Last Updated on September 20, 2023
The British Mastiff as well as The Labrador Retriever might look somewhat different, but they’re much more similar than you think! Have you recently met the two breeds in person and are interested in learning more about their similarities? Perhaps you are thinking about the two breeds as your next pet?
If yes, it’s crucial to know what makes the two types of dogs apart and the similarities between them. In this comparison of breeds you’ll be able to learn about the brief background of each breed. They will also be compared in terms of behavior, health, nutritional requirements, and much many more. It will also help you understand which breeds best suit certain families since there isn’t the perfect match for each family.
Although both breeds could make excellent family pets however, they do have distinctive differences (especially in terms of size). Let’s take a look and compare their top, and the most difficult characteristics to be aware of which breed is the best dog companion for your family.
Breed History
The history of a dog breed is more significant than most people believe, and it is often the first thing most people overlook. It’s not just fascinating, but it could aid you in learning to comprehend a dog more effectively. Let’s take a look at how these two dogs’ lives are compared.
English Mastiff
It is believed that the British Mastiff is an extremely old breed of dog, going to as early as 55 B.C and possibly even earlier. The year in question is as Julius Caesar documented how impressed by their fierce protection in their role in the Roman assault on in the British Isles. Caesar returned them to Rome and bred the dogs and then fought them in the battle arena against the lions and human beings. The dogs of the past were more aggressive than the dogs of nowadays!
Through the years over the years, Mastiffs have demonstrated their affectionate and sensitive aspect. They quickly became a beloved pet of the family, and are excellent in protecting their family. Wealthy families employ several dogs to guard their properties and also hunt big game. The massive monthly cost of food resulted in many families not being able to afford to provide them with food. Particularly during The World Wars and food rations (English Mastiffs and food rations aren’t available! ).
Unfortunately, this resulted in Mastiff numbers fell to just 20. However, breeders of English Mastiffs from the United States saved the day and brought some of their finest breeds to England to boost numbers again. Today, it is true that the Mastiff has become among the top well-known large breeds. As per the American Kennel Club (AKC) the Mastiff is often among the top 30 most well-known dog breeds.
Labrador Retriever
Thankfully that it’s a good thing that the Labrador Retriever has an incredibly peaceful background than Mastiffs (not because it’s the fault of him!). It is believed that the Labrador Retriever breed dates back to the 18 century. century, which makes the breed a brand new creation for canines. The breed is derived from the extinct St John’s water dog. He was conceived by community of Newfoundland fishermen who required help in guiding fishing fish to their nets. In addition, he was responsible for taking ducks and fishing gear from the sea.
The Labrador was noticed by a group of English nobles who were impressed by his ability to swim and his determination to succeed. They brought him back to England and standardized the breed into what we are familiar with and love today. There are some minor distinctions in American as well as English Labs, which are also known as Field and bench Labs. Make sure you review and be aware of the distinctions when you are planning to bring the Labrador to your home.
Through the years his intelligence and desire to please people have led him to various roles. For example, assistance dogs as well as search and rescue dogs as well as therapy dogs, in addition to many other roles. However, he is also an excellent pet for families! This, along with numerous other reasons are the main reason why Labradors are so popular. Labrador is America’s most popular canine breed. He has held the top position for over more than three decades!
Appearance
The two breeds are very different in appearance mostly due to their dimensions. The Labrador is an average to large canine which is between the weights of 55 to the weight of 80lbs. A Mastiff is a massive dog that weighs between 120 to 230 pounds. Keep in mind that the Mastiff was named Zorba (who is, surprisingly, still the holder of the record for world records) was a staggering 343 pounds!
Size is an important factor for families who are trying to decide between these two breeds. It is possible to have a variety of Labs to one English Mastiff and you’ll must have an extra legs (or the butt and tail) space to accommodate the Mastiff. But, they are alike in that they are large, tall, and powerful in appearance. They also both weigh a lot when overfed! There is a belief that a Mastiff appears like an Lab with a t-shirt!
Both are small, dense double-coats. The Lab typically has a larger coat than the Mastiff and helps keep him warm in the frigid water of Canada. The Labrador has three coat colors: yellow black, chocolate, and. Similar to the Mastiff is also a fan of three colors: apricot, brindle, and fawn. A lot of Mastiffs are darker in color on their muzzle, in contrast to the solid-colored Lab.
