Which mastiff breed is the smallest

In this article, we will look at 18 of the smallest dog breeds in the world, covering their basic characteristics, their average height and weight, and provide further information about the breeds mentioned. The Shih Tzu is a highly valued Asian toy breed with a long straight coat and curved tail.

They are very friendly, alert, and intelligent. The breed is also hypoallergenic. Also known as the Shih Tzu Kou, translating to Lion Dog in Chinese, Shih Tzus are affectionate house dogs that love spending time with their human companions but often enact clingy behavior. The Chihuahua is commonly regarded as the smallest dog breed in the world. The smallest dog in history was a Chihuahua named Miracle Milly.

She was 3. Chihuahuas are one of the most popular of the smaller dog breeds. The breed adapts well to apartment living and is very loyal to its owner. With their playful personalities and affectionate nature, the Chihuahua can be a great family pet.

Despite a tendency to be territorial, any behavioral problems can be resolved with training. The earlier records of the breed show an average weight of 30 lbs — ten times greater than what the breed typically weighs today!

Years of breeding made Pomeranians go from a medium-sized breed to a small companion dog. Poms demonstrate many traits you would expect to see in a companion dog. They want to be the center of attention, are loving, and create strong bonds with their humans. Originally bred to be lap dogs by the Shang Dynasty in BC, Pugs have taken the responsibility of being companion dogs for over two thousand years.

After Pugs were imported to the Netherlands from China, the breeder intentionally bred Pugs to make them smaller. The Pug gained popularity in the 19th century thanks to Queen Victoria. She had several Pugs that she bred herself. The involvement of Queen Victoria with dogs inspired the creation of The Kennel Club in , which is acknowledged as the first kennel club in the world.

The AKC recommends Pugs to people who live in small places such as apartments and those with small children. Maltese Dogs have been around for a long time, but not much is known about the origins of the breed. Both the ancient Romans and Greeks mentioned the Maltese Dog in their literature. Although it is believed that the breed gets its name from the Mediterranean island of Malta, there is little to no evidence available to prove this — and thus, the origins of the Maltese dog remain unknown.

However, there is strong evidence that suggests that the Maltese originated in south-central Europe from spitz-type dogs and resembled the modern-day Pomeranian. The Maltese has a long coat and has the most fashionable array of haircuts among any dog. Hairstyles like the standard cut, show cut, bob cut, puppy clip, and teddy bear cut are popular among owners of this tiny breed.

Sometimes referred to as the butterfly dog because of their ears, the Papillon is a highly trainable companion dog. A large portion of the Papillion history is learned through paintings.

Tiziano Vicelli Titian painted small dogs resembling Papillons along with many of the companion dogs that existed in the mids. Despite their size, the Papillon is a breed that can really stand out in dog shows. They are easy to train and become comfortable with completing virtually any task their owners give them. With high energy and a friendly character, Papillons get along well with other pets and strangers.

The national dog of Cuba, the Havanese is a small breed that is the descendant of now-extinct Bichon Tenerife and Blanquito de la Habana which translates as the little white dog of Havana. The Havanese is a bichon-type dog, also referred to as Havana Silk Dog. The breed first came to the United States during the Cuban Revolution, and American breeders start to grow their interest in the Havanese.

The AKC recognized the Havanese breed in Although classified as a toy breed, Havanese dogs can be used for a variety of tasks, including therapy, assistance, and signal dogs, while also being used for tracking and detection.

They are very agile, and their trainability qualifies them to compete in dog sports such as obedience training and flyball. The Yorkshire Terrier is a hypoallergenic breed and one of the smallest terrier-type dogs.

The breed standard is set for a maximum weight of 7 lbs. You will need to keep a dog from this Mastiff breed constantly physically and intellectually active in order to prevent it from becoming bored and destructive. Dogo Argentino dogs are commonly used as hunting, and working dogs, including as police and army dogs, and are also essential in human rescue operations as well.

Because of the bad reputation created by the illegal dog fight organizers around the world who use Argentinian Mastiffs for their fights, this breed has been prohibited in Australia, the UK, Denmark, Iceland, and others. With the proper training and socializing by an experienced and confident owner, this dog can become the perfect loving and gentle pet and an excellent watchdog. In Italian, this breed is called the Mastino Abruzzese. Originally bred and used for guarding livestock, these impressive white dogs are known to successfully deter bear and other predator attacks.

