Breed History
Descended from the Molosser and Alaunt, the Mastiff is among the oldest breeds in the canine world....
The name Mastiff is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word masty, meaning powerful, and it is likely the dog was first brought to Britain some time between the 7th and 5th century BC. Mastiffs, or dogs very much like them, were certainly known to the Romans, who used the dogs in battle as well as in gladiatorial spectacles. From Roman times through the 19th century, the Mastiff was mostly employed as a guard dog and draft animal, though it was occasionally used in blood sports such as bull baiting, bear baiting and dog fighting. Some say the Mastiff came to America with the Pilgrims during the 17th century, but documented proof of the Mastiff in the New World only goes back to the 18th century. Though nearly decimated in England during World War II, the Mastiff line was preserved thanks in large part to its presence outside of Europe, most notably in the United States. The Mastiff was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.Perhaps the most influential of the dog breeds, the Mastiff is ancestor to countless modern breeds and its feats have been recorded in the annals of human history going back thousands of years. The most well known of these accounts tells of the courage of the Mastiff of Sir Peers Leigh. Sir Peers Leigh was wounded at the Battle of Agincourt during the Hundred Years War, and according to legend, his faithful mastiff stood guard over him for several hours before it was finally killed itself. The progeny of this dog would go on to become the most celebrated of the breed, and are largely credited with preserving the dogs noble traits for hundreds of years.A Mastiff from England named Zorba currently holds the world record for heaviest dog in the world, at 343 pounds.