Spanish Mastiff

The Spanish Mastiff does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage: puppy, adult, or senior. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times, and learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Because this is a giant breed, feed a large- or giant-breed puppy formula until 18 to 24 months, then transition to adult food to avoid unwanted weight gain. Follow the feeding guidelines on the packaging and ask your veterinarian for the right portion size, which depends on ideal body weight, life stage, and health. Measure each meal rather than free-feeding. Treats help with training, but too many lead to obesity, which can bring on early joint problems and chronic mobility issues.

A few mealtime habits help lower the risk of bloat or GDV:

• Feed two or three smaller meals a day instead of one large meal.
• Skip elevated food bowls.
• Avoid exercise for one hour before and after a meal.
• Use a slow-feeder bowl if your Spanish Mastiff eats quickly.

A healthy dog eating an AAFCO-compliant food gets all the nutrients it needs. Because full-grown Spanish Mastiffs weigh well over 140 pounds, your veterinarian may suggest a joint supplement and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement (fish oil) to support the joints. Talk to your veterinarian before giving any supplements.

The Spanish Mastiff has a thick double coat and sheds year-round, more heavily in spring and fall. Brush at least once a week with a pin brush and comb to keep the coat clean and loose fur down indoors. During shedding seasons, a deshedding rake once or twice a week helps cut down on fur around the house. The short coat is not prone to matting, so a professional groomer is not needed.

Bathe every six to eight weeks to keep the coat clean. This breed has loose folds of skin on the neck from a double dewlap, so check those folds for redness, crusts, odor, or moisture, which can signal a bacterial or yeast infection when moisture gets trapped inside.

Clean the ears every two to three weeks, and again after baths or swimming, checking for wax and debris that can lead to infection. The strong, fast-growing nails need regular trimming with a clipper or grinder to prevent overgrowth, splitting, and cracking.

Set up a dental routine with regular at-home brushing and professional cleanings to keep teeth and breath in good shape. If you notice heavy tearing from one or both eyes, have your veterinarian perform an eye exam.

Though a relatively calm, low-energy breed, the Spanish Mastiff still needs about an hour of daily exercise for physical and mental health. The Spanish Mastiff enjoys a long walk, a swim, or backyard play, but tends to lie around for much of the day.

Good outlets include several walks a day, play in a fenced yard, swimming, hiking, and retrieving balls. Indoor activity counts too, such as chasing a ball rolled along the floor or learning new tricks. Training for dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally works well and gives the mind a workout.

The Spanish Mastiff's size makes an apartment, condo, or townhouse a poor fit. The Spanish Mastiff does best in a large home with a fenced yard, or on a farm where it can roam. Docile around people and pets it knows, it turns alert quickly when a stranger or unfamiliar animal is near, and will bark to warn its family of a possible threat.

The Spanish Mastiff is intelligent and confident, and trains well once you have earned its respect and established yourself as the leader. A firm but patient approach using favorite treats as rewards suits this breed. Start obedience classes when the dog is young, use positive reinforcement, and seek a professional trainer if needed.

Socialize your Spanish Mastiff as a puppy, getting it used to different people and environments while it is smaller and easier to manage. This helps it grow into a calm, well-mannered adult. Because the breed has an independent streak, it can be harder to train and is not the best choice for a first-time pet parent; owners with more dog-training experience are better suited to it.

Around family, including children it knows, the Spanish Mastiff has a kind, calm temperament. It can stay on guard around strangers, which is why early socialization matters. Many live happily with other pets, including small dogs and cats, as long as you supervise and socialize them from an early age.