‘What the Lion is to the Cat, the Mastiff is to the Dog,’ wrote Sydenham Edwards in Cynographia Britannica (1800). It’s a fitting comparison — though not for the reasons one might expect. Rather than sheer ferocity, Edwards celebrated the breed’s gentle temperament:‘His courage does not exceed his temper and generosity... I have seen him down with his paw the terrier or cur that has bit him, without offering further injury... In a family, he will permit the children to play with him, and suffer all their little pranks without offence.’In short, the mastiff is a big softie.

Although known for its affectionate and docile nature, the mastiff’s size and strength have long made it an ideal guard dog — a role it has played across centuries.

Buster gets a sun ray treatment before taking part

See Full Page