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Basic Description: Spanish Mastiff is a very old race. Most probably it appeared on Iberian peninsula before Roman invasion, brought by Greek’s and Phoenician over
2000 years. First mentions about a mastiff from Iberian peninsula appears in notes of Virgilius and come from about the 30th year A.D. Virgilius in Georgics shows the
way of the Iberian mastiff’s nourishing so as it would be the best guardian and defender of the herd. Succeeding records we can find in works dating the first century of our
era. The Roman agronomist, Kolumela, the author of work from the sphere of agriculture pt. "De re rustica", said about mastiffs:"...being suitable to cattle mastiffs are
white in colour mostly for to distinguish them better from wolves with which they have to fight in darkness of dawn". The meaning of the word MASTIF can descend from two
sources. First, it can come from the "masuentus" that is gentle, domesticated, or from "mastibe" what means – the shepherd of herd. Both sources derive from Latin,
which can make up the conformation of pre-Christian pedigree of Spanish Mastiff.
The role of mastiffs grew indeed in the 10th century age, when the best organized guided farming of animals in Europe became the pedigree of sheep in Spain, and the
state economy based on production and elaboration of wool. The top of development falls on the 12th century, when started the breeding of the new genre of sheep –
merinos. Those animals usually spent winter on the south of Spain, moving at the beginning of the summer to the mountain slopes of the north. In 1273 Spanish nobles
called to life the organization called "La Mesta". The protection of large herds of wandering sheep was their main problem against wolves, bears and different robbers. The
migrations of herds became the measure on a big scale. The historical sources quote, that in 1526 about 3.5 million sheep were safeguarded by "La Meste". The
wandering herds of sheep were accompanied by about 40 thousand shepherds and on every hundred sheep there was at least one mastiff for shepherd’s defense as
well as the herd. Such enormous migrations made on Spanish culture a mark and we can read about Spanish Mastiff in literary works as well as admire it on paintings of
Velazquez. By then, these dogs characterized as resistant towards climate conditions as well as by the large dose of independence and instinct of defender, which
permitted them almost independent fulfilling their duties.
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Note: Any Club that wishes to provide a better quality description of this breed is invited to contact the web master.
Your assistance in making this a useful site is greatly appreciated. Also, if corrections or additions are found, please let me know at once.
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American Kennel Club Link
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Canadian Kennel Club Link
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Not represented at this time
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No contact information at this time
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National Rescue Group Link(s)
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No contact information at this time
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Local Club contacts below if listed here
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Additional Information on local Clubs (Obedience, Agility etc.) and Rescue groups can be found under their respective heading in the Content section.
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Breed Fanciers that have agreed to share their knowledge of this breed.
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Would you like to be listed here – go to Invitation and if you agree with the simple requirements – WE WANT YOU –
then go to Fancier Questionnaire and fill out the form. The form is sent directly to the webmaster.
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