So you’ve seen your friend’s Mastiff and absolutely fell in love with the big lug. Now you simply must have one for yourself.
But is the Mastiff dog price as large as he is?
Typically, you can expect to pay between $2,300 and $6,000 for a Mastiff puppy price.
So yes, to answer your question, the Mastiff price range is as large as he is.
Now before you decide how to scrimp and cut corners to save up for this big guy, you may want to take his temperament into consideration.
Temperament is one of the most important factors when deciding whether a dog is a good match for you.
However, there’s a lot more to consider before signing on the dotted line and bringing one of these big Teddy bears home.
The Mastiff, Up Close
The Mastiff, or English Mastiff, has a rather rich history.
For the sake of brevity, though, let’s take a look at the more modern picture.
Even though breeders were bringing Mastiffs to the US during World War I, their population declined for a time due to a rash of canine distemper.
After the war, however, more Mastiffs came to the US from England.
The rumor is that breeders began breeding Mastiffs with other large breeds, like the Saint Bernard because the breeds were “close relatives” to the Mastiff.
In truth, this probably helped save their breed.
Since then, there have been numerous famous Mastiffs, like “The Beast” from the film The Sandlot. Or “Mudge” from the famous Henry and Mudge series of children’s books.
So, if you have a child who loves “Mudge,” you may consider getting a Mastiff so he can have his very own “Mudge.”
Mastiff Temperament and Personality
Here are some of the more pertinent personality traits of the English Mastiff to help you determine whether you’d truly be happy with this breed.
He Loves Kids
The Mastiff truly is a great family pet because he just loves children.
Despite his massive size, he is a gentle giant with an immense amount of patience.
This is because he thinks of kids as his own “puppies.”
Mastiff owners can tell you they trust their big guy with even their younger children, they’re that gentle.
He is Calm and Good-Natured
Those who don’t know much about Mastiffs may be afraid of their hulking size, and that’s fine.
Only you need to know the truth, which is that he is a truly sweet and calm dog.
This too makes him a great addition to the family because he’s very tolerant of other animals. So, if you have cats or another dog, you don’t have to worry about aggression of any kind from the Mastiff.
He Lives to Please You
The Mastiff very much knows his place in the family. He knows and accepts that you are his master, and he will do anything to please you.
This makes him a pure delight to train.
He Lives to Please You
The Mastiff is certainly not a yappy dog, but he can get a little out of control with his booming bark if you don’t teach him to use it properly.
Sure, he’ll scare away unwanted visitors, but he can become rather annoying to you – and your neighbors – in no time.
Teach him that there is a time and place to use his bark, and he’ll settle in just fine.
His Exercise Needs are Moderate
You may think a big guy like the Mastiff needs hardcore exercise, but actually the opposite is true.
A 20 to 30-minute walk around the neighborhood each day is enough for him. So, if you’re not very active, no worries – neither is he!
In fact, you don’t want to jog with him because it puts too much strain on his larger frame.
Mastiff Size
For some breeds, their size can have a major influence on their decision to buy. This is very much the case for the Mastiff.
An adult Mastiff can grow to between 28 and 36 inches tall, and between 120 to 230 lbs.
That is a lot of dog.
First thing’s first, you need to consider the monthly food bill. Can you afford to feed a dog of this size?
Then there are the other considerations. Will he fit in your car for trips to the vet? Will you be able to handle long road trips with him?
What if he gets sick? Is there someone around who can lift him for you?
This is not something you need to consider with every breed, but it’s certainly a concern for the Mastiff.
Mastiff Price – How Much Do Mastiffs Cost?
As mentioned above, the price of an English Mastiff is pretty steep.
You’ll have to budget for anywhere from $2,300 to $6,000 or more for a Mastiff.
And, of course, the purebred Mastiff price is more likely to fall closer to the higher end of that range. This is especially true if he comes from a strong bloodline.
You can save literally thousands of dollars by adopting or rescuing a Mastiff, so you may want to consider these options. Plus, you’ll give a dog a home who might not otherwise be able to find one.
Demand
The Mastiff’s popularity in the U.S. is only 29th most popular dog in the AKC, and it isn’t hard to see why.
Between his price tag and his size, the Mastiff is a hard sell for many families.
This is a shame because he is such a good dog.
This is good, in a way, because you don’t have to worry about rarity driving up the Mastiff average price any higher than it already is.
Though it’s sad because a dog this gentle should be a higher priority on every family’s list.
Mastiff Rescue and Adoption
If you’re interested in adopting a Mastiff, then you can save quite literally thousands of dollars on the Mastiff dog price.
Rescue organizations may charge up to $500 for costs associated with fostering the dog and getting him ready for his new home.
For instance, Mastiff to Mutts Rescue is an organization dedicated solely to Mastiff rescues.
You can also look for one at your local shelter. This may run you about $150 for shots and neutering before you bring him home.
Your odds may be slim at finding one at your shelter but keep trying. Also, let the shelter know if you’re open to a mixed breed, as this might help them find one faster for you.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Mastiff Cost of Ownership
For some tiny breeds, like the Chihuahua, the cost of ownership is not much different from what you would expect to budget.
With a dog as large as the Mastiff, however, you need to consider the cost of ownership as much as the ticket price.
Here are some things you should definitely budget for before deciding if you can afford a dog like this.
Cost of Food
Food for the Mastiff is a biggie.
While you could normally get away with a month (or more) of food for $35, a guy this big needs more than that.
You can safely estimate that a Mastiff needs to eat about 2 lbs. of food at each meal or 4 lbs. of food per day.
This is probably about double what a mid-size dog would eat.
It would probably be safe to say, then, that you can expect to spend double ($70) per month on food for the Mastiff than you would for another breed.
Health Care Expenses
Health problems are also very important to consider.
For the Mastiff, you need to watch out for issues related to his larger frame, such as sprained ligaments or stretched tendons.
He may even suffer patellar luxation or dislocation of his hip joints or elbow joints.
Because these problems cause pain and/or inflammation, you may need to give him long-term care, such as supplements and medication.
He may also need increased vet visits.
These things all cost money.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Training Programs
Thankfully, this is the one area where you should actually be able to save a little money.
This is because the Mastiff is such a good listener that you should have no problems training him yourself.
Of course, every dog is different, so if you get that one stubborn Mastiff, you may want to consider a training class or two.
You can even pick the class for the specific behavior he’s having trouble with, rather than signing up for a full package.
Helpful Online Dog Training Resource:
The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan a world-class Dog Trainer from New Zealand is worth taking a look at. This online resource has hundreds of fun informative dog training videos that can help you learn the basics and more.
Grooming Costs
As long as you can keep up with the Mastiff’s shedding season(s), grooming shouldn’t be much of an issue for you.
Though, of course, if it seems to be too much, and he’s just too large to groom by yourself, then you’ll need to budget for a groomer to help you.
You definitely don’t want to risk his developing a skin condition because you haven’t brushed him enough.
He also drools a bunch, but this is something else you can handle on your own without having to call in the professionals.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
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