The American Mastiff can definitely impress with its size. In spite of the giant aspect, this is a family dog that loves children and adores being petted by the owners. Its appearance is similar to the English Mastiffs and is the result of the crossing of the latter with the Anatolian Mastiff. This crossing was necessary, because the original Mastiff presented problems with hip dysplasia and excess drooling. Moreover, the lifespan in the case of the American breed is no longer so short.
Physical description:
- Dry mouth when compared to the other types of Mastiffs
- Massive, large body frame
- Amber-colored eyes
- Rounded ears high on the head
- Wide, rectangular head
- Medium-sized muzzle
- Dark mask on the face
- Black nose
- Powerful, slightly arched neck
- Muscular, straight back
- Straight, powerful legs
- Coat color: most puppies are born with a dark coat, but by their first year, their coat lightens until it gets fawn, brindle, or apricot. Some puppies preserve some darker hairs when they grow older, too.
Height: between 28 and 36 inches
Weight: males weigh between 160 and 200 pounds, while females weigh between 140 and 180 pounds. This makes the American Mastiff one of the heaviest dogs.
All the physical features point out that the American Mastiff is a very powerful dog. In spite of the fierce look, this dog is not aggressive at all. Most owners describe it as a very devoted companion and trust their children around him.
How much exercise do they require?
This dog tends to be quite lazy, and its weight needs to be kept under control, which is why it has to have regular exercise. However, just a walk will do for it. If there are children around, he will do more exercise than it is used to, just to please them.
Is it an outdoor dog or an apartment one?
In spite of the large size, it is great for an apartment, too, as it does not need too much space to move. Some call it a couch potato because it is quite inactive. So, if you plan to keep it in an apartment, things will go great if you walk it daily.
As far as the life expectancy concerns, they live about 10 or 12 years, which is much longer than before the crossing between the English and the Anatolian Mastiff. The life expectancy is good enough considering that most large-sized dogs do not live long.
Coat type: the American Mastiff has short, smooth hair which makes it easy to groom. They might be a little bit difficult to wash because of the size, but a regular dog shampoo will do. After the bath, it is important to make sure the coat is dried. The brush needs to have firm bristles to remove all the unwanted hair, especially when the dog is kept inside an apartment.
Overall, in spite of its big size and heavy body, the American Mastiff is just a gentle giant that can excellently blend in with your family, while your kids will enjoy it very much.
