Instructions
Start by assessing the height, weight and dimensions of the dog. If it’s the size of a small horse, that’s a good start. The average Old English Mastiff will stand 2 1/2 feet high at the shoulder with a width of over 2 feet, weighing between 160 and 200 pounds. These are average dimensions. Roughly 10 percent of Old English Mastiffs grow to be much taller and heavier, topping out at 4 feet high and more than 300 pounds. These are truly massive, heavyset, and muscular dogs typically much longer than they are tall. The bone structure should be very sturdy and the skin loose in partial fold along the ribs and upper back. The tail should be less than 1/3 the dog’s length, thin and always hang low between the rear legs.
Examine the dog’s fur and coloring. The fur should be short and bristle-like in appearance, though soft as down to the touch. It comes in primarily plain colors: grey-silver, cream, apricot, tan and gold. The one exception to this rule is the dark brown brindle, which is a type of blotchy patchwork that includes streaks of orange or tan.
Conclude by looking at the dog’s head. It should be absolutely massive with a jaw span quite capable of fitting in a human head. It should be very wide, thick and rounded with long triangular ears that flop far to the sides. All Old English Mastiffs have a black mask which covers the nose and muzzle all the way up to the eyes. The eyes should be large, round, and dark brown; set well in to the front of the face rather than the sides. They should be well protected by heavy bone orbits above. The muzzle should be short, wide, boxlike and dominated by heavy drooping jowls and lips with a thick dewlap under the chin. This makes the breed very prone to drooling.
How to Identify an Old English Mastiff
The Old English Mastiff comes from England, as you might expect. It was there when the Romans first invaded in the 6th century BC, so it is believed to have been brought to the country by Phoenician traders sometime prior. Since then this massive breed, arguably pound for pound the largest dog in the world, has been used as a ward og, as a pit fighter, a flock protector, home guardian and companion. This breed is happy to live with humans, though is a bit standoffish, preferring to watch its family from a comfortable spot on the couch or rug than follow them everywhere. When given a task, this dog is off like a shot, it’s untiring herculean strength eagerly put to use as a police dog, military dog, search and rescue dog and even a beast of burden.