Simply put - Mastiffs just rock out loud. I love our two EM's so much. We got hooked when my brother purchased a male EM. Gus was a monster of a pup, just huge - but so gentle and sweet with the kids, and SO intelligent. I did my homework, checked into the breed, spent a few years looking for the perfect female, and found her through a friend three years ago. Medusa is a smaller female, 27" at the shoulder and approx. 120 lbs, and all heart. She has grown up with our three kids, been my best friend and cuddle companion when my husband was hospitalized after a major heart attack. She stayed glued to me and the kids when he was in the hospital, and even braved the horrid stairs (she hated the staircase leading upstairs - scary and narrow) to be with me. Best protector ever - she will not growl at all unless she sees something as a serious threat, but she will stand down if I ask her to as well. A harsh word is enough to correct her - they are so very sensitive, emotionally. I have never had another dog like this breed. We added our male this past spring, and he is a beautiful, loveable goofball. Smart, loyal, protective, and so loving. Yes, there is drool. Mostly after eating and drinking, but anytime we go to the treat cupboard - there will be drool. And its usually strings. I have a feeling he will be a lot more drooly once full grown than she is. Food - yes, expensive, and they eat a lot - but a high quality food will actually last longer than a cheap one with loads of fillers. It is worth it. Vet bills are expensive - but these two have been pretty darn healthy, knock on wood. They will chew. Actually they shred - especially while teething. Once they learn what they can chew and what they cannot chew, they are great about it. They snore as well - but I find that very funny. Drago (male EM) actually groans and moans, and sounds like a cow on occasion. They are big, but such couch potatoes. Fifteen minutes of hard play and our two are ready to chill out for a while. They are big, and clumsy as pups, and sometimes they don't realize their tail is whacking your leg and it hurts...but overall they are the best dogs I have ever owned. I cannot imagine a life without these guys.