Spanish Mastiff / MASTIN ESPANOL / well-known also as Mastiff from Estremadura, or Mastiff a la Manche, belongs to moloses of mountain type. DR. Rousselet - Blanc in encyclopedia "Dog" passes, are these dogs:"...usually massive and heavy, have mutual pedigree from great Danes. Intended to watching, from immemorial times it guarded before beasts of prey and robbers. Strength emits from them, which discomforts, though good-natured character was marked. This certainly explains, that today they fulfill the role of watching dogs as well as the role of the dogs to company.,...","...it is a splendid watching dog and equally a good shepherd of herds which is able to wolves. More dumpy from other mountain dogs, it had among its ancestors great Dane probably. It is used for looking after factories, houses, store-houses, ordnance depots, as draught - dog, and sometimes even to chase wild boars. Spanish Mastiff happens to be dangerous in relation to strangers. It is vivid, merry dog, attached to one's master towards which it shows absolute obedience."

Spanish Mastiff is one of the best guarding - defensive dogs, which exist nowadays. Created to look after people's property regardless whether this is herd of animals / e.g. the sheep or the cow /, or else the definite terrain, as the house with a garden or  the factory, it turns out a superb guard. It feels among sheep perfectly, especially when there is around open space. It loves to observe surroundings very much , as it is possible looks for a place on a hill for itself. Mastiff doesn’t need much movement, it needs however large spaces therefore keeping him even in the largest flat is deadly. The skill of watching possesses "in blood" and it does not require training. Let's not leave behind however, that training will raise skill of every dog and this race is very susceptible on training. It learns very willingly, it stores new commands quickly. It requires however firmness during training, which does not mean absolutely that the hand of leader has to be reproachful hand. It simply just the opposite, one should show a lot of confidences, patience and love in the process of training, to discipline the dog with prize and not penalty. The huge mass of body goes together with great heart and trust in the face of master, so applying the reprimand has to be well-thought-out and weighed, while too strong reproach will bring the opposite result. We must also remember that it is not a fetching dog, it will not be blindly waiting for our next command. Every order executes, however it has its own tempo and likes to have some space for its own inventiveness. The Mastiff with great determination treats its duty of guardian. It is aware of hugeness of its weight and strength, which it uses in necessity only. Perfect hearing and fantastic alertness permit him to know about all done around. It warns about its existence with a characteristically hoarse voice of strong, deep, and first of all menacing sounding. It should not be trained as a typically defensive dog as this gets at defensive and fighting races much smaller, this way a great strength in connection with intensive aggression can turn out not to be controlled by a man.

The greatest trump card of the Spanish Mastiff is its character. On the one hand, exceedingly assured, hard and ruthless in defense as well as distrustful towards strangers, devoted to his master, makes great arms in defense against an intruder. It should never be aggressive or cowardly. Despite great certitude, it never demonstrates his strength without reason. When looking after farmyard, it is able to frighten an intruder away only by its appearance and is not interested with that as" to catch up" at all costs. It never attacks without the reason and always shows outside its intentions barking in a strong, characteristically threatening voice. On the other hand, equalization, self-control, capture and respect, in contacts with the inmates permits to define the dog as amiable friend in the house. Cheerfulness causes, that association with one of the biggest dogs in the world becomes pleasure and brings a lot of satisfaction to adults, however the desire to amusements, the sensitivity and the great tolerance towards the children abounds to swarm in unforgettable moments of our joy. It is also an excellent companion, both during a long wander, and calm evenings in the calm of home. It also accepts different animals in its surroundings.

Spanish Mastiff is massive, muscular, very high, beside this very proportional. The definite standard of growth in withers for dogs this minimum is 77 cm, for bitches 72 cm, along side what the upper border of growth is not defined. The highest are esteemed however dogs which will exceed 80 cm, and bitch 75 cm, they should not however be higher than 90 cm. The weight trend upwards in the range from 60 to 90 kg, although there are dogs weighing about 120 kg with very harmonious and proportional figure. This is a strong, dumpy dog with a long shapely muzzle. Large head, wide and shapely scalded in powerful cashes with fleshy lips. Small, dark, eyes with vivid glance. Ears pointed, falling down. Wide neck, strong, good muscled with the characteristic double dewlap. Powerful chest. Strong limbs, straight back, rounded ribs, rump higher than withers. Tail with blade carried low and easily winding, when dog is relaxed. Thick garment, thick, half-long, smooth on whole body. The most desirable colour of the hair in one colour: yellow, fawn, red, black, lupine or in the colour of deer.

Spanish Mastiff is resistant to atmospheric conditions. It does not require many caring treatments or special diets, easily finds its place in the family, but despite this it is not the dog for everybody. It needs a firm and level-headed guardian which will be able to respect this large and brave dog.