The Irish Mastiff is a large breed – a mix of the Irish Wolfhound and the English Mastiff. Globally, both the parent breeds are recognized as giant dog breeds. When they stand on their hind legs, they weigh more than 100 pounds, resembling an adult human. Apart from their massive stature, Irish Mastiffs are incredibly gentle, sweet dogs, and they are laid back enough to adapt to apartment living. Also, these breeds are pretty rare, so you may never have encountered one before.
Irish Mastiffs are easier to train, makingthem suitable for first-time dog owners. They are slightly more active too. Irish Mastiff’s parents are record-holders for canine extremes. Irish is the tallest, and English is the largest canine breed in the world. But whether you are team Irish or English, keep in mind that you will be getting an incredibly unique, wonderful family pet.
Table of Contents
Three Known Facts About Irish Mastiffs
Irish Mastiffs Need a Wide Berth: You don’t necessarily require a lavish yard and a mansion to own this breed. But make sure to have enough space for them to maneuver comfortably.
Irish Mastiff’s Appearance Can Differ Widely from Dog to Dog: Some puppies have the shaggy, fuzzy appearance of an Irish, whereas others have Mastiff’s short bristly coat. Some breeds have Mastiff’s trademark wrinkles on their face, while others don’t. It all relies on which parent they inherit more, and it differs from dog to dog. The good news is that these canines tend to be adorable regardless of which parent they favor.
Irish Mastiffs Consider Themselves the Smallest Dogs: After spending some time with Irish Mastiffs, you will discover that they adore being close to you, like a lapdog. The possibility of a 100-pound curling up in your lap may sound daunting.
Male vs. Female
Male Irish Mastiffs can grow a tad bigger than females, but both are huge. Male and female Irish Mastiffs are pretty similar when it comes to temperament. You may notice differences between the two genders, but only if compared side by side; the distinctions are not unique when just dealing with a single dog. So, if you are planning about getting an Irish Mastiff, never bother about the male vs. female debate.
The Irish Mastiff is a large breed, both in girth and height. They generally stand between 2-3 feet high at the shoulder and weigh over a hundred pounds. Little Irish Mastiffs are adorable and quite clumsy, and these pups need quite a time to figure out how their long legs work (to be honest, this is a skill they never fully master).
Irish Mastiffs are known for the following personalities:
Affectionate
Gentle and easy-going
Smartness
Playful
Intelligent
Independent
People-pleasing
Irish Mastiffs will have round or almond-shaped dark brown eyes, upright ears, long tail, thick and downy undercoats guarded by a layer of weatherproof fur that can be short, coarse, straight, or rough and wiry. They come in various colors, including brown, grey, white, tan, or black.
Despite their massive size, Irish Mastiffs are very loving, friendly, affectionate, and playful with children and adults. However, make sure not to leave them unsupervised around kids to avoid any unfavorable incident caused by their giant bodies. They are brilliant, curious, clever, intuitive, and excited to please their human family. You can efficiently teach them commands or tricks and use this time and exercise as a bonding activity.
Friendliness Overview
Affection level
High
Family-friendly
High
Kid-friendly
High
Pet-friendly
Medium
Stranger-friendly
Medium
Adaptability Overview
Good for apartment living
Medium to high
Good for new owners
Medium to high
Sensitivity level
Medium
Tolerates being alone
Low
Cold tolerance
High
Heat tolerance
Medium
Irish Mastiff Mix Temperament
The Irish Mastiff is a loyal, docile, loving dog who considers themselves as lap dogs. They make an ideal family dog and adore children. They are not guarding breeds, but their majestic size is sufficient to deter intruders.
However, Irish Mastiff’s affection for humans does make them a little prone to separation anxiety or depression. In addition, they can be a bit territorial if not socialized properly. So, puppy classes to kickstart their training and interaction with other pets are highly recommended.
Irish Wolfhounds have a high prey drive, which often gets passed on to Irish Mastiffs. In addition, because of their sheer size, accidentally, they are capable of squashing kids. Therefore, early socialization and proper training are also recommended for your Irish Mastiff.
Irish Mastiff Mix Training
Irish Wolfhound and English Mastiff mix pups adore to please their owners, but they also have an independent characteristic, making them hard to train. Irish Mastiff does not prefer consuming time alone as an actual pack dog. They quickly get bored and think of different ways to entertain themselves.
Irish Mastiffs are intelligent dogs. Yet, they should be trained with patience and determination. They need solid and consistent training with positive enhancements. Being a sensitive dog, you must avoid yelling, harsh treatment, and punishments, likely making them more stubborn. Here are some of the training exercises that you need to do with your Irish Mastiffs:
Irish Mastiff is a laid-back breed that needs at least 30 to 60 minutes of daily activity to maintain this hybrid in peak condition. They should avoid intense training like jogging because of their large body. Instead of that, take them on long walks, and they are satisfied watching Netflix on the couch with you.
