Mountain Mastiff

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 7-12 years
The Mountain Mastiff is a hybrid breed comprised of the Mastiff and the Bernese Mountain Dog. This mix yields a very large dog, so it is important that you have a well rounded understanding of the breed. When determining potential health problems your puppy may face, it is important to look at the health of both of the parent breeds. Some of the conditions that your pup may face and you need to keep an eye out for include bloat, eye problems, kidney problems, epilepsy, joint dysplasia, Von Willebrand’s Disease, and cancer.

Bloat can be a fatal condition when you do not seek out treatment for it immediately. This condition occurs when too much air enters into your pup’s stomach. Since the air cannot escape and has nowhere to go, the stomach expands and then places too much pressure on your pup’s other organs, which impede correct body function.

Eye problems are of concern in your pup and may exhibit themselves through an eye infection, dry eyes, or even irritated eyes. If you think that your pup may have an eye issue, let your veterinarian know so that they can determine what the issue is and recommend a course of action to rectify it.

Kidney problems may appear in your pup as well and these can range from an infection to stones. Again, you should work closely with your vet to curtail this issue and alert him or her if you have any concerns with the health of your pup.

Epilepsy is best known as seizures in your pup and can occur anywhere between the ages of six months and up. Typically, you will not start to see signs of a problem until about two years of age. If your pup does have seizures, he or she will often shake or convulse and may lose consciousness too.

Joint dysplasia occurs in many large breeds and may be present in your Mountain Mastiff. Joint dysplasia can happen in the elbow or in the hip. Typically, this condition is caused when a joint is deformed or does not fit properly into the socket. This is a painful condition for your pup.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited blood disorder that is passed down from a puppy’s parents. This condition is present when the platelets in your pup’s blood do not have enough proteins, which inhibits them from clotting properly.

Lastly, your Mountain Mastiff may develop cancer as he or she gets older. It is especially important that your vet routinely screen your pup for any cancerous cells. The sooner that cancer is caught, the easier it is to treat and the higher the survival rate.

The Mountain Mastiff has a life expectancy of 7 to 12 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

Your Mountain Mastiff will tip the scales at 200 pounds and it is imperative that you are prepared to handle a dog of this size. A 200 pound dog that is unruly and uncontrolled can be dangerous. With that being said, the Mountain Mastiff is an extremely affectionate, loyal, and kind pup. You will find that this breed is often calm and laid back compared to other similar breeds. You do not have to worry about your pup going wild and barreling through your home.

This pup is considered to be even-tempered and does not show aggression. Since he or she is well tempered, you will find that your Mountain Mastiff is excellent with children and other small animals. He or she will act as a protector and as a guardian.

This breed is nothing short of intelligent and should be treated as such, especially if you want to yield results. You can expect your dog to train easily as this breed has a willingness to learn and an eagerness to please his or her owners. Harsh training methods will not work on your pup, so do not even try them. You should remain consistent, but positive at all times.

This breed is considered active, but you may not find him or her playing catch in the backyard. Instead, he or she will gallop around, walk the fence line, and do his or her own thing. You should have a large yard in addition to a large home for your pup, otherwise he or she will feel cramped. Your Mountain Mastiff needs to be walked at least twice a day.

Grooming

Your Mountain Mastiff has some grooming needs, but nothing that will scare you away from this breed. This breed sheds so it is important that you brush his or her coat daily to help cut down on how much hair ends up around your home.

You do not need to bathe your pup on a regular basis, so only do so when you find it necessary. Bathing such a large dog however can definitely be a challenge so you may want to have him bathed at the groomer once a month.

You will need to clean your pup’s ears once per week and also trim his or her nails once per month or as needed.

Diet

The Mountain Mastiff will consume anywhere between 4 1/2 cups to 6 cups of food per day. When it comes to feeding, you should offer your pup this amount of food either in two meals or four smaller meals.

It is important that you feed your Mountain Mastiff a high quality food that offers the nutrients needed for your pup to grow. Look for a high quality food made with wholesome ingredients and avoid those with chemicals and fillers. If you are unsure on what food to purchase, ask your breeder or vet for some recommendations.
 

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Mountain Mastiff Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Mountain Mastiff

Cost

A Mountain Mastiff puppy can cost you anywhere from $450 to $1,000 depending on the breeder you choose. It is unlikely that you will find this pup in a shelter anywhere.

In addition to the purchase price of your puppy, make sure that you factor in the cost for food, supplies, vaccines, vet checkups, and emergency medical costs should they arise.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Mountain Mastiff is one of the best breeds that you can choose to be a family pet. Even though this is a big dog, they are extremely even tempered and will provide you with the affection and protection your household needs. This breed is amazing with children and will continue to impress you with their smarts on a regular basis. This breed ranks a 2.

 

Bernese Mountain Dog

Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff

Great Dane