Ultimate Mastiff (Dogue de Bordeaux & Neapolitan Mastiff Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The Ultimate Mastiff is a large and powerful hybrid dog resulting from crossing a purebred Dogue de Bordeaux with a purebred Neapolitan Mastiff. While it is not known exactly when the dogs were first developed, Ultimate Mastiffs are thought to have first appeared in the United States sometime in the early 2000s.

They are well-known for their size and strength, and given that their parents are both giant breeds, it is hardly surprising. While extremely loyal and affectionate dogs, they have a mind of their own and can be stubborn, which can make them difficult to control.

Ultimate Mastiffs are incredibly protective of their owners. They are always ready to intervene when they sense that their family may be in danger, which can be problematic because there is a fine line between being a protective dog and one that is aggressive and dangerous.

The Ultimate Mastiff Puppies

Anyone who adopts an Ultimate Mastiff puppy should know that they need consistent leadership and a great deal of training and socialization. They are unsuitable for novice owners; an untrained or poorly raised Ultimate Mastiff can be unpredictable and dangerous.

When appropriately raised and given the attention they need, Neapolitan Mastiff Dogue de Bordeaux mixes can be fantastic dogs, but you will only get out of them what you’re prepared to put in. Be ready for an adventure of a lifetime once you welcome an Ultimate Mastiff into your family.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Ultimate Mastiff

1. Ultimate Mastiffs Are Big Droolers

Due mainly to their large upper lips, Ultimate Mastiffs drool quite a bit. Unfortunately, it cannot be changed, so if you want one of these powerful dogs, you will need to get used to cleaning slobber off your floors, walls, and furniture.

2. Many Ultimate Mastiffs Like to Swim

If you have a suitable river, pond, or lake for them to swim in, you will find that taking your Ultimate Mastiff for a swim is an excellent way for them to get some exercise.

Just remember that they are often not fond of other dogs and may try to chase any other animal they see. So, you may want to limit your dog’s swimming sessions to places and times when you’re alone.

3. Ultimate Mastiffs Tend to Suffer Halitosis

Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common problem with Ultimate Mastiffs. Bad breath in dogs can be produced by several factors but is usually a result of periodontal disease caused by a build-up of plaque and tartar.

Ideally, you should clean your Ultimate Mastiff’s teeth about twice a week with canine toothpaste and seek your vet’s advice if your dog has particularly bad breath.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Ultimate Mastiff 🧠

Ultimate Mastiffs are sweet, simple, and loving dogs. They adore their owners and become protective of them. They love to play games and run about with their owners, but they will just as happily curl up on the couch next to you for a lazy day.

Ultimate Mastiffs aren’t the most intelligent of dogs and can be stubborn, but they’re not stupid and will learn to behave if they receive the training and attention they need.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

The Ultimate Mastiff must live in a home with access to a large, secure yard. They generally get along with children, but keeping an Ultimate Mastiff in a house with young children is a significant risk.

Due to their size, it is possible for an Ultimate Mastiff to accidentally knock over a small child and cause a serious injury. They are also not the most tolerant of dogs and are known to be aggressive when provoked, and you will need to keep a close eye on them whenever they are around children.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Ultimate Mastiff is not well suited to a house with other pets. They are aggressive toward other dogs, particularly those of the same sex, and they will likely be aggressive toward other small pets.

If you must keep another pet with an Ultimate Mastiff, we recommend getting another large dog of the opposite sex. Ideally, both dogs should be purchased as puppies at roughly the same time and raised together.

Things to Know When Owning an Ultimate Mastiff

Despite their size and the challenges their overprotective personalities create, an Ultimate Mastiff can be a loving and loyal companion if you are prepared to put in the work.

Unsurprisingly, the Ultimate Mastiff also makes for an excellent family watchdog. After all, it would be a foolish thief who would consider breaking into a property where a dog their size was living!

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Regarding food, the Ultimate Mastiff is also an ultimate eater. If you’re not careful, they can quickly put on too much weight, which can lead to avoidable health complications, including diabetes, joint issues, and back problems. Thus, it is vital that you carefully manage your dog’s portion sizes and ensure that they are eating well-balanced and nutritious meals.

Ensuring that your Mastiff eats well is particularly important when they are a puppy since meeting their specific nutritional needs while growing and developing is integral to helping reduce or prevent long-term health problems.

Ideally, you should feed your dog a premium quality dry dog food specifically formulated for their size and age. Several dog food providers prepare stage-of-life dog foods for giant dogs, and selecting one is the easiest way to ensure that your dog gets the well-balanced and nutritious meals they need.

