Spanish Mastiff remains popular in Spain even today and the breed has even been named the national dog. However, surprisingly it is very rare outside of its home country. Although in Spain, these dogs are still kept as working dogs by many farmers and can also be seen at dog shows and within family homes as a pet and guard dog.

While there are record of the Spanish Mastiff dating back for many years, it was only in 1946 that their breed standard was eventually written and in 2008 the Spanish Mastiff entered into the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service group.

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