Temperament
The traits that both breeds have are alike in certain ways, but different in other ways. Let’s begin with the similarities. They’re two well-behaved dogs who are peaceful at home and that’s the reason they are popular with many families. They both know how to have fun and have a fun and playful personality. Kids love them, and adults love them, and dogs love their presence.
They are also extremely committed to their beloved ones and will give anything to their family. Their love for human beings is the reason they are so affectionate. This is the reason they’re both excellent candidates for therapy dogs as well. Mastiffs are extremely loyal and affectionate and is often considered to be a ‘lab’ Lab as well as when compared with other dogs that are family-friendly.
The most significant difference in personality between the two breeds is that the Mastiff is a more dominant dog in comparison to the Lab. The Labrador is a loyal and submissive dog that always wants to please his owners. This is the reason he’s well-trained and is a good choice for the majority of canine tasks. Even though it is true that the English Mastiff can’t be as powerful like the Cane Corso, he requires a seasoned dog owner. Labs are an excellent choice for those who are new to dog ownership.
The dominant nature of the Mastiff implies that he is extremely secure about his estate and family. Mastiffs bark at people and anyone he believes to could be a threat for his household. However, they are able to befriend strangers over time, unlike other breeds. The Labrador is extremely friendly and is a great guard dog. He wants to be everyone’s best friend!
Exercise
In terms of exercise the two breeds are at opposite sides of the spectrum for exercise. After their differences in size it is usually the most important factor that determines these two dogs. It is the English Mastiff is an extremely dog with a low energy level that requires between 30 to 45 minutes of constant exercise , but nothing that is too intense or strenuous. The Lab requires at least sixty minutes (preferably longer!) of intense training, and plenty of time to play at home.
Mastiffs don’t just do not want vigorous workouts, but it’s not ideal for their joints too. They are content taking an outing and then relaxing throughout the day. It is the Lab is a breed that works with a lot of energy. This breed requires a family that is willing to do plenty of mental and physical exercises and experimentation to keep things interesting for him.
They require mental stimuli all day, too however, they need it more so for the Labrador. The Lab can benefit from the diverse range of chew toys that can be chewed or chase and test his innate dog brain. The Mastiff will likely prefer bigger chew toys which will keep him safe. Both breeds can enjoy the pleasure of a sweet treat dispenser toy. Bored Labs as well as Mastiffs are two breeds that can be used to make digging up flower beds and chewed furniture.
Training
One breed of dog is fairly easy to train, while the other isn’t so easy. A Labrador can be described as an well-behaved, intelligent, as well as a devoted puppy. This is the reason he is the ideal dog for therapy, assistance as well as jobs in search and rescue. This is why it is an ideal choice for someone who is seeking a relatively simple introduction to the world of dog training.
While Mastiffs aren’t dumb in any way but they’re extremely stubborn. It is this characteristic that can make training challenging. If they don’t like it or there aren’t any treats to be had it is likely that they won’t be participating in the training sessions. This is the reason they require an experienced dog owner that can make the most from this breed.
Training with positive reinforcement is the most effective way to teach both puppies. When you reward good behavior while not focusing on the bad behavior studies show that you will be more likely to promote desired behavior repeatedly. It is important to determine the factors that motivate your dog. For instance, the Lab will likely be motivated by tasty treats, toys and even praise. While the Mastiff will likely be most motivated by food.
Both need to become socialized at a young age. In the absence of this, they may not grow into the kind of Fidos that you would expect to see them become. They are a Mastiff and his instinctive nature need more socialization in comparison to the Lab. However, by mixing them with the most dogs and human beings as you can start from the beginning You will boost their confidence. Also, you can teach them how to be polite and happy dogs.
Health
The English Mastiff and the Labrador are healthy breeds of dogs. However, Labrador is a different breed. Labrador has an extended lifespan over the Mastiff. This is due to the fact that large dog breeds have a shorter lifespan than other breeds. However, overall, their health is generally good. Maintain them as fit as you can by keeping them active and feeding them high-quality food and staying current with their health checks. Also, you should research the most prevalent health issues they face.
