mastiff

Everyday

A very large, strong dog with a short coat, a big head and loose skin round the face, kept as a guard dog. tree →

In the lessons

Met in stories as a guard dog at gates, farms and castles, and in science lessons on dog breeds. The English Mastiff is one of the heaviest dog breeds.

Examples

• The mastiff guarded the farm gate. tree →
• A mastiff can weigh more than a grown man. tree →
• The mastiff barked in a deep voice. tree →
• Despite its size, our neighbour's mastiff is very gentle. tree →
• The castle was guarded by two mastiffs. tree →
• The mastiff drooled on my shoe. tree →
• And there lies my faithful mastiff at the threshold. tree →

Note

Plural: mastiffs. Breeds include the English Mastiff, Bullmastiff and Tibetan Mastiff.