One of the most attractive, devoted, and courageous breeds is the mastiff. They truly embody beauty combined with bravery.
This post may be useful if you’re unsure which mastiff to choose or simply want to know how many different mastiff breeds there are. I’ve listed 23 brave and gorgeous mastiff breeds in this post.
Stay with me till the end and read everything to get the full story. Let’s get going!
1: Cane Corso
Which mastiff, in my opinion, looks the best? Cane Corso would be my first choice because they have a flawless appearance. They are among the best mastiffs thanks to their stunning look, robust body, and devotion to their owner.
I still don’t advise new owners to get one, though, as they can be difficult to train and manage. People who are unfamiliar with large dog breeds should consider twice before choosing a breed like the Cane Corso because of their aggressive nature and strength.
Apart from that, Cane Corsos were born in Italy as guarding and battle dogs, but following the fall of the Roman Empire, they were turned into farm dogs. They were first introduced to the United States in the 1980s, and their popularity hasn’t waned since.
You won’t believe it, but they were on the verge of extinction in the mid-1900s until a group of Italians resurrected the breed. We have these beautiful mastiffs because of them.
Pros Of Cane Corsos
- They look amazing
- They are really powerful
- They can be great guard dogs
- Faithful towards their owners
- Trainable
- Good life expectancy (10 – 12 years)
Cons Of Cane Corsos
2: English Mastiff
They are one of the largest dog breeds, growing up to 30 inches and weighing up to 230 pounds (104 kilograms).
What makes them so fantastic is that they are very nice dogs. English mastiffs are not overly energetic, and they sleep a lot, but they are charming and adore their owners.
They were bred to be guard dogs; in fact, researchers believe that a ceramic and painted sculpture of a mastiff-like dog from the Mesopotamia region from the Kassite period (mid-2nd millennium B.C.) exists.
These canines could be linked to the canines that battled in Roman arenas alongside lions, tigers, bears, and gladiators.
These magnificent giants have evolved into household dogs in modern times. In fact, they don’t require a lot of activity to maintain their health and fitness and can even live in apartments.
They are a fantastic choice for new owners, but keep in mind that they are strong dogs who can occasionally get violent, so you must make sure that you socialize and teach them properly.
Read this post to learn more about English Mastiff’s disposition!
Pros
- They are very sweet and cuddly.
- Can be great guard dogs.
- They love their owners.
- They are pretty eye-catching dogs.
Cons
- Low energy and sleep a lot.
- Need space due to their large body.
- They have a short life expectancy compared to other mastiffs. They have a life expectancy of only 6 to 9 years.
3: Tibetan Mastiff
Tibetan mastiffs are gorgeous canines. These Himalayan breeds were developed to guard Buddhist monasteries against deadly creatures including Himalayan wolves, leopards, and brown mountain bears.
These cuddly giants resemble lions. Although to some of you, they might seem cute, these dogs are actually quite vicious. In fact, they have been observed fighting and giving wolves a terrible time.
They are courageous dogs and make excellent security dogs. Like Cane Corsos, they are not advised for novice owners since they are strong and like to be clan leaders, making it difficult for novice owners to control them.
Pros Of Tibetan Mastiff
- Brave
- Eye catchy
- Protective nature
- Loyal
Cons Of Tibetan Mastiff
- Aggressive
- Expensive
- They shed and drool
4: Kangals
The biting force of a kangal is insane; it can reach a whopping 743 PSI, which is more than any dog in the entire globe and even more than some of the most formidable wild creatures, such as lions, leopards, wolves, coyotes, and cougars.
They are fierce and incredibly strong dogs. They can grow to a height of 31 inches and weigh up to 160 pounds, which makes them fairly big and heavy.
Due to their tendency to become quite violent while guarding their territory and their dislike of introducers, unfamiliar canines, and unfamiliar faces in their spaces, novice owners may find it difficult to control them. If you don’t have experience or know what you’re doing, don’t pet them.
