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Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Get a Bloodhound Mastiff Mix
- Very stubborn and may try your patience sometimes, especially during puppyhood and adolescence
- Mastiffs have been bred for fighting in the past and sometimes exhibit these traits
- It May have a lifespan as short as 6-12 years because of the larger size
- Possibly prone to bloat and eye issues that are costly to treat
Reasons Why You Should Get a Bloodhound Mastiff Mix
- Usually affectionate and even-tempered around everyone they encounter
- Likely to have a strong sense of smell which makes them, exceptional trackers
- A great bicycling, hiking, and walking companion with excellent stamina
- A mix of two intelligent breeds that enjoys learning
- Very eager to please and a quick learner with the right incentive
Appearance, Personality, Coat and Colors, Lifespan, and Traits of a Bloodhound Mastiff Mix
- Alert with an athletic appearance
- Usually a friendly, eager-to-please dog
- Often features a rich, reddish-brown coat
- May live anywhere from 6-12 years
- It likely acts as a hunting and guarding blend
The Bloodhound Mastiff Mix is a blend of two very different breeds. This mixture creates a uniquely talented dog.
The Bloodhound is an established hunting breed dating back to the Middle Ages, while the Mastiff is a protective dog dating back to the Roman Empire. A mixture of both these breeds provides a dog that offers the best of both worlds.
These dogs have an appearance easily described as alert, as well as athletic. When you see one of these dogs, you know that it’s ready for action. Although standing up to 31 in. tall and weighing as much as 220 lbs., these dogs are agile.
Most of these dogs will have the deep, reddish-brown coat associated with a Bloodhound. However, due to the Mastiff ancestry, these dogs may have coats in shades of brown or tan, with black markings on the muzzle or face. These dogs are smooth-coated.
The lifespan usually ranges from 6 to 12 years, depending on the dog’s overall health. Your dog’s parents’ lifespans may be reliable indicators of how long your dog might live. Regular veterinary care also makes a difference in your dog’s lifespan.
A common trait from the Bloodhound side is long, floppy ears, and these mixes will have drop ears, regardless. These dogs also usually have loud barks because both parent breeds are very vocal. Some of the vocalizations may include baying.
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix Puppies for Sale
- Relatively few breeders offer this mix in comparison to purebred Bloodhounds or Mastiffs
- Reputable breeders are the way to go for a healthy puppy
- Sometimes relinquished to shelters or rescues because of their size
Many are surprised to find that relatively few breeders are offering Bloodhound Mastiff Mix puppies for sale. Although both parent breeds are popular, breeders are more likely to have purebreds from these breeds available than mixes.
When you do find a breeder, you’ll want to make sure that they use ethical breeding practices. These practices include:
- Allowing you to meet them and ask questions
- See and interact with the puppy’s parents
- Provide all known medical information
- Only allow you to take your puppy home after socialization
Sadly, many who acquire these dogs as cute puppies underestimate their size or fail to provide proper socialization and mental stimulation. Some of these dogs end up available through shelters or rescues because of these circ*mstances.
Grooming Your Bloodhound Mastiff Mix
- A short-coated dog with modest grooming needs
- Skin wrinkles and folds need to be checked regularly
- Slobbering is an issue with both parent breeds
- Ear-cleaning is essential during bathing times
A Bloodhound Mastiff Mix is a relatively easy-to-care-for dog as far as grooming needs go. However, there are a couple of concerns that owners need to keep in mind because of the parent breed’s traits.
Weekly brushing, followed up with the use of a grooming mitt, will keep this dog’s coat looking its best. These dogs are not as likely to shed heavily as some other breeds. An extra brushing each week during the shedding season is usually sufficient.
The Bloodhound and the Mastiff have folds and wrinkles in their facial skin that owners need to be aware of. These areas should be kept clean to prevent skin infections.
Both parent breeds drool a lot, and you can expect these mixes to also slobber. A pet wipe will usually help you clean off the area around your dog’s face. Also, watch for drooling when these dogs shake off after swimming or going out in the rain.
Dogs with floppy ears are a little more prone to getting ear infections. However, a regular ear-cleaning routine will help keep your dog’s ears healthy. Cleaning takes some getting used to, but your dog will appreciate having cleaner ears.
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix Health Problems
- Being crossbreeds, these dogs may inherit health issues from either side
- Bloat may be a problem with these dogs
- Joint problems, including patellar luxation, might be issues
- Eye problems may also be an issue with this mix
A Bloodhound Mastiff Mix may inherit health issues from either side of its family tree. Although crossbreeds may not have specific problems more common in purebreds, there is always a risk of health issues. Knowing what to expect is always beneficial.
Due to their size, this mix is often susceptible to gastric torsion or bloat. This painful condition is a medical emergency where a dog’s stomach might twist. Bloat is life-threatening, requiring care when feeding these dogs.
