Spanish Mastiff Livestock Guardian Dogs  
                
   
In 2002 we got our first Livestock Guardian Dog (LGD) when our Great Pyrenees, Cleo
joined our old collie mix, Milo in guarding the farm. In the years since, we haven't lost
even one animal to a predator on our property and I give the dogs all the credit.

Cleo has proven to be a very typical Great Pyr, she is calm and sweet, loves all humans both
 big and small and is excellent with our Nigerian Dwarf goats and our birds. Despite her
powder puff appearance, She takes her duties seriously and will usually find a central
location where she can view our ranging birds, the goat pasture and the house. She is
happiest (and gets into the least amount of trouble!) when she is doing her job. She also
barks most of the night, is very difficult to obedience train and more often than not,
     ignores me when I try to call her in from the fields! Also very typical Great Pyr behavior!      
         
                           
                          
During the course of my research into Livestock Guardian Dogs (LGD's) I became fascinated
by these working breeds and after yet another year of research, I decided to add yet another
dog! In March of 2003 our first Spanish Mastiff, Isabelle came to the US from the
Czech Republic. Our male, Moses was imported from Spain in 2004 and Delilah came to us
from Poland in 2007. Aislinn and Aliya were born here on our farm. Our newest addition is
Agora del Viejo Paramo and she is coming to us at the end of February from Spain.

         
   Isabelle 4 years old                                        Moses 3 years old
                                               
                     
         Delilah 2 years old       
 
            
Agora del Viejo Paramo

Most of this page will be devoted to this very rare breed because so little is known about
them in this country. The following is based on the general information I gleaned through
my research into LGD's, the wonderful breeder who sent me Isabelle & Delilah as well as 
some of my own observations and experiences over the last 7 years.       

*When researching this breed, please check out the sites on my links page. 
The information found there is the most reliable I have found when it comes to type, temperament, height, weight and uses.  Unfortunately, many breed information sites
have incorrect statistics posted and others may try to tell you that there are variations
or types of the Spanish Mastiff breed. Buyer beware.
The official standard for the breed can be found HERE.  
                                                          
The Spanish Mastiff is a stocky, rustic looking dog, very large and lengthy, with a
massive chest and a powerful frame. The body should be rectangular, well muscled and
 have strong bone. It has a massive head with a deep muzzle, strong jaws and a characteristic dewlap on the neck. The short coat is straight with a dense under-coat and almost woolly
texture. The skin should be abundant and loose on the body. Most colors are accepted with
 fawn and red being the most preferred. Although a heavy breed (in both weight and
appearance), its movement should be flexible. They do seem to be more a more active dog
then many of the other giant breeds. Their temperament should be calm and unruffled,
        never timid or overly aggressive.         
                    
                                                                     
                     
   Minimum Height is is 29 inches for females & 31 inches for males  
There is no height maximum but function must not be lost. Preference is given
to dogs of larger size but length must be in proportion.
Average Weight: Males 175-220 lbs. Females 145-185 lbs.
The Spanish Mastiff is the heaviest of the LGD's.

        
  Aislinn 7 months old                                                              Aliya 7 months old  
                             
This is a very fast growing breed in it's first year and can easily put on over 100 lbs in the
first 8 months! Diet must be watched carefully as too much weight can harm growing joints
 and bones. During this time they can suffer from growing pains.
Their life expectancy is 10-12 years, however some can live up to 14 years. Though not
unheard of, this breed seems to have fewer health issues than some of the more common
mastiff breeds found here in the US. Both this and their longer life expectancy (as compared
to an English Mastiff's 7-10 years) made this a very appealing dog for me.

I will say this; the Spanish Mastiff is a traffic stopper! I can seldom walk down the  street 
uninterrupted when I have them with me. This really is a very impressive breed.

  

In character and function, the Spanish Mastiff is a classic LGD. Please note that like most
LGD's, they are in general quite independent, dignified and noble. However, Spanish Mastiffs
are extremely loyal and would sacrifice their own life to protect you or your livestock.
Though intelligent dogs, they can seem stubborn (in a rather sweet way), they have
“selective deafness” tendencies and is not the easiest dog to obedience train due
to their independent nature. I have found that my dogs have very even temperaments
 and it takes quite a bit to ruffle their fur. I have been extremely impressed by
the personality and temperament of the Spanish Mastiff.
Click HERE to learn more about their temperament.

Moses is showing a very calm, mellow temperament and excellent guarding instincts. I am
so pleased with how he has matured, in both type and personality! He does an excellent job
on the perimeters, keeping predators off the property. Delilah also has a fabulous temperament though she has sometimes been a bit of a challenge in regards to training! 

       
                                                                            Moses sleeping while baby goat plays

They are generally very tolerant of and patient with children. Small children seem incredibly
drawn to these dogs and will just walk right up to them on the street (or wherever we happen
 to be) and hug them! Other pets should be introduced from a young age.
 
     

         

                 Isabelle 2 1/2 years
Isabelle 3 years
Though I am completely enthralled by this unique breed, it is not the dog for everyone. They
are best suited to a firm owner with some experience with LGD's or Mastiff breeds. They can
be difficult, they do test your patience, they drool and slobber ALOT, they step on your feet
and will try to crawl on your lap (mine seem to truly believe that they actually fit!). Despite
their size, they can make good house pets. They tend to lie around near wherever you
happen to be, but you just learn to step over them!

I recommend you research carefully before you commit to a Spanish Mastiff or any LGD.
They require a little bit more work when it comes to training and patience, but they are worth it!
   
                 

  Moses' sire:  CH Ulises de Babia

Mother: Rayas de los Zumbos  (and family)

 Delilah's father: Druso de Aljabara

Mother: Roza z Karolewka

 Agora's father: Nistos de Valdejera  (B)

Agora's Mother: Diana de Buxionte  (B)

            
Isabelle's Father; CH Baskerville Mastibe Mother: Salma de Cueto Negro
             
Of our other dogs, there was Maggie, (died in Jan.04, and is still missed) one of our 2 Bull Mastiffs, she had complete control of guarding my daughter and our home. Simon, our Bull Mastiff born with a recessive gene that produced long hair was affectionately known as our 145lb teddy bear. He lived to be cuddled. Clara, our St.Bernard/Plott Hound cross is my daughter's favorite.
 She is an incredibly intelligent dog. A joy to work with after trying to train LGD's!
                                                                                                                                     
Maggie & Simon                              Clara                                       Milo        


The pack '03