The Bullmastiff is a cross between the Bulldog and Mastiff in order to
attain the basic characteristics of both but of smaller size than the Mastiff.
Their original purpose was to hunt poachers and thus they needed to be tough,
fearless, and silent. The new breed was recognized in England in 1925 and
by the American Kennel Club in 1933.
Today, the Bullmastiff is protective of people and property and often used
by police and military as guard dogs. They also make a calm but alert pet.
The head of the Bullmastiff is large, with a square skull and short, broad
muzzle. The eyes are medium-sized and dark in color. They are set wide with
a furrow of skin in between. The upper lip should not hang below the lower
jaw. The ears are v-shaped, set high and wide apart. They fold down and
back along the cheeks and are of darker color than the body. The coat of
the Bulldog is short, coarse and lies flat against the body. Coat color
is dark brindle, fawn or red with a black mask across the muzzle. Any white
should be on the chest only. The body is solidly built with a deep, broad
chest and short, level back. The tail is set high and is long, carried straight
or curved slightly upward. The average height is between 25 and 27 inches
while the average weight is between 90 and 130 pounds.
vikster69@yahoo.com of Belgium writes:
The best dog I've ever owned.
I got my Bullmastiff from a friend who had to move. He was only eight
months old but weighed almost 100 pounds; he was the biggest dog I'd ever
seen. We became instant friends. He was and is by far the most gentle, bullheaded,
loving, sensitive being I've ever encountered. He now is four years old
and just as much fun as ever. My children (twelve and fourteen now) love
this dog. He has never so much as nipped or growled at any of us. Not only
are Bullmastiffs beautiful but strong and sometimes a little sneaky. They
can be a lot of work and sometimes loud. Mastiffs also require a lot of
attention but if you decide to get one trust me he will be your very best
friend. Not to mention your favourite entertainer just so he can be the
center of attention. Let this dog know who the big dog really is and you'll
have a dog like no other. They get along well with other animals (we have
cats, fish, birds, guinea pig and a female Pitbull) and I can honestly say
we have never, ever had a problem. I will always stick with Bullmastiffs
p; they are by far the best dogs ever.
granite@i1.net of Fredericktown, MO writes:
You will never be owned by another breed.
We have had Bullmastiffs for almost ten years now. Our first dog will
be ten. He changed our lives forever. He taught us the true meaning of unconditional
love. We currently own five of these truly unique dogs. Each one has its
own personality. To describe the breed in three words: loyal, protective,
gentle, and first and foremost their owner's best friend.
Bullmastiffs must be socialized and trained like any other guard breed.
Given the proper early socialization and training they need, there is no
other breed for me. My love affair with these gorgeous animals started ten
years ago and is even stronger today. I have a special relationship with
all five of my kids that can never be expressed in words! No better breed!
knightbmf@hotmail.com of Lake Village, IN writes:
The best dog is own if you are willing to socialize and obedience train.
Being a Bullmastiff breeder, I am quite biased, but I do feel the Bullmastiff
is an outstanding breed. They are very smart, loyal, and loving. They must
be socialized and obedience trained at an early age though, if you are not
willing, or able to do this PLEASE do not even think of purchasing a Bullmastiff.
hack29er@hotmail.com of UK writes
The best there is.
I have an eight-month-old Bullmastiff and I wouldn't have any other
breed again. He is very protective and loyal; I can go to sleep with my
front door unlocked. Also I found him good with my son and daughter. My
daughter can play with him and I don't have a single thought that he would
hurt her in any way.
Klimakazee@aol.com of Indiana writes:
Absolutely the best!
Bullmastiffs are absolutely, hands down the best breed of dog there
is. I've owned many other breeds from German Shepherds, Staffordshire Terriers,
Miniature Schnauzers, Labs, Rottweilers, and muts, but now that I've had
the privilege of owning a Bully I will never own any other breed; they've
won my heart. These dogs are great all-around. They are loving, friendly
dogs, great with kids, gentle and easygoing. They love their families and
would give their lives for them. They are as gentle as they are big. These
dogs love to be a part of the family and would love to just lay on the couch
with you all day.
limerick@blkhawk.net of Stockton, IL writes on 11/24/00:
Do your homework.