They are generally good, robust dogs that make excellent guard dogs, but they are not suggested for first-time owners.
Pros Of Kangals
- Has the highest bite force (743 PSI)
- Brave
- Highly faithful and loyal
- Smart
- Fast and agile
- Great guard dogs
Cons Of Kangals
- They don’t like to be controlled
- Can be dangerous if not trained and socialized well
- Needs a lot of space
5: Bandogs
A rather uncommon American breed is the bandog. English Mastiffs and American Bulldogs were crossed to make them. Many nations, including Switzerland, Belarus, India, and some regions of the United States, have outlawed them.
They were actually raised to defend owners’ lands and property from attackers because they are very aggressive canines. With a bite force of 700 PSI, they are second only to kangals in being a nightmare for invaders, I must add.
Pros Of Bandogs
- Highly intelligent and trainable
- Nightmare to intruders
- Crazy bite force
- Loyal
Cons Of Bandogs
- Very Aggressive
- Cane be tough to control
- Are banned in many places
6: Spanish Mastiff
Due to their lack of popularity in the West, I think most of you who are reading this haven’t even heard of Spanish mastiffs. You would be shocked to learn that they are one of the biggest dog breeds in the world, though. Their weight may reach 200 pounds, and their height might exceed 35 inches.
These enormous canines are renowned for their intellect, loyalty, sweetness, and excellent guarding skills.
The Spanish mastiffs come from Spain and were developed to guard animals. They are naturally protective and take their job seriously.
Pros Of Spanish Mastiff
- Highly intelligent breed
- They look really cute
- They are enormous and incredibly attractive dogs.
- They make wonderful family members.
Cons Of Spanish Mastiff
- They are prone to obesity and musculoskeletal problems
- They are pretty lazy
7: Tosa Inu
Tosa Inu, also known as Japanese Mastiffs, is a rare breed recognized for its patience, calmness, boldness, and fearlessness.
The thing that distinguishes them is that they adore their family but are unsociable with others. And because most Tosa do not get along with other dogs, going to the dog park is out of the question.
They are also pricey due to their scarcity. Overall, they are attractive tall canines who make excellent guard dogs.
Pros Of Tosa Inu
- Rare breed
- They are pretty calm and composed dogs
- They are fearless
- Loyal
- Excellent guard dogs
Cons Of Tosa Inu
- Aggressive towards other dogs
8: Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are, as their name implies, a cross between a bulldog and a mastiff. They developed in the 19th century to make a guard dog that would protect wealthy houses from anyone attempting to steal game, such as deer.
One of the most popular mastiff breeds is the Bullmastiff. In fact, when people consider mastiff breeds, they are frequently among the first options that come to mind.
Bullmastiff owners say that Bullmastiffs are gentle giants who are devoted and fiercely protective.
They are still quite large dogs and courageous, just not as big as other mastiffs like English, Spanish, or Cane Corsos. They remain steadfast in defending their domain and owners.
Pros Of Bullmastiffs
- Great guard dogs
- They are very cute
- They love their owners
- They have a short easy-and-quick-care coat
- They don’t need a lot of exercise
Cons Of Bullmastiffs
- They drool, sometimes heavily.
- They are a bit lazy
9: Newfoundland
In addition to being attractive, devoted, amiable, and caring, Newfoundlands are also excellent swimmers. They adore the water and are natural swimmers, contrary to the majority of dogs. They actually have rather sturdy webbed feet that allow them to float freely in water.
They were bred for carting and hauling. They were frequently utilized for many tasks, including hauling fishing nets out to sea and moving wood up and down the hilly streets of the Newfoundland out-ports.
Newfoundlands are easy to pet for first-time owners, but keep in mind that they require daily water playtime, shed heavily, and drool.
They are the greatest choice if your house has a pool or a lake close by, and if you don’t mind shedding and drooling.
Additionally, they struggle in hot weather, so if you reside anywhere where the daily average temperature exceeds 25°C, avoid petting them.
Pros Of Newfoundlands
- They don’t fear water, they love it!
