Health and Lifespan

The English Mastiff typically has good health, though as a giant breed, its lifespan is quite short.

Body Size

Mastiffs are the largest living canine, outweighing the wolf by 110 pounds on average. They are also the largest dog breed in terms of mass. The average height at the shoulder for males is 30 inches and 27.5 inches for the females. Males normally weigh 150-200 pounds and a females weigh 120-200 lbs. Some Mastiffs exceed the average size and can reach 300 pounds or more. An English Mastiff from England named Aicama Zorba of La Susa has the largest weight record for a dog, weighing in at 343 pounds. A 7-year-old English Mastiff names Zorba made it into the Guinness Book of worlds records. Standing 37 inches high at the shoulder and was 8ft 3in from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.

Health Problems

Due to their large size Mastiffs are more likely to suffer from certain helth conditions. Because the breed is so large and heavy, excessive running is not recommended in the first 2 years of life. This is to prevent damage to their growth plates within their joints. Mastiffs are fast growing and can gain up to 5 pounds a week as puppies. A soft sleeping surface is also recommended for this breed to prevent the development of calluses, arthritis, and hygroma. The most major health problems these dogs face are cancer, hip dysplasia, and gastric torsion.