Mastiffs and Other Dogs
If the Mastiff couldn't handle being with other dogs, you would never want to have one! It would be totally impossible to control a 200 lbs. aggressive male, believe you me! All there is to say about this, is that you have no reason to worry at all! The English Mastiff is a very peaceful and tolerant breed. Even if another dog attacks, the Mastiff often turns his back to the opponent. He will NOT fight unless he has to. Self defense is the only reason for an average Mastiff to use his strength. I'm not saying you won't ever find aggressive Mastiffs, but this is how the "normal" representative of the breed acts. Many Mastiffs love to be with smaller breeds.
Some say they are not aware of their impressive size, and that they feel comfortable playing with small dogs because of that. The chances are bigger that many Mastiffs almost never meet other dogs as big as themselves, and therefore they find such big dogs just as scary as smaller dogs often do. Mirrors does not exist in a dog's world. They experience their own strength by playing (and fighting...) with other dogs. If a dog seldom gets the opportunity to play, he won't be able to be aware of his might. On the other hand, this might be an advantage with a powerful breed like the English Mastiff! I can't think of any good reasons why I should want my Mastiff to find out that he's stronger than any other dog in the city. No reason at all!
Information obtained from: http://www.mastiffweb.com/temper.htm
Some say they are not aware of their impressive size, and that they feel comfortable playing with small dogs because of that. The chances are bigger that many Mastiffs almost never meet other dogs as big as themselves, and therefore they find such big dogs just as scary as smaller dogs often do. Mirrors does not exist in a dog's world. They experience their own strength by playing (and fighting...) with other dogs. If a dog seldom gets the opportunity to play, he won't be able to be aware of his might. On the other hand, this might be an advantage with a powerful breed like the English Mastiff! I can't think of any good reasons why I should want my Mastiff to find out that he's stronger than any other dog in the city. No reason at all!
Information obtained from: http://www.mastiffweb.com/temper.htm