Reader Story:
I have a male Old English Mastiff. What is known in the dog world as the giant breed. I have had other large breed dogs as that is what I tend to lean toward, such as Dobermans, Rottis, Great Danes and I loved them all but after having an English Mastiff I will never have anything else. The breeder I purchased him from suggested that even though I had experience with large breed dogs I should consider a dog training class as this breed needs to be properly trained asap. I did enroll myself and my new puppy right away – he and I both loved it. Well worth the money and the time and she was right – some things the trainer points out to you are just common sense but not something you really take the time to consider until it is pointed out to you. Such as the simple word “OK”. We use it so often everyday and because of that it is not a word that should be used as a release word or command for your dog. He will hear it and be confused if he does what you had trained him to do with that command and yet you are not even speaking to him so you don’t realize he has done whatever you have used “OK” for then starts making errors when you do give him that command at a later time.
The english mastiff is the most lovable and easy to train dog I have ever had. The Masiff is naturally an intimidating dog to many due to the size alone, mine is 16 months old and just shy of 200 lbs already, so you should never teach them to be aggressive in any way. They are naturally protective of their home and family. I had heard stories of this act showing on its own but wasn’t sure I believed it until recently. My sister in-law stopped by my home to drop something off one afternoon when noone was at home and she and my dog had spent quite a bit of time around each other so she nor I had any concerns about my dog and her being in my home in my absence. However, after she deposited the item in my kitchen my mastiff would not allow her to leave, he parked his girth in front of the door and just sat there, effectively keeping her in the house. No matter which door she went to to try and leave he would get there and block the door from opening – keeping her hostage! She finally went to the fridge and lured him away from the door with cheese – his favorite snack – and then sprinted out to freedom. He never growled, barked or snapped at her just blocked her exit and stared at her.
I have heard of people entering a house with a mastiff in an attempt to steal and then found themselves held there until the owners got home. No training necessary for this house protection! They do have a tendency to drool, snore and shed so you must be prepared for this if you want one. I keep a drool rag in each room of the house because sometimes I swear there is a spigot in there wide open the way he drools whenever the fridge opens. They are indeed a gentle breed and think that since they could fit on your lap at 2 months old they should still be able to at 200 lbs. If you have the wide open space needed and the tolerance for the drool and snoring as well as having the dog food delivered by freight then I would definitely say you should look into this breed. I absolutely love my english mastiff. 
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