A responsible Labrador as well as Mastiff breeders will test for hip dysplasia and elbows. While it is common in all breeds of dogs, it may cause mobility issues and impact the quality of life for their older years. It is important to inquire about the parent’s hip and elbow scores. All breeds must undergo an eye exam with an ophthalmologist to determine if they have any eye problems. The most frequent problem is retinal atrophy that is progressive as well as cataracts. Mastiffs are also susceptible to cataracts. Mastiff is also susceptible to developing cherry eye.
It is believed that the Mastiff has a predisposition to heart problems, so Mastiff breeders must also expose their dogs to a heart exam. Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most common heart condition that is seen within the Mastiff breed. The Labrador must also be examined for what is known as exercise-induced coma (EIC). A DNA test can identify carriers of this gene and dogs with this condition should not be crossed with other dogs.
Nutrition
Both breeds of dog are of the most hungry hounds around They are able to eat everything that they get hands on! Like you would expect, the Mastiff is more affluent then those of the Labrador.
The Mastiff can consume up to 8 cups high-calorie Mastiff suitable dog food every day, and sometimes more if you’ve got a large dog in your care. A typical Labrador is consuming between 2 to 4 cups of food each day. Labs thrive when it comes to food items geared towards Labradors designed for active or large breeds.
It is crucial that whatever you decide to feed your dog, you ensure that it’s balanced and of high-quality. Also, it must be suitable for their age to ensure the nutritional requirements of your pet are met at every stage.
Both breeds are susceptible to overweight, so don’t feed them free or excessively. Both breeds are susceptible to a condition known as gastric torsion which is commonly known as Bloat. It’s an dangerous disease and you must be aware of the signs to look out for and when to respond. Don’t feed your dog immediately prior to or after exercising or after exercise, and feed them a few smaller meals throughout the day, instead of a large dinner every day. This will reduce the chance of this occurring.
Grooming
For both breeds of dog grooming routines are fairly similar due to their similar coats. Both have thick double coats however, the coat of the Lab tends to be a bit longer (but not much!) The Mastiff is required to be regularly brushed and the Lab twice a week. Both shed more during the time of shedding and you’ll have be brushing them much more frequently during these times.
The Lab sheds more than the Mastiff however, since it is the Mastiff is more hairy on its body, it is equally noticeable at home. Bathing in a suitable manner and brushing regularly can aid in reducing shedding. Both dogs should be bathed every 8-12 weeks. Make sure to not clean them more frequently than this, as you could cause irritation to their sensitive skin. Always make sure to use a formula that is dog-friendly.
The nails of the Mastiff are likely to require more clipping than Lab’s nails because they don’t naturally wear as fast as the more active Lab. The Mastiff is also an irritable dog due to his dewlaps that are droopy. Drool from dogs doesn’t bother certain owners, but others can’t accept it. Therefore, you should consider which side of the fence you are on when trying to decide between the two breeds. Also, wet-wipe and tissue stations throughout the house will come in handy!
Puppy Prices
The cost of an Labrador pup from a reliable breeder will typically start at around $1,000 and the cost of an Mastiff puppy is about the same. Prices will differ between breeders based on the location and demand, the lineage of the puppy and the reputation of the breeder. There are a lot of Labs as well as Mastiffs at rescue facilities all over the nation. Therefore, adoption is an alternative to consider. It is also cheaper too.
If you find puppies being sold at anything less than these prices is a clear indication that they’re not breeders who are responsible. While you may save on the initial price of a puppy puppies from unreliable breeders and puppy mills typically will cost more in the end.
Because of medical or behavioral issues due to medical and behavioral. Be sure to do your homework in searching for a reliable breeder and make sure you visit the puppies in person. Be sure to request the appropriate health certificates as well.
Final Thoughts
The English Mastiff as well as the Labrador Retriever are sweet and loving dogs that love their owners extremely. They are both very affectionate and loving. Lab has a smaller size than the other breeds, and he’s also much more easy to train, which makes the Lab more suitable for owners with more time. However, the Mastiff does not require as much time or attention as the Lab which is why he’s the best choice for certain families..
If you are able to satisfy the Lab or Mastiff’s requirements, you will find your perfect four-legged companion! If you’re struggling to choose your ideal dog, you can always think about a mix of the two breeds and take on as a Mastador in a local dog rescue.