English Mastiff vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

English Mastiff vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed ComparisonEnglish Mastiff is originated from United Kingdom but Australian Red Heeler is originated from Australia. English Mastiff may grow 25 cm / 10 inches higher than Australian Red Heeler. English Mastiff may weigh 97 kg / 214 pounds more than Australian Red Heeler. English Mastiff may live 3 years less than Australian Red Heeler. English Mastiff may have more litter size than Australian Red Heeler. English Mastiff requires Low maintenance. But Australian Red Heeler requires Moderate maintenance

History

english mastiff - historyThroughout most of history there have been images created by people of very large, sturdy dogs that they shared their space with. The English Mastiff can trace some part of her ancestry to these same dogs. This breed is thought to have come from the stock of ancient breeds such as the Alpine Mastiff, Pugnaces Britanniae and Alaunt. The Mastiff in general has then become a main descendent of many other breeds of dogs since the 1880’s. The images of these types of dogs goes back to the 5th and 6th century.

There is no genetic evidence linking these dogs to the modern Mastiffs and the English Mastiff, but the resemblance is obvious. There is anecdotal evidence that these Mastiff type dogs were exported from England – the English Mastiff – to Greece to hunt game but were also used as war dogs by the Celts. The Alaunt was probably used the Normans and bred by the Alans. Writings and images throughout these times depicted a dog that looked very much like today’s English Mastiff. Some speculate that the English Mastiff came to the United States of the Mayflower.

There was a decline in the English Mastiff in its homeland in the 1800’s following the Cruelty to Animals Act of 1835 which prohibited owners and trainers from baiting animals. Then in the 19th century, prior to the first World War, systematic breeding programs began with J.W. Thompson. His first English Mastiff was a female named Dorah. Dorah’s ancestors included dogs from Thompson’s Grandfather. Captain John Garnier of the Royal Engineers also had dogs that contributed to the development of the English Mastiff.

During this time some breeders got away from pure type and began to breed for other factors. In the late 1800’s, Edgar Hanbury and Mark Hanbury Beaufoy began restoring the breed to its original soundness. One of their dogs was exported to the US were breeding to soundness continued until the First World War reduced the number of English Mastiffs around the world. By the time the war ended there were no English Mastiffs outside of England.

There was a dog in Canada named Beowulf and direct descendent of imports from Britain, who came to the States after the war and began to re-establish the breed on this continent and registered with the American Kennel Club. Yet as of 1945, the contribution from North

Breeding was stopped again for World War II and started again after the war. Many of these puppies died of distemper. Only one female had pups that were able to grow up into adults. North America sent dogs to England at this time and all of the Mastiffs from that time, could be traced back to Nydia and the 14 North American Mastiffs. Since then the breed has been restored slowly in Europe, North America and everywhere in the world.

The English Mastiff is known by his massive head with a black mask and comes in a wide variety of colors. He is also known as a gentle giant because of his personality and the love he has for his people.

australian red heeler - historyWhen George Hall arrived in the New South Wales Colony in 1802 he set about ‘creating’ a tough working- or herding dog. By crossing Australia’s native Dingoes with Collies as well as with other herding dogs, the robust Red Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog came into being. Today he is a thick-set dog, ideally suited to working livestock.

Ranchers, particularly, were impressed with the breed’s toughness and they were sought after on cattle stations. The name actually comes from them when the dogs are herding animals, they nip at their heels to get them moving.

The Blue Heeler and the Red Heeler breed are the exact same dog, but just different colors. These Australian cattle dogs originated in Australia in the mid-1800s and adapted well to the harsh desert environment of the outback.

