15 Cool Facts About Old English Mastiffs By Allen Abby - Mastiffs were widely used as a draft force, as well as for baiting wild boars, wild horses, and even large predators – tigers and lions. In their free time from hunting, the dogs successfully coped with the protection of property and livestock. Participation of animals in bloody wars was no less important. Mastiff-like dogs were valued on a par with well-trained soldiers. Please follow and like us: