AKA: French Mastiff, Bordeaux Bulldog

Description: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a mastiff breed that is short, stocky, and muscular. Its head is a distinctive feature, with an undershot and powerful jaw, and a distinguishable black or red mask around and under the nose, lips, and eye rims. The nostrils are very open and the upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw. The ears naturally hang down. There is a dewlap on the neck. The thick skin is loose. The front legs are straight and the tail is straight, curving when the dog is excited.

Dynamics: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a calm and gentle personality, although originally it was considered ferocious. It is a brave and loyal companion, and is patient and devoted to its family. It is gentle with children and other family members. It makes a wonderful watchdog and guard dog.

The Dogue de Bordeaux can be aggressive with other dogs. It has to be socialized and trained firmly from an early age. Male Dogue de Bordeaux generally does not tolerate other male dogs.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 120-145 pounds (54.4-65.2kg)

Height: 23-30 inches (58-75cm)

Color: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes in shades of fawn to mahogany. The black or red mask on the face is always present. White markings on the toes and chest are acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from France, where it has been a dog of many services throughout history, from being a war dog to becoming a cattle driver and bodyguard.

Activities: The Dogue de Bordeaux needs a lot of exercise as it has a huge amount of energy within. This breed has served man throughout history as a war dog, flock guardian, dog fighter, cattle driver, watch dog, and guard dog.

Grooming: The Dogue de Bordeaux’s coat does not need that much attention. An occasional combing and brushing is enough.

Other Info: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although litters are small and birth is difficult because of the puppies’ large heads. The Dogue de Bordeaux will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Argentinian Mastiff, Argentine Dogo

Description: The Dogo Argentino is a muscular and well-structured dog descended from the mastiff breed. It has a massive head that is convex in the front and has a moderate stop. The ears hang naturally but can be cropped. The eyes are either a dark brown or a dark hazel. The nose is black and the jaws are powerful, the teeth forming a scissors bite.

The skin on the Dogo Argentino’s neck is loose, serving as protection for the Dogo Argentino when hunting. The chest is wide, and the tail is long, carried high or swinging but never carried over the back.

Dynamics: The Dogo Argentino was bred to be a fierce hunter and a gentle and loyal family companion in one. It is playful, intelligent, and devoted to its family. It is good with children, and also with other pets if they are raised with them from puppyhood.

Training the Dogo Argentino has to be firm and consistent. This breed is easy to train because it is highly intelligent. There are dogs, though, that are more dominant and are unpredictable because of improper socialization. This breed requires early socialization and obedience training.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 80-100 pounds (36-45kg)

Height: 24-27 inches (61-69cm)

Color: The thick and glossy coat of the Dogo Argentino is purely white.

Country of Origin: The Dogo Argentino originates in Argentina, where it was bred by Dr. Atonio Nores Martinez during the 1920s. He crossed the now-extinct Dog of Cordoba (which was a mastiff-type sort) with the Great Dane, the Boxer, the Spanish Mastiff, the Bulldog, Bull Terrier, Great Pyrenees, Pointer, Irish Wolfhound, and the Dogue de Bordeaux.

Activities: The Dogo Argentino is a breed that needs plenty of exercise. It is used in hunting, tracking, as a watchdog, guard dog, in police and military work, competitive obedience, and schutzhund. The Dogo Argentino is also used in dog fights, which is a reason why it is one of the 3 breeds banned in the United Kingdom as decreed by the 1991 Dangerous Dog Act.

Grooming: The Dogo Argentino is easy to care for. Its coat has no doggy odor. The nails need frequent clipping, though, as they grow very fast.

Other Info: The Dogo Argentino has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is a generally healthy breed. It will be okay living in an apartment so long as it is sufficiently exercised and taken outdoors from time to time.

AKA: Danish Broholmer

Description: The Broholmer is a mastiff-type of dog with a muscular body and powerful movement. Its head is wide, with a sturdy neck. It is carried high when the dog is attentive or alert. There is some loose skin apparent on the neck. The whole body is rectangular and large. The tail hangs down sabrelike but is carried high when the Broholmer moves.

