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Mastin Espanol

Origin

The Mastín Espanõl is one of the giant breeds, showing the typical mountain-mastiff look. In Spain there are estimated 20.000 Spanish Mastiffs, but a lot of them is used solely as work and guarddogs and is not regarded as purebreed. The spanish herders have often used the large herding breeds and the Saint Bernard in the breeding of the Spanish Mastiff, since working and herding abilities is far more important for them than to own a purebred dog. In Mastin Kennels in Spain you can often find dogs that show obvious influence from other breeds, especially the St. Bernard. The Mastín is regarded as Spains national dogbreed, and it can be traced back to 800 BC. The first written evidence of the breed is in the 1200's, where it is mentioned as a guard-dog of livestock. Some consider the dog in the 1656-painting "Las Meninas" by Diego Rodrigues de Silva y Velãzques, as a true Mastín Español. The first spanish Mastín Español breed-club was started in 1981 and the entrance for the breed into the sphere of dogshows is a comparatively new role. Outside of Spain the Mastín Español is not widespread, but in the latter years it is gaining popularety, especially in Germany, where they have very good Mastín breeding stock. In Germany the Mastín is also often trained as a protection dog, showing good qualities, both as a personal protection dog and as guarddog. This is highly believable since guarding the livestock of the spanish shepherds has always been the primar task of the Mastín. The breed is reliable, and not aggressive, but should never be underestimated if it is guarding its property. It can be aggressive towards other dogs, but this is not always the case. The breed is very calm, happy and tolerant, especially among children. Since still a working dog, and not bred for popularity, the Spanish mastiff is known as a healty breed, free from many of the genetic defects and inbreed-problems other breeds strive with.The Spanish mastiff is one of the largest dog-breeds in the world. The spanish standard for the breed have a minimum of 77 cm. (30,2 in) for the males and a minimum of 72 cm. (28,2 in) for the bitches. The weight between 60-90 kg. (132-198 lbs). There is no maximum size on the breed and often speciments reach above 90 cm. (35,3 in) at the withers. There have been reports of Mastins reaching 120 kg. (264 lbs) but this is not confirmed and problary based on exaggerations. The breed have a long body, a massive chest and a big and broad, rather long head. The movement of the breed is free and powerful, showing both strenght and elegance. The coat of the Mastín Espanõl is fine and thick, it is of middle lenght and a bit longer over the back. The Mastín have a lot of loose skin, around the neck and reaching down to the chest.
Almost every colour of the coat is accepted, exept solid white. The most common colours is wolfgray, yellow, brindle and black, with or without white.