Exercising your Irish Mastiff should not hinder you or your dog. You can fulfil their daily exercise requirements by:
Teaching new tricks
Walking
Tracking
Carting activities
Playing with puzzle toys
Playing tug of war
Hide-and-seek
Agility training
Obedience training
Giving them a safe area to play and run
Exercise Overview
Energy level
Low to medium
Intensity
Medium
Exercise needs
Medium
Potential for playfulness
Medium
Irish Mastiff MixGrooming
Irish Mastiff has a short, simple coat that makes grooming quite effortless. Irish Mastiff’s grooming requirements are as follows:
Regular brushing with a slicker, soft bristle, or curry comb is needed.
Trim their nails every few weeks to avoid cracking, splitting, and discomfort.
Ears should smell good with no unusual quantity of wax.
Grooming Overview
Easy to groom
Medium
Drooling tendency
Low
Shedding amount
Medium
Irish Mastiff MixHealth
Irish Mastiff is generally a healthy breed, but some diseases may affect this crossbred. So, if you own or are planning to get an Irish Mastiff puppy, you need to be aware of its health concerns.
Major Concerns
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Bloat
Hypothyroidism
Heart Conditions
Minor Concerns
Osteosarcoma
Wobblers Syndrome
Eye Diseases and Disorders
Occasional Diagnoses
Hypothyroidism
Urolithiasis
Portosystemic Shunts
Occasional Tests
Eye Examination
Biopsy
X-ray imaging
Electrocardiogram
Health Overview
General health
Medium
Weight gain possibilities
Medium
Size
Large
Major Health Concerns
Elbow Dysplasia: A progressive disorder in Irish Mastiffs that causes a developmental malformation of the elbows. Affected dogs exhibit forelimb lameness and pain.
Hip Dysplasia: A degenerative condition caused by deformity of the hip that occurs during Irish Mastiff’s growth. They exhibit lameness, pain, and limping on one or both rear legs.
Heart Disease: This condition may create irregular heart rhythm and heart murmurs. Doctors can diagnose this disease through an ECG or an X-ray.
Bloat: Bloat happens if the dog’s belly is filled with gas or air due to pressure. When they cannot get rid of this excessive air, they will fall in blood pressure and go into shock. Symptoms include excessive drooling, retching without vomiting, restlessness, depression, swollen abdomen, lethargy, and weakness with a rapid heart rate.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: A degenerative eye condition causing blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the eye back. Canines with this condition can survive for several years since they have other senses to equalize.
Osteosarcoma: An abnormal cell production leading to the breakdown of bones in canines. They are general in large breed dogs. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, lameness, swelling, and reluctance to play or walk.
Wobbler Syndrome: An inherent disease that causes spinal cord contraction or malformation in the canal.
Hypothyroidism: An Irish Mastiff with this condition delivers low thyroid hormones. This disorder is treatable with proper medication and diet.
Eye Defects: Eye defects are severe and should not be understated or overlooked. Eye problems include corneal dystrophy, cataracts, and progressive retinal atrophy.
Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Degeneration of the heart muscle is referred to as cardiomyopathy. The muscle, especially the thick muscular membrane of the left ventricle, becomes thin. These thin membranes expand because of the blood pressure inside the heart, which leads to a much bigger heart. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the medical term for this ailment (DCM).
Irish Mastiff Mix Diet and Nutrition
Irish Mastiff needs a protein-dense and nutritious, preferably dry or wet large to giant-sized food in moderation. This controls rapid bone growth and supports their joints as they develop. In addition, both the parent breeds are at risk of bloat or gastric torsion. So, avoid feeding them immediately before or after exercise. Large breed dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, so ensure they consume food containing Omega-3, fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, chondroitin, and amino acids.
Irish Mastiff Mix Living Conditions
Irish Mastiffs are large dogs, but they don’t require big spaces. A backyard will be perfect for them to stretch and consume their energy. According to their size, they will be comfortable with an apartment with sufficient living space. They can do well even outdoors, but leaving them alone outdoors might make them sick and lonely. If you have kids or other pets at home, they can get along well under proper socialization.
Adding an Irish Mastiff Mix to Your Family
Things to remember before adding an Irish Mastiff Mix
Before getting an Irish Mastiff Mix, you must check their parents’ lineage and health. Also, purchase an Irish Mastiff pup from a responsible breeder who can provide you with the puppy’s vaccination records as well as gene testing credentials.
Cost of an Irish Mastiff Mix puppy
On average, an Irish Mastiff Mix puppy may cost around $800 to $1500, not including miscellaneous costs.
