Appearance

The Mastiff is a large and imposing looking dog, the heaviest breed there is. The body is massive, broad, deep and long with straight legs and a high set narrowing tail. The dog stands 30 or more inches at the shoulder; females 2.5 inches less. The coat is short and dense in shades of apricot, silver fawn or dark fawn-brindle, all with darker muzzle, ears and nose. The head is square with a large, blunt muzzle and a black face mask. The top lips hang slightly over the lower lips.

History

According to some accounts, Mastiffs (also known as Old English Mastiffs) were brought to England by Roman invaders thousands of years ago. Another theory is that Phoenician traders introduced them to Britain around the same time. Either way, Mastiffs have been bred in England for more than 2,000 years as exemplary sheepherders, guard dogs, police dogs and companions. Around the mid-1940s, the Old English Mastiff suffered a drop in popularity in England, but enthusiasts from America sustained the breed and helped re-establish their numbers around the world.