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Mountain Mastiff (Bernese Mountain Dog & Mastiff Mix): Info, Pictures & More
In this article
The Mountain Mastiff is a giant breed created by mixing the Bernese Mountain Dog with a Mastiff. It has a muscular body with a large, flat head. It also has oval eyes, small ears, and a short muzzle with lips that hang down. Its coat can be short or medium in length, depending on which parent it takes after.
The Mountain Mastiff is a relatively new breed, but both of its parents have been around for a long time. The Bernese Mountain Dog worked on farms for thousands of years in the Swiss Alps. The Mastiff is a British dog appreciated for its strength and bravery. They are loyal and intelligent enough to help with plenty of jobs around the house.
Mountain Mastiff Characteristics
Breed Overview
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Suitable for:
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Mountain Mastiff Puppies
Mountain Mastiff Characteristics
A low-cost puppy can be a red flag if you are dealing with a puppy breeder, but it is quite possible to get an inexpensive puppy from a reputable breeder if you do the proper research beforehand. The Mastiff can cost quite a bit of money, but the Bernese Mountain Dog is usually much more reasonable.
Many breeders also do tests on the dogs they sell to check for genetic diseases that often plague certain breeds. These tests can be quite expensive, and if getting your dog checked before the purchase is possible, we recommend it.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Mountain Mastiff🧠
The Mountain Mastiff is a very easygoing, peaceful dog. It enjoys pleasing its owner, so it’s easy to train, and it gets along well with children and other pets. They have a strong distrust of strangers, so they make great guard dogs. The downside to their suspicion is you need to socialize them at an early age, or it can lead to aggression. This breed will also become upset if there is a lot of arguing between family members.
The Mountain Mastiff is considered easy to train, and it will try to follow your lead and learn from it. It will also learn from past experiences, and it has an excellent memory.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡
The Mountain Mastiff is a great family dog because its large size makes it resistant to the effects of small children. Its easygoing temperament also allows it to take a lot of abuse before getting angry, and it loves to play and show off, so it will keep your children entertained for several hours at a time.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽
The Mountain Mastiff gets along great with other pets. It rarely fights with other dogs, and it hardly notices cats or other small animals. As a puppy, you may see your Mountain Mastiff chasing animals in the yard, but that behavior will quickly fade as they get older.
Things to Know When Owning a Mountain Mastiff
Food and Diet Requirements
The mountain mastiff is a large dog and can eat several cups of food per day. Most full-grown dogs will eat 5 cups per day spread out over several feedings. We recommend choosing a brand with a high-quality protein as its first ingredient. High-quality proteins are whole meats like lamb, beef, and chicken. The next ingredient you want to look for is a high-quality carbohydrate. Examples of good carbohydrates include carrots, broccoli, and oatmeal. You want to avoid corn and soy ingredients because your dog has a hard time digesting those foods, and it can upset their stomach. There is no nutritional value in corn, and it can leave your dog feeling hungry.
Foods that also contain omega fatty acids can help promote a shiny coat, as well as help with eye and brain function. Probiotics can help with gut health, and antioxidants can help boost your pet’s immune system.
Daily Exercise Requirements🐕
The Mountain Mastiff is an active dog that will require several walks a day. However, it does not have a lot of endurance, and it’s easy to push them too hard with games of frisbee or fetch. It’s better to stick to walks and light play. Your Mountain Mastiff will require about 60 minutes of exercise per day.
Training🦮
A Mountain Mastiff, like many large breeds, seems to be a little easier to train than most dogs. The biggest thing to remember is to pile on the praise and never look disappointed when your dog has trouble figuring out a trick.
Stand in front of your pet, holding a treat while repeating a command and motioning what you want your pet to do. When your dog follows your command, give it a treat, and try again. Each time you try the trick, use the same command and motion that were successful the first time. After a few tries, you will notice your dog following the command on the first or second try.
We recommend limiting the number of treats that your dog can win during a training session, so they don’t gain weight.
Grooming ✂️
The Mountain Mastiff has a short or medium-length coat that is easy to brush. However, it sheds continuously and requires frequent brushing to keep it under control. We recommend brushing your pet every few days to keep the hair on furniture and clothing to a minimum.
You will also need to trim the nails on your Mountain Mastiff regularly, as well as provide them with regular dental cleanings. If your dog is a drooler, you will also need to check the skin regularly to make sure no rashes are developing.
Health and Conditions ❤️
The Mountain Mastiff has a slightly shorter lifespan than many other large dog breeds, but it’s not unhealthy. There are a few genetic disorders that this breed is prone to and will look at them in this section.
Male vs Female
There’s very little difference in appearance between the male and female Mountain Mastiff. The male tends to guard the home while the female is more cautious of strangers.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Mountain Mastiff
1. Its parents are both revered dog breeds.
The Mastiff and the Bernese Mountain Dog are both likely descendants of the Molossus, a revered breed in ancient times.
2. They have famous and historic ties.
The Mastiff parent breed was used by Julius Caesar to fight lions.
3. They are well-traveled.
Romans first took the Bernese Mountain Dog to Switzerland over 2,000 years ago.
Summary
We hope you have enjoyed our look at the Mountain Mastiff. This mix between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Mastiff is friendly and loyal. It’s large enough to keep intruders at bay, while also being friendly enough to trust around your children.
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Featured Image By: Tatyana Kuznetsova, Shutterstock
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Nicole is a lover of animals of all sizes but is especially fascinated with the feline variety. She’s the proud mom of Baby, a Burmese, and works every day so he can relax in the sunshine or by the fire. She’s always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat can live happy, healthy, and care-free.
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