Their history Bullmastiff dates back to the 1860's when the breed was developed in England to serve as a companion and estate guard dog. Their purpose was to discourage the common practice of poaching on the numerous large English estates. Their strength and apparent ferocity proved very successful in combating the poacher problem. Referred to as "the gamekeeper's night dog", the Bullmastiff would intercept poachers and their very strength and weight would hold the intruder down on the ground until their master arrived on the scene. This is an important point for fanciers to remember. Do remember that the breed standard calls for "a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, powerfully built, but active. The dog is fearless yet docile, has endurance and alertness". Bullmastiffs are a man-made breed comprising of 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The original colour of the Bullmastiff was brindle so as to blend with its background at night therefore making it undetectable to the poachers.
The Bullmastiff typically has a powerful build, symmetrical, showing great strength, sound and
active. A well socialised animal will be high spirited, alert and faithful. They will however, be
wary and cautious of strangers or strange situations. A hallmark of the Breed is its head. The skull is large and square. It should have a definite stop between its eyes its muzzle should be short and broad. They should always have what is known as ‘a mask’. This is a black muzzle, with further black markings around the eyes .Ear colour ranges from black to darker than its coat colour. The breed comes in ‘Three Colours Only’, which comprise of any shade of brindle, red & fawn. A small white mark on the chest may be evident but no other white should appear on them. The coat should be short not wavy, curly or long.
The Bullmastiff bitch is smaller than its male counterpart. The Bullmastiff can measure between 24 – 27 inches (60 – 68cm) to the shoulder and commonly weigh in between 110 –150lbs (50 – 70kgs). All Bullmastiffs should have long tails, however there are some that my have been born with a genetic defect and possess what is known as a ‘crank’ tail, which can appear to be a bend or twist in the tail, not unlike a British Bulldog tail. It may also be significantly shorter in length. The height of the Bullmastiff varies between dog and bitch. Here is a large male Bullmastiff next to his female owner. The owner is 157.5 cm (5’2”) tall the dog measured 66cm (26") to the top of the shoulder and he weighed in at 70kgs.
Bullmastiffs are wonderful companions. They are not dogs to be left outside all day with minimal human contact. Bullmastiffs cannot tolerate very warm weather due to their short noses and they are cold sensitive due to their short coats. They also need to be socialised within the human environment. They need at least basic obedience training. The last thing you want is a rambunctious 130-lb. cruise missile running through your house. Is your home large enough for this size of dog? You need room; your Bullmastiff needs room. A backyard, with good shade, and a well-constructed fence line is a must for Bullmastiff owners.
Some people have maintained their Bullmastiffs in apartment settings, but with this environment comes the added responsibility of extra exercise and walks on a daily basis. If your home is too small for a 130-lb. dog, and you are not willing to take the responsibility of ownership, then this is not the right breed for you. We have found that behavioural problems exist when the Bullmastiff was not an active member of the household, but rather was relegated to the backyard with only minimal human contact.
Did I mention that Bullmastiff's slobber? You bet they do! Some Bullmastiffs will drool more than others, but all Bullmastiffs do to some extent. Especially after eating, drinking, or hard exercise. Are you willing to do the cleaning every time your Bullmastiff shakes its head and the slobber paints the walls and ceilings? Slobber rags are an integral part of ownership, and we suggest keeping one in each room of your home. Also hand them out to guests as they arrive in your home, after all, it's the polite thing to do!
Owning a Bullmastiff is the beginning of a wonderful relationship that will last years and years.
It is also be the beginning of a huge responsibility for which you may not be ready. Bullmastiffs are large powerful animals. They are loving, protective, loyal, and very codependant on their humans for companionship. THEY SLOBBER. Are you prepared to keep a slobber rag handy in each room of your home? These giants can reach anywhere from 90 -130 pounds. Once their growth stage is completed, they eat an average of 3-5 cups of high quality food per day. They are very sensitive, and usually a stern voice is all that's needed for discipline.
There are several issues that you must consider before you determine to become a Bullmastiff owner. Think about this, and be honest with yourself. Your family, yourself, and your Bullmastiff are counting on you to make as informed a decision as possible to ensure a quality of life that can be counted among one of the best experiences you will have.
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