Is it true that mastiff's would once fight lions?

Answer by  k0nok0 (224)

The dogs used to hunt lions by one of the Assyrian kings was indeed some of the founding dogs to create today's mastiffs, those dogs also in the Roman Coliseum fought lions, bears, boars, bulls and other dogs. In other parts of the world they were used as a war dog on the battle field, loyal to their handlers.

Answer by  angelsdozens (218)

No one really knows what the Mastiff was bred for, but their brutal strength and size alone made them very popular for violent sport. They were often set against bears and lions for sport, but the Romans prized them as protection and War dogs.

Answer by  Lottadogs (1258)

A mastiff's job was to defend their property. They were used as war dogs and in what was considered sports of bear, bull and lion baiting though often the wild animals were handicapped for the fights. They were also known as the butcher's dogs as they guarded the shop keeping thieves away and helped with controlling dangerous cattle.

Answer by  mammakat (11147)

While there is no documentation that Mastiffs ever lived where they would encounter lions, this breed would surely have taken them on if they had met up with them.