- They look amazing
- They are very friendly dogs
- They are pretty intelligent
- Rarely bark and howl. You will have a peaceful life with them.
Cons Of Newfoundlands
- They drool heavily
- They do shed as well
- Prone to separation anxiety.
10: Great Dane (German Mastiff)
Great Danes, also known as German Mastiffs, are large, strong dogs that originated in Germany. Despite their name, they are not Danish in origin.
One of the tallest dog breeds in the world, they can grow up to 35 inches in height. Despite their athletic appearance, they are actually rather slothful and like to spend most of their time running around in the house. They are truly gentle giants.
They make relatively good pets and are devoted companions, although they are prone to health problems. Additionally, because of their incredible personalities and appearances, they have appeared in other well-known shows, like Scooby Dooby Doo.
Pros Of Great Danes
- They are pretty well known
- They make a great family dog
- They get a lot of attention due to their height
- They love spending time with their owners
- Theu are true gentle giants
Cons Of Great Danes
- Are prone to health issues
- They tend to chew and destroy things like bedsheets, sofa covers, pillows, etc.
- They drool a lot
- Can be quite costly to maintain
11: Neapolitan Mastiff
Neapolitan mastiffs are one of the most distinctively shaped mastiffs on this list. They have a royal appearance and a droopy face, and they drool a lot. Their barking tone is also unusual.
They originated in Italy and were raised as security dogs. They are large dogs, but don’t let their size fool you; they are literally enormous babies.
They are one of the cutest breeds due to their cuddly appearance. However, because of their saggy and droopy skin, some individuals find them weird.
If drooling isn’t an issue for you, getting a Neapolitan mastiff might be the best decision you’ve ever made.
Pros Of Neapolitan Mastiff
- They have a pretty distinct look
- They look royal
- Excellent guard dogs
- They are fairly quick, confident, and active
Cons Of Neapolitan Mastiff
- Heavy droolers
- Are prone to health issues
- Short life expectancy (6 to 8 years)
12: Dogue De Bordeaux
Dogue De Bordeaux is a French breed recognized for being powerful yet friendly. Watchful but relaxed. Personalities that are both stately and affectionate.
The fact that they have the largest heads of any dog distinguishes them. They have a short, beautiful coat with a deep color. Their coat color might be crimson, fawn, isabella, or mahogany.
They were bred as military dogs at first, later employed for hunting and guarding French estates. They can also be effective guard dogs.
13: Boerboel
The South African breed known as the Boerboel was developed for hunting and protecting people and property. If trained properly and socialized early, they are charming, gentle, and nice with children and other dogs, but they are nightmares to invaders.
Boerboels are enormous; they may weigh between 150 and 200 pounds, and their 450 PSI biting force is enough to seriously hurt anyone.
14: Pyrenean Mastiff
The Pyrenees Mountains in Spain are home to the rather uncommon Pyrenean Mastiff breed of dog. They are strong, composed, and brave. They were bred primarily to protect sheep flocks from wolves and other predators.
The Pyrenean Mastiff is calm, aristocratic, and very clever, and they may make wonderful companions, according to the AKC. He never shies away from strangers and is brave and confident.
Overall, they make wonderful pets. They have stunning looks and are wonderful companions.
15: Fila Brasileiro
The enormous Fila Brasileiro dog originated in Brazil a century ago. The major goal was to create a dog that could aid in protecting land and helping to hunt large wildlife.
They can be difficult to handle and require a lot of area to run around, so they might not be appropriate for first-time owners or those who live in small spaces (apartments).
Additionally, they are prohibited in numerous nations, including Denmark, Spain, Britain, Italy, and many others. So, please confirm that Fila Brasileiro is permitted in your nation.
16: Presa Canario
Canary mastiffs, also known as Presa Canario, are robust, fearless, and loyal. They were built to herd sheep and cattle and protect livestock from wild animals in the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa.
