The main feature of the breed Belgian mastiff- congenital bobtail. The color is fawn or brindle, sometimes with a dark mask and/or white markings.

The Belgian Mastiff is a very strong dog, as evidenced by its prominent muscles, powerful neck, strong bones and massive skull. Height at withers 69-78 cm, weight 45-50 kg. The coat is short, straight and quite dense.

The Belgian Mastiff, like the St. Hubert hounds, was used for tracking and sighted hunting and, of course, for guard duty. His type is reminiscent of large French hounds, which indicates his French origin, but when he came to Belgium, he changed somewhat. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale has added it to its supplementary list. The Belgian Kennel Club indicates that the breed may be extinct, and the Royal Society of St. Hubert states that the breed no longer exists. In any case, there is fragmentary and contradictory information about this rare breed.

The breed is recognized by the FCI (conditionally).

The Belgian Mastiff is a tireless worker. His free and confident movements betray strength and hardness. This dog is unfriendly, loyal only to its owner and his family. The Belgian Mastiff needs exercise to release its energy.

Everything you need to know

WOLMAR

FOR BELGIAN

MASTIFA

The Belgian Mastiff has always attracted interested glances on the street due to its large stature and proud gait. Fans of the breed greatly respect these dogs for their great devotion to their owner, enviable hard work and endurance.

Of course, the modern variety of the Belgian Mastiff differs in many ways from its ancestors. According to breeders, the “new” mastiff is less aggressive and more suitable for the role of a pet. Also, modern Belgian Mastiffs do not have their tails docked, as their ancestors did.Despite its very impressive size, the Belgian Mastiff is a very mobile and active dog. To avoid illnessRecommended for Belgian Mastiffdaily long walks to maintain health and fitness -to throw out your surging energy.

Typical Belgian Mastiff diseases

Today, the opinions of scientists are divided: some consider the Belgian mastiff to be a completely extinct breed, while others are confident that in Belgium it is still possible to find several purebred dogs, with the help of which it is quite possible to restore the breed. However, the Belgian Canine Association has included the Belgian Mastiff in a special list“suspended” breeds until its future fate is determined.

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Also, since the 80s of the last century, work has been carried out in Belgium to restore the breed based on dogs whose ancestor was the Belgian mastiff. These dogs also have the blood of the Bullmastiff, English Mastiff, Belgian Shepherd and Briard. One of the breeders has already made significant progress in the “rehabilitation” of the Flemish sled dog, and his pet named Bacon has shown excellent results at several dog shows.


Description and character of the breed

The Belgian Mastiff is a large, strongly built dog with a broad chest, large head, and long and strong legs. The height at the withers of representatives of the breed can vary between 69-78 centimeters, and the weight is 45-50 kilograms.It is believed that this Belgian breed has French roots, as it is characterized by a strong external resemblance to some dogs that trace their history back to France.Bernese Mountain Dog diseases and recommendations

The Belgian Mastiff has always been known as a hard worker who is always on the job. It was used as a big game hunter, guard, and also as a sled dog (due to which the breed also has a second name - Flemish sled dog). In most cases, farmers from Belgium who did not have the money to buy a horse acquired a mastiff.

During the First World War, the Flemish sled dog was used to transport carts of weapons and ammunition, as well as to transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield. After the end of the war, the number of Belgian mastiffs decreased noticeably, but enthusiasts managed to save the breed. Over time, cars began to become more and more common, which practically reduced the human need for draft dogs, which are also quite expensive to maintain due to their considerable size and good appetite. Thus, after the end of World War II, this dog breed almost completely disappeared from the face of the earth.






















We know very little about the time of the appearance of the first domestic animals; there is practically no confirmed information about them. There are no legends or chronicles preserved about that period of human life when we were able to tame wild animals. It is believed that already in the Stone Age, ancient people had domesticated animals, the ancestors of today's domestic animals. The time when man received modern domestic animals remains unknown to science, and the formation of today's domestic animals as a species is also unknown.

Scientists assume that every domestic animal has its wild ancestor. Proof of this is archaeological excavations carried out on the ruins of ancient human settlements. During excavations, bones belonging to domestic animals were found ancient world. So it can be argued that even in such a distant era of human life, domesticated animals accompanied us. Today there are species of domestic animals that are no longer found in the wild.

