They are great dogs. I had a friend that had 2. Male Cayuse 210 lbs, female Elke 180 lbs. Elke was a lover of people. Cayuse not so much. A long story shortened alot - Cayuse bit a cop one night. My friend had her yard posted every 6 ft with beware of dogs signs, but because Elke was such a people person the cop reached over a 4 ft block wall and was petting her. Cayuse didn't like it and let the cop know it. It was absolutely the cops fault but they took Cayuse to the pound anyway. My friend didn't happen to be at home at the time. When she did get home holy hell hit the fan. Not only did the Chief of Police apologize so did the cop that got bit.
Under other circumstances I would agree with you but English Mastiffs just don't have the propensity to jump fences. It takes to much energy. Even very young dogs won't waste the energy. Hell, my Boxers won't jump over their 4 ft fence. In all the time I spent around those dogs I never so much as saw them even attempt to put their feet on the fence. And just so we are clear he was not mean. He never charged anyone that I ever saw. But he would protect his property and that included Elke. She was his.
