Bullmastiff

Size: Extra-Large
Other Names:
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Working
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Working
United Kennel Club (UKC): Guardian Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Utility
The Kennel Club (KC): Working Dogs
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Working Dogs
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Utility

Height:

Male: 25-27 inches; Female: 24-26 inches

Weight:

Male: 110-130 pounds; Female: 100-120 pounds

Color(s):

Any shade of brindle (dark brown, almost black, with light brown markings), fawn (light tan or blonde), or rich red-brown; possibly with a little white on his chest; black muzzle

Coat:

Short and dense, flat-lying

Description:

The Bullmastiff was originally bred to find and immobilize poachers at night, and has been known as the Gamekeeper’s Night Dog.  He is a cross between 60 percent English Mastiff, for its size, strength, and loyalty, and 40 percent Old English Bulldog, for its agility and tenacity.  A Bullmastiff will not stop growing until it is about two and a half years of age.  Between the ages of 6-9 months, a Bullmastiff can gain up to one pound per day.

Temperament:

A Bullmastiff is fearless and confident, yet docile, courageous, and calm.  He is extremely loyal and friendly to his family, and will become intensely attached.  A Bullmastiff can be a great companions.  He will bark much less often than other breeds, and when he does bark, you know something is up.  The Bullmastiff gets along extremely well with children and is very loving towards them.  Because of their large size, parental supervision must be maintained when Bullmastiffs are with children, as they may knock smaller children down accidentally.  The Bullmastiff has a very strong protective instinct and will defend against any threat to his owners or territory, but does not attack to protect.  Instead, a Bullmastiff will simply stand in front of an intruder and refuse to let them pass, or knocking them over with his massive size, pinning them to the ground or against a wall or fence.  Generally Bullmastiffs do not get along well with other dogs, because of their instinct to be dominant, and a male Bullmastiff should not live with another male dog.

Training:

Dominance (pack leader) must be established over a Bullmastiff as soon as possible.  A Bullmastiff does not care about pleasing his owner, but at the same time is sensitive.  He is independent, and likes to make his own decisions.  However, with determination and persistence by the owner, a Bullmastiff will look to his owner for permission to act on its instincts.  The Bullmastiff’s strong protective instinct, combined with their great size and natural wariness of strangers, means that early socialization is a must.

Care & Grooming:

Female Bullmastiffs in heat should not be taken on walks, because other dogs will be attracted to them, and they will not like it.

Shedding:

Low to moderate.

Health:

Bullmastiffs may develop hip and eyelid problems, cancer, and bloat.  This giant breed should grow slowly, stay lean, and not be exercised hard after eating.

Lifespan:

7–9 years

Litter Size:

6–10 puppies