Mastidoodle : All About This Mastiff x Poodle Mixed Breed Dog

There seem to be new Doodle breeds popping up every day! One of these new canine companions is the Mastidoodle (aka Mastipoo), a gigantic cuddle bug that will be happy to kick back around the house with you or play around with high-energy kids in the backyard. To learn more about this unique breed, see the overview below.

What is the Mastidoodle?

Before you get into further detail about the Mastidoodle’s size, remember that the “Mastiff” is not just one single breed. Rather, Mastiffs are a diverse group of breeds, mainly large and giant pups with enormous paws and heads and very boxy body types.

A few examples of Mastiff breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) include:

• Mastiff Dog: Also known as the “English Mastiff,” this dog can reach up to 30″ at shoulder height and weigh as much as 230 lbs. Despite their intimidating size, these pups are very docile, making them great companions for families. They live relatively short lives, though, usually reaching 6-10 years old. This is perhaps the most common Mastiff you’ll see around the country (that is, where Mastiffs are common) and what most people think of when imagining this breed group.
• Bullmastiff: This is another very popular type of Mastiff and one of the most beloved breeds of all AKC dog breeds. They’re slightly smaller than the Mastiff Dog, weighing a maximum of 130 lbs and standing at up to 27″ tall. Unfortunately, these pups are even more short-lived at 7-9 years old.
• Neapolitan Mastiff: These Mastiffs are more similar to the Bullmastiff in their weight (150 lbs maximum), height (up to 31″). They also live quite short lives, between 7-9 years long. These pups are known for their wrinkly skin that hangs down from their necks and their long, flappy lips. These are least likely to be bred for a Mastidoodle, mainly because of their wrinkly flaps.

Because there is no official standard to follow when breeding a Mastidoodle, you might find these pups mixed with Standard Poodles and either of these three breeds.

(Another popular Mastiff is the Tibetan Mastiff. Yet, their voluminous coats would be overwhelming to pair with the Standard Poodle’s dense curls.)

Speaking of the 70-lb, 15″-tall Standard Poodle: This breed is widely acclaimed for being one of the most intelligent domestic dogs known to man. Their smarts are only part of why they’re so adored worldwide, and in the U.S. as AKC’s 7th most popular breed (out of nearly 200!).

Based on this background knowledge of the Mastiffs and Standard Poodle, it’s clear why the Mastidoodle is so enormous and reveals the root of all variations of its long, dense coat, which include:

• Wavy
• Curly
• Wiry

Thanks to the Mastiffs’ and Poodle’s intelligent and affectionate personalities, the Mastidoodle is a wonderful family dog, even for those with kids. Their easy-going nature (inherited more so from the Mastiff side) is part of what earns them the nickname, “Gentle Giants.”

Mastidoodle Pictures

Mastidoodle dogs are big, snuggly teddy bears that steal their owners’ hearts without fail. When you see your puppy for the first time, you’re sure to fall in love right away. Here’s a sneak peek at what your future puppy will look like.

What is it Like Owning a Mastidoodle?

Owning a Mastidoodle is a well-balanced experience between playfulness and relaxation. Although this breed is uniquely mellow, remember that they are among the most intelligent breeds in existence, so they need to stay engaged. Here’s a bit more detail on what to look out for when you welcome a Mastidoodle into your life:

• Training: The Mastidoodle dog breed is one of the easiest dogs to train. As previously mentioned, they are brilliant. Their quick wit allows them to catch onto commands rather quickly, enabling them to grasp new tricks and obedience behaviors with less effort than you’d expend with other dogs.
• Socializing: As it goes with Doodles, their social behavior can be quite unpredictable. It’s best to start getting your puppy used to social interactions early on, since the Mastidoodle dog breed can teeter on the line of aloof and friendly.
• Allergens: Although Poodles are often marketed to be “hypoallergenic dogs,” there truly is no such thing. There are just breeds that are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction for those sensitive to pet dander. Luckily, both the Mastiffs (except for the Tibetan Mastiff) and Poodle have allergy-friendly coats, so you need not worry.
• Energy: The Mastidoodle strikes a great balance between a calm, laid back breed and having a playful puppy-like spirit. Both parent breeds barely make it past the middle of AKC’s “Energy Level” meter. Still, know that their sharp minds are a big part of their need for daily activity. Even a relaxed Mastidoodle needs lots of mental engagement.