The most fascinating aspect of them is that they were on the verge of extinction since they were frequently utilized for dog fighting until it was prohibited in the 1940s. Those harsh actions almost drove them extinct.
Thankfully, we still have these magnificent mastiffs. As I mentioned, they are powerful dogs, so they require a lot of socialization and training as puppies. If you don’t give them enough training, they can become very disobedient, aggressive, and even dangerous in everyday situations. They are also protective of their owners and can make excellent guard dogs.
It’s not advisable for first-time owners to get this breed.
17: Broholmer
Danish breeds like the Broholmer are renowned for their imposing size, calm dispositions, and powerfully constructed bodies.
The history of Broholmer is really fascinating. According to experts, Brohlomer originated when King James VI gave English Mastiff dogs to the Danish royal family.
The Danish Vikings imported some Mastiffs from their journeys during the Middle Ages. The Old Danish Dogs, the first ancestors of the modern Broholmers, were created by crossing these dogs with neighborhood “butcher’s dogs” or Slagterhunden.
Danish Broholmers can weigh up to 200 pounds and have a height of up to 30 inches.
18: Bully Kutta (Alangu Mastiff)
The earliest breed from the Indian Subcontinent is the bully kutta. They go by the name Alangu Mastiffs as well.
Bully Kutta excels as a guard dog due to his intellect, alertness, responsiveness, energy, and aggression.
They are not advised for novice owners because they are fairly aggressive dogs who have the potential to seriously harm humans and other dogs, especially when improperly taught.
It would be quite challenging to control them because they are both tall and heavy. Aside from that, they are active dogs who want a lot of space to run around, so keeping one might not be the best idea if you live in an apartment.
19: Sarabi Mastiff
The Iranian breed known as the Sarabi Mastiff is renowned for its robust, independent, and protective attitude. Since long ago, local shepherds have used them to keep their flocks of sheep and goats safe from wolves, bears, jackals, and other local predators.
They are one of Iran’s most ancient and powerful native dog breeds, and they are quite uncommon in the United States and Europe.
20: Irish Mastiff
The English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound are two extremely tall canines that were crossed to create the Irish Mastiff. They are appropriate for families with relaxed lifestyles and people looking for a non-aggressive guard dog.
The Irish Mastiff is a calm, easygoing, yet stubborn breed that enjoys being with its owner.
21: The North American Mastiff
The American Mastiff is a rather uncommon breed that only recently came into existence. They were created by breeding numerous canines of the mastiff breed.
They are large, heavy-boned, and rather robust dog breeds, but they are also quite smart, quick, and diligent.
The American Mastiff can grow to a maximum height of 30 inches and a maximum weight of 180 pounds.
22: Korean Dosa Mastiff
The price of a Korean Dosa mastiff, which is likely the most expensive breed of dog on this list, may reach up to $200,000.
In 2016, an Indian millionaire bought a pair of Korean Dosa Mastiffs for $300,000.
The skin of Korean Dosa Mastiffs is among the loosest and saggiest. They are one of the rarest breeds—only a few thousand Korean Dosa Matsiffs remain—and their droopy look gives them a very distinctive appearance.
They are nice, calm dogs who enjoy being with their owners. The most frequent issue you may experience with them is drooling.
23: Abruzzese Mastiff
Another Mastiff with Italian roots. Undoubtedly, the Abruzzese Mastiff is the most gorgeous dog to ever exist. These enormous dogs have rather thick coats. They were bred to guard livestock from predators, which is why they have strong guardian instincts. Because of its amiable nature, this breed makes a fantastic family pet.
My Recommendation
Each mastiff on my list above has some positives and negatives. To be completely honest, it depends entirely on your needs. For example, if you want a family-friendly mastiff, you could choose a Great Dane, English Mastiff, or Newfoundland.
Cane Corso, Kangal, or Tibetan Mastiff are formidable breeds that might potentially defend your family and property from attackers. However, keep in mind that before choosing one of these dogs, you should have some prior experience with larger, more powerful breeds.
I hope you liked this post.
Thanks for reading!