Many of today's wild animals are feral animals caused by humans. For example, let's take America or Australia as clear evidence of this theory. Almost all domestic animals were brought to these continents from Europe. These animals have found fertile soil for life and development. An example of this is hares or rabbits in Australia. Due to the fact that there are no natural predators dangerous for this species on this continent, they multiplied in huge numbers and went wild. Since all rabbits were domesticated and brought by Europeans for their needs. Therefore, we can say with confidence that more than half of wild domesticated animals are former domestic animals. For example, wild city cats and dogs.

Be that as it may, the question of the origin of domestic animals should be considered open. As for our pets. The first confirmations we find in chronicles and legends are a dog and a cat. In Egypt, the cat was a sacred animal, and dogs were actively used by humanity in the ancient era. There is plenty of evidence for this. In Europe, the cat appeared in its mass after crusade, but firmly and quickly occupied the niche of a pet and mouse hunter. Before them, Europeans used various animals to catch mice, such as weasels or genets.

Domestic animals are divided into two unequal species.

The first type of domestic animal is farm animals that directly benefit humans. Meat, wool, fur and many other useful things, goods, and are also used by us for food. But they do not live directly in the same room with a person.

The second type is pet animals (companions), which we see every day in our houses or apartments. They brighten up our leisure time, entertain us and give us pleasure. And most of them are almost useless for practical purposes. modern world, for example, hamsters, guinea pigs, parrots and many others.

Animals of the same species can often belong to both species, both farm animals and pets. A prime example of this is that rabbits and ferrets are kept at home as pets, but are also bred for their meat and fur. Also, some waste from pets can be used, for example, the hair of cats and dogs for knitting various items or as insulation. For example, belts made of dog hair.

Many doctors note the positive impact of pets on human health and well-being. We can notice that many families who keep animals at home note that these animals create comfort, calm, and relieve stress.

This encyclopedia was created by us to help pet lovers. We hope that our encyclopedia will help you in choosing a pet and caring for it.

If you have interesting observations of your pet’s behavior or would like to share information about some pet. Or you have a nursery, veterinary clinic, or animal hotel near your home, write to us about them at , so that we can add this information to the database on our website.


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The Belgian Mastiff is also known as the Belgian Mastiff, Matin Belge, Chien de Trait. A large, powerful dog, with well-developed muscles on high legs. Like many other types of mastiffs, the Belgian has a massive head, with a wide skull and a pronounced transition from the forehead to the muzzle. The muzzle is moderately wide, with small jowls and drooping ears. The neck is quite short, the back is straight, the stomach is tucked, the chest is muscular and wide, and the body is strong. The tail is docked to 10 cm. The limbs are parallel, strong, and muscular. The paws are round, with short, powerful toes, and bony. The dog moves freely and smoothly. The coat is short, elastic, straight, close-lying, with undercoat. The color is fawn, brindle, there may be white markings and a dark mask on the face. Height at withers 69-78 cm, weight 45-50 kg.

The history of this breed begins approximately in the 17th century; unfortunately, it is impossible to say more precisely. It is difficult to say anything about the origin of this breed; most are inclined to believe that the Belgian mastiff is similar to the French hounds and is their descendant, and when it came to Belgium, it changed somewhat.

In Belgium, dogs of this breed have become assistants for farmers, impressively hardy, real hard workers. They served as a sled dog, pulling carts with considerable loads, as a watchman and as a hunter for hunting large game by tracking and sighted. The main job for the Belgian matin was working in harness. These dogs did not require care; their life expectancy was 11-14 years, and all this time they faithfully performed their work.

For a long time, these dogs were irreplaceable and quite numerous, the breed was out of danger. However, after the First World War everything changed, the breed was on the verge of extinction. As soon as the breed began to recover after the war, activists achieved a ban on the work of these dogs in sleds, citing the fact that this type of work is cruelty to the dog. They could not find any other use for these dogs and the breed gradually began to disappear. Today it is impossible to say unequivocally about the fate of the breed. The Belgian Kennel Club has included Belgian mastiffs in the list of “suspended breeds”, however, some sources indicate that work on the breed does not stop, and there is hope for the successful restoration of the breed. And according to the Royal Society of St. Hubert, the breed no longer exists.