Dynamics: The Broholmer is a friendly and calm breed. It has a good and pleasant temper, quiet at times although very watchful. It exudes great self-confidence within and silently demands respect. It is known to be a good worker, companion, family dog, and guard dog.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 87-1776 lbs (40-80 kg)

Height: 22-30 inches (70-75 cm)

Color: The Broholmer’s coat comes in yellow (with a black mask), golden red, or black. White markings on the chest, feet, and tip of the tail is accepted.

Country of Origin: The Broholmer originated in Denmark, where it has been used in hunting and guarding since the Middle Ages.

Activities: The Broholmer needs to be sufficiently exercised. It was bred for hunting and farm work, so it naturally has a lot of energy that it needs to exhaust. As a puppy, it is important not to overexercise the breed because it would cause hip dysplasia.

Other Info: The Broholmer has a life expectancy of 6-11 years. It is a generally healthy breed, although prone to hip dysplasia. But there is no disease that is specific to this breed.

Description: The Bullmastiff has a powerful and muscular body, with a wrinkled square head and short dark-colored muzzle. The nose is black with big nostrils, the eyes are a dark hazel and medium-sized, and the ears are V-shaped and pendant. The jaws are powerful, forming a level or slightly undershot bite. The back of the Bullmastiff is straight, and the tail is set high and reaches to the hocks.

Dynamics: The Bullmastiff has a good nature and pleasant temperament. It is docile and devoted, but it can be willful sometimes. It is fearless and protective when provoked. It will not attack, but it will do its best to bring down an intruder.

The Bullmastiff is intelligent and has a good temper. It is calm and can tolerate children. It is loyal and it likes attention. Training should be firm and consistent but not extremely dominant over the dog. It is powerful and aggressive breed, although it is calm and careful. This breed is also sensitive to the voice or tone.

Socialization should start at an early age. The Bullmastiff can be very reserved with strangers, and aggressive with other dogs. They can get along with other household pets as long as they were raised together. This breed tends to drool or snore.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Working

Weight: males 110-133 lbs (50-60kg), females 100-120 lbs (45-54 kg)

Height: males 25-27 inches (63-69 cm), females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm)

Color: The Bullmastiff comes in brindle, fawn, or red, often has black markings on the head.

Country of Origin: The Bullmastiff originated in England, where it was developed by crossing 60% Mastiffs with 40% Bulldogs.

Activities: The Bullmastiff requires regular and moderate exercise. It tends to be lazy when it is ignored. It should not be overfed because it gains weight easily. This breed was used by gamekeepers to track down and hold poachers. It is also used as a hunting guard, as a watchdog, and used in military and police work.

Grooming: The Bullmastiff has a short and slightly rough coat so it is easy to groom. Comb and brush occasionally, and bathe only when necessary. The nails should be trimmed,

Other Info: The Bullmastiff’s life ecpectancy is under 10 years. This breed is prone to cancer. Other health problems include hip dysplasia, tumors, PRA, and eyelid problems. The Bullmastiff will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. This breed is not tolerant of extreme cold or extreme hot temperatures.

AKA: English Bull Terrier, Standard Bull Terrier, Mini Bull Terrier, English Standard Bull Terrier, English Miniature Bull Terrier

Description: The Bull Terrier is a thick-set and muscular dog that is distinctive because of its head. The head is almost flat, sloping evenly down to its nose with no stop. The almond-shaped eyes are small and closely set. The body is full and round, and the tail is carried horizontally.

Dynamics: The Bull Terrier is a gentle but active breed. It is loving, loyal, and fearless, which makes it a fine family pet. But it wasn’t bred to be a guard dog, although it might protect its owner in a critical situation. It is very energetic, and is very fond of people and children. It thrives on affection and gives it back in return.

It may be too energetic for some people. It hates to be alone. While it is fond of playing and children, it does not tolerate teasing. It can be very protective and willful. Socialization, a firm training, and lots of exercise is needed for the Bull Terrier. It also needs a lot of attention and companionship, otherwise it will become restless and destructive. It can become aggressive with other dogs, and may not get along very well with other household pets.

