Iberian Mastiff: what is this breed and how to care for it?

Pyrenees mastiffs are considered wonderful dogs, reliable watchmen and loyal friends for humans. These large dogs look pretty intimidating, but in fact they can be very affectionate family members and companions for children.

The ancestors of the Pyrenees mastiff are considered ancient molosses that existed 4 thousand years ago. After some time, the dogs were brought to the Iberian Peninsula at the initiative of the Phoenician merchants. The ancestors of the breed, settled in Spain, crossed with Pyrenean mountain dogs and Spanish mastiffs, as a result of which they got their unique characteristics. For a long time, the mastiff was appreciated as an excellent guard, as well as a good shepherd.

This strong and physically hardy animal could always resist predators, for example, bears and wolves. But at the same time, representatives of this breed with special attention and good natured attitude to ungulates, which were grazed.

As participants in the Madrid exhibition, dogs of this breed were introduced in 1980. Since that time, the Pyrenean mastiff began to gain popularity as a pet. The breed standard was adopted in 1946. After a serious economic crisis, it became difficult for ordinary people to feed and maintain such large pets, so the number of dogs has dramatically decreased.

Amateur breeders decided to save the breed from extinction by combining their forces and capabilities. Their work was successful, and already in the second half of the last century, the animal began to take part in shows.In 1977, the Pyrenean Mastiff Club began its activities, in which breeders from around the world collaborated. The breed standard was approved and adopted by world communities in 1981. To date, the Pyrenees mastiff is a breed with a small number of representatives, it is still being developed and improved.

The Iberian Mastiff belongs to large breeds of service dogs. These are noble, majestic animals that have kind hearts. They are at any moment ready to defend the herd or man.

Iberian mastiffs are reliable guardians of safety and companions for humans. In relation to all family members, he shows calm and friendliness. For this animal, the owner is considered only one person, but he can obey everyone who lives next to him. The dog treats children with special accuracy and care, it patiently reacts to their pranks.

This creature is very fond of spending time with people, preferring active entertainment, but will never impose itself and can come alone for a long time. Despite the fact that outwardly the Pyrenean mastiff may seem phlegmatic, in fact it is characterized by dexterity, agility, extraordinary mental abilities, but only if necessary. The modern representative of this breed no longer has the qualities of a wolfhound that their ancestors previously possessed, but the dog fulfills guard duties implicitly.

In the daytime, the dog can relax and watch everything that is happening around. At night, a sharp alertness awakens at the pet, with the help of which he guards the quiet sleep of the household. A mastiff is able to remember every living creature on the territory, while considering it his property.

Representatives of the Pyrenian mastiff breed are characterized by a harmoniously folded, rectangular body, which is quite wide. The appearance of the animal is similar to St. Bernard. The male has a height at the withers of up to 81 cm, and the female - up to 75 cm. The animal weighs about 70 kilograms. The coat of this large pet is white in color, there is a mask on the face, the color of the ears is always darker than the main one. There may be spots on the body of the Pyrenean mastiff, the color of which corresponds to the color of the mask - from sand to black. Tricolor, pure white coat is considered undesirable. The paws and tail end of the dog are white.

According to the standard, mastiff fur can be of such colors as:

• zonary, namely yellow-sable, speckled, gray-tan;
• white with yellow or gray marks present;
• brown;
• the black;
• silver.

The breed has the following main characteristics:

• throughout the body of the animal there is a bristly coat, which is characterized by its thickness and length;
• the head is large and has a square profile;
• narrowing of the muzzle occurs towards the nose;
• ears hang down, they are small;
• the nose is black;
• the eyes are characterized by an amygdala shape, dark brown color, the outline has a dark outline;
• the pet’s neck has a double suspension that looks like a thick mane;
• the tip of the tail is bent, usually this part of the body hangs down.

According to some dog breeders, guard dogs are unpretentious in nutrition, so they can eat pasture. However, this information is not reliable, since with proper and balanced nutrition, the animal will grow and develop properly. The owner of this large pet may prefer both homemade food and dry food when feeding.In the first case, a person will have to constantly work on preparing food for the dog.

The diet of the animal should consist of a third of meat products and meat, and also products such as:

• groats;
• vegetables;
• fruits;
• dairy products;
• fish;
• the eggs.

Most of the meat should be given in the evening. In the winter and autumn season, pets should be given food, which is half the calorie normal. Puppies should add minerals and vitamins to their main products, which have a beneficial effect on the skeleton and muscles of a growing body. When choosing supplements, you should consult a veterinarian.

When eating industrial feed, it is worth observing such rules as:

• the volume of the product must be issued strictly according to the instructions;
• it is impossible to introduce additional vitamins and minerals into the diet, since in dry food there is everything necessary for the normal functioning of the animal;
• The pet must have free 24-hour access to clean drinking water.

Like any other pet with a large size, the Pyrenean mastiff needs space for life and physical activity. The best option for the place of detention of such an animal will be a private house, but not a small apartment. However, if nevertheless you brought such a pet in the apartment, then you should take it to the countryside, where the dog will have the opportunity to run in plenty.

The animal must have its own sleeping place, it is not recommended to teach him to sleep near the owner in bed. Mastiff walks required 2 times a day, in time they should take at least 60 minutes.

An animal that lives in a country house should not be put on a chain, the best option for keeping it will be an aviary. Since the dog is clean, it will never wallow in the mud, so you need to bathe it no more than twice a month. After washing, the animal should be dried so that it does not get sick. Combing the mastiff hair is required 1 time for 7 days, and during molting daily.

Representatives of this guard breed are characterized by good health, genetic diseases they can not be traced. There are times when the animal suffers from conjunctivitis, dysplasia of the hip joint. Do not forget about the timely vaccination of the Pyrenean mastiff, since there is no innate immunity from rabies and plague. And also the animal is required to give preventive drugs against worms and fleas. With proper care, the animal can live about 10 years.

Since the Pyrenees mastiff is a smart and intelligent animal, its training will not cause any difficulties. However, to raise an obedient pet, the owner will have to spend time, patience and strength. Do not forget that each team should be repeated and consolidated, even if the dog has already grown. As time passes, the animal will be able to make decisions independently, recognizing the brother-in-law and the stranger.

The puppy needs to be socialized as early as possible, only in this way an adequate, calm dog will grow out of it. Kids should be brought up from the first days of appearing in the house, they understand the owner well and quickly learn.This pet really likes walking with the owner, at this time it is worth repeating the previously learned commands.

Representatives of this breed love to please their master, but from time to time they can show obstinacy. It is strongly not recommended to use physical punishment and humiliation in relation to dogs. The best form of training will be a game form, but at the same time it is worth observing regularity, avoiding large intervals in time. If you want to raise from an animal service dog it is better to contact specialists.

When buying a puppy, it is worthwhile first of all to pay attention to the conditions in which he developed, and how his mother treated him. It is better to get a baby in the nursery, so you can become the owner of a truly purebred pet.

The Iberian Mastiff is an animal with a royal stand and a stately gait. The dog is quite large, so people living in the apartment should think about purchasing such a pet. Due to the peculiarities of its appearance and character, the Pyrenean mastiff deserves corresponding nicknames, for example, Caesar, Alpha, Felix.

See how the Pyrenean mastiff looks and how to look after it in the next video.