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

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. 

Any large dog was referred to as a Mastiff – the name probably derived from the French word Mastin meaning ‘watchdog’.  They were used for guarding livestock and homesteads against Bears and other wildlife that roamed the forests and woodlands.

​Impressed by their size and courage, the Romans took them back to Rome to use for ‘entertainment’ in the arena – fighting bears and lions in packs.

​In Medieval England, 1500/1600’s (Tudor & Elizabethan times) they were being used for hunting, bull, bear and lion baiting as well as watchdogs protecting property. 

By the 1800s, they were used predominantly for guarding and as companions being loyal, courageous and protective towards their owners. They were kept on large estates and were known for generally having gentle and placid temperaments.

​Many books have been written over the years about Mastiff history starting with The History of the Mastiff by M.B. Wynn, first published in 1886 which is regarded as the most authoritative early book on the breed.

Brief History of the Standard

The Breed Standard was first published in 1859 by ‘Stonehenge’ (Dr John Henry Walsh) in The Dog in Health & Disease stating that the points of the Mastiff are:  A head of large size between that of the bloodhound and bulldog in shape having the volume of muscle of the latter, with the flews and muzzle of the former.

1883 Standard drawn up by O.E.M.C.  One of the founder members, John Sydney Turner later became Chairman of the Kennel Club (from 1899-1920).

1890 A numerical value was given to the points of the mastiff which were printed with the standard until after the Second World War when the system was abolished for all breeds.

• Muzzle, 18 points Skull, 12 points           

• Height and substance, 10 points  

• Forelegs and feet, 10 points

• Character and symmetry, 10 points        

• Hind legs and feet, 10 points

• Chest and ribs, 8 points   

• Back, loins and flank, 8 points

• Eyes, 6 points       

• Colour, 5 points

• Ears, 4 points       

• Tail, 3 points

1949 All Standards taken over by The Kennel Club were rearranged and a gait/movement clause was added.

​1995 A slight clarification was made.

2009 Last update