Cuban Mastiff

No reliable images of the Cuban Mastiff are to be found. The only images of the breed were drawn by outsiders having never seen examples of the breed and basing their interpretations of them on the English Mastiff of the Victorian Era. However, there are accounts of the Cuban Mastiff that describe them as being "not unlike a 16th century British Mastiff". The British Mastiff of the 1500's was in-fact the English version of the Alaunt and, according to 'Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopedia' (1934), would have looked very much like this 17th century British Mastiff painting below. 

Abraham Hondius 'Mastiff' 1677 - 17th century British Mastiff

There is often confusion between the Cuban Mastiff, Cuban Bloodhound, and the Dogo Cubano. The Cuban Mastiff was basically used for guarding cattle and was of the Perro de Ayuda, (aid and defense) type, while the Cuban Bloodhound was used to track down, maim and kill natives as well as slaves and was a descendant of the Perro de Presa, type. The Dogo Cubano was a lighter version of the Cuban Mastiff, used for controlling and guarding cattle. Distinct separation between the Dogo Cubano and the Cuban Mastiff came when the lighter Dogo Cubano was refined for baiting and eventually, fighting in the pits. This history mirrors that of the English Bulldog and it's separation from the Mastiff / Alaunt. 

"A bulldog/mastiff cross that was located in Cuba in the 1830's. This dog was presented to the Zoological Society of London in 1832. This very strong, well muscled dog was used in bull-fights in it's native land and is believed to have greatly resembled the 16th century English Mastiff." Canine Lexicon

"In 'The Dog' (1854), William Youatt writes: 'The Mastiff from Cuba requires some mention...He was not a native of Cuba, but imported into the country.' According to 'Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopedia' (1934), a pair of these dogs was presented to the Zoological Society of London in about 1832. They were described as being not unlike a 16th century British Mastiff, with a broad head, short muzzle, drop ears, a short close coat and heavily developed lips. In about 1556 large numbers of English Bulldogs were introduced into Spain and the Island of Cuba, by Philippe II, to be used in the arena." Mastiffs, The Big Game Hunters

There was no such breed as the English Bulldog in 1556, these would have been Alaunts.

"Outside actual used pastures the hunting of cattle and hogs which had run wild was free to all, ... Dogs were not to be used in hunting lest they kill calves..." The Early History of Cuba 1491-1586, by Irene Wright. 1916