What were Mastiffs bred for?

Answer 1

most are used as guard dogs, due to their deep voices and natural guarding instincts, or livestock guardian dogs for protection against large predators as well as poachers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molosser

They were also used to hunt large animals such as the lion and bears.

Answer 2

The Mastiff has historically been used for the purpose of guarding and fighting. They have had a background in blood sports, the practice of pitting dog against beast for entertainment. Mastiffs have also played the guardian role, defending property against intruders. Today, however, the Mastiff has a much gentler way of life as a delightful companion.

Answer 3

The correct spelling is "Bullmastiff" all one word.

They were originally bred to be the Gameskeeper's dogs that were hired to protect the King's estates in England. Poachers would come in at night and kill a lot of the game on the King's estates, so the King employed gameskeepers to protect his estates from being poached. The poachers were using dogs to help them out in poaching so the gameskeepers started using the bullmastiff (which was originally a cross between 60 % Mastiff & 40% bulldog, the bulldog in those days was a much lankier & much more aggressive dog). The Bullmastiff was known as the Night Dog as they worked with the Gameskeepers at night when the poachers were at work. They needed a dog that was quick enough to take down the poacher & pin & hold him, not savage & bite him as the poacher needed to be kept whole so he could be hung in public as an example for poaching the Kings estates. So a dog (Bullmastiff) that was fast off the start, quiet and pinned the poacher until the gameskeeper could get there to arrest the poacher was what was desired. Rules changed over time about the punishment for the poachers but that is the history in a nutshell. They are suppose to be a quiet, confident outgoing dog that pins and holds it quarry as opposed to biting and savaging it to death. A Guard dog, but one that is under control and does not bark a lot. They are a very stubborn breed and not for everyone, can be very difficult to train at times. Need a firm hand by someone who knows what they are doing. They are also great family dogs but again must be trained by firm people. The bullmastiff tends to adopt everyone in the family including other pets as their own.

Answer 4

The Neapolitan Mastiff was bred for use in war and in bloody Roman arena spectacles. Today this powerful breed has a well-deserved reputation as a formidable guard dog. Neos have been used by the Italian police and army and by that country's farmers, business establishment, and estate owners to protect people and property.

Answer 5

Not even close, my friend. The pit is bred by combining a white terrier, which no longer even exists, and an English bull dog........Chuck.

Answer 6

for protecting game keepers against poachers