So you are interested in a Bullmastiff? I personally think they are the
greatest breed on earth, but definately not suited for everyone. I am a
second generation Bullmastiff owner who grew up in a household full of Bullmastiffs
and still am surrounded by a houseful today. I show my dogs in conformation,
agility, obedience and tracking. I am also a breed rescue foster person
and in being so, I have seen the reasons why people get and discard so many
wonderful bullmastiffs.
Many people see a Bullmastiff, admire their physical appearance and buy
one without thinking about all that this breed involves. When the dogs grow
up and are not the cuddly puppy they once were the problems begin. It is
my sincere wish that EVERYONE contemplating adopting a Bullmastiff into
their family think about the following facts:
1. Bullmastiffs are a SERIOUS guard breed. In being so they need proper
socialization and obedience training from day one. They are motivated by
kindness, praise, and food and easy to train and socialize. If not you have
a 100 lb plus, untrained, unruley and possibly untrustworthy dog on your
hands...with a mind of his own! This dog is NOT a cuddly couch potato all
of the time, he was bred to GUARD and will do so when he feels the need.
So many people forget this. Be aware of situations that will provoke the
guard instinct in the bullmastiff.
2. Bullmastiffs can be dog aggressive. Yes every dog you have seen may have
been a cream puff, but the tendency is still a VERY real part of the breed.
In my opinion, dog aggression is a major reason why Bullmastiffs are given
up. Along with socialization to many people, Bullmastiffs must be exposed
to many dogs in puppyhood to help curtail this trait. It still may always
exist. Same sex aggression is common, with males being almost always hostile
towards other males. Neutering does not help much.
3. Bullmastiffs can be very unhealthy. Orthopedic problems, allergies and
cancer are rampant in the breed as well as countless other illnesses. Purchase
your puppy from a REPUTABLE breeder with health screened parents. Even this
may not insure a healthy dog. Veterinary costs are very expensive and an
unfortunate reality of many homes with a Bullmastiff.
4. Bullmastiffs can be messy. If you are a clean freak, get another breed.
Many Bullmastiffs drool. They are sloppy eaters. Be prepared for a little
extra clean-up time with this breed.
5. Bullmastiffs are not always good with children. They must be introduced
to children and taught how to behave. Children also must be taught to respect
and be kind to the Bullmastiff. When done properly, the Bullmastiff almost
always develops a great love and tolerance for children. Children and Bullmastiffs
must always be supervised.
I don't mean to concentrate on all of the negatives of this breed, but sadly
it is these facts that often times lead to a mismatch of a home and a dog.
If you are interested in this breed I would encourage you to contact the
American Bullmastiff Association and spend some time with a current Bullmastiff
owner and their dogs. See what life is REALLY like with a bullmastiff. Don't
every buy a dog on a whim. Research reputable breeders as they should do
to you. Make plans for your Bullmastiff when he or she arrives. Sign up
for obedience classes, purchase supplies and books, and have a mentor in
the breed who you can always turn to for help and guidance. NEVER buy a
puppy from a pet store or a dog broker. Be very weary of newspaper ads.
And please, don't get a bullmastiff with the intention of breeding them
to make money. There are far too many people doing this and it is a tragedy
for the dogs. If you love the breed, pay your dues and stay in it a reasonable
amount of time and learn all that you can before producing more. We need
more people concerned about putting only the highest quality Bullmastiffs
on this earth.
I love this breed for many reasons, but the main one is that they are the
only breed uniquely suited to the lifestyle of my family. They are loveable,
fiercely loyal, protective, intelligent, caring and simply beautiful. My
heart breaks each time another one comes into the rescue program because
someone didn't take the time to consider what I have just mentioned. Please
do your homework and if you do decide this breed is for you, be a genuine
caretaker and steward of the breed. We owe them nothing less.
michellegloade@hotmail.com of Nova Scotia, Canada writes on 2/6/00:
Once she wakes up, the intruder is in big trouble!
My Bullmastiff is a wonderful dog. She is slightly undersized at about 85
lbs but is Bullmastiff through and through! This little girl is everything
we had hoped. She is lazy and loveable when we want her to be and alert
and extremely athletic at other times. When someone comes to the door, she
waits at about 10 feet from the door, quietly waiting to see who it is.
