English Mastiff Guide: Size, Temperament, Lifespan and Adoption
What were English Mastiffs bred for?
The AKC places the Mastiff in the Working Group. It lists England as the breed's origin. The AKC recognized the breed in 1885. The AKC profile here does not state what the breed was originally bred to do.
How big do Mastiffs get?
The AKC puts the Mastiff in its XLarge size category. For English Mastiff weight, the AKC publishes 160-230 pounds for males and 120-170 pounds for females. For height, the AKC gives 30 inches and up for males and 27.5 inches and up for females.
English Mastiff temperament
The AKC describes the Mastiff's temperament with the words dignified, good-natured and courageous. It rates the breed 5 of 5 for family affection, child compatibility and protective tendency. Stranger openness and dog compatibility are each rated 3 of 5, so introductions to new people and dogs may call for care.
Energy and everyday needs
The AKC rates the breed 3 of 5 for energy, 3 of 5 for mental enrichment and 3 of 5 for playfulness. Adaptability is rated 4 of 5.
Coat, shedding and drooling
The coat is short and double. The AKC rates grooming frequency 1 of 5 and shedding 3 of 5. Drooling is rated 4 of 5, so many Mastiffs may drool a good deal.
Training
The AKC gives the Mastiff a trainability rating of 3 of 5. It rates vocalization 1 of 5.
How long do Mastiffs live?
The AKC gives a general life expectancy of 6-10 years for the Mastiff, which is the figure behind the English Mastiff average life span. Ask a veterinarian about the health of any individual dog.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Mastiff as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Working Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1885
- Height (AKC published)
- 30 inches & up (male), 27.5 inches & up (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 160-230 pounds (male), 120-170 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 6-10 years
- AKC size category
- XLarge
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 3 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 3 of 5
- Trainability: 3 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 1 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 1 of 5
- Drooling: 4 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 3 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 3 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 5 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Patella Evaluation
- Hip Evaluation
- Elbow Evaluation
- Cardiac Exam
- Ophthalmologist Exam
- Cystinuria DNA Test
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis
- Dominant Progressive Retinal Atrophy (dPRA) (Bullmastiff/Mastiff Type) DNA Test
- Degenerative Myelopathy (Common Variant) (DM) - DNA Test
- Canine Multifocal Retinopathy Type 1 (CMR) DNA Test
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 9, 2026.
References
- Mastiff - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