It is believed that the breed is a decedent of the ancient Greek Shepherd dog, also known as Alabai, and several Albanian dog breeds. There are various sub-types of Abruzzese Mastiffs, including the Marsicano, which has a head like a lion, the Pescocostanzo, which has a wolf-like head, the Peligno, and the Maiellae, which both have bear-like heads, and the Aquilano, which has the most impressive body structure.

These large and strong dogs live to about 12 years and, when fully grown, can reach a weight of up to lbs. Overall, the Abruzzese Mastiff dogs are well-balanced, loyal, affectionate, and quite energetic dogs. They are devoted pets and can live well with large families and even with other pets, but can be cautious and protective when strangers enter the house.

The Abruzzese Mastiff does require daily exercise, which can consist of long brisk walks as well as playtime outdoors in a large and safely fenced yard. This colossal dog can easily reach a weight of lbs. The American Mastiff loves its family and is especially gentle and patient with children. This is a non-aggressive breed but can become overly protective if a threat to the family or children is detected. The American Mastiff can be apricot, fawn, or brindle colored and can have a few white markings on the chest, feet or nose, or chin.

The life expectancy of the dogs from this giant breed is 10 to 12 years. They are average shedders and require moderate grooming. The Brazilian Mastiff is also known as the Fila Brasileiro and is a distinctively large and wrinkled dog, which on average will reach a height of up to A cross between a Mastiff and a Bloodhound, the Fila Brasileiro is famous for its excellent tracking abilities as well as for its aggressiveness.

The dogs from this breed can become loving and completely devoted to their families and can get along with other dogs and pets if socialized and trained properly by experienced owners.

They are instinctively distrustful to strangers and are highly protective of their families once bonded, so early socialization is a must. But given their powerful build, huge size and strength, and protective and aggressive nature, only experienced and confident owners should adopt a Fila Brasileiro. Originally bred in England from English Mastiffs and Bulldogs, the Bullmastiff is a massive canine that is highly intelligent, loyal, and affectionate. The breed was developed to protect estates from poachers, but the Bullmastiff is unlike other watchdogs and is quiet and relies on its size and strength to protect the property.

Bullmastiffs have short coats and can be red, fawn, and red and fawn brindle. They have black masks on their faces. Their life expectancy is years, and they can be very devoted pets and gentle companions to their humans. The male Bullmastiffs will reach an average shoulder height of inches and a weight of lbs. Then again, dogs from this breed can be quite stubborn and can get highly protective of their family, so meticulous socialization and training from an early age is absolutely mandatory.

Again, this Mastiff breed is not suitable for first-time or timid dog owners. The ancestors of this Mastiff breed were used as protectors as well as for food by the natives prior to the 14 th century. The dogs from this breed are powerful, large, and strong and have short rough and smooth coats in brindle tonality and blackface masks. They are independent, fearless canines that are not friendly to strangers.

Without proper socializing from an early age, they can be aggressive to both humans and animals. They do require daily exercise and will feel well in homes with fenced yards where they can use up their energy. As with all other Mastiffs, this breed is not recommended for first-time and inexperienced owners. Plus, they are not the best dog to add to a household with small children. The males weigh up to lbs.

The height of the English Mastiff at the shoulder is about 26 inches. The English Mastiff was originally bred to act as a bait dog for bears, lions, and bulls, which explains the size and the strength, and endurance of these canines. They are very good rescue dogs in difficult conditions and can make excellent therapy dogs as well. These drooling giants are gentle with all family members but can suffer from separation anxiety and become destructive if left alone often or for long.

They will thrive well in very cold weather but not so well in the heat. The English Mastiff dogs may be very heavy, but they still do require daily walks and exercise. Otherwise, the dogs from this giant Mastiff breed are incredibly loyal, calm, and even-tempered, which get along with other pets and children when socialized and trained correctly. The German Mastiff is more popular than the Great Dane. The dogs from this breed can reach a height of 30 inches at the shoulder and a weight of lbs.

Great Danes are dependable and friendly and are good with children and pets, but given their height and size, these interactions need to be supervised.

