The Mastiff’s ancestor, the Molossus, was primitive man’s best friend more than 5,000 years ago. Nowadays, there are more than many wonderfully different breeds found within the Mastiff family.
These drooly giants are regarded as one of the biggest dog breeds out there, but they have lots of love to give their owners and families, so don’t be put off by their great size and stern looks, which has commonly led to the breed being given a somewhat unfair reputation.
“Mastiffs are big, powerful dogs, with drooping ears and lips,” says companion animal vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan. “These dogs have brachycephalic features, meaning they have characteristically broad, flattened faces with skin folds.
“Many mastiff breeds have short, easy-to-care-for coats, large feet, and often have a long tail slender tail. These dogs were bred as hunting dogs and guard dogs, protecting property and livestock, so their large size is an important part of their function.”
Mastiff actually means “tame” or “domesticated” in Latin, making them an ideal pet. However, their powerful build and jowly appearance mean that you will have to get used to some of the downsides of Mastiffs, such as the snoring and the flatulence.
Often misunderstood but incredibly loveable, here are 11 mastiff breeds you should know. You might find some familiar faces that you never knew were types of mastiff.
11 beautiful Mastiff breeds you may not know
1. English Mastiff
The biggest of the Mastiff breeds, weighing in at as much as 230 pounds, the English Mastiff is extremely gentle and easygoing. Despite outwardly expressing little emotion, they are incredibly devoted and will become a loyal family member.
Known for their incredible endurance, these gentle giants, unfortunately, don’t fare well in hot weather. The English Mastiff, also known as the Old English Mastiff, has a coat that requires minimal maintenance, however, their prominent jowls mean they can be quite a drooly breed.
2. Argentinian Mastiff
Also commonly known as the Argentine Dogo, this intelligent breed can be playful and easy to train, as well as becoming a loyal guardian of its home and those they share it with. They were originally bred to help humans with big-game hunting, such as wild boar.
With some males weighing in at almost 100 pounds, they can be incredibly powerful dogs and, if not raised with the correct training or without socialization, can show aggression to dogs and other animals they are unfamiliar with.
3. Bullmastiff
Bred in England during the 1860s from the Old English Mastiff and bulldogs, the Bullmastiff is a breed that is famous for being brave, loyal, intelligent, and affectionate.
Originally bred to assist gamekeepers in protecting their land against poachers, they can weigh as much as 130 pounds and stand as tall as 26 inches, so you wouldn’t want to mess with them. Unsurprisingly, these canines don’t need to be all that vocal – their sheer size and strong looks are often enough to deter any trespassers.
4. Neapolitan Mastiff
These unmistakeable Italian pooches have the most distinctive jowls and as one of the more wrinkly dog breeds, you can hardly miss them! During Roman times, they were used to guard people’s land and property, helping to keep out any intruders who (foolishly) believed that they could take on this 150 pound pup.
Naturally loyal and watchful animals – the perfect combination for a guard dog – the Neapolitan Mastiff comes in a variety of coat colors, including tawny, mahogany, brindle, black, and blue. This breed, like all Mastiffs, requires socialization and training from a young age to ensure that their protective instincts are kept under control.
5. German Mastiff
Did you know that the German Mastiff often goes by the more common name of Great Dane? Standing up to 30 inches tall, this breed is known for being friendly and dependable, as well as often being good with children.
Due to their powerful size as fully grown adults, obedience training in the early years is vital to ensure that they don’t overpower you or have the innate desire to chase something that you haven’t spotted.
6. Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan Mastiffs are massive mountain dogs with incredibly thick coats, designed to keep them warm during the cold weather in the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas, from where the breed originates.
Notoriously independent, highly protective and incredibly intelligent, this breed won’t be everyone’s perfect pet. They require extensive training, time, and patience, so they require a special type of owner who is used to caring for a strong-willed animal with a mind of its own. Famously, they often decide not to come over when called.
7. Italian Mastiff
Despite its name, the Italian Mastiff was originally bred in Greece as part of a sub-category of dog breeds, known as Mollosers, before being taken back to Italy and bred with native Italian breeds.