Basic Information

Group:
Molosser dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Australia
Height Male:
74 - 76 cm
29 - 30 inches
46 - 51 cm
18 - 21 inches
Height Female:
70 - 73 cm
27 - 29 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
68 - 113 kg
149 - 250 pounds
15 - 16 kg
33 - 36 pounds
Weight Female:
54 - 84 kg
119 - 186 pounds
14 - 16 kg
30 - 36 pounds
Life Span:
7 - 12 Years
13 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
3 - 7
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Mastiff Old English Mastiff
Australian Cattle dog, Queensland Heelers
Colors Available:
silver-fawn, apricot-fawn, or dark fawn-brindle, fawn
Red and blue mostly. Other varieties include chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings
Coat:
fine, smooth
short and dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Courageous, Docile, Friendly, Independent, Loyal, Protective, Quiet, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
No

Description

english mastiff puppy - descriptionThe English Mastiff is a giant dog with a broad head and body. In terms of mass it is the worlds largest dog, just a little bigger that the Saint Bernard. The Great Dane and the Irish Wolfhound are 6 inches taller but do not carry the weight and bulk of the Mastiff. Mostly square in his body and his head with a massive chest and wide set forelegs. The head is square and very large. No matter the color of the coat, the face should have a black mask like the St. Bernard. His eyes and nose are also dark.

The Muscular Body

australian red heeler puppy - descriptionThe Red Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog is a sturdy, muscular dog with ears that are pricked and with dark, alert eyes. The tail is long. The neck, shoulders and legs of the Red Heeler are strong and muscular. The dog is longer than tall – the length of the body is greater than the height at the withers. A well fed, well exercised, well cared for Red Heeler will weight roughly 15–22 kilograms.

The Coat

There are 2 coat colours of the Reeler – red and blue, but there are are lesser varieties such as chocolate, cream, blue mottled, brindle and some with white markings. It is interesting to note that with both the Red- and the Blue Heeler, puppies are generally born white, with the coat turning to red as they mature.

These Australian Cattle Dogs display patches of solid colour, and you might well find masks over one or both eyes and a white tip to the tail. Both the Red and Blue Heeler can have a white star on the forehead which is referred to as the Bentley Mark. The Heelers have a double coat - short, straight outer hairs while the undercoat is short, fine and dense. Despite their short coat, they shed a lot.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

english mastiff dog - characteristicsThe English Mastiff is very happy to play with children. You willl need to be careful with small children as he does not know his size and is likely to sit on them.

Special talents

This lovable giant is noble and loyal. He will protect his family and he will be courageous about it.

Adaptability

This is a big dog but he doesnt live outside. You need a big yard and perhaps a big house. He may not adapt to an apartment.

Learning ability

The English Mastiff is smart and certainly trainable. He can be independent and stubborn at times but he has the ability to learn.

australian red heeler dog - characteristicsYour Australian Red Heeler needs plenty of exercise but also plenty of companionship too from his human family. He is an affectionate, playful pet but is reserved with people he doesn’t know. When socialized he is patient with children in the home but he does still have the tendency to herd them and nip at their heels. The dog builds up a strong bond with his human family, and is protective toward them, being happy to be close to his owner’s side.

Take Time out to Play

Red Heelers need activities and lots of room to play, and they therefore won’t adapt to apartment living. If you don’t live on a farm, don’t neglect your working dog as he will need lots of rough and tumble games and activities to keep him from boredom. Treat your Australian Red Heeler with the love, patience and kindness and you’ll bring out the very best from this active, loyal fur-friend of yours.

Health Problems

english mastiff puppies - health problemsBeing a massive dog can take its toll on the body’s development and that is certainly true of the English Mastiff. A lot of running is not recommended in the early life of the dog – preferable for the first two years. This could damage the joint’s growth plates and cause him a lot of problems in later years. Too much exercise in this massive dog can hurt him but so can, not enough exercise.

Some of the health issues other than this that the English Mastiff is prone to include:

  1. Calluses –
  2. On their paws. Must be taken care of before infection sets in.
  3. Arthritis

A large dog like the English Mastiff is always prone to pain from arthritic joints. See your vet about pain medication.

Hygroma

A spot under the skin that is swollen and filled with fluid. Can be treated. It is not an infection or contagious.

Hip Dysplasia

Can result in lameness and arthritis.

Eye Problems

australian red heeler puppies - health problemsThe Australian Cattle Dog is quite often affected by progressive retinal atrophy, an eye condition where the rods and cones in the retina of the eye deteriorate later in life, and it could lead to blindness. This eye illness is an autosomal recessive trait, and even if the dog doesn’t develop the condition himself, he can be a carrier of the affected gene.

