The Belgian Mastiff, also known as the Chien de Trait Belge, Mâtin Belge and Belgian Draught Dog, was a
breed
A breed is a specific group of domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist several slig ...
of
mastiff
A mastiff is a large and powerful type of dog. Mastiffs are among the largest dogs, and typically have a short coat, a long low-set tail and large feet; the skull is large and bulky, the muzzle broad and short (brachycephalic) and the ears dro ...
-type dog from the
Low Countries
The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...
that was used as a
draught dog
A drafting dog, pulling dog, or draft dog (also spelt draught dog) is a dog bred and traditionally used for pulling a dogcart, or in winter also for sled pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds. Many draft dogs are either mastiffs o ...
. It is believed to be extinct.
Description
The Belgian Mastiff was a large, powerful dog that stood between and weighed between . The breed was muscular and heavy-boned with a large head and thick neck. Their tails were typically
docked to prevent them from being damaged whilst pulling carts. The Belgian Mastiff's coat was short, smooth and loose fitting; they were typically fawn or brindle in colour, with dark masks and white markings also known.
In character, the Belgian Mastiff was described as a tireless worker with strong protective instincts; they were not known to be particularly friendly to anyone but their masters.
History
Little is known about the Belgian Mastiff's ancestry except that it is believed to be descended from French mastiffs introduced to the
Low Countries
The term Low Countries, also known as the Low Lands ( nl, de Lage Landen, french: les Pays-Bas, lb, déi Niddereg Lännereien) and historically called the Netherlands ( nl, de Nederlanden), Flanders, or Belgica, is a coastal lowland region in N ...
at some point. The breed was seen throughout
Belgium
Belgium, ; french: Belgique ; german: Belgien officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. The country is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeast, France to th ...
and the
Netherlands
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, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
pulling
cart
A cart or dray (Australia and New Zealand) is a vehicle designed for transport, using two wheels and normally pulled by one or a pair of draught animals. A handcart is pulled or pushed by one or more people.
It is different from the flatbed tr ...
s, often delivering milk, butter, meats and vegetables.
The Belgian Mastiff's role as a draught animal became increasingly obsolete throughout the 20th century and the ravages of the two
world war
A world war is an international conflict which involves all or most of the world's major powers. Conventionally, the term is reserved for two major international conflicts that occurred during the first half of the 20th century, World WarI (1914 ...
s further took their toll on the breed. It is believed it became extinct in the second half of the 20th century. Prior to its extinction, the breed was recognised by the
Société Royale Saint-Hubert
A kennel club (known as a kennel council or canine council in some countries) is an organization for canine affairs that concerns itself with the breeding, showing and promotion of more than one breed of dog. All-encompassing kennel clubs are ...
and the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
The Fédération cynologique internationale (FCI) (English: International Canine Federation) is the largest international federation of national kennel clubs. It is based in Thuin, Belgium.
History
The FCI was founded in 1911 under the auspices ...
, in recognition of its supposed extinction the Fédération Cynologique Internationale has placed the breed on its suspended breeds register and the Société Royale Saint-Hubert stated it "may be extinct"; holding out hope that surviving specimens may be found, they maintain the breed's listing.
See also
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List of dog breeds
This list of dog breeds includes both Neontology#Extant taxa versus extinct taxa, extant and extinct dog breeds, Designer breed, varieties, landraces, and dog types. A research article on genomics, dog genomics published in Science/AAAS defines m ...
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List of extinct dog breeds
The following is a list of extinct dog breeds, varieties, landraces and types.
List of extinct dog breeds, varieties, landraces and types
References Citations
Bibliography
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Dog bre ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Belgian Mastiff
Dog breeds originating in Belgium
Extinct dog breeds