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At first glance, such a pet seems just huge and very serious. He does not associate with the best friend of children and family pet. This is the case when the first impression is deceptive. For many centuries in a row, Spanish mastiffs have been helping people in housekeeping - it’s about cattle grazing and home security. In addition, they are not inclined to show aggression towards weaker animals.
From the history of the breed
Many years ago, when people still lived in groups and received the gifts of nature for elementary subsistence through mining and the most primitive skills of farming and cattle breeding, they noticed somewhere near animals that were like wolves, but were not aggressive. They needed help in protecting their herds from predators,and distant wolf relatives did an excellent job with this task. In addition, they helped to protect the land and possessions from the encroachments of foreigners.
New friends who have already become indispensable helpers in the household, people called mastiffs. Groups of people began to communicate with each other and share their experiences in cattle breeding and farming. Each group had their own distinguished dogs providing household help. In order to improve the pedigree qualities of pets, they were crossed together.
Residents of Spain have set themselves the task - to get an animal that will give maximum results in protecting livestock from the attack of wolves. On the territory of summer pastures of Catalonia formed the current Spain. The main source of income for the population was sheep breeding. Soon, the inhabitants of this area shabbyat a fortune on sheep. And all thanks to his assistants - mastiffs.
These animals from an early age lived with the herd of sheep and were considered part of it. The dogs were strictly selected, special demands were made. The pet had to be large and strong, have a big head and mouth, while not show aggression to the owners and pets.With all this, the animal had to be smart and well trained in order to master the necessary skills. Spanish mastiffs were bred by centuries of selection. In addition to selection, due to their permanent residence with people, their genetic lines gained many necessary qualities at the instinctive level.
In the 70s of the 20th century, the wolf population decreased, and dogs were no longer so in demand in the household. At the end of the same decade, new, more modern standards of this breed were adopted by herders. From the same moment began a new history of Spanish mastiffs.
Breed features
Puppies require increased attention to themselves in terms of education and socialization, since, as they acquire impressive sizes with age, untrained individuals are very difficult to train in discipline.
During puppy training, you cannot show aggression or raise your voice, otherwise a naturally good animal may develop a number of complexes. In this case, in no case should cowardice be encouraged, otherwise the animal will suffer from this in adulthood.
Description of breed standards
- Body. The animal is rather large, possessing a powerful and muscular body with a wide bone. Height at the withers is 75-80 cm in males and 70-75 cm in females. The weight of females to achieve the year is rarely less than 50 kilograms, males have a much more impressive weight - 60-70 kilograms. The circumference of the chest animal in girth more growth.
- Head. Very large. Skull square shape. The forehead is flat. Muzzle elongated.
- Eyes. Small ones Slightly slanting. Nut or brown shade. Express calm and confidence.
- Ears. Relatively small. Thick. Hang down. Triangular shape.
- Neck. Short, muscular and smooth.
- Limbs. Large, long and smooth. The muscles of the limbs are well developed. Their form provides the Spanish Mastiff with free and elegant movements. Pillows paws and nails of a dark color.
- Tail. Thick at the base and tapered to the tip. When you change the emotional situation, he rises or bends, but does not twist in the direction of the back.
- Wool. Ostevogo hair of medium length, thick and coarse. The undercoat is very thick. On the tail, chest and shoulders, the coat is longer than on the rest of the body.
- Colors. Fawn, brindle, red, wolf, white with gray, black.
Character traits. The nature of the representatives of this breed is formed due to the centuries-old efforts of breeders who have made maximum efforts to improve the pedigree qualities of herding dogs. They are always confident and balanced, fairly independent, prone to making independent decisions in difficult non-standard situations.
With their barking they are able to scare off ill-wishers. With its formidable and even dangerous appearance, Spanish mastiffs are surprisingly good-natured and restrained. Nobility and friendliness are their main character traits. Under the most negative circumstances, they rarely show aggression towards the offender. A warning growl and a low barking serve as a warning to the enemy about a possible attack.
Dogs of this breed are endowed with natural devotion and are able to reciprocate in relations with their owner.They simply adore children and become not only their ideal friends, but also nannies in some way. They see children as representatives of their own flocks and are able to give their lives, just to ensure their comfort and safety. This is confirmed by the fact that even in the most critical situations, being left without food and water for a very long time on pastures, representatives of this breed could not allow themselves to eat a single sheep. Genetically, these dogs tend to guard and protect those who are weaker than themselves. As a rule, getting along with other pets in the same territory is no problem when it comes to Spanish mastiffs. But at night they can show maximum anxiety, which is a manifestation of their guard qualities.
Maintenance and care
Stable psyche and high intelligence are the distinguishing features of Spanish mastiffs. For the full life of this huge animal requires a lot of space. It is not suitable for keeping in a house or apartment. Ideal conditions imply living in an open-air cage, with the possibility of free-range.
Nutrition
Fortunately for their owners, the representatives of this breed are absolutely not picky in terms of nutrition. Naturally, everyone believes that with such impressive size a pet has a big appetite, consumes food in large portions and often. But the Spanish mastiff in adulthood can eat no more than 2 times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. As for the amount of food, the needs of the animal in its volume differ in the hot and cold season.
Nutrition Spaniards should be as enriched with vitamins and minerals. In order for the pet's body to receive all the required substances in the right quantity, it needs to be fed with special high-quality food. Or, in addition to food, include in the diet natural, thermally processed food. In this case, the meat should be about 70% of the total diet of the animal. It can be of any origin, but in no case fat.
A puppy must be fed at least 5 times a day. To feed it, it is best to use natural products and only closer to the year you can begin to introduce dry food. In addition to meat, babies need to be given dairy products: cottage cheese, milk, kefir.Be sure to include in the diet of cereals and vegetables: carrots, beets, cabbage, but not potatoes. A puppy's proper nutrition can be judged from the fact that its weight and height correspond to age.
If there is no time for cooking the puppy, then it can be fed with dry food, previously soaked in milk. In addition to food, the baby must also be provided with fresh, clean water so that he can quench his thirst as needed.
Health and life expectancy
The life span of a Spanish mastiff ranges from 11 to 14 years. They can rightly be called long-livers among dogs of large breeds. Of course, thanks to centuries of breeding, they received good good health and the ability to feel great in any conditions of detention. However, they are prone to certain diseases, which is typical for large dogs:
- twisting intestines;
- lisplasia of the hip joints.
Dysplasia, as a rule, is hereditary in nature; all large breeds have a tendency toward it. But the first appears as a result of improper nutrition. Prevention of this disease is the correct diet, as well as control over the amount of food consumed by a pet. It is necessary to avoid physical exertion at least half an hour after eating.
Buying a puppy
This giant pet with a proportionately large heart and an open soul can become the best friend, protector and partner in the care of the farm. Before you get yourself such a giant, it is worth considering all the positive moments and difficulties that may arise. You should not get such a serious dog of impressive size if there are no suitable conditions for keeping. This requires a private house, always with a separate courtyard.
When buying an animal, it is important to contact the responsible breeders who show parents and tell all their advantages and disadvantages. It is necessary to carefully read all the documents. It is advisable to find several clients of the nursery where the purchase is planned. The owners can clarify how satisfied they are with the purchase of an animal.
There are not so many Spanish mastiff nurseries in Russia and Ukraine, but there are some. Today, when there is Internet, it is not difficult to do this. Many breeders actively promote their puppies for the purpose of implementation in social networks and even have their own sites where they offer to reserve puppies as soon as they were born, and even before birth, before the planned breeding.From remote purchase should be abandoned.
The price of the Spanish mastiff is from $ 400 and above. On average, a good, healthy puppy with a pedigree from a breeder with a positive reputation will cost about 1000 US dollars.
Video: spanish mastiff dog breed
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