Also known as "the gentle giant" English Mastiffs are very calm and have a docile demeanor. They are an ancient dog breed and were used as war dogs and were bred to be ferocious. They originated in Central Asia and their size is one of the first things people notice about them. The Romans were very fond of the English Mastiff. The Romans used the dogs to fight against each other, lions, and even bears. They were actually symbols of great honor and even today their enormous structure and appearance make them look regal. During the 15th century they became hunting dogs. They were nearly wiped out in the early 20th century yet today English Mastiffs are family dogs!