This breed, perhaps not in exactly the form as we know it today, has been with us for many hundreds of years, and played its part in history since well before the Battle of Agincourt, in the early fifteenth century. Even then the Mastiff was known for his courage and guarding instincts. It is recorded that when the Romans invaded Britain they found a mastiff type dog already here, and were so impressed that they took some back to fight in the arenas of Rome. When the Normans came to Britain the mastiff type was so common that the French word 'dogue' found its way into the English language. The breed almost became extinct in Britain after the Second World War. Stock was then imported, and since that time the numerical strength and quality of the breed have taken an upsurge.
Combining grandeur with good nature, Mastiff's are an extremely large dog in both height and girth, broad and deep in body, full of substance, with large strong bones. A very intelligent dog, not excitable, but affectionate towards their owner, they are a dog who requires plenty of human contact and plenty of good food. Mastiff's are best suited to a home where there are opportunities for exercise.