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'''Mastiffs''' are large, solidly built [[dog breeds|breed]]s of [[dog]]s, typically with heavy bones, pendant ears, a relatively short and well muscled neck, and a short muzzle.
The word "Mastiff" is derived from the same word as "massive", meaning "mountain-like". Related words are "molosser" (from [[Molossia]], a country once located in what is now Western Greece), "dogge" (Germanic) and "douge" or "dogo" (romance languages).
The origin of the Mastiff is disputed, but [[Assyria]]n bas-relief carvings of Mastiffs found in [[Nineveh]] date back as far as approximately 640 BC. Many believe that the [[Tibetan Mastiff]] is the ancestor of modern Mastiffs, although there is little evidence to support this theory. It is a fact, though, that large watchdogs have existed in [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]] for several thousand years.
Some of today's Mastiff breeds come from the [[British Isles]] and points farther north, which accounts for their thick coats and solid build. The name "Mastiff" is also used specifically for one breed, also known as the [[English Mastiff]] or Old English Mastiff.
Mastiff breeds include the following:
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