Welcome to the

Old English Mastiff Club website

The home of the Mastiff – protecting the breed since 1883

The aim of the site is to inform and educate about the wonderful Mastiff breed. It is aimed at anyone interested in the breed, including prospective owners, Owners, Breeders and Mastiff fanatics. Everyone is welcome here and we looking forward to hearing from you.

THE MASTIFF IS A GIANT BREED AND ONE OF THE OLDEST BREEDS IN THE UK. THEY ARE AS FIT FOR FUNCTION AND PURPOSE AS ANY OTHER BREED – SUBSTANCE SUPPORTS THEIR SIZE.

The correct nomenclature for this breed is MASTIFF.

The club is called “The Old English Mastiff Club” and has been in existence since 1883.

Despite their size, Mastiffs are the gentle giants of the canine world. The Mastiff is our most ancient breed and has been in our country for 2,000 years. They are thought to have been brought to England from Asia, by the Phoenician traders.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

The Officers and Committee of the OEMC would like to thank members who have renewed their membership for 2026,
Please note that renewals are due on 1st January and
must be paid by 1st March at the latest.

Payment enquiries should be sent to membership@oemc.co.uk

Find out more

Breed Standard

Rehoming

Health

Officers and Committee

Join Us

Rules

In Memoriam

Today I heard the very sad news that Richard Thomas of Bredwardine Mastiffs had died. I have known Richard since the late seventies and was proud to call him a friend. We showed together and were very often in stiff competition with each other, but always kept it friendly and managed to laugh about it afterwards, even though sometimes feeling aggrieved about the outcome.

Richard was a great sport, and in the early days, before the drink-driving laws became so stringent, he could always be found outside the beer tent holding court, and we would have a good laugh about all that had happened, which would ease the pain of things if they had not gone your way.

Richard was a great asset to the OEMC. He served on the committee for several years, and for many of those years, he was the backbone of the breed. In the early days, Richard and Peter would run a small bar at club shows.

As a judge, you would know that if Richard turned up, you would have some excellent dogs to go over. I have never known him show a poor or unsound dog.

I considered him one of the best judges I have shown under and known. I believe he judged and put up what he honestly thought was the best dog there and was not influenced by anything else.

He lost his partner, Peter Tugwell, a few years ago. Together, they were a great combination; Bredwardine Mastiffs must be on most pedigrees throughout the world.

In recent years, Richard and Peter lived in Spain, Richard living alone since Peter’s death a few years ago. He had recently bought another mastiff. He remained a devotee of the breed and was always ready to talk over old times and laugh about the oddities of our behaviour.

I will raise a glass to Richard (and Peter) on a life well lived. Mastiffs have lost what must have been the most successful kennel they have ever had.

Pam Chidwick
OEMC President

The Vulnerable Mastiff

The Mastiff is listed by the Kennel Club as a Vulnerable British breed.

In order to protect those breeds of British and Irish origin that are considered at risk of disappearing, the Kennel Club created the vulnerable native British and Irish breeds list (breeds with fewer than 300 registrations a year) so that we can monitor them.

In 2009 the KC recorded 252 registrations but by 2020 the number had decreased to 104. Mastiffs are currently listed as a Category Three breed.

Puppy line

If you are looking for advice on buying a Mastiff puppy, looking to rehome or adopt a Mastiff please email puppies@oemc.co.uk

Get In Touch

Hon. Secretary - Debbie Harding - debbie@oemc.co.uk

Treasurer - Sarah Burgoine - treasurer@oemc.co.uk

Breed Health Co-ordinator - Claire Smith - clairesmith@oemc.co.uk

Newsletter Editor - George Zadeh – george@oemc.co.uk

Website - Kay Westrap - kay@oemc.co.uk

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