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Alpine Mastiff Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about Alpine Mastiff so you can get to know the breed more.

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Alpine Mastiff dog profile picture
OriginSwitzerland flagSwitzerland
Other Names
What other names does the Alpine Mastiff have?
Alpine Molosser
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

Alpine Mastiff Size and Weight

Size
Is an Alpine Mastiff small, medium or large dog?

How big do Alpine Mastiff get?

What is the average size of an Alpine Mastiff?

Giant
Weight
How much does the Alpine Mastiff weigh? How much should an Alpine Mastiff weight? What is the normal weight of an Alpine Mastiff? How much does a full-grown Alpine Mastiff weight?
340-350 pounds (154-160 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of an Alpine Mastiff?
345 pounds (157 kg)
Height
How tall is the Alpine Mastiff? Alpine Mastiff height:
35-40 inches (89-101 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of an Alpine Mastiff?
37.5 inches (95 cm)

Alpine Mastiff Price and Availability

Price
How much does the Alpine Mastiff puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of an Alpine Mastiff in the United States? How much money is an Alpine Mastiff?

Where to buy an Alpine Mastiff with a good pedigree?

Unavailable
Unfortunately the Alpine Mastiff is an extinct dog breed, so there isn’t any available price range or breeder in the world for purchasing this breed.
Availability
How easy is it to get a Alpine Mastiff? How many Alpine Mastiff are there in the world?
Unavailable: This dog breed, unfortunately, is no longer available, it may even be extinct.

Alpine Mastiff Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the Alpine Mastiff? Is the Alpine Mastiff breed dumb or smart?
Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one. Keep in mind that if you want to teach them any tricks, they understand and memorize new commands in 40-80 repetitions. Alpine Mastiff obey the first command 30% of the time or better. So if you want to have a smart dog, you might have to reconsider your choice with this breed.

The Alpine Mastiff ranks below average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Trainability
Are Alpine Mastiff dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train an Alpine Mastiff?
Alpine Mastiff dogs are quite easy to train. Sometimes they can be challenging, but if you're consistent in teaching new commands they will obey for sure.
Watchdog Ability
Is Alpine Mastiff good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
Alpine Mastiff dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, they will alert you, but observation isn't considered their main job.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do Alpine Mastiff dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
Alpine Mastiff dogs strongly protect their territory. This breed is a complete security guard, so you don't have to be afraid in case of danger.

Alpine Mastiff Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the Alpine Mastiff have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
Friendly
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? Alpine Mastiff sensitivity:
They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. Soft punishment affects them emotionally. Alpine Mastiff dogs don't tolerate irregular daily routines, noisy households, and frequent guest visits really well.

They are receptive to their owner's emotions and make wonderful family companions.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is an Alpine Mastiff a good family dog?
Average to High: Alpine Mastiff dogs are highly affectionate dogs. They like being involved in the family's life. This breed isn't considered an aloof dog.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the Alpine Molosser need? Alpine Mastiff social needs:
Alpine Mastiff dogs need a lot of social interaction. They desire to always be with someone or around people. This breed hates being left alone.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the Alpine Mastiff to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does Alpine Mastiff roam?
Alpine Mastiff dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. They have low to average wanderlust potential. Exploring the world is not the best activity they can imagine.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does Alpine Mastiff have high prey drive?
Alpine Mastiff dogs have low to an average impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals.

Alpine Mastiff Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
Alpine Mastiffs are not the most playful dog breed. Sometimes they do like playing, but that's not their favorite activity.
Barking
Do Alpine Mastiff dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my Alpine Molosser bark?
Average: The Alpine Mastiff barks occasionally. They can change their barks depending on their emotional level and what they're trying to say. Different barks could mean the same and the same barks could have different meanings.

Top reasons for barking: protection, alarm, fear, boredom, attention-seeking, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking.

Apartment Friendly
Is Alpine Mastiff good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have an Alpine Mastiff in an apartment?
Not an apartment-friendly dog the Alpine Mastiff breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping Alpine Mastiff indoors can cause a lot of problems.

Alpine Mastiff Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
Alpine Mastiff dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. They don't mind moving from one place to another with their owner.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can an Alpine Mastiff be left alone? How long can you leave an Alpine Mastiff alone?
Alpine Mastiff dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.

Alpine Mastiff Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the Alpine Mastiff has a hard bite? What is the bite force of an Alpine Mastiff? How much bite force does an Alpine Mastiff have? How strong is an Alpine Mastiff bite?

Above 400 PSI 🔼

Alpine Mastiff bite force: The Strongest. The Alpine Mastiff bite force is among the strongest in the canine world. The bite force Alpine Mastiff measurements are typically quite high, which is a testament to their powerful and large stature. The bite force of Alpine Mastiff dogs is impressive, and their Alpine Mastiff bite PSI is reflective of their powerful nature.

