Bullmastiff
1. Introduction
The Bullmastiff is nothing short of a living legend among dog breeds, a true colossus of loyalty and courage. With a history intertwined with the noble guardianship of properties and estates, this breed has proven that its calm and dignified demeanor hides the heart and soul of an avid protector. An estate guardian, a mammoth family companion—Bullmastiffs embody all of these roles with ease, charm, and grace.
Hailing from England, the enchanting breed is a blend of Bulldogs and Mastiffs. Bullmastiffs earned their working title, "gamekeeper's night dog," for their gallant efforts in the 19th century as guardians against poachers and thieves in noble estates. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1933, the Bullmastiff still stays true to its roots as an excellent guardian dog, often dubbed gentle giants. With low maintenance needs, a warm personality, and eye-catching appearance, the Bullmastiff is a popular breed among families worldwide.
Imposing and robust, the Bullmastiff's stature has earned it the title of the second strongest dog breed in the world. The breed is known for its aggressive stature combined with a loving and gentle demeanor, bringing a unique character to households. The Bullmastiff's strong, lively, and majestic looks leave a lasting impression on viewers and are the primary reason many opt for the breed. However, parents are often left wondering whether such big dogs are appropriate for families with kids. People having this concern should know that Bullmastiffs, despite their intimidating physique, are friendly, affectionate, and loyal companions, often forming an unbreakable bond with their owners.
Those considering welcoming a Bullmastiff into their family should actively explore this breed's characteristics, living environment, training, grooming routine, and health conditions, all of which will be elaborated upon in this complete guide.
2. Historical Background and Development
The Bullmastiff breed originated in the middle of the 19th century in England, when selected crossbreeding of Bulldogs and Mastiffs was undertaken with the aim of creating a guard dog for large parks and estates. The ancestors of modern Bullmastiffs were chosen from the strongest and toughest animals, which infused agility and courage into the new breed. These qualities were essential for the Bullmastiff to become a hunter of poachers and a protection dog. Remarkably, the Bullmastiffs were capable of bringing down a man, holding him by the throat without inflicting damage, and summoning help without difficulty. In their work, they displayed ingenuity and strong self-control, traits that are found in modern Bullmastiffs.
In the late 19th century, Bullmastiffs started to be kept as pets by the British aristocracy. In 1924, the breed was officially recognized in England. Meanwhile, Bullmastiffs were bred in America. The American Bullmastiffs, however, were larger than their British counterparts. The height of the American Bullmastiffs ranged from 25 to 28 in. (63.5-71 cm) while the British Bullmastiffs ranged from 24 to 27 in. (61-68 cm). Additionally, there were some deviations in coat color of American Bullmastiffs, indicating different bloodlines and a serious deviation from the original breed. In the early 1990s, several Bullmastiff breed clubs were established in America in order to preserve the breed’s standards.
In the late 20th and early 21st century, the number of Bullmastiffs in America started to decrease due to the popularity of other breeds. The American Bullmastiff breed club established a health fund which monthly charged the owners of Bullmastiffs twenty-five dollars in order to monitor the issues with the breed and improve the breed’s health. Despite a dangerous decline in population, this breed is still kept as a guard dog by many people across America.
3. Physical Characteristics
The Bullmastiff is a large, powerful dog with a well-proportioned body. Males typically weigh between 110-130 pounds, and females weigh between 100-120 pounds. Adult males are usually 25-27 inches tall at the shoulder, while females are 24-26 inches tall. The Bullmastiff's appearance reflects their history as gamekeepers and guardians, as they were bred to track down and restrain poachers in the 19th century. The breed's strength, athleticism, and commanding presence make them skilled guardians and companions.
The Bullmastiff's face is one of its most distinctive traits. The large, square head is broad and powerful, giving the dog an intimidating presence. The dark eyes are small and deep-set, providing an intelligent and alert expression. The ears are V-shaped and set high, dropping close to the sides of the face. The muzzle is short and blunt, tapering slightly to the nose. The nose is large and breed characteristic, with widespread nostrils. The cheeks are rounded and muscular, giving the face a square shape. The coat is short, dense, and weather resistant, coming in shades of brindle, fawn, or red.
Despite their formidable physique, Bullmastiffs are affectionate and good-natured family dogs. They are natural guardians who may be protective of their home and family, but they are not aggressive. They are known to be gentle and loving with children, and they typically get along well with other pets when socialized early. Bullmastiffs are generally quiet and reserved, but they can be playful and silly. Socialization and training are important to ensure that they are well-mannered and confident.
4. Temperament and Behavior
Individuals of any breed will vary in temperament, and temperament is influenced by many factors including genetics, training, and socialization. However, this breed is generally known for the following traits. The Bullmastiff is a loyal and devoted companion. They are protective of their people and territories but not aggressive unless provoked. This breed is tolerant of children and gentle with them. They are good watchdogs, as they are naturally suspicious of strangers. Bullmastiffs can be stubborn and require a dominant handler with dog experience.
