• Height (at the shoulders): dogs: 30 inches and up (76 cm) ; bitches: 67 inches and up (69 cm)
• Weight: dogs: 160 pounds (72 kg)  ; bitches: 150 pounds (68 kg); some male Mastiffs have been know to reach 200 pounds
• Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years
• AKC Group: Working Group – AKC recognized in 1885
• Shedding: average shedder
• Living Conditions: okay in apartment (with sufficient exercise); relatively inactive indoors; okay with a small yard

Personality of the Mastiff Dog Breed

The Mastiff is a particularly large breed of dog that is surprisingly easy going, good-natured, calm, and gentle. He is a well mannered animal that can fit well in most any household.

If you have a family with children in the house then owning a Mastiff would make an excellent choice as he is known to be utterly devoted and loyal to its owners, and great with little kids. This dog has high affection levels and gets along great with other pets.

Another positive aspect of the Mastiff is that he makes an excellent watchdog with the ability to protect the family with strength and quickness.

History of the Mastiff Dog Breed

The Mastiff originated in Britain. The breed is very old and seems to go as far back as 3000 B.C. Soldiers used them as war dogs as far back as 55 B.C.

One story says that Caesar took a pack of Mastiffs back to Rome and put the dogs on display in the gladiator arena. There they were forced to fight with human gladiators, lions, bears, and other dogs.

They later became a popular dog among the English peasants who used them as guard dogs.

Like many other dog breeds, they were almost extinct by the time World War II ended.

The breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1885 as a member of the Working Group.

The Mastiff Dog Breed Care and Grooming

When the Mastiff becomes an adult, they need a mild amount of daily exercise. A good 10 to 15 minute brisk walk would do just fine.  Better yet are physical games in a fenced yard if you have the opportunity to own such a property.

This dog can live both indoors and outdoors. If you choose to keep your Mastiff outdoors then it should be noted that this breed is not fond of hot weather at all. He thrives on cooler temperatures so be sure to afford him the luxury of plenty of shade during the hot summer months if he is to be kept outside. However, the ideal living situation for a happy Mastiff is to be inside with his family as this dog is genetically geared towards protecting its pack.

Health Problems of the Mastiff

The average life expectancy of the Mastiff breed is about ten to twelve years.

Major health concerns for this breed are:

• CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia)
• gastric torsion
• prone to bloat

Minor health issues include:

• elbow dysplasia
• cystinuria
• osteosarcoma
• cardiomyopathy
• vaginal hyperplasia
• PPM (Persistent Pupillary Membrane)
• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

Veterinarians recommend having the Mastiff dog breed tested specifically for eye problems, thyroid, elbow dysplasia, and hip dysplasia.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

• Height (at the shoulders): dogs: 26 – 28 inches (66 – 71 cm) ; bitches: 23 – 26 inches (58 – 66 cm)
• Weight: dogs: 60 – 80 pounds (27 – 36 kg)  ; bitches: 55 – 75 pounds (25 – 34 kg)
• Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
• AKC Group: Working Group – AKC recognized in 1930
• Shedding: shed little to no hair; no doggy odor
• Living Conditions: not suitable for apartments; fairly active indoors; best with a large open space

Personality of the Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed

As the name implies, the Giant Schnauzer is just that, a giant, therefore, it may be a bit too rambunctious and rough for small children. But their playful character and protective loyalty to its family also makes this breed an excellent house dog. They may be a bit reserved with strangers and aggressive towards other dogs, but this is what makes them a top-rated watchdog with the ability to defend its family through force if needed.

History of the Giant Schnauzer

This breed originally came from Germany, out of the the lands of Wurrtemburg and Bavaria.

Cattlemen were quite fond of the smaller standard-sized Schnauzer and thus wanted to breed a larger-sized version of the dog for specific jobs. They needed a bigger dog to drive cattle and so the Schnauzer was mixed with larger, smooth coated cattle driving dogs. The attempt was done to create a wire haired drover.

Although the exact breed crosses are not documented and cannot be accounted for first-hand, theorists have come to the conclusion that other dogs were added to the mix. These dogs are said to have been the black Poodle, Wolf Spitz, Wirehaired Pinscher, the Bouvier des Flandres, and even the Great Dane.

The end result was a dog referred to as the “Munchener”. It was smart, capable of handling cattle, and sported a weather resistant coat. In time, the breed became more and more popular and were used as stockyard dogs, guard dogs, butcher dogs, and brewery dogs.

Eventually the name was changed to the “Giant Schnauzer” and the breed was used as police dogs around the time of World War I. They excelled rapidly as a service dog but still remained unpopular around the world except for Germany.

The breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1930 as a member of the Working Group.

The Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed Care and Grooming

Giant Schnauzers need daily physical exercise but has more fun playing vigorous dog games. Long walks and hikes through the hills are a perfect activity to match this breed’s active lifestyle.

Giant Schnauzer dogs can live outdoors during cold temperatures but prefer to sleep inside with its family. Grooming requirements are 2 – 3 thorough brushings his each week to keep its wiry coat clean. Professional shaping, clipping, and scissoring are also recommended.

Health Problems of the Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed

The average life expectancy of the Giant Schnauzer Dog Breed is about twelve to fifteen years.

Major health concerns for this breed are:

• CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia)

Minor health issues include:

• OCD
• hypothyroidism
• gastric torsion

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

• Height (at the shoulders): dogs: 25 – 27 inches (64 – 69 cm) ; bitches: 24 – 26 inches (61 – 66 cm)
• Weight: dogs: 110 – 133 pounds (50 – 60 kg)  ; bitches: 100 – 120 pounds (45 – 54 kg)
• Life Expectancy: under 10 years
• AKC Group: Working Group – AKC recognized in 1934
• Shedding: light shedder
• Living Conditions: okay in apartment (with sufficient exercise); relatively inactive indoors; okay with small yard

Personality of the Bullmastiff Dog

The Bullmastiff is a quiet, gentle, and very laid-back dog. They are not aroused easily, but if they are startled they can be quite a threat to any intruder. These dogs are rated among the best for their guarding and protection abilities.

They are great with children, but it is recommended that you raise them together with the Bullmastiff puppy rather than bringing an adult dog home with the children.

These dogs can be a bit aggressive towards other dogs and animals.

Bullmastiffs tend to drool, slobber, and snore.

History of the Bullmastiff Dog

The Bullmastiff has often been mistaken as one of Britain’s oldest dog breeds. However, that distinction actually goes to the Mastiff, which is a different breed. History does seem to indicate that there were crosses between these two breeds as far back as the 1790s.

The earliest documentation of the Bullmastiff goes back to about the end of the 19th Century. During that time they were used mainly to protect large estates from poachers who were causing big problems for gamekeepers.

Before the Bullmastiff  was developed, the only breeds available to guard and protect against the poachers were the Bulldog and the Mastiff. But the Bulldog was not big enough and the Mastiff was a bit too slow. By crossing these two breeds the Bullmastiff was developed to make a great guard dog.

Over time, dog breeders decided to stop crossing the two breeds and focused instead on creating a pure Bullmastiff. The result was a dog that was approximately 60% – 70% Mastiff and the rest, Bulldog. These breeders were extremely successful in refining the breed and by the early 1920s the English Kennel Club officially recognized the Bullmastiff.

The breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1934 as a member of the Working Group.

The Bullmastiff Dog Care and Grooming

Bullmastiffs do not tolerate extremes in temperatures, so keep that in mind when you are taking them outdoors.

They are large dogs and require daily exercise to keep them healthy and in shape. Like other large breeds, they tend to gain too much weight if not provided with sufficient exercise. However, a brisk walk every day should be sufficient for these large dogs.

Grooming the short-haired coat of the Bullmastiff is easy. It requires only an occasional brushing with a good dog brush to remove any dead hair from the coat. Pay special attention to their feet and keep the nails trimmed because remember these are large dogs.

These dogs are light shedders.

Health Problems of the Bullmastiff Dog

The average life expectancy of the Bullmastiff dog is under ten years.

Major health concerns for this breed are:

• CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia)
• PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
• gastric torsion
• elbow dysplasia
• prone to bloat

These other issues can occur, but are rarely seen:

• mast cell tumors
• hemangiosarcoma
• lymphosarcoma
• SAS (Sub-Aortic Stenosis)
• hypothyroidism
• osteosarcoma
• boils on the lips

Veterinarians recommend having the Bullmastiff dog tested specifically for hip, elbow, and eye problems.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

For even more information about this dog breed check out the book:

• Height (at the shoulders): dogs 28 – 30 inches (71 – 76 cm) bitches 26 – 28 inches (66 – 71 cm)
• Weight: dogs 100 – 150 pounds (45 68 kg) bitches 90 – 130 pounds (41 – 59 kg)
• Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
• AKC Group: working group – recognized 1996
• Shedding: seasonal heavy shedder
• Living Conditions: not recommended for apartments; relatively inactive indoors; best with a large yard

Personality of Anatolian Shepherds

The Anatolian Shepherd is very loyal and devoted to their family. At the same time, they are very easy going, affectionate, and would make an ideal family pet. They enjoy children but should be supervised because of their large size. They may unintentionally hurt a child.

They make great watchdogs, and are very wary and suspicious of strangers and other unfamiliar animals.

