| The Mastiff is among the most ancient breeds of
dog and has proved its worth as a formidable guard
and hunter. Mastiff-like dogs were treasured by the
Babylonians over 4,000 years ago, and when Julius
Caesar invaded Britain in 55 BC, he encountered
Mastiffs fighting alongside their masters. He
subsequently sent some back to Rome, where they
fought in the huge arenas and defeated all other
fighting dogs, as well as being matched against
gladiators, bulls, bears, lions, and tigers. The Mastiff
was depicted on the 12th-century Bayeux Tapestry,
and Shakespeare's play Henry V mentions "mastiffs
of unmatchable courage." In the 19th century, Saint
Bernard blood was introduced.
The Mastiff is large and dignified. It is usually
devoted to its owner and needs regular walking to
build up its muscles. Many do not complete growth
until their second year.
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