English Mastiff vs Cesky Fousek - Breed Comparison

Throughout 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.

The Cesky Fousek is also known as the Bohemian Wire-Haired Pointing Griffon and he hails from the Czech Republic. The name ‘Fousek’ is referring to the dogs facial hair.

With World War 1, the dog all but disappeared, but with careful breeding, its numbers have built up. Today the dog is a popular hunting breed in its home country. In 1957 and 1958, Czechoslovakia joined the Federation Cynologique Internationale, and this is when a new breed standard was written and approved. In 1964, the dog breed was recognized by the FCI and by the United Kennel Club in 1996.

The Cesky Fousek has even been represented on postage stamps issued in the country in 1965, and again in 1973. Today, the breed is as popular as ever in the Czech Republic as well as other countries where there are breeding programs.

The 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 Cesky Fousek is a medium sized dog with both the male and the female standing between 58 – 66cm and weighing 22–28kg. The dog has a fairly distinctive appearance, looking quite a bit like a German Wire-haired Pointer, but he has the mustache and beard which the Pointer doesn’t have.

The tail of this dog is carried horizontally and is generally docked to 3/5 of its natural length to give the dog a distinctive look. These days, with regulations around docking, the tail is left long. The ears are floppy and rounded at the tips and the eyes are brown.

The dog’s coat is short to medium length and fairly coarse with colors being dark roan or brown with ticked markings.

Temperament:

The Cesky Fousek is an energetic, eager-to-please dog and he just loves playing with the children in the home. He is an intelligent dog who is loyal, social and protective and you’ll find that he is easy to train. In fact, with socialization and training, he becomes obedient and amicable around adults, children and other pets.

Children friendliness

The 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.

The Cesky Fousek is a fun loving, good natured dog who is always up for a game. This is why he isn’t a dog that will fit into an apartment or shoe-box size garden.

Socialize and train him and he becomes a wonderful family pet, good around children and other pets. He loves human companionship and isn’t a dog to be left outside to run around on his own.

The Cesky Fousek is easy to train, and when he is treated properly and made to feel an important member of the family, he provides you with his unconditional love and friendship.

Being 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.

The average lifespan of this dog breed is about 12 to 15 years, and even though he is a robust breed, some common health issues do exist.

Certainly if you’re considering breeding for your Cesky Fousek, you’ll want to have him tested for dysplasia, eye problems and Von Willebrands Disease.

Von Willebrands Disease is an inherited bleeding disorder, caused by a deficiency in the amount of a specific protein needed to help platelets.Often the dog doesn’t show outward evidence of having the disease while other dogs might even hemorrhage from the nose or elsewhere.

This 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:

The coat of the Cesky Fousek is easy to maintain and you’ll want to brush him at least twice a week with a firm bristle brush to get through the coarse hair and rid him of loose hairs.

Ear infections are common in dogs, but dogs with floppy ears are more susceptible to ear infections than dogs with erect ears. The infection often starts in the external ear canal and occurs when excess bacteria grows in the ear canal and it becomes inflamed.

Always take your pet to the veterinarian at the first sign of an ear infection. You’ll notice your pet shaking his head and the ear may well be red and inflamed. Your vet will discuss the proper treatment and suggest ways to prevent recurrence. The vet may also recommend an ear cleaning solution as well.

Exercise:

This dog breed needs plenty of exercise and he’ll love his daily walks with you. Put him on a leash and allow him to run with you when you go cycling or jogging.

Diet:

This is a very active dog used to hunting and he’ll require good quality protein. Speak to your vet about how many calories your dog will need each day, more so if you have a puppy and are unsure in terms of his growth.

He is a medium-to-large breed so you’ll want a food that caters for his size, his age and his energy. Include portions of rice, vegetable and meat into his kibble from time to time for variety, and never forget to include some raw meat into his diet.

Fresh, cool water is of critical importance and should be available night and day.