The Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff, which originates from England, is a cross between the Mastiff breed and the Bulldog. We can still find traces of Mastiff Bulldog types back to 1795. Bullmastiffs began to be judged only in 1924.
One of the utilities of the Bullmastiff was a gamekeeper, it was used to tackle, knock down and hold poachers. It was trained to be rough and menacing, but not to bite. It was also used by the Diamond Society of South Africa as a watchdog. Today it is a great companion for the family and a good guardian.
Breed Group
Working
Size
Male: 25-27 inches
Female: 24-26 inches
Weight
Male: 110-130 lbs
Female: 100-120 lbs
Color(s)
The colors of the Bullmastiff are red, fawn, or brindle. No white markings are accepted for judgment except for a little white spot on the chest.
Coat
Its coat is short and dense. It gives the bullmastiff a good weather protection.
Life Expectancy
About 8 - 10 years.
Personality
The Bullmastiff is a devoted and alert guard dog. It is very docile and has a good-natured behavior. It is very intelligent and willful. Fearless and protective: if there is an intruder it will hold him down.
Extremely affectionate, it constantly “needs” human attention and because of its low pain sensitivity, it's very tolerant with children. The Bullmastiff can be aggressive with other dogs. However, it may accept other pets if it grows along with them.
Care
The Bullmastiff is prone to cancer, eyelid problems, hip dysplasia and tumors. It tends to bloat when fed. It's better to give it a few little plates than a big one.
A special attention should be taken to nail clipping and ear cleaning.
Training
The Bullmastiff is extremely strong, so it needs a firm master with authority. However, it's very sensitive to the voice's tone and do not need a harsh voice to listen. It should take obedience training. It's important that they be socialized at a young age.
Activity
The Bullmastiff doesn't need a high level of exercise. A daily walk is enough for them, its important for its owner to teach it not to pull on the leash.