Ideally, you should start your dog off with puppy food, then at 12 to 15 months, transition them to adult dog food and, later in life, to food prepared for a mature dog.

As for the serving size, we recommend taking your dog’s total daily portion, as set out on the packaging of your chosen dog food, and breaking it into two evenly portioned meals, one of which you should give them in the morning and the other you should give in the evening.

Exercise 🐕

Ultimate Mastiffs are large dogs that are surprisingly quick and agile for their size, particularly during the first 5 years of their lives. They need a moderate amount of exercise and mental stimulation to stay fit and healthy, and it can take the form of a daily walk or run and should be supplemented by plenty of outdoor playtime in their yard.

If possible, you should vary the routes you take each day on your walk or run to keep them interesting for your dog. We strongly recommend always keeping your Ultimate Mastiff on a leash while they are in public.

While taking your Mastiff to a dog park to play with other dogs may be tempting, it is not recommended. Ultimate Mastiffs can become quite aggressive and quickly injure or kill most smaller dogs should a fight occur.

Training 🦮

Training is absolutely necessary if you want to own an Ultimate Mastiff. Ideally, you should start socializing your puppy with other dogs as young as possible, and obedience training should become part of your daily routine from the day you bring your puppy home from the breeder.

Ultimate Mastiffs need a strong leader, somebody who is firm and consistent, which is where being an experienced dog owner comes in. A new Ultimate Mastiff puppy will challenge you as they grow.

They will push back and ignore your wishes and instructions, and if you let them, they’ll soon believe that they are the leader of the pack, not you. At this point, you’ll have a powerful 130-pound dog with a strong will that is almost impossible to control.

Grooming ✂️

Regarding grooming, it is relatively easy with an Ultimate Mastiff. They only shed moderately, don’t require much bathing, and need only a quick brush once a week to keep their coat looking its best. Of course, you should also check that their ears are clear every week or two, and they may need their teeth cleaned and nails clipped occasionally.

Getting your new puppy used to being groomed while they are young is crucial. That way, when they get bigger and stronger, you don’t need to struggle with a large and powerful dog who doesn’t want to be brushed or have their nails clipped.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Like many giant breeds, the Ultimate Mastiff is susceptible to having issues with their hips and other joints later in life. This has more to do with their weight than a hereditary condition and is a problem that can be reduced by ensuring that you keep your dog at a healthy weight.

Of course, as with most breeds, there are a few other health conditions to which the Ultimate Mastiff can be susceptible.

Male vs. Female

With many breeds, there is little noticeable difference between male and female dogs. However, when it comes to giant breeds like the Ultimate Mastiff, some noticeable physical differences are worth considering before you purchase a puppy.

Adult female Ultimate Mastiffs stand between 23 and 28 inches tall, while males can grow to be between 26 and 30 inches tall. While this is only a couple of inches, the real difference comes when considering the weight and strength difference. Females usually weigh no more than about 150 pounds. In comparison, males can grow to weigh up to 30 pounds heavier and significantly more muscular than females.

From a purely practical sense, the difference in size between males and females can be the difference between having a big and powerful dog that you can physically control and having one that may be so strong that unless you are also strong, you have little hope of being able to restrain physically.

Consequently, if you are considering buying an Ultimate Mastiff, it is vitally important that you take the time to assess your ability to raise and train a large and powerful dog and your ability to control one physically. Considerations should include whether you’d be better off with a slightly smaller and less powerful dog.

Of course, physical differences aside, some behavioral traits vary between the sexes, such as males being slightly more solitary and more likely to wander than females, and females in heat being more territorial.

However, unless you plan to breed from your Ultimate Mastiff, we always recommend spaying or neutering your dog, which, aside from preventing unwanted pregnancies, will eliminate the negative behaviors.

Final Thoughts

The Ultimate Mastiff is an exceptionally large and powerful dog that, in the hands of an experienced owner, can make a loving and loyal companion. They are an extremely protective breed and make excellent property guardians. Yet, they’re not dogs that like to be left alone for long periods.

Ultimate Mastiffs, like many of the giant breeds, need a strong and consistent owner who won’t lose their patience with them when they get a little hard to handle and somebody who has the time and desire to train them properly and is willing to put in the effort required to ensure that they grow into a safe and well-balanced dog.

• See Also: Ambullneo Mastiff: Pictures, Care Guide, Temperament & Traits

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Featured Photo Credit: Marry Kolesnik, Shutterstock