Mastiff Grooming

The Mastiff--often called the English Mastiff to distinguish it from other Mastiff types--has a short-haired, smooth, double-layered coat that doesn't require a lot of upkeep. Since this is the largest dog breed in the world, though, Mastiff grooming can be a little time-consuming simply because of the dog's size.

Here you'll find details on maintaining the maintaining the Mastiff coat, including plenty of info on brushing and bathing. You can also find out about caring for these big dogs' teeth, ears, and paws, and you'll learn exactly why shaving a Mastiff's coat is never a good idea. Get answers to your questions about Mastiff grooming in the following sections!

English Mastiff grooming--and in particular, maintaining these big dogs' coats--isn't difficult, but can be fairly time-consuming simply because of their size. The coats are short-haired, but they're double-layered, so they shed seasonally. Brushing with a bristle brush or grooming glove will need to happen twice a week or so for most of the year, but daily during the spring and fall shedding seasons. Some also like to use a shedding blade once or twice during these shedding periods. Luckily, the brushing process is easy: wet the coat with water mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush or glove, moving in the direction of hair growth.

Bathing isn't any more complicated than baths for other breeds, but again, it's more involved simply because there's more dog to clean! Unless your Mastiff gets especially dirty or stinky, though, baths are only necessary every 2-3 months. Be sure to use canine shampoo--and make sure you rinse the shampoo completely. Not doing both of these things can irritate the dog's skin.

Mastiffs' short coats aren't long enough to be styled, so haircuts aren't required.

And even though owners can easily learn all the Mastiff grooming needs on their own, it's good to take the dogs to a professional groomer at least once. The groomer can give your Mastiff a nice makeover, and provide tips on how to groom a Mastiff at home.

A few Mastiff grooming tools will also be required when maintaining these dogs' coats: a bristle brush or grooming glove (along with an optional shedding blade) and canine shampoo will all come in handy.

The English Mastiff coat, though double-layered, is short-haired--which means that no actual Mastiff hairstyles are possible other than natural.

Even so, some people think shaving a Mastiff's coat will keep the dog cool in hot weather, and will help reduce shedding. These are both myths. Double-coats on dogs regulate body temperature and act as natural insulation: they trap warm air between the layers in cold weather--and do the same for cool air in hot temps. A shaved Mastiff will be more susceptible to heatstroke and sunburn. And the coat will be uneven (and actually change texture) once it does grow back.

Shaving the coat won't change the amount of shedding, either. Since it's the undercoat that sheds, unless a Mastiff is shaved bald--which is never a good idea!--the undercoat remains and the dog still sheds.

So to any owners considering shaving their Mastiffs' coats: put those clippers away!

Besides its coat, Mastiffs will need care in the following areas:

• Teeth: Just like a human's, English Mastiff teeth need regular brushing to avoid the buildup of plaque and tartar, and to minimize that Mastiff bad breath! Brush the dog's teeth twice a week using a regular toothbrush--but be sure to use canine toothpaste, as the kind made for humans can make dogs sick if they swallow it.
• Ears: If your Mastiff's ears aren't cleaned periodically, they can collect excess dirt, grass and other debris, and get infected--which can lead to hearing loss. Clean a Mastiff's ears monthly with canine ear cleaning solution. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Use only cotton balls (never a Q-Tip!) to wipe out excess solution.
• Drool: Dogs of this breed tend to drool heavily, and their necks and chests can get dirty and stinky from all the slobber. Keep spare rags or towels handy in rooms where the dog spends time, to use to clean up drool--and if the Mastiff drooling gets too excessive, tie a towel or bandanna around the dog's neck to help keep its chest and neck clean.
• Nails: If Mastiff nails click on hard surfaces, it's time for a trim. Use standard clippers to cut the nails as close to the toe as possible. Take care not to cut into the nail's "quick" (the blood vessel running through it), as doing so can make the nail bleed and be painful.
• Paw Pads: Your Mastiff's paw pads can become dry, cracked, and tender, since the pads absorb a lot of this massive breed's weight. The issue is worse if the dog walks a lot on hot asphalt or snow and ice. Apply canine paw pad moisturizer to the pads weekly to keep them soft, moist, and healthy.