Spanish Mastiff puppies

About the Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff has walked with merino flocks across Spain for centuries, guarding sheep on the long seasonal migrations from wolves and thieves. It is a giant among dogs, 71 to 89 cm at the shoulder and 63.5 to 90.7 kg, with loose skin, a heavy dewlap and a short dense coat. Guardian breeds think for themselves, and this one is calm, slow moving, deeply attached to its own family and territory, and unhurried in its judgement of strangers.

Exercise is moderate, daily walks rather than running, and growing puppies should be kept off hard exercise while the joints mature. Grooming is a weekly brush. The real costs are food, veterinary bills, secure fencing and a tolerance for drool. Training has to start in puppyhood while you can still physically manage the dog, and socialisation with visitors matters enormously. This breed suits an experienced owner with land. People most often underestimate how territorial an adult becomes.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Spanish Mastiff 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 and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
• Bloat and gastric torsion, a surgical emergency in deep chested dogs
• Entropion and ectropion, eyelid faults found on veterinary eye examination
• Joint and ligament injuries in fast growing giant puppies, diagnosed by orthopaedic exam and x-ray

From Spanish Mastiff breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/spanish-mastiff/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Your Spanish Mastiff 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 Spanish Mastiff.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 63.5 to 90.7 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Other giant breeds

Previous: Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier · Next: Spanish Water Dog