The Alpine Mastiff PSI bite should be respected, and appropriate precautions should be taken when interacting with these dogs. The PSI of an Alpine Mastiff bite is high, making them one of the strongest breeds in terms of bite force.

They are very protective of themselves and their families, therefore a dog bite from them could be exceptionally dangerous with their PSI being above 400.

To ensure a well-behaved and controlled dog, it's important to learn how to train an Alpine Mastiff puppy not to bite from an early age. It is important that they’re trained to be around others safely.

Biting Potential
Do Alpine Mastiff bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the Alpine Molosser? What are the odds of getting bitten by a Alpine Mastiff? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The Alpine Mastiff has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the Alpine Mastiff do?
Alpine Mastiff dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but Alpine Mastiff dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

Alpine Mastiff Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do Alpine Mastiff dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
Alpine Mastiffs are commonly healthy dogs. Vet costs aren't expensive with this breed.
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the Alpine Mastiff breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the Alpine Mastiff see the vet?
Rare
The Alpine Mastiff should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do Alpine Mastiff dogs live? How old can a Alpine Mastiff be? What is the age limit of the Alpine Mastiff? How many years can the oldest Alpine Mastiff live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of an Alpine Mastiff?

How long is the lifespan of an Alpine Mastiff?

10-12 years
The average lifespan of Alpine Mastiff: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The Alpine Mastiff can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.

Alpine Mastiff Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the Alpine Mastiff have? What is the activity level of the Alpine Mastiff?
Alpine Mastiff dogs have an average energy level, so if you live a semi-active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does an Alpine Mastiff need? How much exercise do Alpine Mastiff dogs require per day?

Do Alpine Mastiff dogs need a lot of exercises?

Alpine Mastiff dogs exercise need is minimal. If you live a slow life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the Alpine Mastiff breed need?
Alpine Mastiff dogs like sleeping so they do sleep a lot. They're not the most active dog breed. If you live an active life, this breed can be a bad choice for you.

Alpine Mastiff Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does an Alpine Mastiff need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does an Alpine Mastiff breed eat per day? What is good dog food for Alpine Mastiff? How much food should I feed my Alpine Mastiff?
15 to 16 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? Alpine Mastiff risk for obesity:
Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Alpine Mastiff's weight, he can easily gain weight. More than one daily walk should be on schedule. To make your dog happy and fit, feed him with quality dry dog food and live an active life together. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the Alpine Mastiff weight regularly.

Alpine Mastiff Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the Alpine Mastiff have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
Rough
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper Alpine Mastiff coats?
Brindle Brown
Grooming
How to groom the Alpine Mastiff and how often? How often should I take my Alpine Mastiff to the groomer?
Easy to groom: The Alpine Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned regularly to avoid infections. Alpine Mastiff is a good choice if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Recommended for beginners.
Shedding Level
How much do Alpine Mastiff dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the Alpine Molosser? Do Alpine Mastiff dogs shed a lot?
Alpine Mastiff dogs shed above average. It's a natural process of the hair growth cycle. The amount and frequency of hair loss mostly depend on their health status and breed type. If you don't like vacuum cleaning, you might have to reconsider your choice of having a puppy from the Alpine Mastiff breed.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the Alpine Mastiff need a bath? How often should you give an Alpine Mastiff a bath? Can I bathe my Alpine Mastiff every day?
4-6 weeks
Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. According to a study, 56% of pet parents don’t bathe their dogs as frequently as they should, and 60% use the sniff test when deciding when it’s bath time.

Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. It’s also a good time to look for unusual scratches, bumps, fleas, and other irregularities. When their hair is wet and flat against their body, these details are more visible.

Hypoallergenic
Is the Alpine Mastiff breed hypoallergenic?
No
Alpine Mastiff dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

High 🔼

The Alpine Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the Alpine Mastiff drool?
The Alpine Mastiff is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool much more than others, just like the Alpine Mastiff.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

Alpine Mastiff Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do Alpine Mastiff dogs get along with other pets? Are Alpine Mastiff dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
Alpine Mastiff dogs are usually friendly towards other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? Alpine Mastiff temperament with other people:
Alpine Mastiff dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Child Friendly
Are Alpine Mastiff dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? Alpine Mastiff temperament with children:
Alpine Mastiff dogs are kid-friendly dogs. This breed is a good choice if you have children.
Cat Friendly
How well do Alpine Mastiff dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the Alpine Mastiff breed live with a cat?
Alpine Mastiff dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Is Alpine Mastiff good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do Alpine Mastiff dogs get along with other dogs?
Alpine Mastiff dogs are dog-friendly dogs. If you want more dogs in your family or you'd like to join dog meetups, the Alpine Mastiff can be a great choice.
Good For First Time Owners
Is Alpine Mastiff breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is Alpine Mastiff breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
Alpine Mastiff dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are Alpine Mastiff dogs good office canines? Do Alpine Mastiff dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
No
Alpine Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do Alpine Mastiff dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the Alpine Molosser temperament with senior people? Are Alpine Mastiff dogs good for elderly owners?
Alpine Mastiffs are usually recommended for elderly people.

Alpine Mastiff As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can Alpine Mastiff be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

Alpine Mastiff is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can Alpine Mastiff be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a Alpine Mastiff be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

Alpine Mastiff is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can Alpine Mastiff be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

Alpine Mastiff is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can Alpine Mastiff be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The Alpine Mastiff is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can Alpine Mastiff be a boat dog?

Not really

Alpine Mastiff breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can Alpine Mastiff be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

Alpine Mastiff is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where Alpine Mastiff dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Alpine Mastiff Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is an Alpine Mastiff pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the Alpine Mastiff breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female Alpine Mastiff: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the Alpine Mastiff have in a litter? How many puppies can the Alpine Mastiff breed have for the first time? How many puppies does an Alpine Mastiff have? How many puppies can an Alpine Mastiff give birth to?
5-12 puppies

Alpine Mastiff Recognition

AKC Group
Is Alpine Mastiff recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group
Is Alpine Mastiff recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Not recognized by FCI.

Alpine Mastiff Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Health Issues: Alpine Mastiffs are commonly healthy dogs.
  • Grooming: Easy to groom: The Alpine Mastiff doesn't require a lot of grooming.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: Alpine Mastiff dogs tend to escape less than other breeds.
  • Adaptability: Alpine Mastiff dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.
  • Child Friendly: Alpine Mastiff dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
  • Cat Friendly: Alpine Mastiff dogs are cat-friendly dogs.
  • Dog Friendly: Alpine Mastiff dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: Alpine Mastiffs are usually recommended for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: Alpine Mastiff dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Cons
  • Intelligent Rank: Low to average: This canine intelligence is not the brightest one.
  • Hypoallergenic: Alpine Mastiff dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
  • Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the Alpine Mastiff breed.
  • Shedding Level: Alpine Mastiff dogs shed above average.
  • Drooling Tendency: The Alpine Mastiff is a big drooler, so if you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, you should choose a dog from another breed.
  • Stinkiness: The Alpine Mastiff has a high chance of bad smell.
  • Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity: Average to High: If you don't pay attention to the Alpine Mastiff's weight, he can easily gain weight.
  • Mouthiness: Alpine Mastiff dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people.
  • Tolerates Being Left Alone: Alpine Mastiff dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.
  • Office Friendly: Alpine Mastiff is not the best dog breed for office environment.

Alpine Mastiff History

The Alpine Mastiff was believed to be the largest breed in England in the early 1800s. They were large-sized dogs, one of the few breeds to have such a gigantic body type. However, its origin actually dates back to 500. B.C. in the northern part of Europe. Although there were many theories created by authors that focused on trying to find out the true origin of this breed but despite the differences of their opinions on where the Mastiff originated from most agreed with each other that the creators of this breed are the British.

The first appearance of this type of dog was seen in the 1820s when an Alpine Mastiff was bought from St. Bernard Hospice to England and became the dog of Mrs. L.W. Boode. He was through to be the biggest dog in England so they also made a portrait of “Lion”. It is true that it is the British we owe the Mastiff today as they kept them, guarding their castles in the early 1800s. For example, according to researchers, it is believed that Henry VIII offered a present of 400 Mastiffs for Charles V to use them in war.

It is a common misunderstanding that the term “Alpine Mastiff” means St. Bernard, they are actually two distinct breeds. The Alpine Mastiff is connected to a livestock guardian breed from the Italian Alps that ranged into Switzerland. Of course, it is possible that it is an ancestor of the St. Bernard breed as mentioned above one of the dogs was imported from St. Bernard Hospice directly.

This breed is believed to be extinct because of the excessive crossbreeding in 1815 with other larger-sized dogs in Europe with the purpose to create more gigantic descendants of the Alpine Mastiff. However people did not care about increasing the number of this type, they only focus on crossbreeding which led to the disappearance of these dogs before the mid-19th century.

Several people mentioned this type of breed in their published books and articles, for example, dog writer M.B. Wynn who wrote in his book History of the Mastiff (1886.) In 1829 a vast light brindle dog of the old Alpine mastiff breed, named L’Ami, was brought from the convent of Great St. Bernard, and exhibited in London and Liverpool as the largest dog in England.”

Overall the Alpine Mastiff was always thought to be a friendly calm and gentle dog. However as they were mainly bred for hunting, they developed strong abilities and became outstanding guard dogs.

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