Known Health Risks

The Mountain Mastiff is a designer breed created by crossing the Bernese Mountain Dog and any type of Mastiff.  As such, it is susceptible to the health problems of its parent breeds to varying degrees.  There is no guarantee your dog will inherit any of these problems, and there is no way to predict the future health of your dog, so it is best to be aware of possible issues and the symptoms associated to them.  Seeking preventative medical care early can prevent many complications from developing later in life.  This list is by no means exhaustive, please discuss the risks of adopting a giant breed dog with your veterinarian.

All giant dog breeds are inclined toward joint issues.  The larger the dog, the more wear and tear is placed on their joints.  Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and arthritis are some common joint issues in giant dog breeds.  It is particularly important that Mountain Mastiffs remain lean, as obese dogs have far more trouble with their joints.  Many owners of giant breeds choose to give their dogs glucosamine as a preventative measure, ask your vet if preventative glucosamine is right for your dog.

Cataracts can cause fogginess of the eye with minor to severe loss of vision.  Cataracts develops during the life of a dog, and can be identified by a bluish smokiness in the dog’s eye.  Cataracts should be diagnosed by your vet as early as possible, in order to help prevent blindness.

All giant breed dogs are also vulnerable to a condition called Panosteitis.  Although this condition is alarming and painful, it is temporary.  Often called “growing pains”, Panosteitis is a condition causing temporary lameness in the long bone of the leg.  The condition generally presents between 5 and 14 months of age.  It is treated with analgesics.  Ensuring your puppy does not grow too fast by monitoring calcium and protein intake can help prevent this condition.

Mountain Mastiffs can be susceptible to kidney problems.  Most kidney disease develops in dogs after 7 years of age, but by the time symptoms are evident, irreparable kidney damage is often done.  It is important to keep a source of clean, fresh water available to your Mountain Mastiff at all times, even during the night.  These dogs can be sensitive, and do not like to drink their own drool, even if they have a source of old water, they may still get dehydrated. Their water bowls must be washed at least daily.   Speak to your vet to learn to identify the early signs of kidney disease.

Bloat is condition requiring emergency care, it can affect all dogs, but those weighing more than 40kg in adulthood are more at risk.  Bloat occurs when the dogs stomach fills with air, fluid or food, then twist over itself, causing a blockage that needs medical intervention.  To help prevent bloat, food dishes should be flat on the floor (do not use raised dishes), use food dishes with raised sections designed to slow the dog’s eating, feed a raw diet with high quality proteins and bones rather than kibble, feed your dog smaller meals more frequently, and do not exercise your dog immediately following a meal.  Speak to your vet to learn to identify the signs of bloat.