Majorca Mastiff

Working Group Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 21-23"
Weight 66-84 lbs
Lifespan 10-12 years
Price $1,500-$3,000

About the Majorca Mastiff

The Ca de Bou is a compact, heavily built Spanish molosser from the Balearics, powerful out of proportion to its moderate height and calmer in temperament than its appearance implies. With its own family it is typically steady, affectionate and notably tolerant, often described as quiet and self-possessed indoors rather than restless. Toward strangers it is watchful and reserved, and its guarding response is serious enough that thorough socialisation from puppyhood is essential rather than optional. Dog tolerance varies, and same-sex tension is common in the bull-type breeds generally. Exercise needs are moderate: daily walks, some structured play, and mental work, all avoiding heat because a broad head and heavy build make hot weather genuinely risky. Training requires a confident, consistent owner who starts early; the breed is intelligent and willing for someone it respects but has a stubborn streak and considerable physical strength, so lead manners are not negotiable. Grooming is easy, with a short coat brushed weekly and attention to any facial wrinkles and to nails. Barking is infrequent, generally reserved for real reasons. Alone-tolerance is fair for a mature dog. This breed suits experienced owners with secure property and time for socialisation. The distinctive trait is the wide, powerful head, notably large relative to the body.

Temperament

Affectionate Protective Highly Intelligent
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Large (50-100 lbs)
Height 21-23"
Weight 66-84 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

Moderate (30-60 min/day)

45 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Moderate mental stimulation needed

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $1,500-$3,000
Annual Cost $1,600/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Majorca Mastiffs may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Guard Dog

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • First-Time Owners

Guides for your Majorca Mastiff

The story behind the Majorca Mastiff

The Majorca Mastiff, known in Spanish as the Perro Dogo Mallorquin and in Catalan as the Ca de Bou, comes from the Balearic island of Majorca. It is generally understood to have formed from local Iberian guarding and herding dogs crossed with English bull-type dogs brought during the period of British presence in the western Mediterranean, producing a compact molosser used for guarding property and livestock and, historically, in bull-baiting and fighting before those activities were outlawed. Numbers fell sharply during the twentieth century, and Spanish breeders rebuilt the population from a small surviving base. The FCI and Spanish national authorities both recognise the breed. It remains uncommon, with most dogs in Spain and scattered enthusiast populations elsewhere in Europe and the Americas.

Originally bred for: Property guarding, Livestock handling, Bull-catching. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Majorca Mastiff

A dense, muscular dog on short legs should be kept lean, since surplus weight loads joints and worsens heat tolerance. Feed a balanced complete diet in two measured meals with calm rest afterward, and raise young dogs slowly on a large-breed appropriate growth food.

Watch for: No breed-specific intolerance is documented. Broad-headed bull-type dogs often gulp air while eating, causing wind and discomfort, and slower feeding helps more than changing recipes. Skin fold irritation is usually hygiene-related. Consult a vet before assuming food is behind chronic symptoms.

Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Majorca Mastiff

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Majorca Mastiff with Other Breeds

Compare Breeds

vs