Other Names: Spanish mastiff, Mastín español de campo y trabajo, Mastín ganadero, Mastín Leonés, Mastín Extremeño.

The mastín Español or Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed of dog from in Spain, originally bred to be a guard dog whose specialized purpose is to be a livestock guardian dog protecting flocks and/or herds from wolves and other predators.

History

The Spanish Mastiff (mastiff) originated in the Spanish territories of Asturias, Cantabria, Province of León and Province of Zamora.

In medieval times, it has accompanied the herds of sheep crossing from northern to southern Spain, defending cattle from attack by wolves and other predators. The mastiff had the protection of chunky metal necklaces with skewers. Its function was primarily protective, unlike its fellow Care dogs, whose function is grazing, driving the herds in response to indications of the shepherd. In some places, it is known as perro merinero when it accompanies sheep of the Merino breed.

The first breed standard of the Spanish Mastiff was made by the FCI in 1946. In 1981 the Asociación Española del Perro Mastín Español was formed, who organized a breeding program looking for the kind of large and strong mastiff of the past times, and drafted a new breed standard focused on recovering the old cattle dogs, fit as pets, and as guard dog and defence.

Appearance

The Spanish Mastiff is a very large and powerful dog, similar in appearance to the other mastiff breeds. They have a large powerful head and serious and vigilant expression.

Males in this breed are 70 to 85 centimetres (28 to 33 in) tall at the withers, and range from 50 to 70 kilograms (110 to 150 lb). Females are at least 65 centimetres (26 in) and weigh 40 to 60 kilograms (88 to 132 lb).

It has small eyes and drops ears resembling triangles. This dog’s coat is most often fawn, but it can also be brindle, black or ‘wolf’-coloured. Reddish tones indicate miscegenation.

Varieties

In addition to its considered “official” variety, which is the current and modern Spanish Mastiff framed in a rigid aesthetic pattern and recognized by the largest canine entities, there is also its more primitive, traditional slope, considered unofficial, that does not meet any aesthetic standards and has as its objective, still, today, to serve its owners acting in the protection of flocks against predators. These unofficial strains, for differentiation, are termed the Traditional Spanish Mastiff, Working Spanish Mastiff, Leonese Mastiff, and Wolf Dog. These unofficial strains continue to act actively in their original and primitive function.