Fractures

The Heeler is just bursting with personality and energy and a study of dogs diagnosed at veterinary colleges described fractures and ligament tears as one of the most common conditions treated with the Australian Red Heeler.

General Health

You love your Australian Red Heeler and you want to take good care of him. Check with your vet because at 8 weeks he should be starting with his first puppy vaccinations.

To keep your best friend healthy and happy, watch his diet, ensure he gets plenty of exercise, brush his teeth regularly to remove plaque build-up, and always call your veterinarian when you see he is ill and isn’t his usual boisterous self.

Caring The Pet

english mastiff dogs - caringThis is an enormous dog that grows quickly. It is important to feed them properly as they grow. If he doesn’t get what he needs as a puppy you will not be able to make it up to him later on.

Feeding the puppy

The English Mastiff puppy needs good nutrition for growing properly.

From 12-16 weeks of age feed him 3-4 cups a day of a high protein, high quality dry food. Break this up into 3-4 meals.

From 4 -6 months of age feed him 8-10 cups a day of a high protein, high quality dry food. Break this up into 2-3 meals.

From 6-18 months of age feed him 8-12 cups a day of a high protein, high quality, dry food. Break this up into 2-3 meals.

Feeding the adult

The English Mastiff is still growing from a year to 18 months. Starting at 18 months feed him 10-12 cups a day of high protein, high quality dry food. Break this up into 2 meals.

As your Mastiff ages, cut down on the protein and feed a dry food appropriate for his age.

Points for Good Health

The English Mastiff is a very large dog that should not be allowed to get obese since he is prone to dysplasia. He needs protein throughout puppyhood and until he is about 8-10.

Games and Exercises

This is a couch potato if you let him be. Make sure he gets at least one long walk per day or he will tend to gain weight. Play with them off leash about an hour every day.

Grooming

australian red heeler dogs - caringThe Australian Red Heeler is a low maintenance dog. He does shed quite a bit so you’ll need to brush his coat at least twice a week to remove loose hairs and to keep his coat lustrous. When your dog has been in a particularly dusty area, you you wipe his coat down with a damp cloth. As with all dogs, you’ll want to check his teeth, ears, eyes and nails regularly to avoid health problems.

Training

If you care for your working- and herding dog you’ll train him to that he becomes a good family dog and companion. The Red Heeler has plenty of energy and stamina and if he grows up untrained and un-socialized, you could see him becoming aggressive towards other animals and even your own children. He certainly becomes over-protective of his territory if not socialized. Train him as he is an intelligent breed and responds well to training.

Diet

Any vet will tell you of the critical importance of a proper diet and exercise routine for your dog. He’s an active, smart dog with loads of energy and you want to keep his diet consistent with this energy. Speak to your vet about what food would suit your pet best, because a high quality diet appropriate to his age, his body size and his energy levels will be important. Along with high quality foods which include a good intake of raw meat, your dog must always have access to a bowl of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. English Mastiff vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  2. English Mastiff vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  3. English Mastiff vs Cao de Gado Transmontano - Breed Comparison
  4. English Mastiff vs Broholmer - Breed Comparison
  5. Neapolitan Mastiff vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  6. Gaddi Kutta vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  7. Nebolish Mastiff vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  8. Great Dane vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  9. English Mastiff vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  10. English Mastiff vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. English Mastiff vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  12. English Mastiff vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  13. English Mastiff vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  14. English Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  15. English Mastiff vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  16. English Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  17. English Mastiff vs Ciobanesc de Bucovina - Breed Comparison
  18. Newfoundland Dog vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  19. Leonberger vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Wolfhound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  21. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  22. Australian Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  23. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  24. Australian Cattle Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  25. Bearded Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  26. Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  27. Dutch Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  28. Blue Healer vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  30. Australian Collie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  31. Catahoula Cur vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  32. Australian Red Heeler vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  33. Catalan Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  34. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  35. Bergamasco vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  36. Berger Picard vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  37. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  38. Queensland Heeler vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  39. German Coolie vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  40. Bohemian Shepherd vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  41. Croatian Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  42. Red Heeler vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  43. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  44. Blue Lacy vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  45. New Zealand Huntaway vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds