Hip Dysplasia
John M. Becknell describes hip dysplasia as an instance where "the head of femur (large thigh bone) and the acetabulum (hip socket) become incompatible and no longer fit together, leading to lameness and arthritis." Hip dysplasia can show up as early as four months old and is diagnosed by x-ray. It is caused by genetic, metabolic, and dietary problems. All large breed dogs should be screened for hip dysplasia, and x-rays are normally done at two years old. Signs of hip dysplasia include discomfort, difficulty walking, pain, difficulty climbing stairs, or problems getting up. Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred.
http://mastiff.org/exhibit-hall/health/h...
Hypothyroidism
Yes, your big ol' heavy, lazy Mastiff can develop hypothyroidism. The thyroid gland controls metabolism and hormones, and our Mastiff's already low metabolism is very susceptible to problems in this area. You can recognize potential hypothyroidism by loss of energy, unwillingness to exercise and play, weight gain, excessive sleeping, dry/brittle coat, hair loss, lower body temperatures, darker skin colors, and infertility. Hypothyroidism in dogs is diagnosed and treated similar to how it is treated in humans, by blood test and synthetic hormones.
http://www.mirage-samoyeds.com/thyroid3....
You can see that caring for your Mastiff requires knowledge, vet care, and the finances to provide for it all. When considering whether a Mastiff is right for your home, please also consider whether your home is right for the Mastiff. A Mastiff's lifespan is from 8-10 years. Anything that a smaller dog needs, a larger dog needs in larger doses. Heartworm medicine and Frontline for flea and tick control is given by weight, so the larger the dog, the larger the expense. Any surgical procedure, like spaying or neutering, will also be more expensive because of the amount of anesthesia your dog will need. I've heard cases of Mastiffs having blindness and hip dysplasia at the same time - can you imagine the time and energy it takes to care for a 200 lb dog with those problems?
Many Mastiff websites have a saying, "Every home should have a Mastiff." If it were for the love of the breed, I'd say this were true because it's impossible not to love a Mastiff! But the simple truth is that every home should NOT have a Mastiff. Careful consideration needs to be given to many different areas before adopting a Mastiff. If you're at this site researching the Mastiff before buying your puppy, you've taken the right first steps! If you have any questions at all before making your decision, please feel free to email me anytime at all! (gentlegiants@comcast.net)
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