More commonly known as the Cane Corso, these loyal and majestic dogs are a close cousin to the Neapolitan Mastiff. They're known to be headstrong, dominant, and highly intelligent.
Not surprising since they were used both as guard dogs, due to their imposing size and stature, and as a war dog, fearlessly charging enemy lines with buckets of flaming oil attached to their backs in the Roman wars.
Cane Corsos hate to be bored, and will benefit from a range of distractions to keep them occupied.
8. Spanish Mastiff
As the name suggests, this type of Mastiff originated from Spain, where it served the purpose of defending sheep from wolves and other predators during medieval times.
Despite its towering stature – coming in at 28-33 inches in height – it’s a gentle giant, having bred for purposes of defence rather than attack, and this is reflected in its aloof and calm demeanour. Despite this, it certainly isn’t to be messed with.
Possessing a low-pitched and deep bark, you’ll certainly hear them coming a mile off. Visually, they come in a range of colors, including black, red, gray, and yellow.
9. Boerboel
Hailing from South Africa, the Boerboel is another guardian breed. Originally referred to as the Boer Mastiff, it was capable of going toe-to-toe with a leopard, and was regularly employed as protection on farmsteads.
Standing as high as 27 inches tall, it’s stocky and powerful, and while they make for excellent guard dogs, they can become aggressive if they feel threatened by humans or other animals.
Arguably the most agile of the mastiff breeds, they need to be trained early should they be used as a guard dog, but they are generally eager and willing to learn, so should you put in the effort you’ll find a devoted pupil.
10. Pyrenean Mastiff
Another of the Mastiff breeds that can trace its history back a long time, the Pyrenean Mastiff has been around since the Middle Ages, where it protected sheep from threats like wolves and bears in the mountains of Spain.
Despite its inherently protective nature, the Pyrenean Mastiff is also incredibly friendly, especially to those its protecting, whether they’re human or not. The breed will also be low-key in its duty – it’s not known to bark excessively.
While they’re big-time droolers – not to mention just plain big, with a height of at least 28 inches – they make up for this by being welcome to training, and just generally big, lovable lumps.
11. French Mastiff
Weighing on average at least 100 pounds and standing around 30 inches at the shoulder, this French mastiff, also known as the Dogue de Bordeaux, is a mighty specimen. It’s claimed that they have the largest heads in the canine world!
They are pretty laid-back, and certainly not as high-energy as some of the other mastiff breeds, but they still need at least an hour of exercise per day to keep them fit, well and settled.
Dogues de Bordeaux were popular with French aristocrats in the 1700s and have been loyal family favorites ever since. They are great guardians and are likely to sound the alarm when anyone comes to the door.
Mastiff breeds: important care notes
These large, powerful dogs need the correct nutrition to grow well.
“The right nutrition is important for mastiffs, especially when they are young and growing,” affirms Dr MacMillan. “They must receive the right balance of calcium and phosphorus to support healthy bone growth. So, always get the best puppy food for your mastiff baby – a good quality, complete diet that is appropriate for their size.”
Every dog benefits from being taught good manners, but this is especially true for large breeds like mastiffs.
“Some mastiffs can grow very large, so early training and socialization are important to ensure your adult dog is well-mannered,” advises Dr MacMillan. “No one wants to be pulled along by a 200-pound dog that can’t walk to heel on the leash!”
Mastiff owners also need to be mindful of hot weather.
“You will also need to watch your Mastiff in the summer months,” advises Dr MacMillan. “Being large dogs with brachycephalic features, they are more at risk of heatstroke than other breeds. Make sure they always have access to shade and fresh drinking water, plus you should only exercise them in the cooler parts of the day during warm weather.”
Can’t decide between an English Mastiff vs bullmastiff? See our comparison...
Dr MacMillan is a companion animal vet who has always had a passion for writing and client communication. She works in the South West and loves complex medical cases.
Bethany is an experienced writer who has been writing across the pets and equestrian sector for eight years.
Edited by Georgia Guerin.
Recent updates
This feature was last updated on March 24, 2025 by Bethany Stone.