When they step in, if she knows them, she says "hello" and goes
about her business. If she does not, she waits for my reaction, watching
my face to see how I react to this person. She almost decides for herself,
I think! She relishes her comfort and loves laying beside the fire. However,
it is my limited experience that says if you are looking for a watchdog
there are probably better choices. She doesn't hear alot of little noises.
Sometimes we come home and (not quietly) will walk upstairs to find her
snoring away. We wake her up and she has the most sheepish looking grin
on her face! That being said, once she wakes up you better belong there
I think! Once, my brother Mark came home in the middle of the night(he doesn't
live here) and I could hear him moving around downstairs. All of a sudden
she caught herself in the middle of a snore and exploded out of bed and
, after pausing at the stairs for a moment, huffing and chuffing she took
off down. I yelled "MARK! SAY SOMETHING!" and he goes "it's
only me, Stormy!" She met him around the corner and licked him to death,
Thank God!
I often read how they tend to be dog-aggressive but there is none of this
in her at all. She is very dominant , even marking her territory and mounting
other dogs. She just assumes she is the happy leader. Maybe one of these
days she'll meet her match! She excels in obedience, winning ribbons in
her classes(she is just 19 months). I did however try to bring a cat in
the house and she said "no thank you" but I have read many times
if brought up with them they will be fine. Please, do your research and
ask lots of questions. Find a breeder that will work with you after the
sale and on
that asks you lots of questions too. We had to do a video of our place and
us first. Do not find this an intrusion of your rights but be glad that
the breeder cares enough about where and to who his dog is going. I still
bug the poor guy alot. But, he never complains and answers all my questions.
Lastly, I am not sure that this is a first time dog owners best choice.
If you are knowledgable and willing to put the effort into learning about
your dog, then maybe but if not, they will walk all over you and rule your
world!
sloviter@aol.com of Boston, MA writes on 10/2/99:
Once you own one, you'll never own another breed
When my husband first told me three years ago he wanted a Bullmastiff (we
had a Beagle at the time), I was skeptical; the three I had met up to that
time were not particularly friendly (each of the owners suggested I not
come too close because their Bullmastiff might not like me). Coincidentally,
that weekend, I saw an ad in our local classifieds for a litter of Bullmastiff
puppies. To be fair to my husband, who had begun to seriously research the
breed, I told him about this litter and suggested we visit the pups. Both
parents were on site, and all eight squirmy offspring were playing and sleeping
in an outside pen. It was love at first site, and after playing with the
pups for more than an hour, we unequivocally purchased one, (the litter
was only 6 weeks at the time, so we returned two weeks later to pick up
our choice).
The last three years with our Bullmastiff have brought nothing but sheer
joy, companionship, pride and laughter. Bullmastiffs are not active by nature
(they enjoy being outside once you can get them off of the couch) and are
not well suited for owners who want a constant frisbee-retrieving companion.
However, our Bullmastiff is fiercely loyal and - contrary to what I had
experienced prior to owning one - unbelievably friendly. In fact, she would
much rather spend time hanging out with homo sapiens than with canines,
and she always enthustically greets our friends at the door with a healthy
kiss.
Finally, Bullmastiffs are not a common breed, and many times our dog has
been mistaken for a Boxer, a Pit Bull, a Rhodesian rRdgeback mix and a Great
Dane mix, among others. And, her comparatively large size have made people
cross the street when they spot her. However, those who venture to meet
her often fall in love with her expressiveness and gentleness, two qualities
I believe most well-socialized bullmastiffs possess. After owning one Bullmastiff,
I don't think we'd ever want to own anything else.
ynotbullmastiff@uswest.net of Hooper, Utah writes on 10/1/99:
big gentle giant
This breed is truly a big gentle loving dog that with the proper training
is a wonderful family companion. Not for everyone who will not take the
time to socialize them. They are big and the true bullmastiff temperment
is loyal, loving and gentle.
I wish I knew about this breed when I first started showing back in the
70's (Bulldogs is what I had)
I got the best of both worlds with the Mastiff and Bulldog mix, which is
the Bullmastiff.