Mastiff Lab Mix

Where They Come From

The Labrador had its origins around the fishing ports of Newfoundland. These dogs helped the local fishermen, pulling in nets and carts laden with fish.

They soon gained popularity in England for their hunting ability. The Earl of Malmsbury gave these dogs the name ‘Labrador’, and in 1916 the first Labrador club was started in England.

The Bullmastiff was originally developed in England, around the year 1860. The breed is the result of a cross between the Bulldog and the old English Mastiff. Originally this cross was 60% mastiff and 40% bulldog.

The purpose of this cross was to produce a breed that would act as a guard dog for gamekeepers against poachers. The impressive size and courage displayed by this cross breed made them perfect for their role as guard dogs.

The Mastador mix will often use a Bullmastiff parent. But, you may also find an English Mastiff Lab mix, or English Mastador.

Typical Appearances

A Bull Mastiff will typically weigh anywhere between 90 and 130 pounds, depending on gender.

They can be anywhere between 24 and 27 inches at the shoulder in height. They are also a heavy set dog.

A Labrador is a somewhat smaller dog than the bullmastiff and will typically be around 22 inches at the withers. They usually weigh somewhere between 55 and 90 pounds.

Whichever side of the family your Lab Mastiff pup takes after, the fact remains that both parents are large dogs.

A Bull Mastiff Labrador mix is going to be a big dog. Females are often smaller than males, but either way it’s likely that your full grown Mastador dog will weigh over 100 pounds as an adult.

Bullmastiffs also have a distinctive droopy face and floppy jowls. Which unfortunately aren’t the most structurally healthy of features. Some Mastadors will inherit this trait.

Colors and Coat Type

Bullmastiffs have six colors, including fawn, brindle, red and combinations of the three. They all have a dark face mask.

The Labrador comes in three recognized colors; yellow, black and chocolate. They are also known for their kind, friendly eyes.

Some Mastadors look decidedly like a Bullmastiff, and others like a Labrador with slightly looser jowls. Often, a Lab Mastiff cross results in a rather distinguished and stately looking pooch.

Grooming and Shedding

The Bullmastiff has a short coat and does not require heavy grooming. Labradors have a double coat, so they will shed. They need regular grooming and baths to keep them looking their best.

It’s likely that you mix will fall somewhere in between the two. But, as such a large breed, even a small amount of shedding can result in a lot of loose fur around your home.

Neither of these parent breeds have a very long coat. But, the Mastador mix is a very large dog, so grooming can be quite time consuming. And, if your puppy takes after the Labrador parent, you may need to spend a little time keeping their coat groomed.

Particularly in the case of black Lab Mastiff, the short, shiny mastiff coat teamed with the jet black color of the Labrador makes for an impressive shiny black coat.

Keep an eye on the nails of your dog and trim them when necessary. Labrador nails grow quickly, so they could become excessively long if not kept in check.

Both the Labrador and the Bullmastiff have floppy ears, so regularly check your dog’s ears for excessive wax buildup. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Mastiff Lab Mix Temperament

Bullmastiffs are not overly active dogs, so spending time lazing around inside is not a big issue for them. But, like all dogs, they still need regular exercise.

Don’t let them lay around all day! They are also known to be loyal dogs, protective of their family.

The Labrador is known for its friendly, outgoing personality and laid back personality.

But, a Labrador’s even temperament should not be confused with laziness. They are very active dogs and will thrive if they get lots of opportunities to play.

A Bullmastiff Lab mix could take after either side of the family or fall somewhere in between.

Whichever parent your lab mastiff cross takes after, they are likely to have a relaxed and friendly temperament. As long as they are socialized well.

Are Mastadors Aggressive?

All dogs are prone to aggression if they aren’t raised right. Mastiff breeds and Labs are known for their friendly and relaxed natures.

But, the Bullmastiff is a natural guard dog and is an independent thinker.

As such, they need thorough socialization from a young age.

You must meet the Mastiff parent and feel confident that their guarding nature is not to the detriment of their friendliness around strangers.

Socialization

Make sure your Mastador feels comfortable around other dogs, small animals like cats, young and older children, elderly people, and strangers.

Even when bringing home a Mastiff Lab mix, socialization is still essential. You don’t know which parent they will take after, so you need to be proactive.

Make sure you have visitors to the home every day from 8 to 14 weeks old, then regularly from that point.

Take them somewhere new and busy every day, where they will meet lots of friendly faces of various ages.

These are very big dogs, so they can easily hurt someone without meaning to. Especially elderly people or very young children.

You must be prepared to properly socialize and train a Mastador dog to avoid this.

If you don’t have the time to dedicate to training and socialization, you should choose a smaller dog breed that can cause less accidental damage.

Training Your Dog

Training, leadership and regular time spent playing with your Mastiff cross Labrador puppy will mean it grows up to be a happy and well-adjusted companion.

