Dogs come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. Some barely weigh enough to tip a scale, while others could sink a boat.
When it comes to big dogs, it’s important to know just how big they will get before you bring them into your home, so you know you have adequate space for them, and you, to be comfortable!
Hello dog moms and dads! My name is Bri, and I’m a big dog lover with an American Bulldog and Pitbull mix named Bruce!
I’ve had big dogs my whole life, but the biggest one to date is my dad’s current dog, Bram.
Bram is a whopping 200-pound English Mastiff!
What is a Mastiff?
Mastiffs are a popular dog breed that are well known for their extremely large size.
There are numerous different mastiff breeds, but the most common include:
- English Mastiffs
- American Mastiffs
- Bullmastiffs
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Tibetan Mastiff
Each breed has generally similar temperaments but have very distinct, differentiating features. For example, Neapolitan Mastiffs are generally gray in color, while English Mastiffs are a light tan with black facial features and ears or also come in brindle patterns.
All of the breeds listed above have fine, short haired coats, aside from the Tibetan Mastiff which has a huge, fluffy long-haired coat.
Unfortunately, being big dogs, these breeds have a shorter lifespan than the average dog. Most mastiffs only live to be anywhere from 6-10 years old.
How Big are Mastiff Puppies?
Mastiff puppies look like most other puppies when they’re born; tiny, cute and cuddly.
However, it’s easy to tell that mastiffs will be big dogs from the start because of the size of their paws.
Mastiff puppies, like all puppies, grow very quickly.
By a year old, my dad’s English Mastiff already weighed 75 pounds which is more than most breeds weigh at their max weight!
How Much do Mastiffs Eat?
As fast as these dogs grow, it’s important to keep their diet full of nutrients that support their growth and joints. Dogs this large are notorious for having joint problems – that’s a lot of weight to support!
It also goes without saying that these pups eat, and eat, and then eat some more. Keeping them well fed with a healthy diet is crucial, and that could mean a lot of expensive food.
A little tip if you’re considering a mastiff – you can mix some plain green beans in with their food! Green beans are a natural filler that are good for dogs without giving them too much extra blubber!
This worked wonders with Bram, but definitely run it past your vet first!
If you are struggling to find what to feed your mastiff, you can read our article on the best affordable dog food.
What is the Max Weight for Mastiffs?
The weight for each different breed of mastiffs varies. The average English and American Mastiffs get up to 190-200 pounds. Looks like Bram really tipped the scale here.
Slightly smaller, the Bullmastiff and Neapolitan Mastiff typically only max out at around 130 pounds, and the Tibetan Mastiff at around 160 pounds.
Each breed gets about 30 inches tall from the floor to their back, so they really are gentle giants.
Bram’s favorite part about being so tall is that he can perfectly rest his head on the dining room table during dinner!
Is a Mastiff the Right Dog for Me?
Although mastiffs may look huge and intimidating, they really are one of the gentlest breeds I have ever owned.
They have very laid back and calm personalities and are extremely affectionate towards their owners.
However, it is important to know that mastiffs were bred as guard dogs.
They were originally bred in England for over 200 years as guard dogs, so it makes sense that protective behaviors are in their DNA.
They are naturally suspicious of strangers and protective of their territory, but once introduced are very loving to anyone their owners trust.
Another obvious issue is the vast size of this dog. At a massive 200 pounds, Bram still runs around acting like a puppy.
Luckily, we don’t have any young kids in our family, but for those with small children, they could be in danger of being ran over by these big babies.
Also, their height gives them access to anything that is about waist high to the average person. That means anything on a side table, including glasses of red wine, are accessible to a rambunctious tail swinging away.
If you’re wondering, yes, we still have a stain from Bram knocking over my wine glass!
Final Thoughts
Hopefully you’re a snuggler if you want a mastiff!
No matter how big they get, these dogs will want to be close to their owners and that usually means being a lap dog.
If you have plenty of space and love to give to these giant dogs, a mastiff might be a perfect fit for you!
But ye be warned – their drool is as plentiful as their love!
Happy pup parenting! If you have any comments or questions, please lave them below!
