How did Mastiffs change from hunting and war dogs to the gentle pets we know today? Part of the reason is that breeders have bred the Mastiff for gentleness and have thus created an excellent companion. In addition, Mastiffs are simply treated differently today. No longer are they sent into battle or baited against bears. Instead, Mastiffs are either kept as pets or put to use as watchdogs, guards, police or military dogs, search and rescue dogs, or as weight pullers.
Mastiffs, like people, are highly individual. Most are calm and placid, but some are full of energy and need to be kept busy. A lot of any Mastiff's behavior depends on how well it was socialized while young.
Mastiffs have a somewhat contradictory nature. They are very sensitive and can be crushed by harsh words. They are also eager to please. On the other hand, Mastiffs tend to be stubborn. It can be very challenging to get a Mastiff to do something it doesn't want to do.
Because Mastiffs are so big, many people think they are stupid, slow, and clumsy. This is far from the truth. Yes, Mastiffs do tend to drool and wheeze a lot and to snore loudly. However, they are intelligent and dignified dogs who learn quickly and are eager to please.
As for Mastiffs being slow, they are actually quite fast and can outrun any human being. Of course, they also would rather stay with their family than do anything else, so they typically won't run away if let loose. All told, the Mastiff is an ideal family dog for anyone who wants a big, loyal friend and who can tolerate the snoring and drooling.
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