Belgian Draft Mastiff

The breed is not extinct. Nowadays, there are still some specimens left. But since several years, they no longer show up in the competitions.


	Champion Dragon III de Bruggenhof 1909
		Today's dogs Left Right (male) (female) Photos-Collection CIEC
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Although very rare, Belgian Draft Mastiff is a subject very worthy of praise. They were brave and good animals, since a malicious Mastiff did not exist. Before the First World War, he was a "tractor" of great force and endurance. He had the advantage of being more easily housed and required less care than a horse. Moreover, he was nourished very cheaply with butchery waste, which was much more economic than the oats for the horses. The Belgian Draft Mastiff is a very powerful dog, built like an athlete with impressive muscles. He measures from 67 to 80 cm at shoulder height. His weight varies between 45 and 60 kg. The hair is close-cropped, rather hard to touch, more or less dark fawn-coloured, or tigered.
			The face is broad, the cranium is well developed. The nose is thick with wide-open nostrils. The ears are rather large and hanging laterally. The legs are strong; quite muscular and allowing a very easy gait. The tail is cut to leave only a few centimetres length. Built on the model of the fast draft horse, the croup is elevated compared to the shoulders in order to allow a better traction.
As dogs used for pulling machine-guns during the War 1914-1918, none returned.			Pierrot: Dog of Belgium by Walter A. Dyer Children's story about a Belgian family and their dog during World War One. Belgian Mastiffs "mâtin", still used as draft dogs, happily working for a family are, conscripted into the army. Written for the Belgium Relief Aid. Garden City: Doubleday. 112p.

	Belgian Draft Mastiff
	A soft and powerful dog built according
	to the model of the Belgian draft horse