All Dog Breeds >>Temprament of Mastiff
These massive, gentle giants love people, especially their families. They are incredibly devoted, affectionate, and protective pets. They will want to be by your side at all times, often napping on your feet or with their enormous head in your lap. They do not do well if left alone for hours at a time. Loneliness will cause anxiety and destructive behavior. A Mastiff requires a lot of affection. They love nothing more than to cuddle and be hugged, and are even known to "ask" for hugs frequently. They are calm, good-natured, and docile dogs who like to take naps. A rare combination of gentle and powerful, the Mastiff was bred to be a guard dog.
They do not bark much, unless there is a reason, and they are an intimidating presence at your front door. They require about as much exercise as the average person, and are not into playing fetch. If you throw a ball, your Mastiff is liable to decide to take a nap on the way to get it. The Mastiff is a smart breed, sensitive and eager to please you. He will definitely be part of the family and will want to spend as much time as possible with you.
They are great with children. In fact, they are so patient that parents must be vigilant about protecting the Mastiff. Mastiffs have been known to let children abuse them without flinching. On the flipside, parents must also watch out that the Mastiff doesn't accidentally knock over a small child with a happy wag. As for flaws: Mastiffs are very loud snorers and many of them tend to fart a lot too. They also like to dig.
However, they do not like to wander, and prefer to stay close to home. They are friendly and aloof with other dogs. As for other animals in the households -- some Mastiffs do well with them and some don't.