The Mastiff – The Gentle Guardian

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276 – June, 2026

By Amy Fernandez

Mastiff breeds have experienced a dramatic resurgence in recent years. AKC currently recognizes the Mastiff, Bullmastiff, the Tibetan Mastiff, the Neapolitan Mastiff, the Cane Corso (Italian Mastiff), the Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff), and the Dogo Argentino (Argentinian Mastiff). Additionally, many more of these breeds are currently accepted by FCI. After decades of obscurity, they are ascending. This is due in part to AKC’s belated willingness to recognize new breeds, a process that was stalled in neutral for decades. As a result, more people have discovered them. In addition to that, research-based dietary protocols have replaced longstanding myths about large breed nutrition. An equally significant factor in their improved overall health has been the introduction of health testing. Hip dysplasia screening was just the start of the current menu of certifications for breeding stock. And last, but certainly not least, is the recognition of behavioral assessment and temperament testing for potential breeding stock­–along with the acknowledgment that these are not breeds for beginners.

On the other hand, all this progress has not diminished the avalanche of disinformation and misinformation regarding the origin and history of Mastiff breeds. Unfortunately, that is still going strong, and it has fueled a lot of bad breeding and fad breeding. In part, this problem can be traced to the fact that Mastiff type has always been one of those perfect ingredients for the development of breeds. The Mastiff has played a role in so many breeds. In other words, it’s a complicated story.

James Watson, that cynical Scotsman, put it like this: “More has been written about the Mastiff than almost any other breed of dogs and we are sorry to add more misinformation. Even up to the time of penning this chapter, the work of distributing erroneous statements and perfectly indefensible conclusions goes on in England.” Watson was a rigorous historian. In his1906 book, he attempted to sort the verifiable truth from 500+ years of fiction and nonsense.

Click here to read the complete article
276 – June, 2026

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Posted by AnthonyA on Jun 30 2026. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.