Breed Group: Mastiff, Terrier

Weight: standard 45-80 lbs (20-36 kg), miniature 24-33 lbs (11-15 kg)

Height: standard 20-24 inches (51-61 cm), miniature 10-14 inches (25-33 cm)

Color: The Bull Terrier comes in pure white, black, brindle, red, fawn, and tricolor.

Country of Origin: The Bull Terrier originated in England, at around 1830. Lovers of dog fights wanted to create a dog with agility and power, and bred the Bull Terrier as a result of crossing the Bulldog with the Old English Terrier and a bit of Spanish Pointer blood.

Activities: The breed needs a lot of exercise to exhaust its huge amount of energy. It tends to become overweight and lazy if exercise is ignored. The Bull Terrier has been used as a guard dog, ratter, herder, and watchdog.

Grooming: The Bull Terrier’s coat is short, and therefore easy to groom. Combing and brushing it occasionally is enough. Remove dead hair by a daily rub down using a special rubber glove.

Other Info: The Bull Terrier has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. It is a generally healthy breed, but is prone to suffer from zinc deficiency which is fatal. Health problems among the breed also include being deaf at birth, obsessive compulsive behaviors (e.g. Tail chasing). The Bull Terrier may also experience slipped patella, or a dislocation of the kneecaps. The Bull Terrier will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors from time to time and sufficiently exercised. This breed prefers warm climates.

AKA: Danish Broholmer

Description: The Broholmer is a mastiff-type of dog with a muscular body and powerful movement. Its head is wide, with a sturdy neck. It is carried high when the dog is attentive or alert. There is some loose skin apparent on the neck. The whole body is rectangular and large. The tail hangs down sabrelike but is carried high when the Broholmer moves.

Dynamics: The Broholmer is a friendly and calm breed. It has a good and pleasant temper, quiet at times although very watchful. It exudes great self-confidence within and silently demands respect. It is known to be a good worker, companion, family dog, and guard dog.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 87-1776 lbs (40-80 kg)

Height: 22-30 inches (70-75 cm)

Color: The Broholmer’s coat comes in yellow (with a black mask), golden red, or black. White markings on the chest, feet, and tip of the tail is accepted.

Country of Origin: The Broholmer originated in Denmark, where it has been used in hunting and guarding since the Middle Ages.

Activities: The Broholmer needs to be sufficiently exercised. It was bred for hunting and farm work, so it naturally has a lot of energy that it needs to exhaust. As a puppy, it is important not to overexercise the breed because it would cause hip dysplasia.

Other Info: The Broholmer has a life expectancy of 6-11 years. It is a generally healthy breed, although prone to hip dysplasia. But there is no disease that is specific to this breed.

AKA: African Boerboel, South African Boerboel, South African Mastiff

Description: The Boerboel is a big, muscular, and well-balanced working dog. This breed is impressive and intimidating in appearance. Its head is short, square, and muscular, with well filled cheeks. The top is broad and flat. The face can be with or without a black mask. There is a visible stop and the muzzle is black. The nostrils are large and widely spaced. The nasal bone is straight and parallel to the top-line head, tapering slightly to the front. The jaws are strong, narrowing slightly to the front and forming a scissors bite. The eyes are a dark brown and the ears hang down in a V shape (except when they are alert and the ears form a straight line with the top of the head).

The Boerboel has a muscular neck with a loose skin under the throat. The top line of its body is straight. The tail is short and is attached high to the body. The hind paws are slightly smaller than the front paws; both are round with dark curved toenails. The Boerboel’s skin is thick and there are moderate wrinkles on the forehead when it’s alert.

Dynamics: The Boerboel is an intelligent dog and a reliable watch and guard dog. It is fearless and at the same time obedient to its owners. It is also playful and affectionate. It gets along well with children. It loves a game of fetch and it revels in the attention it gets.

This breed makes a good guardian for the family. It is a natural protector and may get suspicious of any strangers coming near. It will accept visitors as guests only when it has confirmed that it is a friend. The Boerboel also gets along well with other dogs and pets.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 154-200 lbs (70-90 kg)

Height: males 25-28 inches (64-70 cm), females 23-25.5 inches (59-65 cm)

Color: The Boerboel’s coat comes in cream white, pale tawny, reddish brown, brown, and all shades of brindle.