These designer dogs may also develop joint problems. In addition to elbow and hip dysplasia, these dogs may develop patellar luxation, a type of kneecap displacement. Such conditions can make life somewhat painful for these dogs.
Eye problems are sometimes an issue with these designer dogs. Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a condition where the eyes produce insufficient tears, leading to dryness. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, or PRA, is a type of progressive blindness.
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix Food Requirements
- These dogs do the best eating two or more meals daily
- Foods designed for larger breeds fulfill most nutritional needs
- Puppies should eat formula for large-breed puppies
Because this mix comes from two of the largest dog breeds, feeding in two or more meals daily is necessary to help prevent gastric torsion. If your dog likes to gobble up his or her food, timed or interactive feeders may help him slow down when eating.
Feeding a large-breed dog food will help maintain your best friend’s health. Dog foods designed for large breeds contain ingredients to help maintain joint health.
An important consideration if you acquire one of these dogs as a puppy is to feed a dog food appropriate for large puppies’ nutritional needs. Getting the right mixture of ingredients from an early age helps these dogs mature into healthy adults.
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix Exercise Requirements
- Although not a super-active breed, these dogs benefit from daily walks
- Puppies and younger dogs have higher activity levels
- Senior dogs also require exercise
- Several activities are perfect for these dogs
At a minimum, these dogs should take a daily walk. The activity level will depend on the dog’s age, with puppies being the most active and seniors the least.
Bloodhound Mastiffs are still growing until they are 1 1/2 to 2 years old. During this time, they are more likely to get destructive. Keeping your young dog engaged through lots of activity is essential for a happier, well-adjusted pup.
Although their activity level decreases, senior dogs over age seven still benefit from walks and other types of light exercise. As dogs this age may have joint issues, gentler exercise is recommended.
Some of the types of activities that work well for these dogs include:
- Hiking, especially along nature trails with plenty of interesting things to sniff out
- Running or walking along as you go bicycling or rollerblading
- Swimming, especially in the family pool
- Tracking activities or hide-and-seek
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix Training
- Positive training methods work best for these dogs
- Proper socialization makes all the difference in the success
- Clicker training makes dogs more eager to learn
- Proper control on-leash is essential
Positive training methods are best for these dogs. When you keep the training positive and incorporate rewards, dogs will look forward to training.
Socializing your dog with other people from an early age will help prevent shyness or overprotectiveness. Most of these dogs are friendly and adapt well to other people of all ages. Ideally, these dogs should accept other people with minimal fuss.
A training tool that works well with these dogs is a clicker. When you use the clicker while giving commands and then rewarding your dog, he will associate good behavior with treats. Stimulation is essential with any dog, so training must be engaging.
Because of the big size, proper leash control makes a difference, from using the correct restraint to knowing how to calm your dog if distracted. Bloodhound ancestry makes scents a significant distraction, and Mastiff blood makes them defensive about threats.
A harness or head halter is recommended for greater control. In addition to proper restraints, these dogs also need to understand “Heel” and “Leave it.” Kids should refrain from taking these dogs on walks without an adult because of the dog’s size.
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix and Families
- Universally great with children
- Naturally affectionate with their families
- Devoted to their families
- Very strong and possibly boisterous around kids
- May have strong protective instincts
This mix is universally good with children, barring situations like poor socialization. These dogs tolerate play very well and are often eager to initiate it themselves.
These dogs are very affectionate with their families. When you have one of these dogs, they willingly accept hugs. Don’t be surprised if these dogs give out a lot of sloppy kisses to everyone in the house.
One of the things that families that live with these dogs love the most about them is their devotion to their families. Wherever your family is, the dog will want to be there.
A possible concern is how boisterous these dogs might be at play when young. Although these dogs are not mean to people, a young dog might not know when to settle down if excited. Kids may get nipped or knocked over when a young dog is overexcited.
The Mastiff side of this dog’s family tree makes it very protective of its family. These dogs will mount a strong defense against even perceived threats. You may need to expect barking fits if strange people or dogs get too close.
Bloodhound Mastiff Mix and Other Pets
- Usually good with other pets
- Dominant dogs that push boundaries may cause friction
- Dogs with a high prey drive may chase unfamiliar small dogs or cats
As a mix, this dog gets its affability with other pets from its Bloodhound and Mastiff sides equally.
However, other dogs with dominant personalities may cause conflict with these pups. These dogs have a strong respect for their pack structure and react badly to having another dog usurp their owner’s place as a leader.
Like any breed or mix, some of these dogs have a higher prey drive than others. For example, an untrained or unsocialized dog might be more likely to chase or harass other animals. Well-trained dogs are generally safe around other animals when introduced.
