WorkingEngland

English Mastiff

Two hundred pounds of polite.

Weight: 120–230 lbs
Height: 27–33 in
Lifespan: 6–10 yrs

In short

The English Mastiff is a giant working breed from England, kept for centuries as an estate guardian. Adults weigh 120–230 lbs and live 6–10 years. They are gentle, calm and low-energy indoors, but their size means training and early socialization are essential, not optional.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a calm, gentle giant
prefer relaxed walks to long runs
have space and a budget for a very big dog

Think twice if you…

dislike drool on clothes and walls
live up stairs with no elevator
want a dog that lives into its teens

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 1–2 × 5 min
Treat limit: 225–365 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10

EnergyEasygoing3.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors9.0/10

SheddingSheds seasonally6.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Massive, square head
A broad head and short muzzle mean drool and some heat intolerance.
02
Giant, heavy frame
Among the heaviest dog breeds; everything from vet bills to car size scales up.
03
Short, dense coat
Easy to groom but sheds, more in spring and fall.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	160–230 lbs	120–170 lbs
Height	30–33 in	27–30 in
Lifespan	6–10 yrs
Coat	Short, dense double coat

Side profile 27–33 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Mastiffs are sweet, dignified and mostly content to lie at your feet. They are protective by presence rather than aggression. Stubbornness is the main challenge, since moving a 200-pound dog that won't budge is impossible.

With kids

Usually patient and gentle with kids, but their size means toddlers can be knocked over.

With other pets

Generally fine with other pets raised with them; some males are not keen on other male dogs.

With strangers

Watchful and reserved; they will place themselves between you and a stranger.

Alone time

Usually handle time alone well when adult, as long as they have a comfortable place to rest.

Training

Mastiffs are sensitive and can be stubborn, so short, calm, rewarding sessions work best. Start leash manners before the dog becomes too heavy to steer.

How often

1–2 sessions a day of about 5 minutes each.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

From 8–16 weeks, focus on calm meetings with strangers, kids and other dogs, plus handling of paws, mouth and ears. A well-socialized Mastiff is steady rather than suspicious.
Self-control

Teach loose-leash walking and "wait" at doors early. A calm greeting without jumping is essential for a dog this size.
What it works for

Food and praise work best. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver, keeping treats within 10% of daily calories, since extra weight is hard on giant joints.

Exercise

Mastiffs need daily moderate walks to stay fit and lean, not running. Short, frequent outings suit them better than one long one.

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Daily leashed walks
Gentle play in the yard
Short, easy hikes once fully grown

Brain work

Scent games
Food puzzles
Basic obedience and tricks

Best home

Best in a house with room to stretch out; an apartment can work only with a ground floor and an elevator plan.

Watch for No forced running, stairs or jumping before 18–24 months to protect growing joints, and avoid heat and hard exercise around meals given bloat risk.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical English Mastiff (120–230 lbs) lands around 2,250–3,650 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 2,800–4,575 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 280–460 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 14–23 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 2,250–3,650 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 225–365 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 11–18 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 3,075–5,025 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 310–505 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 15–25 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 1,975–3,200 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 200–320 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 10–16 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	2,800–4,575 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	280–460 kcal	14–23 pieces
Adult Maintenance	2,250–3,650 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	225–365 kcal	11–18 pieces
Active / Working	3,075–5,025 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	310–505 kcal	15–25 pieces
Senior	1,975–3,200 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	200–320 kcal	10–16 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Short lives, joint problems, bloat and heart disease are the big themes. Keep a Mastiff lean, grow puppies slowly and learn the signs of bloat.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Elbow dysplasia	OFA elbow evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Heart disease	Cardiac exam by a veterinarian or cardiologist	In breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks English Mastiff breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Elbow evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Heart exam

Also recommended

Thyroid panel
Cystinuria
Kneecap (patella) check
Canine Multifocal Retinopathy
Degenerative Myelopathy
D-PRA (Dominant Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate, with heavier seasonal sheds

Brush weekly with a rubber curry. Wipe face folds and drool daily to prevent skin irritation. Trim nails every few weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.

History

Ancient

Ancient war and guard dogs

Large mastiff-type dogs were noted in Britain at the time of the Roman invasion.
Middle Ages–1800s

Estate guardian

Mastiffs guarded English estates and livestock; Lyme Hall in Cheshire kept a famous line for centuries.
1940s

Near loss and rebuild

The breed nearly disappeared in Britain during World War II and was rebuilt partly from dogs in North America.

Questions owners ask

Are English Mastiffs easy to train?

Moderately. They are eager to please but can be stubborn and sensitive. Start leash training young, while you can still move the dog.

Are English Mastiffs good with kids and other pets?

Usually. They tend to be gentle with kids and other pets, but their size means toddlers can be bowled over. Supervise all play.

How much exercise does an English Mastiff need?

About 30–60 minutes a day of walks and gentle play. Avoid hard exercise in heat and around meals.

Do English Mastiffs shed?

Yes, moderately, with seasonal sheds. Brush weekly and wipe drool and face folds daily.

What health problems do English Mastiffs have, and how long do they live?

Mastiffs live 6–10 years. Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat and heart disease. Ask for hip, elbow and heart results and keep your dog lean.

Is an English Mastiff good for apartments or first-time owners?

Sometimes. They are calm indoors, but their size, drool and short lifespan are big commitments. First-timers can succeed with early training and a realistic budget.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a English Mastiff needs only 11–18 pieces a day, well inside the 225–365 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the English Mastiff ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.