How to Identify a Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff is quite an old dog breed that is assigned to the working group, and initially was brought by the Phoenicians and Greeks to the Iberian Peninsula more than 2,000 years ago, prior to the Roman invasion. [1] There are a few characteristics that they have in common with other dog breeds, so identifying one may seem difficult at first. Fortunately, this wikiHow will help you with figuring out whether a dog is a Spanish Mastiff.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Body Structure

  1. Spanish Mastiffs are known to be relatively large dogs, being at least somewhere between 28 to 35 inches (71 to 89 cm) tall and usually weighing anywhere from 140 to 200 pounds (64 to 91 kg). [2]
  2. Spanish Mastiffs should have a strong, big head that is in the shape of a truncated pyramid which has a basis that is broad. When looked at from above, the dog's entire muzzle and skull should linked well and square, and there should not be an overly marked width reduction between the muzzle and temporal bone bases. [3]
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  3. Spanish Mastiffs should have uncropped, medium-sized, flat ears in the shape of triangles that are hanging and attached higher than the line of the dog's eyes. When the dog is resting, their ears should hang near their cheeks, though not too nearby their skull. When the dog is at attention, their ears should move away from their cheeks, and in the back area of their ears, the top third should be pricked somewhat. [4]
  4. When compared to their skull, Spanish Mastiffs should have small eyes. They should also be almond in shape and ideally dark hazel in color. The dog's lower eyelid should let some of the dog's conjunctiva be noticed. [5]
  5. Spanish Mastiffs should have a supple, solid tail that at its root is quite thick and is set on the dog at a medium height. The dog's tail should be covered by hair. When they are relaxed, the dog should carry their tail low, and it should noticeably reach to their hock. You may notice in the tail's last quarter that a curve is made. [6]
  6. Overall, Spanish Mastiffs should be balanced well and have proportions that are medium, along with a line structure that is almost long. The dog should also appear balanced well, muscular and quite powerful, with a bone structure that is compact. The dog should ideally have a trotting gait that is powerful and harmonious, though you should not notice any lateral rolling. [7]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Coat

  1. Spanish Mastiffs can be virtually any color, though they ideally should be self-colored, with some possible colors being red, yellow, black, fawn, deer-colored or wolf-colored. However, the dog may also have a combination of coat colors, such as a white-colored collar, parti-colored or brindle. [8]
  2. The Spanish Mastiff should have a coat that feels smooth in texture, though on their tail, the hair should feel silky. [9]
  3. Overall, Spanish Mastiffs should have a thick, dense coat that is distributed throughout their body, including in the interdigital spaces. You should notice two separate types of coat: one that covers their back, and another that is made for protection on their flanks and ribcage. On their legs, the hair should be shorter in length, while on their tail, the hair should be longer. [10]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Temperament

  1. Spanish Mastiffs are known to be loving, affectionate dogs who like being around their family. They may even follow around the person they think is the house's leader, though they still are affectionate and loving towards all members of the family. [11]
  2. Spanish Mastiffs are known to be calm dogs, who are okay with sleeping or just lying around, and they are often referred to as "lazy". [12]
    • This calmness means that they typically prefer living in a more rural, countryside environment instead of an environment like a city. [13]
  3. Spanish Mastiffs are protective dogs who are not afraid to protect their family from what they deem to be threatening. [14]
    • However, this protectiveness means that this dog does not typically trust strangers and will need the right amount of socialization from early on to help this. [15]
  4. If a Spanish Mastiff is not socialized correctly, they may show aggression towards other dogs. However, if the Spanish Mastiff is raised with another dog, they usually do fine with them. [16]
  5. Spanish Mastiffs are known to be intelligent dogs, and therefore, stubborn as well. They will need consistent training from someone who is confident, as well as mental stimulation through activities such as puzzle toys. [17]
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      Tips

      • Consider looking into dog DNA testing if you want to find out what breed your own dog is. DNA testing can help confirm whether your dog is a Spanish Mastiff.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/spanish-mastiff/
      2. ↑ https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/spanish-mastiff/
      3. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      4. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      5. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      6. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      7. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      8. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      9. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      1. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      2. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      3. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      4. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      5. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      6. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      7. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf
      8. ↑ http://fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/091g02-en.pdf

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