Living with a Mastidoodle is an enriching experience, especially for homebodies who like spending a lot of time snuggled up with their large “teddy bear” breed in the house. Their energy level is the perfect blend between highly playful and mellow.

Mastidoodle Breed Information

The Mastidoodle is a highly intriguing dog, full of surprises and love for its humans. Yet, since it’s so new, there’s lots more to learn about the breed. From what we know so far, here are a few more details that you need to know about the Mastidoodle.

Mastidoodle Cost – How Much Are Mastidoodles?

Just as the Mastidoodle’s genetics differ widely in the breeding industry, so does its price. When shopping for your puppy, keep these two points in mind to shape your financial expectations:

• No organization enforces any guidelines or rules on what costs to expect between buyers and breeders.
• The Mastidoodle is considered to be a “designer breed.” This means that they will likely be far more expensive than any other breeds (i.e., Working, Sports, etc.) you’ve come across. According to NBC News, the average designer dog is 25-50% more expensive than its purebred parents.

With this in mind, some say the average price of a Mastidoodle ranges from $1,000-1,500. Yet, a closer look at the parents’ price shows that this is a very conservative estimate:

• The average price of a purebred Standard Poodle puppy can range anywhere between $600-2,000.
• Mastiff puppies vary widely in pricing depending on the specific kind you get; however, an English Mastiff puppy may cost between $2,300-6,000.

Based on these two prices alone, it’s safe to say that $1,500 may not always be a dependable figure. Breeders can sum the purebred parents’ prices and often increase the cost because designer breeds are typically born in smaller litters. Plus, the Mastidoodle’s hypoallergenic appeal is likely to contribute to the inflated price tag.

The bottom line is this: If you’re looking to buy a Mastidoodle puppy from a reputable breeder, budget for a minimum of $3,400 up to $4,000. This estimate is based on a 25% and 50% increase on the English Mastiff and Poodle costs’ average ($2,725), respectively.

Are Mastidoodles Good Apartment Dogs?

The Mastidoodle dog breed is not suitable for apartment-dwellers. As you may have guessed, their incompatibility with the apartment lifestyle is mainly related to their size.

Even if you were lucky enough to find a pet-friendly policy inclusive of giant breeds, these dogs are likely to feel cramped by cozy apartment living. This is why it’s so tricky to categorize Mastiff-related dogs as not apartment-friendly definitively: Although their temperament allows them to adapt well to a life without a backyard, their body size demands a larger living space.

Plus, you have to remember that your Mastidoodle will likely inherit its playfulness from its Poodle parent. A massive Mastiff build and a spry Poodle spirit do not mix well with small residential spaces.

What Are Some Common Mastidoodle Health Issues

Mastidoodles are very new to the dog breeding scene, so veterinarians are still learning what their health risks could be. However, this information does exist for their parent breeds, the Mastiff and Poodle, and these Doodles are relatively susceptible to these issues.

Some of the most prominent health problems include:

• Hip dysplasia: This is a terrible condition that affects several large breeds. As the dog grows, the hip forms a deformity that inhibits its ability to fit in the hip socket. Often, this occurs because the hip ball and joint grow at unequal rates and consequently cannot fit together correctly.  Hip dysplasia can lead to degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.
• Elbow dysplasia (ED): There are several reasons why this type of dysplasia might develop. Most of the time, it’s attributed to deformities (natural or caused by physical trauma), genetics (dogs with parents that had ED are more likely to suffer from this condition), or even a poor diet.
• Ligament injuries: This can affect any ligaments in the body. However, depending on your specific Mastidoodle’s lineage, they might be vulnerable to ligament injuries in the knees.

Are Mastidoodles Hard to Train?

Mastidoodles are not hard to train at all. As stated a few times thus far, they are some of the most intelligent dog breeds in existence! Their smarts stem from both sides of the family but may owe more to the Standard Poodles, considering how researchers ranked them as the second-smartest breed, following closely behind the Border Collies.