Keep in mind that despite their size, Bullmastiffs are quite sensitive deep down.

Positive reinforcement training is essential with potentially aggressive breeds, and those prone to stubbornness.

It makes training motivating, rewarding, and an enjoyable experience for you both.

On the other hand, Labradors are sociable, outgoing dogs that are eager to please. They have high energy levels and love to be kept busy.

Whether your lab mastiff puppy takes after the bullmastiff or the Labrador, training and strong leadership is going to be highly beneficial for your puppy. Particularly given the size this dog will grow to be.

Exercise Needs

While Bullmastiffs are known to be happy spending time indoors relaxing, Labradors crave a little more action.

After you bring your lab mastiff puppy home, it will take some time before you know which side of the family he or she will take after.

It is important that you have somewhere outside you can take your Lab Mastiff cross for some playtime.

But, be wary of overexercising this breed, or exercising them strenuously whilst they are young. This can lead to joint damage.

Both parent breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, so watch out for signs of this whilst exercising your Mastiff Lab mix.

Mastiff and Labrador Health

Just because Mastiff Lab mix pups are a cross breed, this does not mean they are immune to the health issues that the parent dogs may experience.

It is still vitally important to check that the parents of your Labrador x Mastiff puppy enjoyed good health.

Labrador Health

The main health concerns reported among Labradors are:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Eye diseases (in particular progressive retinal atrophy)
• And exercise induced collapse

Given that elbow and hip dysplasia is a common problem in Labradors, and tends to occur more frequently in large dogs, it is important that you check that this has not been a problem for your puppies’ parents.

Other conditions to watch out for in the Labrador parent and Lab mix puppies include:

• Dermatitis
• Centronuclear myopathy
• Copper Associatic Chronic Hepatitis
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture
• Hypoadrenocorticism
• Osteochondritis Dessicans of the Stifle
• Patellar Luxation
• Shoulder Osteochondrosis
• Tricuspid Valve Malformation.

Mastiff Health

Bullmastiffs are a brachycephalic dog. In everyday terms, it means they have a short, flat head.

English Mastiffs also suffer with this conformational issue. So, even an English Mastiff Lab mix can inherit a flatter head.

Dogs with this head shape are more prone to breathing problems and skin problems.

This is due to the structure of their nose, and the deep folds of skin around the face, which can become irritated.

A study done in 1993 also indicated that Bullmastiffs are at risk of suffering a heart condition called valvular pulmonic stenosis.

Large Breed Health Issues

Large breed dogs tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Sadly, there are a number of health issues more common in larger dogs.

If you have a Mastador, you should watch out for the following common large dog issues:

• Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (bloat)
• Osteochondrosis
• Osteosarcoma

Mastiff Lab Mix Health

Despite being cross bred, both of your puppy’s parents should be fully health tested.

The Labrador parent should have a recent clear eye test, good hip and elbow scores and be PRA clear.

The Mastiff parent should have no history of eye problems, skin fold infections and a recent heart check from the vet. Ideally they should also be hip tested.

Make sure you meet the Mastiff parent and see that they are not overly structurally unsound. They should have a long muzzle, limited skin folds and jowls. And wide open nostrils.

Mastador Life Expectancy

As a relatively new mixed breed, there are no studies into the average lifespan of the Mastiff Lab mix.

But, we can get general stats from the purebred parent breeds.

Labradors live an average of 12 years.

The English Mastiff, in a study into dog lifespan, lived an average of 6.83 years. But, the Bullmastiff lived an average of 7.46 years.

So, you may be able to extend your mix’s lifespan by choosing a Bullmastiff Lab mix.

Obviously some may live longer than these averages. But, you will need to give your puppy the best care possible, and choose a reputable breeder to maximise their potential lifespan.

Rescuing a Mastiff Lab Mix

As the Mastador grows in popularity, it may become easier to find individual dogs available for rescue in rescue centers.

Adopting a dog is often much cheaper than buying a puppy, but you may know less about their background, including early socialization, health, and training.

Most dogs that are up for adoption have some basic training, but they may also have some behavioral issues.

Work closely with adoption centers to ensure you’re getting the best possible match for your family.

And bear in mind that an older Mastiff Lab mix in a shelter may not be with you for all that long. Although, they will always appreciate the new opportunity for a loving home.

Mastador Breeders

When looking for a mixed breed puppy, pay close attention to the conditions they have been raised in.

It is essential that you physically attend the premises where the puppies are housed.

Check if the other puppies in the litter are healthy and ask to see the parents. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions.

Ask for physical proof of health tests, and meet the Mastiff parent to ensure that they are not stranger friendly.

Reputable breeders will be more than happy to answer all your questions and show you any health tests. They will also likely ask you lots too, to ensure their puppies are going to a good home.