Although often associated with a flock, they are guardians of the flock and are not to be confused with herding dogs. These dogs are capable of great speed and endurance,

History of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs

The breed has a long history as a working dog. They were originally bred to be the guardians of a flock. Today, they are still used as a security dog.

Some research trace their origin as far back as 4000 years to the Roman Mollosian dogs of war, and to the Tibetan Mastiff. They were used to protect livestock from dangerous predators like bears and wolves.

Anatolian Shepherd dogs were introduced to the United States sometime during the mid 1950s. At first, they were used primarily for guarding livestock against coyotes, wolves, and other predators. But in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, the breed became more popular.

Once that happened, dog enthusiasts began breeding and raising Anatolian Shepherds. They were regarded for they devotion and considered excellent family protectors.

In 1996 the AKC recombined this wonderful dog breed.

Anatolian Shepherd Care and Grooming

This dog breed can live outside if necessary, as long as there are no extreme temperatures (either hot or cold). Of course, they also love to be a part of the family and would love to sleep indoors at night.

An Anatolian Shepherd requires plenty of exercise. Given the opportunity, they will run or jog with their owners. However, a brisk walk on leash will do the job. If possible, they would do best being able to run free in their own fenced yard. Because they are working dogs, they would do great if they have a job to do.

In general, they require little grooming. But a weekly brushing with the proper dog grooming brush to remove any dead hair would be great.

The breed is known to be a seasonal heavy shedder – they shed twice per year. During this time their coat should be thoroughly brushed.

Health Problems of Anatolian Shepherd Dogs

The average life expectancy of an Anatolian Shepherd is twelve to fifteen years.

The breed is quite healthy with the only major health issue being CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia). Although CHD is not as common as in some of the other large dog breeds. Of minor concern is eyelid entropion and hypothyroidism.

Anatolian Shepherds have also been known to be sensitive to anesthesia.

Veterinarians recommend that these dogs be tested for potential hip and eye problems.

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia

Best,

Omar Reyes

For even more information about this dog breed check out the book:

But a large family dog is not for everyone. There are some factors that you need to consider when deciding if a large dog breed is a good fit for your family.

Some Pluses For The Large Family Dog

In general, large breed puppies cost less than small and cute little toy breed puppies. I am not quite certain of the reasons behind this, but that is the way it is.

Puppies from the large breeds are not as delicate as their smaller cousins. They are usually ready to go to their new homes around eight weeks old. Puppies from the toy breeds and most small breeds may need to wait until they are at least twelve weeks old before their new families can take them home.

Because of their size, many large breed puppies make excellent family dogs. They can tolerate more roughhousing without getting hurt too easily. Of course, that is not to say that children should be allowed to be left alone with the dog, especially when they are playing. Rough playing can quickly get out of hand without proper supervision.

However, for children who understand how to interact with a dog, a large family dog can be a great companion.

Many times, a small dog breed may not be a good choice for young children since the kids can unintentionally hurt the puppies.

Despite their intimidating size, many large dogs are very gentle and have a quiet, laid-back personality. Depending on the breed, some large dogs don’t require a whole lot of exercise. In fact, there are many small dog breeds who require a great deal more exercise than some of the larger dogs. There are many large dogs who are contented to simply nap all day.

Many people mistakenly believe that to own a large dog you must have a large backyard. This is not always the case.

One mistake that potential dog owners often make is to think that only small dogs are suitable to living in an apartment, and that large dogs require a house in the country to be happy. Choosing Puppies

And finally, this may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for a watchdog, or a protector, you will want to choose a large dog breed. After all, face it, most dogs no matter their size, will alert you to an intruder. But realistically, people will respect a quiet Rottweiler much more than they would a yapping Yorkie.

Some Drawbacks Of The Large Family Dog

On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to owning a large dog. First of all, you should expect to spend more money on a large dog. They eat a lot more so you will spend more money on food. Their routine health care is usually more costly as well.
If you use heartworm medication and flea treatment on your dog, these cost more for larger dogs too.

Other things cost more.

Dog crates for large dogs are more expensive. If you plan on taking your dog on an airplane you will pay more for a larger dog.

But perhaps the biggest drawback of having a large family dog is their shorter lifespan. Now, this is a generalization because there are many factors affecting the average life expectancy of a dog. In general, however, a toy breed dog or a small dog breed may live up to about fifteen years. Large dog breeds have a typical lifespan of about ten to fourteen years.

In the end, it really comes down to what kind of dog you feel would be most suitable to your lifestyle. If you are considering a large family dog, there are many great reason why you should get one. The most important thing to remember is to do your research to make sure you can provide your dog with the love and care she deserves for the rest of her life.

Choosing a Family Dog is a series of articles discussing several things you need to know when deciding to bring a new dog or puppy into your family. Move on to the next article, Dogs for Seniors, or go back to the previous article, Male or Female Dogs.