Spanish Mastiff: Difference between revisions

{{Infobox dog breed

| name = MastínSpanish EspañolMastiff

| image_caption =

| altname = SpanishMastin mastiffEspañol<br />Mastín españolEspañol de campo y trabajo<br />Mastín ganaderoGanadero<br />Mastín Leonés<br />Mastín Extremeño

| nickname = =

| country = [[Spain]]

|coat litter_size =

| note =

The '''mastínSpanish EspañolMastiff''' or '''SpanishMastín mastiffEspañol''', is a giant [[breed]] of dog from in Spain, originally bred to be a [[guard dog]] and whose specialized purpose is to be a [[livestock guardian dog]] protecting flocks and/or herds from [[Iberian wolf|wolves]] and other [[predator]]s.

[[File:ИСПАНСКИЙ МАСТИФ.JPG|thumb|right|A brindle Spanish mastiffMastiff]]

The Spanish Mastiff is a very large and powerful dog, similar in appearance to the other mastiff breeds. They have a large powerful head and serious and vigilant expression.<ref name=":1" />

Males in this breed are {{convert|70|to|85|cm|in}} tall at the withers, and range from {{convert|50|to|70|kg|lb}}. Females are at least {{convert|65|cm|in}}, and weigh {{convert|40|to|60|kg|lb}}.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.dogbreedslist.info/all-dog-breeds/Spanish-Mastiff.html|title=The Spanish Mastiff|access-date=2014-06-10|archive-date=2023-09-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927113349/https://www.dogbreedslist.info/all-dog-breeds/spanish-mastiff.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The ideal Spanish Mastiff is at least {{Convert|70|cm|in}} at the withers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bixler |first=Alice |date=2005-09-01 |title=Mastiffs of the World |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f6h&AN=17799114&site=eds-live&scope=site |journal=Dog World |volume=90 |issue=9 |pages=38–44 |via=ebscohost}}</ref>

It has small eyes and drop ears resembling triangles. This dog's coat is most often fawn, but it can also be brindle, black or 'wolf'-colored. Reddish tones indicate miscegenation.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Mastspagn3.jpg|thumb|right|Two fawn Spanish mastiffsMastiffs]]

This noble giant is aloof, dignified, calm and intelligent.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} It is devoted to its family and may politely accept strangers if it has been socialized properly, although it will be wary of them. It can be aggressive toward other dogs.{{citation<ref needed|datename=April":0" 2013}}/> The Spanish Mastiff may be a less-than-ideal pet in urban situations, where its booming voice and massive size could be problematic. It is a wonderful protector of its home and family.

Socialization and training should begin early to ensure this dog a stable and reliable pet. Supervised exposure in puppyhood to a variety of unfamiliar but non-threatening dogs will help dampen a tendency to aggression toward other dogs.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} The breed is quite alert and food motivated but can bore easily; training must be consistent and firm but gentle. Once the trainer has established the dog's respect as leader, the Spanish mastiffMastiff will be an extremely loyal pet.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}

This dog is more inclined to lumber than gallop, but it can move quite rapidly when necessary. A long daily walk will be sufficient, although it will appreciate a fenced area where it can exercise at its own rate.{{citation<ref needed|datename=April":0" 2013}}/>

[[File:Mastify hiszpanskie.jpg|thumb|TheArguably, the breed's more primitive variety, the LeoneseTraditional Spanish Mastiff]]

In addition to its considered "official" variety, which is the current and modern Spanish Mastiff framed in a rigid aesthetic pattern and recognized by the largest canine entities, there is also its more primitive, traditional slopevariety, considered unofficial, that does not meet any aesthetic standards and has as its objective, still today, to serve its owners acting in the protection of flocks against predators. These unofficial strains, for the purpose of differentiation, are termed the Traditional Spanish Mastiff, Working Spanish Mastiff, Leonese Mastiff, and Wolf Dog. These unofficial strains continue to act actively in their original and primitive function, with figures published by the World Wide Fund for Nature in 1986 showing a 61% reduction in predation of livestock when flocks are guarded by Mastiffs.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pablo |first1=Ofelia de |last2=Zurita |first2=Javier |date=19 October 2023 |title='I got to know the wolf': how Spain's shepherds are learning to live with their old enemy |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/19/wolf-how-spain-shepherds-learning-to-live-with-old-enemy-aoe |access-date=19 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019112350/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/oct/19/wolf-how-spain-shepherds-learning-to-live-with-old-enemy-aoe |archive-date=19 October 2023 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1986 |title=LO QUE EL LOBO NOS DA BENEFICIOSECOSISTÉMICOS Y LOCIALES DELLOBO IBÉRICO |trans-title=WHAT THE WOLF GIVES US ECOSYSTEM AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF THE IBERIAN WOLF |url=https://wwfes.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/manifiesto_lo_que_el_lobo_nos_da.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230511142116/https://wwfes.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/manifiesto_lo_que_el_lobo_nos_da.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=WWF (Spain) |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Perea |first=Silvia |date=2019 |title=Morphological and molecular assessment of hip dysplasia in two body types of Spanish Mastiff |url=https://digital.csic.es/handle/10261/247461 |journal=International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry |volume=4 |issue=1 |pages=32–39|hdl=10261/247461 }}</ref>

{{commons|Mastín Español}}