The Spanish Mastiff, also known by its Spanish name, Mastin Espanol is a large breed of dogs. Originally they were bred as a guard dog whose purpose was to defend the livestock and the owner family against predators like wolves. Mentions of this massive dog in Spain have been documented to over 2000 years ago, before even the Roman invasion, and it is said that they were introduced here by the Phoenicians and Greeks. The Phoenicians probably brought them from Syria or India.
In Spain, they are native of the Estremadura region. The breed is well appreciated in Europe for their guarding abilities of the livestock (like the Merinos sheep) against wolves and bears. Their generally white coat is easily differentiated from the sheeps straw color. A record showed that in the year 1526, there were about three and a half million sheep in migration and, for every 100 sheep, there would be a guarding dog of this breed to protect them.
These dogs were appreciated for their size, adaptability to any kind of climate and for their strong defense instincts. Although the breed was well known all over Europe, only in 1946 a standard for this dog has been established.
Nowadays, the Spanish Mastiff is the national Spanish breed, having the most number of exemplars (around 24000), even if outside of Spain it is a rare breed. They are very popular in the north part of the country, with the population concentrated in Leon, which is also known as the breeds capital.
Typical to other mastiffs, the dogs of this breed are very large and powerful animals, with a massive chest, large head, rectangular body and loose skin folds. Their height is about 28-35 in (72-88 cm) and weight around 185-220 lbs (90-100 kg), with some large exemplars weighting even 265 lbs (120 kg). They have a short straight coat with an almost wooly texture and a short dense under-layer of hair to keep them warm in the harsh cold conditions.
There are 2 types of Spanish Mastiff: a heavier, mountain type by the name of Mastin Pesando (Heavy Mastiff) and the more refined steppe type, named Mastin Ligero (Light Mastif). Like their name suggests, there is a difference in size; the mountain type is the one that usually is seen in dog shows, as its massive size impresses the public better. The Light Mastif is common to the south of Spain (Meseta and Andalusia) and it is more agile and athletic. Being a large dog, it is better to keep an eye on it, especially while it is growing, as some health problems may occur. It is recommended to feed the dog several times a day instead of one big meal.
This gentle and noble giant is a true companion of the man. Apart from their loyalty, the dog likes to be close to their owners and family, showing affection and love to them. They will sacrifice themselves for the protection of the family or the livestock. They need an experienced and firm owner, a pack leader. Best training results are between the ages of 3 to 12 weeks. Although the Spanish Mastiff requires only a moderate amount of exercise, this dog is not recommended for apartment life.