Due to their genealogy, you can infer that the Mastidoodle also lies in the top 20% of “dog intelligence.” This means that they can learn as many as 250 distinct words!

Considering their sheer size, you might want to steer clear of physically demanding tricks. Attempting to train in such athletic capacities can lead to your Mastidoodle getting hurt, as they’re susceptible to the health issues mentioned above.

This is not to say that you should entirely avoid sports and trick training with your Mastidoodle. Just don’t push your pup too hard so they don’t become more vulnerable to these conditions or that you do not accelerate the onset.

Instead of highly physical training sessions, opt for mentally engaging activities. After all, the Mastidoodle brain needs lots of regular exercises to prevent frustration and psychological imbalance.

Start your training experience in Obedience lessons and work up from there with your new Mastidoodle puppy.

What Colors Do Mastidoodles Come In?

Mastidoodles’ coat colors come in more colors than your typical designer dog, thanks to their parent breeds’ variable beauty. You might observe the following hues when shopping around for your new Mastidoodle puppy:

• Brindle (most likely when bred with a Bullmastiff)
• Sable
• Cream
• Brown
• Black
• Grey

Doodle genetics are a mixed bag, so you never know what color you’re going to get, even if you consider the parents’ coats. This is just part of the fun of adopting or buying a baby Mastidoodle – their coats can even change a bit as they grow older!

How Big Do Mastidoodles Get?

Mastidoodles are enormous dogs. When fully grown, this dog will stand at about 30″ shoulder height and can weigh more than 120 lbs.

(Don’t be surprised if they’re bigger! It all depends on the specific Mastiff their Poodle parent was bred with. Unfortunately, no major canine organizations yet recognize the Mastidoodle, so you won’t have an official pedigree to consult. Still, you can refer to the breeder’s records to know how big you can expect your puppy to be.)

Again, consider the size of the contributing breeds, the Mastiffs and the Standard Poodle (a Miniature Poodle wouldn’t quite work in this cross).

On the one hand, Mastiffs can grow to well over 200 lbs. Their bones are dense, so they’re not just a bunch of wrinkly skin and chunky bellies – they’ve got the power to go with it.

On the other hand, although not as large as Mastiffs, Standard Poodles are quite big, too. They normally stand more than 15″ tall and weigh about 70 lbs maximum.

With this mix, there’s no way that pup’s going to fall below at least 100 lbs.

Are Mastidoodles Good with Kids?

Mastidoodles are great with kids! However, there are significant caveats to their kid-friendliness. The main concern is that, although they are mild-mannered, Mastidoodles are incredibly large-bodied dogs. Even if they are interacting with small kids with playful intentions, their size increases the risk of little kids’ receiving accidental injuries.

This leads into the second caveat, which is your child’s age. Though the Mastidoodle isn’t great for toddlers and babies, they are the perfect companion for energetic grade-school-aged kids and older.

5 Fun Facts You Should Know About Mastidoodles

The Mastidoodle’s lineage is distinguished by valor, political acclaim, and international cultural significance. Take a look at these fun facts for further detail on the Mastidoodle’s excellence:

• English Mastiffs (half of this breed), or Mastiff Dogs are a traditional giant dog breed belonging to England’s country.
• English Mastiffs fought alongside Julius Caesar’s army in their British invasion during 55 BCE, with British soldiers in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, and battled human opponents in Roman gladiator arenas.
• The other half of the Mastidoodle, the Standard Poodle, is the national dog of France. There they are known as the Caniche, meaning “duck dog.”
• By far, Mastidoodles are the largest Doodle breed in existence.
• Estimates show that the Mastidoodle breed is only just about 20 years old.

Conclusion

Mastidoodles are one of the newest breeds that have been introduced to the dog breeding world. As a designer Doodle breed, they have taken the world by storm and captured the hearts of all dog-lovers the world ’round.

If you’re planning on bringing a Mastidoodle puppy into your life, don’t hesitate to refer back to this overview to guide your expectations.