The Great Dane requires moderate daily exercise, which can include a short walk or some playtime outdoors. Their coats require little maintenance, and the Great Danes can come in a variety of colors. Unfortunately, as most large-sized dogs, they have a relatively short lifespan of only about years. As a whole, these tall and large dogs make excellent pets for families or owners who have experience with dogs of this size and type.

The Italian Mastiff is better known as Cane Corso and is an impressive muscled and powerful dog. The Cane Corso males will reach a height of about 28 inches and a weight of up to lbs. The females are usually about 26 inches at the shoulder and can weigh up to 99 lbs. They are agile and strong animals that are very gentle with their humans but can become fiercely protective of them too, which can pose a problem if the dog is not obedience trained and socialized in a timely and correct manner.

At home, the Cane Corso is usually quiet and will do everything to please its family. The Italian Mastiff was bred as a hunting and guarding dog and is a highly intelligent and confident dog who can be a loyal and loving companion. The dogs from this breed are stately and large animals that are gentle with their humans but can also be aggressive when feeling threatened.

English Mastiffs can drool a lot, and they can snore. You will have to make space for them, though, so that they have enough room to relax. But once you do bring an English Mastiff home, you can integrate them into your home.

Just how family friendly is this particular breed? We dig much deeper answering further questions as well as offering more pros and cons that you should consider in this article The Great Dane or German Mastiff.

The Great Dane, or German Mastiff, is another popular mastiff breed. Great Danes tend to be friendly and dependable dogs, and they can also be very good with kids. You can keep a Great Dane indoors for much of the time, and they will be happy. However, they can use a moderate amount of daily exercise. You can take them on a walk or let them play in a backyard or other enclosed outdoor space. The Great Dane does well with other household pets, which can be helpful if you want more than one dog.

However, you may need to keep an eye on this mastiff. Male Great Danes weigh at least pounds, and they can be up to 30 inches tall. Female Great Danes weigh a minimum of pounds, and they can reach 28 inches tall. This majestic dog deserved further coverage and a closer look as a potential family dog so we did a " dig deeper " article which we think you'll find helpful when making a final decision for your family or as a first time owner.

In that case, the Bullmastiff might be the best mastiff breed for your family. Bullmastiffs are a cross between the popular Bulldog and the Mastiff. These dogs tend to be quiet and gentle, but they can guard your family when the need arises. However, they can become protective when they feel threatened. One of the less attractive qualities of Bullmastiffs is their stubbornness. Male Bullmastiffs can be very stubborn and aggressive toward other male dogs.

The good news is that they are very good with kids, especially when raised together. Male Bullmastiffs weigh up to pounds, and they can be up to 27 inches tall. Female Bullmastiffs can weigh up to pounds and be up to 26 inches tall. Here's an article of ours that offers more in depth coverage of this amazing breed as well as things that would make it more or less appealing to families or first time owners.

There's a lot more to this dog than meets the eye. The French Mastiff, or Dogue de Bordeaux, is another good mastiff breed for families. French Mastiffs are loyal and calm with their family members. However, the breed can be more aggressive with strangers. These dogs also appear not to be scared of anything, which can make them excellent guard dogs. That way, they can learn who is okay and who is part of their family.

Despite their size, these dogs tend to be very gentle with their owners, including kids. Male French Mastiffs weigh up to pounds, and they can be about 27 inches tall.

Female French Mastiffs can weigh up to pounds and reach about 26 inches in height. We've compiled an in depth list of 8 pro's and con's about this breed that all potential owners should know about. This will provide a more detailed view that's vital to know before committing to bring one home.

A Neapolitan Mastiff is another excellent choice for families or first time owners. This breed is a popular member of the mastiff family and for good reason. Neapolitan Mastiffs are very loyal toward their owners, and they were bred to be a guardian dog. These dogs are devoted to their families, and they can watch over you. However, with enough socialization, they can be great with kids. Males weigh up to pounds, while females weigh up to pounds.

A male can be about 30 inches tall, and a female might be about 28 inches tall. Be forewarned There are also a few temperament issues you should consider before bringing one home. We think you'll find this article of ours enlightening as to things you might not have known or considered. The Tibetan Mastiff is another candidate for the best mastiff breed.