History of the breed

         The origin of the name of the breed is rather complicated. From old dictionaries and linguistic dissertations it follows that the name MASTIFF was used to describe big, aggressive, usually kept on chain dogs. The fact that this dog has Latin name shows that it has existed in Spain yet in the times before Christ.
         One of more accurate description of Spanish mastiff gives Alonso de Herrera in "Agricultura General" from the year 1140. These are the fragments: "If it is only possible, one should find mastiffs of following size and appearance: head must be big, so that it makes up one third of whole body or at least seem like that. Muzzle should resemble human face and must be big and very wide. Lips should be big, ears very big and droopy. Eyes shiny and lively, as if they throw sparks, dark and not bright in colour. Barking loud and terrifying, chest and shoulders should be strong, neck thick and very short, trunk short and square, not very long. Front paws must be strong and well hairy, fingers long and clearly separated. They should tread on whole paws. The bitches should have strongly muscular stomach and evenly placed nipples. If we raise little puppy for ears and it won't yelp, it means it is the best."

         Very important period of Spanish mastiff's history was the time of "Concejo de la Mesta". These were seasonal sheep's hikes from Merino between summer and winter. These were events on a large scale and great distances (from 850 km). During La Mesta, about 3,5 mln sheeps were led by 40 thousands of shepherds and 18 thousands of mastiffs for defence. It was really huge venture! From outside of the formation went mastiffs. The wolves attack usually at night, concentrate their attack to one point and move with whole pack, so everything depended from mastiff's vigilance, strength and courage... Losses were on the both sides but it was a success for shepherds. Also bears and other thieves tried their luck...
In XVIII century La Mesta became smaller and smaller, till outbreak of war in Spain. Then, it was ceased. The role of flock's defender turned into farm's defence, mastiffs were also used in hunting for big game.
         In Spanish hunting periodical from the year 1864 we read about mastiff:"Good mastiff must have a powerful figure and hard hair, massive head and neck, muzzle of medium size, chest strong and wide, paws big, colour very piebald. During the hunts they are used for chasing instead of alano dogs, because they show strength and fight against wolves willingly, or even kill them."

         Breeding of Spanish mastiff has been guided only in 1911, when "Royal Society of Supporting Dog's Breeds in Spain" has been established. The book of breeding, where all pure-bred dogs were going to be listed has been opened. However, The Society hasn't been working well. The breeding plans have been squandered. Only in 1946, the prototype of Spanish mastiff has been created, but based on atypical individuals. It was describing relatively small and light dogs. New, real pattern of Spanish mastiff has been created after the year 1979. Man started preferring big and impressive dogs, with body mass reaching 120 kilos.
By short time, the Spanish mastiff, who has been a rural and shepherd dog, who had been leading life as a guardian of herds and lonely farms and who had to be aggressive in order to fulfil his tasks, has been pulled out of his traditional environment and transferred to the "civilisation". In completely new surrounding, characteristic features of mastiffs haven't been desirable any more. Mastiff became sought–after trade object.