Country of Origin: The Boerboel originated in South Africa, where it was bred from the Bulldog and Mastiff type of dogs, and with the Hottentots. It was also crossed with the English long-legged Bulldog and the Bull Mastiff.

Grooming: In grooming the Boerboel, an occasional brushing is enough. Bathe it once a month. This breed is not suitable for an apartment life and needs an large area where they can run and play.

Activities: The Boerboel loves a lot of good exercise and play sessions.

AKA: Matin Beige, Chien de Trait, Belgian Draft Mastiff

Description: The Belgian Mastiff is a very strong dog with an athletic and muscular build. It has a short coat, black nose, and big ears.

Dynamics: The Belgian Mastiff is not known to be a really friendly dog but it can be reared to be loving and loyal. It is courageous, intelligent, and powerful. The original Belgian Mastiff was a very hard working bobtail mastiff of the butcher’s dog type. The Belgian Mastiff’s primary work was as a draft dog. He pulled carts for the poorer Belgians who could not afford a horse. The Belgian army also used this breed to pull their heavy equipment. He was not known as a really friendly dog but he was very loving, loyal and protective towards his family. He was said to sometimes be vicious with strangers but over all was not a very aggressive dog. He was intelligent, courageous and powerful. It was an active dog who was not nervous and was pretty standoffish with strangers. This breed needed some type of job to do to vent his strong drive and energy. He was a calm and obedient dog.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 99-110 lbs (45-50 kg)

Height: 27-31 inches (69-78 cm)

Color: The coat came in reddish, brown-brindle, fawn, or black with a dark mask and or infrequent white markings.

Country of Origin: The Belgian Mastiff is suspected to originate from Belgium because the breed was used as cart pulling dogs there long ago. There are speculations that the breed most likely came from France because of its resemblance to the French hounds but there was no exact statement on this. There is also speculation that this breed may be already extinct.

Activities: As the Belgian Mastiff is a working dog, the breed needs to be doing something most of the time. Take it out for exercises and walks.

Other Info: The Belgian Mastiff requires very little grooming. The breed is also used for guard work, tracking, search, and rescue.

AKA: English Mastiff

Description: The Mastiff is a very big breed, known as the heaviest among breeds, weighty and has a very strong built. The head is square in shape and  heavy with a short muzzle and their eyes and nose is covered by a black mask. Their eyes are small and hazel but still dark like their ears.  Teeth are in  scissors bite or slightly undershot. They have  tail that is set high and narrower to the tip. Their coat is regular in length and straight.

Temperament: This Breed is born with the abilities of a watchdog. Very brave and alert. Always remains loyal to their owner. Some of them are also gentle and has an even temper but they have the skill to attack especially when they could sense trouble or something strange. Aside from being brave, they have developed in them the self confidence that is why they could be trusted to watch over their home. They are an intelligent breed willing to be trained with patience. When it comes to their owner, they are very gentle,patient and most of all protective. In some circumstances, they too could be reserved or be friendly depending on their socialization within their environment.

Activity: Mastiffs are required to have daily exercise to overcome their laziness and for them to discharge their physical and mental energy.

Grooming: This breed doesn’t need a lot of effort to groom since they have smooth, short-haired coat. Brush with a firm bristle brush and wipe over with a piece of linen to make a shine effect. they are just an average shedder so a bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary.

Health Problems: Mastiff’s life expectancy is around 5-10 years. The health problems to look out for with this breed are: luxating patella, strokes, epilepsy, spinal problems, eye problems, thyroid disorders, OCD, HOD, HD and elbow dysplasia, heart defects, bloat, kidney problems, and sensitivity to drugs and chemicals. And an extra care should be done on hot temperatures becuase they can also suffer heatstroke.

Breed Group: Working

Color: Apricot, fawn, brindle with black around the eyes and extending up between them, over the muzzle, ears and nose.

Height: Dogs from 30 inches (76cm) Bitches from 27 inches (69cm)

Weight: Dogs about 160 pounds (72kg) Bitches about 150 pounds (68kg)

Country Of Origin: Great Britain

Dynamics: Mastiffs are loyal and alert, caring and protective. An easy going and calm dog. Their energy level is low, moderately intelligent, but a friendly and playful breed.