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Bullmastiff History

Bred by English gamekeepers in the 1800s to assist English Wardens or gamekeepers guard estates. The breed is a result of the cross breeding of the Old English Bulldog and the English Mastiff. The Bullmastiff came into being only because people wanted a dog that could guard like the Mastiff with the courage of the Bulldog but which had more speed and agility than the Mastiff. This breed was commonly known as the Gamekeepers Night Dog. The Bullmastiff was officially recognized as a breed by the AKC in 1933.

Bullmastiff Temperament

Bullmastiffs are a courageous, fearless breed that is very loyal to it's family. They are alert, watchful dogs that make excellent watchdogs, but this also makes them wary of strangers. They can have same sex dog aggression and usually do not get along well with smaller animals unless they are raised with them.They are good with children, but must be supervised around smaller children due to its large size. They do have an independent nature and can be difficult to train, so a confident owner is required for this breed. This is not a dog that is recommended for a first time dog owner.

Bullmastiff Appearance

Bullmastiffs are a very large, powerful dog that usually weighs between 100 to 130 pounds and stand 24 to 27 inches at the withers. They have very large heads with short muzzles and drop ears. Their coats are smooth and sleek a come in colours from red and fawn, fawn, brindle, and red.

Bullmastiff Grooming

Bullmastiff grooming requirements are very low. They require very little grooming and usually a quick wipedown with a damp cloth will suffice. They are seasonal shedders and will need a little more grooming at that time.

Bullmastiff Life Expectancy and Health Problems

This breed has numerous health problems which include, Elbow and Hip Dysplaysia, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Arthritis, Hypothyroidism and Entropion (which is when the eye lids roll inwards toward the eye). Since they are a deep chested breed, the tend to suffer from a condition called Bloat, which is when the stomach twists over on itself. This is also a breed that does not cope well in extreme heat due to it's short muzzle. The Bullmastiff has a relatively short lifespan of 8 to 10 years.

Bullmastiff Pros and Cons

This simplified list may help you decide if a Bullmastiff may be a good fit for your lifestyle.

Do You Want

• a very large dog with an imposing appearance?
• a dog that is a good watchdog?
• a dog with an easy care coat?

Do You NOT Want

• a dog with an appearance that might be frightening to some people?
• a dog that needs a confident owner?
• a dog that can be stubborn and difficult to train?
• a dog thatcan have dog aggression?
• a dog with a short lifespan?
• a dog that does not cope well with warm weather?

Useful Bullmastiff Links

The American Bullmastiff Association

The Bullmastiff Fanciers of Canada