Mastiffs are huge, dependable breeds. However, when you mix them with another breed, you can end up with all different sorts of dogs. Often, their puppies are larger than most dogs and may even fall into the “giant” category. However, this isn’t always true.

When you’re crossing two breeds together, you never quite know what you’re going to get. The puppies can inherit traits from either parent breed, which means that they can basically end up being like either parent in any way. Some may not even look like a Mastiff, depending on the exact traits at play.

Whenever you’re mixing two breeds together, you’re inevitably playing the “breed lottery.”

However, many mixed breeds seem to inherit the same general traits. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular Mastiff mixed breeds and the traits that they typically have.

Top 16 Mastiff Mixes:

1. Mastiff Golden Retriever Mix (Golden Retriever x Mastiff)

Given the Golden Retriever’s popularity, there is no question as to why this is one of the most popular Mastiff mixed breeds. Typically, mixing a Mastiff with a Golden Retriever results in a puppy that is a bit more energetic and friendly than a purebred Mastiff. However, they still usually have some degree of territorial instincts, which can be challenging for some owners to handle.

Often, this mixed breed is smaller than a Mastiff as well. Exactly what size they will be varies widely, though. It is completely possible for them to be at the lower end of the Golden Retriever range or the upper end of the Mastiff range.

As a mixed breed, these canines tend to be healthier than either of their parents. They may have a slightly longer lifespan as well, simply because they don’t have to deal with as many health problems.

2. Mastiff Presa Canario (Presa Canario x Mastiff)

This mixed breed is often created when people want a guardian dog. The Presa Canario was originally bred as protection against wild dogs, while the Mastiff was also bred as a protection animal. Therefore, when you put them together, you often end up with a decently high-quality guardian dog.

This dog is often much smaller than a Mastiff, though this isn’t always the case. They will need quite a bit of socialization at a young age to remain accepting of strangers and dogs alike due to their highly protective nature. Generally, they are only recommended for those that are actually looking for a guardian dog. Their protective instincts can be a lot to deal with – unless they are exactly what you’re looking for.

While this breed can be difficult to handle, their abilities as a guardian dog are top-notch.

3. Mastador (Labrador Retriever x Mastiff)

When you combine a Mastiff with a Labrador Retriever, you end up with a Mastador. This dog may be extremely friendly, or they can be quite aloof and distant. It mostly just depends on what traits they inherit from which parent. It can be difficult to predict a dog’s personality until they are older, so this is a mixed breed that you really don’t know what you’re getting.

The traits of the Labrador Retriever often temper the Mastiff in more than one way. These dogs are usually friendlier than a purebred Mastiff and often a bit smaller as well. They are a bit more sociable on most occasions, though we still recommend early socialization. These dogs often still have some protective instincts, even if they aren’t as strong as a purebred Mastiff. Therefore, it is important to temper these instincts with plenty of socialization and training at a young age.

4. Mastibull (American Pitbull Terrier x Mastiff)

Breeding a Mastiff with an American Pitbull Terrier leads to a dog that is often called the “Mastibull” or “Pit Mastiff.” Either way, this dog is often more energetic and outgoing than a Mastiff. Despite some common misconceptions, the American Pitbull Terrier isn’t very protective. Instead, they are typically very hyperactive and outgoing.

The Mastibull is likely to develop some of these traits. They are likely to be a bit less aloof than the Mastiff, but probably not as laidback as them either. Where they fall on this scale depends on the traits a particular canine inherits, as well as how well they are socialized as a puppy. This mixed breed can vary widely due to the differences between the two parents. Therefore, you must be prepared to handle nearly anything.

These dogs often don’t like being left alone due to their high level of socialness. They may be prone to isolation anxiety for this reason.

5. Mastiff Bernese Mountain Dog (Bernese Mountain Dog x Mastiff)

Both the Mastiff and Bernese Mountain Dog are fairly large. This mixed breed tends to be extremely large as well, so ensure that you have the room available before you adopt. The dog may be long-haired or short-haired. The Mastiff does carry a long-haired gene that is usually recessive. The Bernese Mountain Dog can bring out this gene and leave you with a long-haired dog that requires a bit of grooming.

This breed may have some serious protective instincts, or they may be extremely friendly. It depends on the traits each dog inherits, as well as what socialization they receive as a puppy. We highly recommend this dog for those that are experienced with handling larger breeds, as they tend to be quite stubborn on some occasions.

6. Mastiff Great Pyrenees (Great Pyrenees x Mastiff)

Because both of these breeds are larger, you typically end up with much larger puppies. The smallest puppies are usually not under 80 pounds, while the largest dogs can be well over a hundred pounds. Their hair is often long and white, though you can end up with a puppy that has nearly any coat type. They typically require quite a bit of grooming, so we recommend only adopting this breed if you have plenty of time on your hands. These dogs shed a lot.

