Some people view the mastiffs as one breed, but in reality there are over 14 different individual breeds within the mastiff family. When most people think of a mastiff they think of a very large, overpowering dog or a guard dog. While this is true as a rule, there are many individual differences between each breed. You're missing out on some amazing qualities if you limit yourself to that generalization. We will break down the group into the individual breeds within it and share the details on which are more suitable for families, which may be the most affectionate, and even if any are recommended to have around children. Let's take a look at the individual breeds and help you familiarize yourself with which one(s) may be best for you. Commonly known as the Argentine Dogo, this mastiff breed is a loyal guardian of both its family and its property. The Argentine Dogo is playful and gets along well with children. The breed is very intelligent and easy to train with consistency.

Dogos are powerful dogs and not for the weak or inexperienced and definitely need leadership from a confident and consistent owner. If raised with other pets, the they can be fine with other animals, however, they can get aggressive with strange dogs, especially if an inexperienced or timid owner can't provide the necessary leadership. Known as the Fila Brasileiro, the Brazilian mastiff combines mastiff and bloodhound and the resulting dog is big with lots of wrinkles. The Brazilian mastiff will be completely devoted to its owner and, once bonded, will not hesitate to protect its family. Once bonded, this breed will take a lot of poking and prodding from small children and are incredibly gentle when with them. This breed also tends to get along well with other pets within the family. Filas should be socialized thoroughly and throughout its life so that it won't become wary of strangers. They also need to be shown that most things are not a threat and need the confidence building that comes with socialization.

This breed is definitely not for the inexperienced dog owner.House For Sale Borth The Bullmastiff is a mix of mastiff and bulldog. Tyre Rates In KarachiThis breed is a quiet, gentle companion devoted to and guardian of its family. Canadian Lynx Kittens For Sale UkThough laid back and slow to anger, once this dog feels threatened, it becomes a fearless protector. The Bullmastiff, as it name would imply, is a very stubborn dog and you may have great difficulty in getting this dog to perform against its will. Male Bullmastiffs can be very intolerant of other male dogs and, in general, can be aggressive towards dogs with which they are unfamiliar. With stubbornness aside, this breed can be good with children if they are raised together. This breed is another in the mastiff family that is not for the inexperienced or first time dog owner.

Though they should get daily exercise, their needs are moderate compared to others. A mild walk or short bursts of play are all that are necessary. Coat maintenance for the Bullmastiff is minimal as its coat is short and dense. Its power, alertness and endurance make it a great guard dog. An amazingly gentle breed, the English Mastiff is both gentle and easygoing making a great house dog and loyal family member. The breed is very devoted in spite of its minimal expression of emotion. Like all dogs, this one definitely needs daily exercise. While it handles warm to cool weather fine, it does not do well in hot weather. The English Mastiff has the tendency to drool, but coat maintenance is minimal. This breed of mastiff tends to be longer than they are tall and is a powerful dog with great endurance. The French Mastiff is known to many as the Dogue de Bordeaux and is smaller in size than its English counterpart. This breed is calm, patient and loyal to its family. The Bordeaux can be confrontational with strangers and seems to have no fear, making it a good guard dog with proper training and socialization.

Socialize them young and they seem to do well with other animals, as long as they're supervised. This breed drools, like many in the mastiff family, and is also known for its snoring. Appearance aside, the Bordeaux is usually gentle with the family's children. Once again, this breed should be in the hands of an experienced dog owner. The German Mastiff is most commonly known as a Great Dane.This breed of mastiff is friendly and dependable and usually good with children. The Great Dane also usually takes well to other household pets, but may not always be aware of its towering size over others so should be monitored. Moderate daily exercise will help keep the Dane fit and can be met with a brisk walk or chance to play in a fenced area. This breed of mastiff is not suited for outdoor living and should be considered an indoor pet. There are some Danes that drool but coat care is minimal. The Cane Corso is a very powerful, agile breed with a great deal of endurance. This breed is usually quiet and relaxed in the house and eager to please its family.

They are very intelligent and their eagerness to please makes them very trainable. Cane Corso make excellent guard and watch dogs. They are great with kids and very affectionate with their owners: gentle yet protective. They like to stick nearby their family members and therefore are not very big wanderers. Not considered a fighting dog, the Cane Corso will protect both family and property if the need arises. This breed needs early socialization and an experienced owner. Obedience training is highly recommended for this breed as well as all mastiffs. Believe it or not, these dogs will do just fine in an apartment as long as they have opportunity for plenty of exercise The Neapolitan Mastiff is probably one of the most recognizable in the mastiff family with all of its wrinkles. Bred to be a family guardian, the Neapolitan is amazingly loyal and totally devoted to its family – ever so watchful. They are very suspicious of strangers and moderately tolerant of acquaintances. This breed can be loving towards children, but needs to be socialized thoroughly at a very young age and should not be a dog for the inexperienced or first time dog owner.

Though Neapolitans need lots of space to stretch out, they do not particularly need a lot of exercise. Neapolitans like to be outdoors but do not do well in the heat. This breed is a big drooler and can leave a mess in their wake. Their appearance alone is enough, in many cases, to scare off would-be intruders. Despite its size, the Neapolitan can be surprisingly quick to react when provoked. The Pyrenees is devoted to family, but uneasy around strangers, both canine and human. With the family, the Pyrenees can be a calm, gentle, and well-mannered dog – even with children. The breed can be stubborn and very independent, so not the first choice for a timid owner. The Pyrenees is a wanderer and should not be left off leash in insecure locations. This breed is also a barker. The Pyrenees needs exercise on a daily basis to stay fit and enjoys being out for hikes in the cold weather, but doesn't do well in hot weather. This breed needs weekly brushing of their coats and sometimes daily brushing when shedding.

This breed can drool and is almost always a sloppy drinker. An extremely protective and territorial breed, the Spanish Mastiff is one of the less friendly mastiffs – a quality that makes it an excellent guard dog. This breed is definitely not one that inexperienced or first time dog owner should even consider. The Spanish Mastiff is very independent and not very affectionate, though the males are a bit more affectionate than the females. Spanish Mastiffs are prone to annoyance barking. This breed can adapt to most climates, but prefer dry climates. Their short, dense coat should be brushed regularly and their need for exercise is moderate. The Tibetan Mastiff is very independent and territorial. They can be devoted to family while aloof toward outsiders. This breed, like most mastiffs, should be socialized at a young age. The Tibetan is patient with its family's children, but can be protective when strange children visit. This breed is usually good with other dogs and animals.

While active outside, the Tibetan tends to be more relaxed and calm indoors. A long daily walk for its exercise should suffice. This breed can become destructive out of boredom when confined. Tibetans should be brushed several times a week as their long coat needs the extra attention. Their thick, water resistant coats makes them happy in cold weather and even comfortable in warmer, dry climates. In SummaryMastiffs, generally speaking, make great companions and protectors and with the proper training and socialization can be great additions to your family. While some are more gentle and laid back than others, most mastiff breeds need assertive owners. Mastiffs make excellent guard dogs. They investigate, bark, look incredibly formidable, and have the power and strength to back it up. Even so, most have a more gentle, rather than aggressive nature. A well socialized mastiff will protect you and your family, but only when there's a need to. Consider costs, space, time for training and socializing and possible messes (with many droolers in the group) when thinking about adding one of these magnificent creatures to your family.