Breeds / Giant
Mastiff (English) puppies
Calm and affectionate with its own people but capable of guarding, and usually indifferent with strangers. Timidity is unacceptable in the breed.
The facts
- Size class Giant
- Adult weight 54.4 to 104.3 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 120 to 230 lb
- Adult height 70 to 76 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Low
- Typical lifespan 8 to 10 years
Source: https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/mastiff/
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Mastiff (English) puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A giant breed puppy at eight weeks is already heavy and will keep growing for up to two years. Controlled growth matters more here than in any other size class, so a large breed specific puppy food and no overfeeding. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming is straightforward, but start handling the coat, feet and ears in week one anyway so it is never a fight later. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything it meets calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of its life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
- Elbow dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
- Hereditary eye disease including progressive retinal atrophy, screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme, with DNA testing available for PRA
- Gastric dilatation volvulus, a surgical emergency, risk rises with a deep chest, prophylactic gastropexy is often recommended
- Entropion and ectropion, diagnosed on veterinary eye examination and corrected surgically
- Degenerative myelopathy, detectable by DNA test alongside clinical signs
From Mastiff (English) breed information at https://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/working/mastiff/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Your Mastiff (English) puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Giant for a Mastiff (English).
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 54.4 to 104.3 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Other giant breeds
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.