This breed often has some sort of protective instincts, though the extent can vary quite a bit. We recommend plenty of socialization and training from a young age to counteract this. These dogs do tend to be a bit less protective than their Mastiff parent, though.

No matter what traits they inherit, they tend to be laidback and require very little exercise. They can easily be described as “rug dogs” due to their tendency to lay on the floor like a rug for much of the day.

7. Mastiff American Bulldog Mix (American Bulldog x Mastiff)

Often, the Mastiff American Bulldog mix can be extremely protective. They are often aloof towards strangers, though they can be very friendly towards their families. They are also quite obedient in some cases, though other times, they can be stubborn. Training and socialization are recommended starting at a very young age, as this ensures that you’re prepared for anything.

This dog usually isn’t very active. They love to cuddle with their family but typically won’t require much activity. Still, it is important to regularly exercise them to prevent obesity and keep them healthy. Some can be a bit energetic, especially as puppies. It mostly depends on which traits come from where. Just like with people, some dogs are simply more hyperactive than others.

Their coat is usually short and smooth. They may inherit the black face mask, or they may not. They are often on the larger side of things, so keep this in mind when you’re adopting this mixed breed.

8. Mastweiler (Rottweiler x Mastiff)

If you want a serious guarding dog, then the Mastiff and Rottweiler mix may be the way to go. Both of their parents were bred for protection, so the Mastweiler often has some serious protective instincts. They can be more protective than most of the other dogs on this list, so we typically only recommend them for those that are actively seeking a protection canine. They need a lot of training and socialization.

Luckily, they tend to be pretty easy to train and don’t usually have stubborn phases. This makes them much easier to deal with than other canines. They do tend to be quite large, with the largest puppies growing to be nearly 200 pounds. They need a lot of space, even though they aren’t typically very active. They simply need a lot of room to lay down in.

This dog is usually pretty friendly with their owners. They can be affectionate towards their family and rather laidback until someone they don’t know comes by.

9. Mastiff Greyhound Mix (Greyhound x Mastiff)

Truthfully, this breed is a bit odd. The mixture of a burly, heavy-set Mastiff with a quick-footed Greyhound can leave you with just about anything. These dogs tend to be bulkier than a Greyhound but skinnier than a Mastiff. Where exactly they fall varies widely. They don’t tend to be rather active, though they are absolutely athletic. Unlike some common misconceptions, the Greyhound doesn’t actually require that much exercise. In fact, they tend to be relatively laid back.

This mixed breed is often pretty healthy. They aren’t prone to many health problems, as they are less likely to inherit the problems any of their parents face.

This dog may have guarding instincts, though they are generally not as dramatic as a purebred Mastiff. They can make wonderful family dogs. We do recommend early socialization and training from a young age.

10. Mastiff Irish Wolfhound (Irish Wolfhound x Mastiff)

If you want potentially the largest dog there is, adopt this mixed breed. Both the Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound are absolutely huge. When you mix them together, you often end up with a relatively large dog. Be sure to plan for a massive dog before you adopt this mixed breed, as they are likely to need quite a bit of room.

This dog is quite laidback. They are well-behaved inside and don’t tend to have too many behavioral problems. They can have some protective instincts, but these are typically not as prevalent as they are for a purebred Mastiff. Still, we recommend socialization at an early age to make these dogs accepting of strangers and other canines.

This mixed breed usually loves attention from their people. They are actually somewhat of a lap dog, even though they are far too large to fit into most laps. They are often good with children due to their large size and laidback nature. They aren’t energetic enough to knock children down accidentally in most cases.

11. Mastiff Shepherd (German Shepherd x Mastiff)

In some cases, the Mastiff and German Shepherd mix can be the perfect guard dog. In other cases, they can simply be a lot to handle. This dog is often very protective of their family and territorial of their home. Because of their larger size, they can be difficult to control without correct training. Therefore, we recommend these dogs only for those who can commit to plenty of training time and socialization. If you’re looking for a guard dog, then this may be an appropriate option.

This dog is pretty easy to train and often more than willing to please their owners. They aren’t difficult to train in most cases. However, we do recommend plenty of training. Without training, these dogs can be potentially dangerous.

With their family, this dog is rather affectionate and energetic. They need a bit more exercise than you would expect. However, a moderate walk is all they typically need, especially if you provide them with plenty of playtime as well.

12. Mastiff Great Dane Mix (Great Dane x Mastiff)

As you might imagine, this mixed breed is rather large. They are one of the tallest and largest dogs on this list. Sometimes, they can even reach up to 200 pounds. Sadly, this excessive weight often puts a lot of strain on their joints and can make them relatively unhealthy. They often have a shorter lifespan than other dogs simply because their bodies tend to be under more strain.

