Amber Levitt, age 16, of Decatur, Ill., for her question:

IS THE MASTIFF AN OLD BREED?

Mastiff is a giant breed of dog. It belongs to the working dog variety and is a very old breed that originated in Asia in remote antiquity. It was known in Egypt about 3000 B.C.

The English type, called the Old English mastiff, has been known for about 2,000 years. It was employed for fighting in warfare, for hunting and for protecting homes and farms from wolves and other wild beasts.

The dog today is used as a watchdog and a household pet. It weighs between 155 and 175 pounds. The male measures about 30 inches high at the shoulders, while the female is a few inches shorter. The breed is noted both for courage and gentleness.

The mastiff has a massive head with a broad skull. It has small V shaped ears and medium sized, dark brown eyes that are set wide apart. The dog has a short, blunt muzzle, a powerful, muscular neck, a deep chest and a tail that is wide at the root and tapers at the end.

The mastiff has a rather coarse outer coat and a thick, smooth undercoat. Its color is tan or fawn, both sometimes brindled.