English Mastiff How & Why

BABY INDEPENDENCE

Welcome to my blog on a very noble breed of dog. The English Mastiff, or Old English Mastiff or just plain and simple "Mastiff." (OEM) No matter which name you choose, they are never to be confused with the American Mastiff, which is a cross between the English mastiff and an Anatolian Shepherd dog. Why would someone do such a cross breeding? Well, that's a good question.

Apparently to cut down on "drool" is the main reason. The originator's of this new breed have more to add to their reasons, but nothing that I can confirm or affirm. I suspect they just were looking for a way to set themselves apart from other OEM breeders, who tend to be fierce in competition across the states. Please if at a AKC Show, when the mastiff class called "Am Bred" is in the ring, do not think those English mastiffs are American mastiffs. Cause they are not. The American mastiff is not recognised by the AKC.

At the end of World War II, there was a serious shortage of the original mastiff. It took dramatic steps to insure the mastiff would not become extinct. Arrangements were made to ship English mastiffs from the UK to both Canada and the US. In an attempt to bolster the dwindling numbers, certain concessions and tough decisions had to be made.

In the United States, one man located on the east coast, started to cross breed his stock with other breeds, that originally came out of the historic mastiff. A few examples were Great Danes, Saint Bernard's and others. The Bull Mastiff was actually a cross breeding of English Mastiff and English Bull Dog. This began some interesting changes in the appearance as well as manner.

To illustrate even further, today breeders and fanciers are demanding bigger overall size, more bone mass, snorter muzzles, more wrinkles, etc, etc. The Mastiff Champion of 2010 looks nothing like it's predecessors of the 70's & 80's in this country.

I fall somewhere in the middle of this major breeding battle. I tend to appreciate the over all look of the mastiff that existed prior to it's near extinction. I do not agree with the exaggerated appearance breeding that have given the OEM a more Neo wrinkle and shorter muzzle, or the addition of larger boned cousins for "more bone."

I have three wonderful females. Baby, who is more typical of the earlier female in appearance overall. Geo (Dawn Edge Curious Georgeanne) who's headpiece and mass is closer to the current look. Both these girls are close to 2 years old as I write this. I also have taken in an older gal, who is larger in mass than the younger, shorter in leg and a headpiece that satisfies both today and yester-year's look.

I can understand and accept those decisions made by courageous breeders where the cause was to save the breed from extinction, however, I can not condone it present day. Saying simply, the breeders pushing more the character traits and genes from those breeds used to "save" the breed, are making terrible mistakes that have shortened the life span of these precious guardians of estates.

I have not bred yet. I will most likely do so someday, but for now I am researching, studying and learning all I can as one person who has fallen head over heals for them. In closing, if you do not like "slobber" than get another "pure bred" breed, if one still exists! "Man has put his hand into the pot of creation and spoiled the brew."