Spanish Mastiff vs Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison

The Spanish Mastiff is a giant breed that comes from Spain. He has always been a guardian dog.

He is an ancient dog breed, in fact dating back to medieval times. He has always been a guardian of livestock, protecting them from attacks from wolves and other predators.

The first breed standard of this pure breed dog was made by the FCI in 1946. A breeding program was also formed for this dog In 1981.

The dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in July 2006.

This feisty little dog was developed in England a couple of centuries ago. He has a well documented history. An interesting aspect with this dog is that the very name ‘Jack Russell’ became a common name for predominantly white terriers after the death of clergyman Jack Russell.

The Russell Terrier was developed from Jack Russell working terrier strains that were used in the 19th century for hunting fox. The dog has been standardized by Kennel Club recognition. The Fedédération Cynologique Internationale also recognizes the breed.

It was in the early 1970s that the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Great Britain was formed.

The Spanish Mastiff weighs between 52 and 100kg and the dog’s height is between 72 and 88cm. He has a thick, heavy coat with rustic colors of fawn, black, grey, reddish and yellow as well as brindle.

He is powerful and muscular with a huge head. The ears are medium length and floppy and the tail is long. If you were looking for a puppy, the American Kennel Club is the only site which has 100% puppies from AKC-Registered litters.

Temperament:

Large, kind, gentle and intelligent, the Spanish Mastiff is well balanced. When you see him you won’t find a dog that is light on his feet and who jumps around excitedly. He is a dignified, intelligent dog, quiet and calm.

Even though he is so calm, it is still a good idea to have him trained and socialized as his very size could be a problem. When you tell him to lie down, you want him to listen to you. This big, gentle giant is devoted to his human family ad takes the role of guardian and protector seriously.

He isn’t suited to life in the city but is better suited to a large property, also because he has a loud bark.

The Russell Terrier has a weatherproof coat that is mainly white with patches of tan or black or maybe even both. You get the smooth haired type, the broken type- as well as the rough haired Russell Terrier. All these coats shed.

He is a small dog standing at between 20-35cm in height and weighing between 7 and 12kg.

Temperament:

Your Russell Terrier is a jaunty, fearless, confident little dog with a powerful personality. The bright face with alert eyes are constantly telling you that he is just ready to spring into action when you’re ready.

He just loves games and sports and you won’t have to ask him twice to join in. Happy and energetic, you could say it's his desire to hunt as well as his high energy levels that make it necessary for him to be trained and socialized It is of particular importance because he is so strong willed. Super smart, you won't have any trouble teaching him some basic commands.

He also makes a good watch dog and while he can be aggressive towards other dogs, he is prepared to get along with children in the house who have been disciplined and who know how to treat animals with respect and kindness.

Kind, gentle, quietly confident and intelligent are just some of the wonderful characteristics of the Spanish Mastiff.

You can add loyalty and devotion to these characteristics too and the fact that he wants to protect you.

Your gentle giant is guaranteed to make you the most wonderful companion and he deserves the very best treatment there is.

It is true that this very active, very 'in-your-face' dog may not be everybody’s cup of tea. He will be discontent if not given the chance to run and be active.

If you’re a super active family who loves swimming, going on hikes or you enjoy sports such as cycling and horse riding, you can count the Russell Terrier in every time.

These dogs make a loving, loyal companion. They'll make you smile and be amused by their antics, bringing you lots of joy and entertainment.

It is good to be wise about some of the common dog problems there are that could plague your Spanish Mastiff. Vets are very familiar with these dog illnesses and they tailor their treatment to suit the needs of your dog.

Remember to get your pet vaccinated against the terrible diseases you get that can kill a dog – rabies, parvo and distemper.

Obesity:

People often think that obesity is something that isn’t dangerous, when in fact it is a serious disease that can cause joint problems, digestive disorders, heart disease, back pain and hip dysplasia.

Dehydration:

Dogs rely on water just like what humans do to keep them healthy and functioning properly.

Water is critically important to every organ and also assists with digestion. Your dog is panting and urinating throughout the day and needs to replace the liquid he loses.

Dehydration in dogs results in loss of electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride, and potassium.This is bad as these minerals have important functions.

A dog that is dehydrated has loss of appetite, loss of skin elasticity, is lethargic, has sunken eyes, wants to vomit, has a dry nose and thick saliva. No dog should ever be left without a constant supply of fresh, cool water day and night.

The Russell Terrier is a robust little dog who can lead a good, healthy life of 13, 14 or 15 years if well cared for. There are however, a number of common dog ailments that he can succumb to. Some of these are cataracts, deafness and myasthenia gravis.

Myasthenia Gravis:

This disorder is caused by a breakdown of the transmission of impulses from the nerves to the muscles. The muscles can’t contract and the dog becomes weak. It’s a disease that can be an inherited congenital defect, and the Russell Terrier is at risk of getting this disease. Symptoms do vary from dog to dog but a common symptom is muscle weakness.

Diet:

These are giant breed dogs, so you have to be careful with the way you feed them. Large dogs like these are prone to hip dysplasia so you need to choose a food which has ingredients that work to prevent this disease.

You have to be very careful that you don’t overfeed your dog so that the extra weight puts strain on the joints.

This dog will do well with some raw meat added into his diet. Also, include home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach chopped up and added to his dry kibble for giant breeds. Added in twice a week can do him the world of good.

Remember to never leave your dog without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Grooming:

A good bush of the thick coat twice a week will keep the Spanish Mastiff looking his best.

The nails will also need to be trimmed regularly to avoid overgrowth and to avoid the nails catching onto things. The ears too should be checked regularly to avoid dampness inside the ear which can cause bacteria.

Exercise:

As a fully grown adult, the Spanish Mastiff isn’t a frisky, frolicking dog but he will still require daily exercise. Options for exercise include long walks, hikes, swimming and ball games.

Exercise:

This little dog needs plenty of exercise, and being lazy yourself and not exercising him will lead to him becoming destructive through no fault of his.

He will need walks every day as well as runs in the park off his leash. Ball- and frisbee games fill him with delight and he gives chase every time. Even though he is small, he isn’t recommended for life in the city and small properties as he is a small dog with high energy needs and requires a lot of room to run.

Grooming:

The weatherproof coat isn’t going to require much grooming apart from a brushing twice week. Regular checking of the teeth, checking the eyes, looking inside the ears and checking for lumps will be required. He will also need to have his nails trimmed.

Provide him with nice, warm, dry place to sleep.

Have him neutered or spayed if you aren’t wanting puppies.

Keep his vaccines up to date and get him to a vet if you see his is lethargic, miserable and in pain.

Provide him with top quality food, whether it is commercially manufactured food or homemade food.

Your Russell Terrier will be relying on you for good food. Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the kibble twice a week which is easy to prepare and totally uncomplicated.

You can add everything together in one big pot -chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. This food can all be chopped up, refrigerated and added warmed up and in small portions to your pets dry kibble once or twice a week.

Simple and tasty, your Russell Terrier will love tasty treats like this. Ensure he always has a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.