How Aggressive Are Mastiffs? Breed Facts & Prevention Tips

Mastiffs have a reputation for being aggressive and even scary. Many people actively avoid these dogs for this reason, and they're such big animals that you can’t really blame those who are wary of them. But exactly how aggressive are Mastiffs?

Most Mastiffs are not aggressive and are actually lumpy couch potatoes. However, individual temperament varies, and some Mastiffs may display aggressive behaviors under certain circumstances. Here is what you need to know about this breed's history, Mastiff aggression, why some people perceive the breed as intimidating, and how to help prevent your dog from developing aggressive behaviors.

Are Mastiffs Aggressive?

Some facets of society, like local governments, landlords, and insurance companies, have labeled the Mastiff as an aggressive breed. However, there is no scientific evidence that all Mastiffs are inherently aggressive, and aggression varies among individual dogs. Some Mastiffs may be more likely to display aggressive behaviors than some other breeds due to genetics, environment, socialization, training, and individual temperament. Obviously, not all Mastiffs are aggressive. Some are the sweetest dogs in the world, but others can be quite anxious and adverse to strangers.

One reason that a Mastiff's aggression is so feared is that their immense size and power can make them incredibly dangerous if they display aggressive behavior or are not handled properly. The potential for serious injury due to their size and strength is what makes local governments and insurance agents so cautious about this breed.

How Aggressive Are Mastiffs?

Mastiffs are not hyper-aggressive dogs. When they are at rest and not anxious, they are sweet and relatively lazy. They are not going to be up and moving around, patrolling your house for signs of danger. They can often be found lying on the couch, listening for something out of the ordinary. They can be wary of strangers and excellent guard dogs in that they will alert you when someone or something is coming. They are not attack dogs, though, and they are not on alert 24/7.

Some Mastiffs are more aggressive than others. The differences are often found in the way that they are socialized and trained. Some people feel safe with a protective dog and will encourage behaviors that can be seen as aggressive. Other people enjoy Mastiffs for their size and cuddly loyalty but want nothing to do with possible aggression. A dog that is trained and encouraged to be protective will always be more aggressive towards unfamiliar people than a dog that is well-socialized and rewarded for being sweet and lazy. Mastiffs can be both of these things, and the trouble is that you cannot know at first glance which type you are dealing with.

What Were Mastiffs Bred For?

The Mastiff is an ancient breed with roots going back as far as the Roman Empire. They were bred and transported throughout the empire, making it as far north as the British Isles. They were prized for their size, strength, and power. Many were bred as protectors and guard dogs. Before the rise of Ring doorbell cameras, people could only rely on their own senses and those of their dogs to alert them to danger and help protect them. Mastiff-type dogs were often found on farms, in Roman-style compounds, and in manors as companions and protectors.

Since then, Mastiffs have continued to be prized for their size, loyalty, and protective nature. The modern age does not require people to rely on guard dogs as much as they had to in the past, so there are more socialized and friendly Mastiffs than before, but traits associated with their historical roles as guardians may still be present in the breed.

Mastiffs Can Be Dangerous

The crux of the issue is that while most Mastiffs are perfectly calm and safe, they have the potential to be incredibly dangerous. They can grow to absolutely immense sizes. Adult male Mastiffs can stand over 2 feet tall and weigh as much as 230 pounds, which is more than most adult humans. Even the females typically weigh at least 120 pounds on the small end. They are one of the largest breeds in the world by a long shot. It only takes a Mastiff getting out of hand for a second to scare or injure someone. Their large size makes them especially dangerous to children who are small and do not have the knowledge to know when a dog is starting to feel uncomfortable, fearful, or aggressive.

Because of their size and strength, Mastiffs have the potential to cause serious injury if they bite or knock someone over, even though most individuals are not aggressive.

The Mastiff was the sixth deadliest dog in the United States according to stats compiled between 2005 and 2017, with 14 deaths attributed to Mastiff attacks. That is far below the top dogs, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers (284 and 45 deaths, respectively), but it is still not zero. The size and power of this breed give them ample potential to seriously hurt someone.

How to Prevent a Mastiff From Being Aggressive

The absolute best way to help reduce the risk of aggression in a Mastiff is to prioritize socialization and training from a young age. Calm behaviors should be rewarded, and aggressive behaviors should be managed appropriately rather than reinforced. Dogs like Mastiffs should never be subjected to aversive training methods (yelling, striking, shock collars, etc.), as these can actually create more anxiety and aggression.

Socializing a Mastiff means introducing them to a variety of different people, locations, and animals. A dog that is kept at home all the time with the same people around will naturally be curious or wary of the odd stranger that comes by once in a blue moon. A dog that gets out of the house and sees new people regularly or even takes long, diverse walks will have more information and experiences that will help them deal with situations in a healthy and calm manner.

Training, socialization, appropriate management, and attention to a dog's physical and emotional well-being are important components of reducing the risk of aggression in any dog. Similarly, some people purposefully do not socialize their dogs and encourage aggressive behaviors to cultivate stronger and more fearsome guard dogs or protectors.

Conclusion

Mastiffs are generally not aggressive. Many people think that this breed is always on alert and ready to strike, but that is simply not the case. Their reputation comes from the fact that they can display aggressive behaviors, and their massive size makes any moments of aggression potentially dangerous. Most Mastiffs are sweet and lazy and have no issues with strangers at all, but some are anxious and do not do well around strangers, and that is what people zero in on.

Featured Image Credit: Mikanah, Shutterstock