The Bullmastiff is a giant breed of dog that originated in the United Kingdom where it was commonly used to protect the large estates of wealthy Englishmen. Since this is an extremely quiet dog that rarely barks, people in the U.K. often refer to it as the Silent Watchdog. The Bullmastiff was created by English gamekeepers during the 19th century. They needed large, powerful dogs that could help them guard their estates from poachers. It is thought that they created the dogs they desired by crossing English Mastiffs with Old English Bulldogs. The results were giant, strong dogs that made excellent guard dogs. Often referred to as the Gamekeeper’s Night Dog or the Silent Watchdog, Bullmastiffs only barked when necessary. As such, they were able to quickly track down and catch poachers. The breed was first recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1924, and it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934.
The Bullmastiff is a large, strong dog with square proportions, and bred for endurance. It has a short coat that needs minimal care. Bullmastiffs tend to drool so some daily facial cleaning may be necessary. Some dogs of this breed snore and they need space to stretch. The Bullmastiff is a large dog that can weigh between 100 and 130 pounds fully grown. This is an extremely muscular and powerful breed that has a broad head sitting atop a thick neck. It has short hair that can be fawn-colored, brindle or red with a black muzzle and a bit of black on the ears. Its triangular ears are set high on the head and flop forward towards its cheeks. The eyes should be dark in color, and the nose is typically black. It has a long tail which can be either straight or slightly curved. It is not uncommon for some Bullmastiffs to have an undershot jaw like their relatives the English Bulldogs.
Personality
The Bullmastiff is calm, friendly and loyal but tends to be overprotective. It’s stubborn and once it has its mind set on something, it’s difficult to convince it otherwise. This is not a dog for novice dog owners who don’t know how to deal with strong, stubborn dogs. It needs daily exercise in the form of walks or short romps. It’s good with children but is not a very playful dog. It is aggressive towards strangers unless introduced by someone they trust. Although the Bullmastiff may look vicious, it is actually very devoted and gentle with its human family members. However, it can become vicious when provoked by strangers. This is a somewhat stubborn and independent dog that can be difficult to handle if you do not begin obedience training while it is still young. While breeders state that the Bullmastiff is good with children, due to its large size, it is not recommended for small children, people who have health issues or senior citizens. Additionally, it may not get along well with other household pets. Bullmastiffs are not very active and are perfectly happy in most any size home.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Mastiffs |
| Function: | Working |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Working |
| Life Span: | 8-12 Years |
| Nicknames: | Gamekeeper’s Night Dog, Silent Watchdog |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Bullmastiff Build Information
The Bullmastiff is a large, strong dog with square proportions, and bred for endurance. It has a short coat that needs minimal care. Bullmastiffs tend to drool so some daily facial cleaning may be necessary. Some dogs of this breed snore and they need space to stretch. The Bullmastiff is a large dog that can weigh between 100 and 130 pounds fully grown. This is an extremely muscular and powerful breed that has a broad head sitting atop a thick neck. It has short hair that can be fawn-colored, brindle or red with a black muzzle and a bit of black on the ears. Its triangular ears are set high on the head and flop forward towards its cheeks. The eyes should be dark in color, and the nose is typically black. It has a long tail which can be either straight or slightly curved. It is not uncommon for some Bullmastiffs to have an undershot jaw like their relatives the English Bulldogs.
| Size: | Giant |
| Length (Male): | 22-27 in. |
| Length (Female): | 22-24 in. |
| Weight: | > 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
The Bullmastiff is calm, friendly and loyal but tends to be overprotective. It’s stubborn and once it has its mind set on something, it’s difficult to convince it otherwise. This is not a dog for novice dog owners who don’t know how to deal with strong, stubborn dogs. It needs daily exercise in the form of walks or short romps. It’s good with children but is not a very playful dog. It is aggressive towards strangers unless introduced by someone they trust. Although the Bullmastiff may look vicious, it is actually very devoted and gentle with its human family members. However, it can become vicious when provoked by strangers. This is a somewhat stubborn and independent dog that can be difficult to handle if you do not begin obedience training while it is still young. While breeders state that the Bullmastiff is good with children, due to its large size, it is not recommended for small children, people who have health issues or senior citizens. Additionally, it may not get along well with other household pets. Bullmastiffs are not very active and are perfectly happy in most any size home.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Moderate Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | High |
| Barking: | Quiet |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Dominating |
| Energy Level: | Moderately Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Moderate Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | Yes |
| Independant: | Moderate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Friendly |
Appearance
The Bullmastiff is a breed that requires very little grooming. You will only need to bathe your pet a few times a year if needed. However, it is recommended to check the ears at least once a month for wax buildup. If necessary, you can clean them with the corner of a damp cloth. If you need to cut your pet’s nails, use a pliers-type clipper and only clip the tips of them off.
| Colors: | Fawn, Red, Red-Black Brindle |
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Rough |
Bullmastiff Common Health Conditions
Unfortunately, the Bullmastiff is a short-lived dog that only lives about eight years, even when it is in top physical condition and perfect health. Furthermore, they are prone to various health issues that you will find listed here: Bloat, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Arthritis, Lymphoma, Subaortic Stenosis, Skin Allergies and Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligaments. If you are looking for a large dog that will make a great guard dog and will fit into any size home, the Bullmastiff is a perfect choice. With their calm demeanor, the Bullmastiff is just as happy in an apartment as it is in a large home. Furthermore, these dogs are extremely quiet, which means you will not have to worry about them disturbing your neighbors.
Bullmastiff Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The dog that played Rocky Balboa’s pet in the movie “Rocky” was a Bullmastiff. Bullmastiffs are one of the few breeds who do incredibly well when left home alone. Even though Bullmastiffs are very large, they adapt extremely well to apartment-living.
| Training: | Moderately easy to train |
| Hunting Companion: | No |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | Yes |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | Yes |
| Police Performer: | Yes |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | No |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | No |
