| So far as the
Mastiff is concerned, it has a longer history than most.
Caesar describes them in his account of invading Britain
in 55 B.C., when they fought beside their masters
against he Roman legions with such courage and power as
to make a great impression. Soon afterward we find
several different accounts of the huge British fighting
dogs brought back to Rome where they defeated all other
varieties in combat at the Circus. They were also
matched against human gladiators as well as bulls,
bears, lions, and tigers.
While the Mastiff was always in
front rank as a fighting dog, this does not account for
his popularity in England for two thousand years. It was
as bandogs, or tiedogs (tied by day but loose at night)
that they were found everywhere. In fact, long ago,
keeping of these Mastiffs was compulsory for the
peasants. By this means wolves and other savage game
were kept under control. They were also used in hunting
packs by the nobility. It was as protectors of the home,
however, that they were most used, and probably as a
result of centuries of such service the Mastiff has
acquired unique traits as a family dog.
Anecdotes extolling the power
and agility of Mastiffs as well as their devotion to
their masters would fill a large volume of marvels. The
story of Sir Peers Legh, Knight of Lyme Hall (near
Stockport, Cheshire), at the Battle of Agincourt,
October 25, 1415, is well known. He had brought his
favorite Mastiff — a bitch — to France, and when he
fell, she stood over him and defended him many hours
until he was picked up by English soldiers and carried
to Paris, where he died of his wounds. The faithful
Mastiff was returned to England and from her is
descended the famous Lyme Hall strain which the family
has bred for over five centuries. In the drawing room of
the castle is still to be seen an old stained-glass
window portraying the gallant Sir Peers and his devoted
Mastiff. The present-day English Mastiff is based on the
strains of Lyme Hall and that of the Duke of
Devonshire’s Kennels at Chatsworth.
From The
American Kennel Club’s The Complete Dog Book,
Howell Book House, 1998
Mastiffs are large, powerful and solid-looking
dogs. Adult males usually weigh between 160 and 230
pounds, and females are usually between 120 and 170
pounds. The standard sets no upper limit on how large a
Mastiff can be; the world's largest living dog is a
Mastiff weighing 286 pounds, according to Guinness
Book of World Records. The mastiff is not a "fat"
dog. His weight fits his body symmetrically.
Mastiffs have a broad head with a short
muzzle and drooping ears. Their coat is short, coarse
and is either apricot, fawn or brindle. The brindle
will have apricot or fawn as a background color. We
have Mastiffs with coats of all colors. They will
always have a black mask. The picture below shows all
of the colors of Mastiffs.
This litter shows apricot, fawn and
brindle puppies. |
OAK
MEADOWS RANCH
