Mastiff in Countryside
The Mastiff tends to be a gentle giant. Though his size may be imposing, he’s generally a peacemaker — but he’s typically protective of his family and will likely step in if something poses a threat to them. Learn more about this big guy and whether he might be the right dog breed for you.

They’re large.

If you love big dogs, you’ll probably adore the Mastiff. He can stand 27 and a half to 30 inches or more at the shoulder, and can weigh anywhere from 120 to 230 pounds.

They can be cuddly.

Don’t be surprised to find this typically affectionate dog leaning against you or curled up at your feet.

They tend to like kids and other animals.

The Mastiff is generally gentle with children and treats them with instinctive care. However, because he’s so big, he can unintentionally hurt or scare them. So always supervise him when he’s around kids. He also tends to get along with other dogs and cats.

They can adapt to apartment or condo living.

Thanks to his gentle temperament and mostly quiet presence, the Mastiff can make an ideal apartment resident. But if you have stairs, think about how you’d get him in or out if he were old or incapacitated and couldn’t manage the steps on his own.

They can make good watchdogs.

The Mastiff’s generally protective nature can make him a good watchdog. He’ll typically elicit a deep bark when strangers approach and likely won’t let up his guard until he’s been introduced and assured that the person is welcome.

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