GROUP 6 - UTILITY

Brief History
The Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed of dog from Spain. They are bred to be a livestock guardian dog, protecting flocks and/or herds from wolves and other predators.

Average Life Span
When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime.
The average life span is 8 to10 years.

Temperament
The Spanish Mastiff is intelligent, kind and noble, he is very determined when facing dangerous animals and in front of strangers, especially when he has the opportunity to defend and protect farms or cattle. His behaviour demonstrates a dog sure of himself, determined by his strength, because he is aware of his enormous power.

General Breed Description
The Spanish Mastiff is a dog of massive size, large and powerful, similar in appearance to the other mastiff breeds. They are a breed that have no maximum height standard. They have a large, powerful head and serious and vigilant expression. The solid colours are yellow, fawn, red, black, wolf colour, deer colour. Also, brindle and parti-coloured or dogs with a white collar.

Coat and Care Requirements
The coat is dense, thick, medium length. Weekly brushing and combing will be necessary. They also need regular ear cleaning, and this will need to be started when young to make sure the adult dog will allow it to be done.

Size
Height: Males: minimum 77cms, Females minimum 72cms.

Health
All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed’s health and what health testing the breeder does. The Spanish Mastiff is generally a healthy breed, however health conditions do occur occasionally. These may include Hip Dysplasia (HD), Elbow Dysplasia (ED) and Gastric Torsion (Bloat).

Suitability
Although they are loyal and courageous, they are not the ideal family dog, they can be aggressive with other dogs, and aloof with strangers and reluctant to accept other people outside their family.

In Conclusion
Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or Dogs Victoria. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.
Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.
Dogs Victoria is about the responsible ownership of all dogs and in particular the preservation of pure breeds.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/breed/detail/112