Activities For Mountain Mastiffs
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Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Introduction
A hybrid breed that results from crossing a Bernese Mountain Dog with a good old fashioned Mastiff, Mountain Mastiffs are big dogs with equally big hearts who are very protective of the members of their households - be they human or animal. Due to being hybrid dogs, Mountain Mastiffs tend to look drastically different from one another; a Mountain Mastiff who's retained more traits from their Bernese parent may have a thicker coat than a Mountain Mastiff that favors their Mastiff parents more. No matter which parent they favor, one should expect a Mountain Mastiff to grow to a large size, have a strong build, and have a preference for engaging in physical activities more than brain teasers and the like.
5K Run
Popular
0 Votes
Sunny Day
Cheap
Easy
45 - 90 min
Items needed
Leash
Water
Waste Bags
Activity description
5K (short for 5 kilometers) runs and walks are fun public events that encourage everyone in the community to get out there and get active. Most 5Ks are dog-friendly, though most simply ask that you keep your dog leashed and hydrated throughout the experience. This activity can strengthen your heart and muscles as well as your dog's if done properly and consistently, so consider incorporating these sorts of walks into your typical cardio routine if you enjoy the experience. Most 5K's charge about $30 for their entrances fees and hope to be held on days with fair weather (for the most part) but be prepared to run in all but the most extreme conditions. Besides the entry fee, you may also need to spend money on a good pair of running shoes if you don't already have some handy.
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Suiting up
Trying to jog a 5k in casual clothes will do a lot more harm than good, which is why you'll want to get some reliable running shoes and pants if you want to make the most of this activity. You also won't want to skimp out on quality concerning the leash you get for your dog either; a good leash will cost about $20 or so and shouldn't fit too snug or be uncomfortable. Try out the appropriate footwear for your Mountain Mastiff; winter booties protect from the cold and products like salt. Summer footwear can include breathable booties.
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2
Easy does it
It might be tempting to try and take on the entire 5K by charging forward at full speed, but doing so will only cause you to run out of energy and possibly throw your Mountain Mastiff off their game as well. Resist the urge to try and sprint through the route; instead, moving at a steady pace that won't gas you out too early. Be very aware of your Mountain Mastiff's fatigue level and need for hydration throughout the event.
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Mountain Hiking
Popular
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Sunny Day
Moderate
Hard
1 - 2 hrs
Items needed
Blanket
First Aid Kit
Compass
Food and Water
Hiking Sticks
Activity description
We definitely can't sugar coat it; mountain hiking is just about one of the toughest physical activities you could ever possibly try out on your own, let alone with your dog by your side. There are a number of reasons why mountain hikes are as difficult as they are; first off, most mountain hiking trails encourage hikers to scale up an inclined surface (something that's at least twice as hard as walking on even terrain) and, secondly, the higher the altitude, the more strenuous the activity will be. There are a number of other aspects that make mountain hiking such a difficult activity, which we'll discuss further below. You'll need a lot of willpower to even attempt this activity but you won't need as much cash; you should be able to get all the equipment you'd need for this activity with about $100 to $160. You'll also definitely want to attempt this activity on a day with sunny, clear weather to ensure a safe, if still difficult, hike.
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1
Size up your mark
It's important to know what exactly you'll be getting yourself and your dog into by going up a particular mountain, so you should take some time to figure out things like the climate and altitude of a mountain long before you get there. There are a number of mountain hiking trails that can take you up so high that the amount of oxygen in the air thins out, making the entire hike that much more difficult. If you feel you aren't ready for that kind of environment, then don't try to force your way.
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2
Safety first
It's always a good idea to keep safety first, but it's especially crucial to do so with an activity that's as difficult and physically taxing as this one. First and foremost, there's safety in numbers; consider waiting until you can gather enough friends and family members to go with you and your Mountain Mastiff as opposed to trying to go it alone. Secondly, stick to the trail and avoid precarious terrain - always remember that the higher up you go, the longer it'll take you to come down.
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3
Mountain hiking tips
Despite sounding somewhat grave while describing this activity, mountain hiking is ultimately supposed to be an enriching and fun activity. Keeping a number of tips in mind will ensure that you and your Mountain Mastiff get the most out of this activity. Trust in your dog - they're a mountain breed after all and their natural instincts will keep the both of you safe. Don't over or under pack - the more stuff you have, the heavier you'll be, so only bring what's important.
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Canton of Bern
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Any Day
Expensive
Normal
24 - 72 hrs
Items needed
Luggage
Dog Leash
Activity description
The Canton of Bern has much significance to Bernese Mountain Dogs, serving as their original homeland as well as their namesakes. Located in Switzerland, the Canton of Bern is a verdant and beautiful venue surrounded with chiseled mountains that pierce through the clouds on all sides. Most listings for trips to the Canton of Bern say that the average cost of a round-trip flight to and from the luscious locale would cost about $620 (depending on your starting point) while the cost of dog-friendly lodging would cost around $200. This activity is definitely the most expensive one on our guide, but it may be nice to take your Mountain Mastiff to the homeland of one of their ancestors. You can visit the Canton of Bern in just about any kind of weather, but be sure to bring the appropriate clothes and supplies for the climate - Switzerland can get pretty cold during the winter.
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1
Mount Eiger
This jagged mountain is quite steep and precarious, so you don't actually have to try and hike it if you don't want to - you and your dog can have an equally amazing time surveying the mountain up close and taking as many pictures of the range as you can before you run out of memory.
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2
Jungfraujoch
Jungfraujoch is the name of another famous mountainous area in Switzerland that's located in the Bernese Alps. One can traverse Jungfraujoch via taking a train (a dog-friendly one at that) which makes for a great way to get some breathtaking photos of the mountain and the snow that it's perpetually blanketed in.
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3
Oberhofen Castle
There are actually a number of castles located around the Canton of Bern but Oberhofen Castle is one of the (if not the) most famous of them all. While pets are prohibited from setting foot inside the castle or the park inside of it, pet parents are encouraged to bring their animals to the restaurant in order to have a historic meal together.
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More Fun Ideas...
Toy Clean Up
All dogs love to play with their favorite toys for hours on end but when they're all done for the day, who's left to clean up after the mess they've just made? If you'd like to lighten the load of your chores for a particular day, try teaching your dog to pick up after themselves when playtime is over; you can do this by using a training clicker to help your dog pick up their toys, walk over to the bin you keep your dog's stuff in (or where you keep your dog's toys,) and then drop their toys off in the bin on command.
Teach Your Dog to Shake
Teaching a dog to shake a person's hand is one of the oldest tricks in the book; to teach your dog to shake, you'll need to physically put their paw in your hand, move their foreleg into the shake position, say "shake" and then let go of their paw. Try saying "shake" without assisting your dog physically and if they raise their arm, reward them with praise and treats!
Conclusion
Once properly trained, a Mountain Mastiff can make for a great family pet as well as an excellent guard dog due to their reserved personality and poised demeanor. Mountain Mastiffs are very trainable dogs, which makes it easy to teach them new skills and concepts over a relatively short period of time. Being the large dogs that they are, Mountain Mastiffs tend not to do too well in small spaces so you may not want to adopt one of these dogs if you live in an apartment complex or a particularly small house. Overall, however, Mountain Mastiffs are very self-sufficient and hardy breeds who aren't needy by any stretch of the imagination.