Feeding
Mastiff puppies should not be encouraged to grow too quickly as this can put stress on their bones and cause health problems later in life.
Mastiff puppies should be fed an adult large breed food, containing a high fat low protein diet. We suggest TLC Pet Food. This will help to keep their muscle mass down while still giving them the proper energy needed. A holistic diet is ideal as corn and by-products have no nutrition value. Buying better quality food will decrease the amount you need to feed them and will lesson the amount of poop.
The puppies recommended daily feedings should be divided over 3 meals a day. Mastiffs tend to gobble their food and by offering smaller amounts at feeding they are less liable to be attacked by bloat. After 6 months of age, split their feedings into 2 times a day.
All food and water should be raised and adjusted to their height as they grow. This also helps to avoid bloat. It is important to weigh your pup regularly as they grow fast and you will need to increase the food as recommend.
Special treats for a mastiff should be limited due to their high sugar content.
Do not add tidbits of food to encourage eating. If needed simply add warm water over their food.
Human food is not recommended as dogs are allergic to many foods such as pork, grapes and chocolate.
Exercise
Exercise is important, but don’t overdue it. Not only will proper exercise provide your puppy with an outlet for all that energy, it helps them develop some muscle tissue which supports those heavy giant greed bones. Taking your mastiff on short walks daily can also help establish a bond between you and your puppy. This will also begin socializing your puppy to familiarize him or her with different people and places in all situations.
If your puppy is not fully vaccinated, you will want to avoid public places such as dog parks until all shots are complete.
Short games of fetch on a soft non-slippery surface (carpet or grass) or practicing to walk on a leash around the house or yard are a great alternative.
You should not force your mastiff puppy to exercise if he or she does not want to or tires out. Running, jogging or allowing giant breeds to jump from furniture or out of the SUV’s or trucks is also not recommended until 2 years of age. Stairs should be avoided whenever possible.
Grooming
A mastiff doesn’t require a lot of grooming. Keep clean but don’t over wash as it could irritate their skin. While washing, be sure to wash and rinse well between wrinkles and dewlaps. Keep eyes clean to help avoid getting eye infections.
Ears should be cleaned more frequently than other dogs because mastiff’s produce a lot of ear wax.
Nails should be trimmed frequently as puppies and kept short to the quick. This will help you later when you have to trim your 200lb mastiff’s nails.
Pet Safety
In order to keep your puppy as healthy as possible you should only give them safe pet approved toys and monitor them at all times. Toys also provide a great alternative to your furniture.
Seeing a registered veterinarian on a regular basis and getting all vaccinations on time is very important.
Owning a giant breed can be very costly if a health problem occurs. Many people have pet insurance to help with the delicate situations.
Training
Training is very important when owning a Mastiff. You should begin as soon as your puppy arrives home. Remember you puppy will grow to weigh between 100-300lbs and you won’t be able to handle them should they not know how to behave. If you need ideas or help on training you can contact us. Also we highly recommend you put your puppy/dog into training classes as soon as all shots are completed.