English Mastiff

[Georgiegirl]

We are looking to adopt Tia, a 3 year old English Mastiff as a companion for our rescue dog Brook - I am not worried about the temperament but I know that big dogs can be more prone to health problems - does anybody on here have any experience with mastiffs and what I should especially be aware of?

[Chilli]

Georgiegirl said:

We are looking to adopt Tia, a 3 year old English Mastiff as a companion for our rescue dog Brook - I am not worried about the temperament but I know that big dogs can be more prone to health problems - does anybody on here have any experience with mastiffs and what I should especially be aware of?

I'd be interested in this. They are my favourite breed and will be looking for one to join the Pug when we get to NZ!

[scorcher]

I've got a English Mastiff X Rottie who's 7 years old now.Only problem we have had with him is his shoulder joints and he's getting a bit arthritic now. Half his problem is ,he thinks he's a greyhound and tries to run and turn like one.Thats when he usually ends up hurting himself.Here he is...All 73kgs(11.5 stone) of him

[akita1]

Hi Chaps, regarding English mastiffs, a good friend of mine had 2 crackers a female(lulu) and a male(george)alas they dont seem to be a very long lived breed, the female died aged seven and george had to be put to sleep at nine they had numerous health issues which i think is down to the size they grow to they seem to get so heavy that normal exersising ie: running etc is out of the question that said i do feel that if they are not overfed and kept on the light side it would eliminate a lot of the problems.Bill.

[Georgiegirl]

Thanks for the replies - he is beautiful! Here is Tia, we are told she is 3 so hopefully will have a good few years yet.

She can't have too much exercise at the moment because she has a broken toenail which is making her limp, but it's getting better. I think the only problem we might have is that my other dog (sharpei x staff) loves to run and run and she likes to play with him! How much exercise is too much for a mastiff would you say? I will definitely keep her lean if that will help, she has been on vegan food in the rescue place (they take animal friendly to a whole new level) but am gradually putting her onto regular. Is there any special food or supplements that will help her joints or am I wasting money?
Thanks!

[Myc]

Congratulations she looks lovely and younger than three I'd have thought.

I've heard of people giving their dogs Cod Liver Oil supplements, could this be beneficial for a dogs joints I wonder?