Quick Stats for the Bullmastiff Dog
- Height (at the shoulders): dogs: 25 – 27 inches (64 – 69 cm) ; bitches: 24 – 26 inches (61 – 66 cm)
- Weight: dogs: 110 – 133 pounds (50 – 60 kg) ; bitches: 100 – 120 pounds (45 – 54 kg)
- Life Expectancy: under 10 years
- AKC Group: Working Group – AKC recognized in 1934
- Shedding: light shedder
- Living Conditions: okay in apartment (with sufficient exercise); relatively inactive indoors; okay with small yard
Personality of the Bullmastiff Dog
The Bullmastiff is a quiet, gentle, and very laid-back dog. They are not aroused easily, but if they are startled they can be quite a threat to any intruder. These dogs are rated among the best for their guarding and protection abilities.
They are great with children, but it is recommended that you raise them together with the Bullmastiff puppy rather than bringing an adult dog home with the children.
These dogs can be a bit aggressive towards other dogs and animals.
Bullmastiffs tend to drool, slobber, and snore.
History of the Bullmastiff Dog
The Bullmastiff has often been mistaken as one of Britain’s oldest dog breeds. However, that distinction actually goes to the Mastiff, which is a different breed. History does seem to indicate that there were crosses between these two breeds as far back as the 1790s.
The earliest documentation of the Bullmastiff goes back to about the end of the 19th Century. During that time they were used mainly to protect large estates from poachers who were causing big problems for gamekeepers.
Before the Bullmastiff was developed, the only breeds available to guard and protect against the poachers were the Bulldog and the Mastiff. But the Bulldog was not big enough and the Mastiff was a bit too slow. By crossing these two breeds the Bullmastiff was developed to make a great guard dog.
Over time, dog breeders decided to stop crossing the two breeds and focused instead on creating a pure Bullmastiff. The result was a dog that was approximately 60% – 70% Mastiff and the rest, Bulldog. These breeders were extremely successful in refining the breed and by the early 1920s the English Kennel Club officially recognized the Bullmastiff.
The breed was officially registered by the American Kennel Club in 1934 as a member of the Working Group.
The Bullmastiff Dog Care and Grooming
Bullmastiffs do not tolerate extremes in temperatures, so keep that in mind when you are taking them outdoors.
They are large dogs and require daily exercise to keep them healthy and in shape. Like other large breeds, they tend to gain too much weight if not provided with sufficient exercise. However, a brisk walk every day should be sufficient for these large dogs.
Grooming the short-haired coat of the Bullmastiff is easy. It requires only an occasional brushing with a good dog brush to remove any dead hair from the coat. Pay special attention to their feet and keep the nails trimmed because remember these are large dogs.
These dogs are light shedders.
Health Problems of the Bullmastiff Dog
The average life expectancy of the Bullmastiff dog is under ten years.
Major health concerns for this breed are:
- CHD (Canine Hip Dysplasia)
- PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)
- gastric torsion
- elbow dysplasia
- prone to bloat
These other issues can occur, but are rarely seen:
- mast cell tumors
- hemangiosarcoma
- lymphosarcoma
- SAS (Sub-Aortic Stenosis)
- hypothyroidism
- osteosarcoma
- boils on the lips
Veterinarians recommend having the Bullmastiff dog tested specifically for hip, elbow, and eye problems.
Image courtesy of Wikipedia
For even more information about this dog breed check out the book:
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