English Mastiff health: what owners should know
Conditions the English Mastiff is known to be prone to, breeder screening and everyday habits that help.
Giant size shortens life, and most Mastiffs live around 7 to 10 years. The breed is predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, some heart conditions, eye problems such as progressive retinal atrophy and eyelid abnormalities, and cystinuria, which can cause bladder stones, mainly in males. Bone cancer is also seen more often than in small breeds.
Ask breeders for hip and elbow scores, eye examination results, heart screening and relevant DNA tests for both parents. Keep your dog lean and learn the signs of bloat. Go to an emergency vet at once if your Mastiff has a swollen or tight belly, retches without bringing anything up, or seems restless and distressed after eating; this can become fatal within hours.
Numbers worth knowing
Life expectancy
6 to 10 yrs
Senior care
Individual assessment
age alone does not define care needs
Typical breed weight
54 to 100 kg