7 Things You Should Know About Brindle Mastiffs

(photo: thebuddhabean)

The world is filled with unique dog breeds that are sought-after for their appearance and temperament. One of these is the brindle mastiff. This large dog features a beautiful coat and has an easy-going personality. Below you’ll discover more behind this breed and how you can find a reputable brindle mastiff breeder.

1. A Brindle Mastiff is no different from any other mastiffs, except for the coat coloring.

A brindle mastiff isn’t drastically different from a regular mastiff except for a slightly different coat color. Brindle Mastiff coats are characterized by a brown base color, overlain with dark brown or black stripes and often resemble a tiger like pattern.

They also have a darker nose and eyes. You can identify whether or not a mastiff is a brindle one by checking their coat. If the dog is a brindle mastiff, it will have apricot-colored fur, especially around its stomach. Some might also have a small white patch on their chest.

A reverse brindle mastiff features a dark coat that has fawn striping on it. This is the opposite of a regular brindle mastiff appearance.

2.Brindle Mastiffs are not common.

A brindle mastiff is somewhat rare. Any large dog with a big head and small range of colors is listed as so by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

All types of mastiffs can be brindle, however, some are more likely to be so than others. This includes the African Boerboel, https://nedhardy.com/2020/04/28/are-cane-corsos-dangerous-dogs/, and Bully Kutta.

3. Brindle Mastiffs are purebred

Brindle mastiffs are purebred. This means that they are a modern dog breed that is registered with a kennel club.

The AKC does recognize the brindle mastiff and has categorized them in their working group. This club writes that the perfect breed standard for the brindle mastiff includes small and dark v-shaped ears in proportion to the head, a muscular neck, large feet with black nails, and broad hindquarters.

(photo: jandb_xo)

4. Common Brindle Mastiff Health Problems

While a pretty healthy dog, sometimes it does have a few frequent medical problems you’ll need to watch out for.

• Hypothyroidism is when the mastiff’s body is unable to produce enough of the thyroid hormone which stabilizes their metabolic rate. While not usually fatal, it can cause the dog to be very lethargic, gain weight, and have hair loss.
• Pyoderma is a skin condition that can cause inflammation due to bacteria. This is common in mastiffs because of their numerous skin folds. Because these folds aren’t always cleaned, they can harbor parasitic bacteria resulting in this condition.
• Osteosarcoma – This condition is a type of bone tumor that mainly grows in the dog’s limbs, but can also appear in their skull and ribcage. It’s not known why this cancer develops, but it’s generally found in larger dogs compared to smaller breeds. Common signs of osteosarcoma include bone swelling, lethargy, difficulty moving, and a loss of appetite.
• Heart Disease – Brindle mastiffs are prone to heart disease. This blocks adequate blood flow to their heart which makes this vital organ work harder than it should. Over time, this could lead to the mastiff not having a lot of energy or even fainting.
• Dental Disease – Another health concern you’ll want to watch out for is dental disease. This is a common problem in brindle mastiffs because they tend to have gum overgrowth. Dental disease creates a tartar build-up on their teeth. If this isn’t removed, it could turn into an infection and spread throughout their body making them very ill.

5. What Type of Person Should Buy a Brindle Mastiff?

A brindle mastiff is perfect for families thanks to their loving and calm personality. However, the dog can get to be very big, so it’s important to not add one to your home if you have small children or closely monitor them both when around each other.

This dog is also great for those who want a low-energy dog. While they can be energetic as puppies, they aren’t very athletic. They are fine with a simple walk around the block but nothing that causes too much exertion.

6. Brindle Mastiffs cost more than regular Mastiffs

On average, a brindle mastiff is about $1,000-$1,500. This is about $500 more than a regular mastiff. The price will vary among breeders based on the parents’ health and AKC registration.

7. Finding a Reputable Brindle Mastiff Breeder

There are a few ways you can find a reputable brindle mastiff breeder. One is by browsing for breeders online. You could also use the AKC Marketplace to search for puppies. The dogs sold on this site only come from AKC-registered breeders who go through extensive background checks.

If you’re interested in purchasing from a certain brindle mastiff breeder, it might be ideal to meet them first. This way, you can get an idea of how they treat their dogs and view their current living space. Their home should be large and clean. If not, this can be a red flag.

When meeting the breeder they might ask you questions about your family and residence. This helps them to ensure that their dog will go to a good home.

You’ll also want to make sure that the breeder provides a full medical history, such as OFA and CERF certificates. These indicate that the dog’s hips and eyes are healthy.
The last way to identify a responsible breeder is if they ask you to sign a contract. This contract will have you agree to take care of the dog, and if you are unable to, return the dog back to them. This will guarantee that the animal isn’t abandoned or thrown into an animal shelter.

Brindle mastiffs are unique canines known for their large body yet docile personality. While a bit rare, they make great family pets and are ideal for those who want a loving and protective furry family member.

(photo: englishmastiffhooch)