Breed: Country of Origin - Spain. Mastin de Espanol (Spanish mastiff) - is the result of a prolonged selection.??He was bred to work and perfected over the centuries, by the shepherds, who used a variety of dogs of different breed.

For a thousand years the livestock was the main wealth of the country and was a source of income for the biggest part of the population.??Due to the climatic differences in the Iberian peninsula, the shepherds had to continually take a flock of animals from one place to another.??Sometimes flocks had to pass more than a thousand kilometers.??The abundance of predators such as bears, bobcats and, especially, wolves, were making the driving and grazing a source of constant danger.??Seasonal migration of the livestock, wolves and the Spanish mastiffs are an inseparable trio in herding culture of Iberian Peninsula.

A good guarding dog is following the herd without scaring or bothering the seep. This dog??should be confident.??The independent spirit is also very important because at night the dog is performing the protection work alone -without man.??Protective instinct means that the Spanish mastiffs do not need to learn how to guard the flock.??Part of the dogs goes ahead, the others follow along the sides, and the rest accompany the shepherd behind.??There are many examples when the mastiffs were guarding the sheep for many days without food and water without the presence of a shepherd, but never killed a sheep, even under the threat of death by starvation.??In his native country - Spain - the mastiff is treated with a great respect as a shepherd and companion.

These dogs are self-confident in their strength and their raucous barking is enough to ward off the enemies.??Despite all the ferocity in the decisive moments, the heart of this great, good and powerful nomad is filled with the generosity and friendliness.??A well-known ferocity of the Mastin de Espanol was very much reduced in the last century, mainly because the dog more often played the role of a family pet and companion than in those ancient times.??The incredible strength and power are inherent in the nature of the Spanish Mastiff, and the character of this dogs is matching their external appearance. They always remain calm and rarely are malicious or black-hearted.??In almost any confrontation the Spanish mastiff will be victorious.??Even such a dangerous predator - the wolf - can not cope with the mastiff, whose weight exceeds 100 kg, while he, like armor, is covered with the folds of his skin.

In each ??r???? of Spain mastiffs were called in their own way: Navarro Mastin, Mastin Aragon, etc., but each type was divided into two kinds: mountain long haired and plain short and smooth coated. In 1946, the plain dogs - Mastin La Mancha, Extremadura Mastin, Mastin Castillo and Mastin Leon were united in a single breed - the Spanish mastiff. The same thing happened with the dogs from the north and north-east of Spain they were grouped in the breed Pyrenean Mastiff. For a long time this breeds were in oblivion, but now they are gradually becoming more popular among the fans of a giant dogs.

General Features: The Spanish mastiff should always make an impression of a powerful and large dog, with strong bones and deep chest, and have the proportioned and powerful movements.??The first impression of the Spanish mastiff should be both - a grand and majestic dog with a powerful movements and dignity.

The head defines the major difference between the Spanish mastiff and related breeds.??It is big, but is in harmony with the rest of the body. The stop is slightly pronounced, the muzzle is strong, the skull is broad. The certain??expression of the muzzle is produced by the free wrinkles from outside of the eyes.

The skin should be thick and loose, it creates an impression of the volume around the neck, chest and bottom line, like in the the bulls for bullfighting. The coat is thick and tight to the body, medium length, slightly wavy.??Thick undercoat protects the animal from the weather.??Length of hair on the withers is less than 6 cm.

The whole body of a Spanish mastiff should create an impression of enormous power.??The loin is broad and powerful.??The abdomen should not be strongly retracted, the bottom line is almost parallel to the topline.

"The cat's" paws are preferable - they generally mean a good ligaments. The paw??should be tight, and the fingers are provided with the strong curved claws.??Allowed one or two dewclaws.

Any color is acceptable.??The most common color is yellow, brindle and black.??Yellow may have several shades from almost white to red.

In general, this dogs have good health, but there are a number of diseases peculiar to this breed. These dogs can live in any climate and tolerate the hot and the cold weather pretty well, but it is practically impossible to keep the Spanish mastiff in a city apartment.

Temperament: The Spanish Mastiff shows a great devotion to his owner and all family members.??He also very well responds to the love and affection, especially if it is emanated from the object of his adoration.??In addition, the Spanish Mastiffs are gentle with children and the elderly, trying to protect anyone weaker than them.??Properly bred Spanish Mastiff will become a reliable friend and a great defender for your child.

Anyone entering the house with the bad intentions,??develops??the tension and aggression, and these factors are immediately noted by the dog.??Reaction of the animal in this situation may differ significantly from his normal behavior.??Sometimes it seems that the Spanish mastiffs clearly distinguish the intentions of people.??Never underestimate the ability of these dogs to feel stress or unfriendly attitude toward you.??At night their security instincts are sharpened, perhaps because their ancestors had worked intensively at night.

The Spanish Mastiff will never attack without a warning growl or a deep barking in a low tone.??Therefore the training a of guard dog - is a mandatory and a very complex subject, and all methods should be chosen individually from puppyhood.??Do not be afraid to "over prise" your Spanish mastiff, he is very happy when gives you pleasure.????All your commands must be supported by the positive stimulation and affection.

One of the main features of the Spanish mastiff is a devotion to his master and equanimity.??It is very quiet, affectionate and well-balanced pet.??The threshold of his reaction is very high, it is difficult to bring him into a rage or cause aggression, but he will not sit quietly when the owner is in danger.??They bark only when there is an urgent need, so if you hear the barking of your Spanish mastiff, it is better to go and see what happened.

Well-bred Spanish mastiff quietly gets along with the other animals, whether they are a small kittens, or a large dogs.

Spanish mastiffs - are social animals and they need a company of people. They want to be with their owner 24 hours a day and enjoy physical contact.??Wherever you go, take your Spanish mastiff with you, let ??him be beside you in a variety of everyday situations.??If the dog does not "talk" to the person, the true connection with the owner will never be established.

The powerful??appearance, well-noticed by the others, will be balanced by an amazing obedience and devotion to his master, of course, if the owner is constantly referred to cultivate these qualities, and is not engaged in the development of aggression.

In short, if you need security, and peaceful coexistence with your dog at the same time, maybe you should think of a Spanish Mastiff!

Health problems: The main concern with the Spanish mastiff should be a hip dysplasia. Also they are prone to bloat, so the Spanish mastiffs should be fed 3-4 times a day with the small portions.

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