They can come in just about any color, depending on the coloration of their parents. They often will have a black facial mask, though other markings are completely possible as well. Their ears are typically rather floppy. They may drool a bit, especially if they take after their Mastiff parent.

These dogs tend to be rather good with children. They are extremely patient, and their large size often means that they are more willing to put up with a child’s hyperactivity.

13. Mastiff Saint Bernard Mix (Saint Bernard x Mastiff)

Saint Bernards are well-known for being great family dogs. This mixed breed often makes great family pets as well, though they can have some of the guarding instincts that their Mastiff parent has. They tend to spend much of their day lounging around and not doing much. They don’t have high activity needs, so they are typically easy to exercise with just a play session or short walk.

While they may not be very accepting of strangers, they absolutely love their family and are very affectionate. They are well-known for being good with children. Their larger size allows them to put up with a lot more of a smaller child’s excited nature, while their patient nature allows them to put up with the hyperactivity that often comes along with a child.

14. Mastahoula (Catahoula Leopard Dog x Mastiff)

This rather interestingly named mixed breed is a cross between a Mastiff and a Catahoula Leopard Dog. They may be one of the rarer dogs on this list, but that doesn’t mean that it is impossible to find them. These dogs are very intelligent, so they do best when given a job of some sort to do. They are often working dogs through and through, so they may have a hard time laying around all day like some of the other breeds on this list.

They will cuddle on the couch and tend to be quite affectionate with their family. However, they are happiest when working alongside their family, whether it be in a canine sport or around the farm.

This dog can range from laidback to extremely energetic. You never know quite what you’re going to get with this breed, so be prepared to provide them with plenty of exercise – and then be pleasantly surprised if your dog doesn’t need it.

These dogs tend to be rather large, weighing between 75 to 175 pounds. Their final weight depends on what traits they inherit. It can be difficult to determine how large a puppy might grow to be, so we typically don’t recommend trying to guess. Prepare for a larger dog, but you may very well end up with a slightly smaller one.

15. Mastiff Boxer Mix (Boxer x Mastiff)

When you mix a Mastiff and a Boxer together, you never quite know what you’re going to end up with. They are typically larger, with most puppies being over 75 pounds. They may be extremely bulky like the Mastiff or a bit more athletic like the Boxer.

Unlike the Mastiff, they tend to be quite playful and energetic. They are often considered “personality” dogs due to their often very noisy and boisterous personality. Because they are a mixed breed, they may be extremely energetic or more laidback like the Mastiff. You should plan on giving them a decent amount of exercise each day. However, don’t force them to exercise, as this can cause joint problems.

These dogs are often extremely difficult to train. The Mastiff stubbornness combined with the Boxer’s inability to concentrate often leaves you with a dog that can’t finish a training session – never mind listen to commands in real-life situations. We recommend early and often training sessions.

16. Mastiff Husky Mix (Siberian Husky x Mastiff)

The Mastiff and Husky are very different dogs, so their mixed breed puppies can often end up as practically anything. They may be more laidback like the Mastiff or energetic like the Husky. They likely won’t be constantly hyperactive, but their hyperactivity will often come in waves. They may run around very excitedly for 10 minutes and then spend a few hours sleeping. They tend to play hard and then crash.

These dogs may be great exercise partners. However, their larger size can make them unsuitable for this. Larger dogs tend to need less exercise simply because they’re carrying around all that extra weight.

While they are smart, these dogs often don’t dedicate that smartness to their training. They are extremely stubborn and often have a hard time applying what they know to new situations. It is very common for them to learn the command perfectly in training class and then have no idea what you’re talking about when you give them the command at home.

For this reason, we typically only recommend them for those that have plenty of time to train. Otherwise, they can quickly become out of control and be more of a handful than you’re willing to deal with.

Final Thoughts

Any time you cross a breed with a Mastiff, it is likely going to end up inheriting the guarding instincts of the Mastiff to at least some degree. If you’re looking for a guarding dog, this can be great. However, if you aren’t, then you’ll likely spend plenty of time socializing and training these mixed breeds. Some of these dogs may not be particularly aloof with strangers. But you never can tell what you’re going to get. Therefore, it is often best to be safe rather than sorry and provide plenty of socialization opportunities.

Most of these mixed breeds are not as large as the Mastiff. But they still all fall into the large category at the very least. No puppy with a Mastiff parent is going to be small. You should plan on a larger dog, especially since many of these breeds can easily top 100 pounds. Some can even get close to reaching 200 pounds.

In the end, it can be difficult to determine what you’re going to get when you mix two breeds together. Keep this in mind during the adoption process. Many of these breeds vary widely, and the temperament and appearance of the puppy don’t actually predict what they will be like as an adult. Plan for an extremely large dog with serious guarding instincts, though that isn’t what you may end up with.

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