The Belgian Mastiff needs regular exercise to release its energy. He is distrustful and unfriendly to strangers. Loyal only to his master and his family. If its owner is in danger, they fearlessly rush into battle. Even Belgian Mammy puppies can be quite aggressive. Representatives of this breed have a tough character and require a decisive owner with leadership qualities. Raising a dog of this breed is required almost from birth; the Belgian Mastiff is stubborn, but at the same time very smart. With proper training, a representative of this breed could become an excellent working dog.

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Belgian Mateen (Belgian Mastiff, Flemish Sled Dog) - detailed description dog breeds, photos, videos, features of keeping and history of the origin of the breed

Photo: Belgian Mateen (Belgian Mastiff, Flemish Sled Dog)

Breed dossier

  • Country of origin:

    Belgium

  • Classification:

    Breeds not recognized by the FCI

  • Training:

    Easy to train. Recognizes only its owner and his family.

  • Color:

    fawn or brindle, possible white markings and a dark mask on the face.

  • Dimensions.

    Height at withers: 69-78 cm. Weight 45-50 kg.

  • General impression:

    The Belgian Matine resembles large French hounds.

  • Usage.

    This is a breed of service dog that can also be used as a hunting dog and guard dog.

  • Physical activity:

    This impressive-looking dog needs to get a good dose of exercise every day and take long walks - not only to stay in shape, but also to splash out his tireless energy.

  • Character:

    The Belgian Mateen is a dog with a strong character and needs an equally strong-willed and decisive owner. He is distrustful and unfriendly to strangers. Can be aggressive.

  • Content:

    Not suitable for indoor use.

  • Grooming:

    Wool requires virtually no maintenance.

  • Amenability:

    The dog is unfriendly, loyal only to its owner and his family, and is aggressive towards strangers.

  • Diseases:

    A very healthy breed.

  • Diet:

    Unpretentious in food.

  • Lifespan:

    12-15 years old.

  • History of origin of the breed

    This imposing-looking Belgian dog is most likely of French origin: scientists consider his close resemblance to some French dogs to be proof of this fact.

    Since its birth, the Belgian Mateen never sat idle: it hunted large game, guarded farms, but, above all, was used as a sled dog. This hardy and hardworking dog was kept mainly by Belgian farmers who could not afford to buy a horse.

    During World War I, the dog was used to pull heavy carts of weapons and ammunition, and to transport wounded soldiers from the battlefield. After the war, the number of mastiffs decreased significantly, and enthusiasts made a number of attempts to restore the breed, however, with the advent of cars, the need for draft dogs disappeared, and those who wanted to keep one big dog With good appetite it became quite a bit. After World War II, the Belgian Mastiff breed practically disappeared from the face of the earth.

    There is very conflicting information about this breed. The Belgian Kennel Club warns that the breed is on the verge of extinction, and the Royal Society of St. Hubert says the breed is no longer surviving. The Belgian club has added the Belgian Mateen to the list of “suspended” breeds until the dog’s future is determined.

    Since the 1980s, work has been underway in Belgium to restore the breed based on those rural dog breeds that descended from the Belgian Mateen, as well as the English Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Briard and Belgian Shepherd. One of the Belgian breeders has been so successful in the “rehabilitation” of the Belgian Mastiff that his pet named Bacon has already earned high marks at several reputable dog shows.

    Appearance

    The Belgian Mateen is a strong dog with well-developed muscles. The coat is straight, short, thick. She is characterized by congenital bobtail.

    Psychological portrait

    At all times, the Belgian Mastiff has not been known for its friendliness towards strangers: it will look at every stranger with a gloomy, distrustful glance and will watch him vigilantly, and sometimes may even show aggression. However, with his owner, this dog changes completely - with him he is a kind, sensitive and cheerful friend, ready to prove his love and devotion every minute. The brave and loyal Belgian Mastiff is ready to give his life for his owner - and these are not just pretentious words!

    This dog should be kept in suburban conditions.