English Mastiff- tell me more about the breed please!

[Excusemyfrench]

My family and I love dogs.

We always have been brought up with big dogs and are in love with English Mastiffs.
Their temperament ( from what I read in books, online and when I speak to breeders) seem ideal for a family dog but before making any commitments I would love to hear from people who own one. Hear about more about the breed and what they are like.


Any Old english Mastiffs owners out here?

Thank you!

[Whitney168]

No direct experience, but if it’s just books you’ve been looking at then you need some direct contact to realise just how huge they are and evaluate whether they can truly fit in to your life ... and car!

Apart from that, the usual giant breed advice - expensive to buy, keep, feed, insure and not that long-lived. Drool and moult badly. I would guess that 8 years would be considered old in this breed.

[Excusemyfrench]

Thanks for answering this.

Ive spoken to breeders and spent time with some of their dogs. Plus all the usual research. I just want to hear from someone who has one and can tell me even more about them.

[powershowerforanhour]

Start saving for the cruciate surgery now. And the lymphoma.
Sorry to be the voice of doom. I've never owned one. Hopefully someone will be along with experiences of owning ones that lived happily into double figures with no major health problems.
Basic problem is that they are a physically large but numerically small breed with all the usual problems that entails.

[Excusemyfrench]

Yes hopefully someone who actually has owned one will come along.

And for future posters I know its a big dog. I have owned big dogs all my life, was brought up with them and know about their health issues, short life and what a huge commitment they are.

We are a responsible family looking for all the information we can before getting a new pup.

Thank you

[Gravelface]

Realise this may be waaaay too late but I've just come across this thread and am an EM owner. Did you get one OP??