The Bullmastiff's personality can be described in the following way. The breed is self-assured and courageous. They are very loyal and devoted to friends and families, forming strong bonds with them. This breed is calm and stable, rarely becoming overexcited or overly aggressive. The Bullmastiff is also gentle and tolerant with children, protective of them, and friendly with them. They are affectionate with family and friends, openly seeking attention and petting. This breed tends to be reserved with strangers, especially strange men. However, Bullmastiffs are not aggressive unless provoked and are gentle with other dogs. They may also be tolerant of cats that they grew up with.
The Bullmastiff is protective and watchful of their home, family, and possessions, naturally suspicious of strangers. They have a deep bark and will alert you if something unusual happens in their surroundings. However, this breed is not known to bark excessively. The Bullmastiff is a guardian still waters who prefers to observe rather than join the action. They are unruffled in stressful situations, remaining calm and patient. This breed is intelligent, but their thinking differs from that of people. They tend to be stubborn, sometimes ignoring commands or carefully evaluating the situation before taking any action. Bullmastiffs require a firm, experienced, and dominant handler.
5. Training and Socialization
Training a Bullmastiff can be a rewarding experience or an exhausting one, depending on how their training is approached. Bullmastiffs are smart enough to understand a command but not always motivated to obey it, so being consistent and strong-willed is especially important. Furthermore, because of their great size, any disobedience should be corrected immediately if it is dangerous, such as jumping up, and before the habit is developed further. Bullmastiffs tend to be slow to mature both physically and mentally, usually remaining puppyish until the age of 2. Still, they are generally easy to train, especially when food rewards are employed. Obedience training is advisable from a young age and should be continued through socialization classes. This breed can be aggressive towards other dogs, and early socialization is crucial to preventing this.
Socialization, which refers to the way in which a puppy is first brought into contact with a range of different people, pets, places, and life experiences, is vital in order to produce a well-rounded, confident adult dog. A naive puppy can develop fears that last a lifetime—and some of these fears can be incredibly inconvenient. Bullmastiffs should be taught that there is no need to be afraid of a vacuum cleaner, a skateboard, party balloons, bicycles, children—or anything else that might come into its life—because something that was ignored every time didn't seem to be a threat. Puppy classes can really help with this excitement and confidence building as well as developing vital skills for dog/pet etiquette. Socializing with friendly, gentle adults of the same species also helps to keep in check the more exuberant baby habits. Reassurance can be given by the caretaker or dog owner. Some of the puppy's first experiences may be scary, and so patience, understanding, support, and encouragement are key in overcoming anxious feelings—a good reward after a new experience can help cement it as a positive encounter.
6. Nutritional Needs and Diet
Providing the Bullmastiff with the proper nutrition is essential for its health and longevity. An appropriate diet for Bullmastiffs should consist of 19% protein, 8% fat, fiber, calcium, and phosphorus. Commercial preparations are available that do not contain excess calories, ensuring a steady growth rate. They generally create less waste than homemade diets and consider nutritional problems associated with growing large breeds, which helps maintain a steady growth rate. Homemade diets for Bullmastiffs can be formulated with 40% protein, 20% fat, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, and salt. This type of diet can be made to exclude calories from the source that is expected to produce the most harmful effects. For instance, the calcium intake can be monitored closely if it is suspected to be a health concern. However, great care must be taken when formulating a diet. One wrong ingredient or failure to include another ingredient can have harmful effects.
The Bullmastiffs commonly consume beneficial commercial diets as an aid in feeding a proper diet. Unfortunately, due to highly variable gross composition, ingredients in some dog foods may not be included in amounts reflected in the nutrient analysis. Furthermore, the ingredients listed on the label are in order of predominance, and some ingredients are usually only a minor part of the total diet. Feeds that contain by-products (including meat meal, meat by-products, and bone meal) are good examples of the variability that occurs in commercial diets. Bullmastiffs should be fed commercial preparations that contain no excess calories, which are typically defined as being below 3,000 calories/kg. It is essential that owners read the label carefully and do not purchase a dog food that has lower protein or fat levels than those suggested.
Feeding can be done by automatic fish feeders or at regular intervals throughout the day. Feeding three meals can prevent the Bullmastiff from consuming all of its food at once, should they devour everything that they eat. This can lessen the risk of bloat. When the Bullmastiff is between 6-8 months old, the feeding schedule can be altered to every other day. At a year of age, the Bullmastiff can be fed on an as-needed basis, which ensures that it is getting the proper amount of food. The Bullmastiff determines its food based on its age, sex, activity, and metabolism. The feed should be of high quality and can be considered in two groups: commercial and homemade spaces.
7. Exercise Requirements
If you’re considering sharing your life with a Bullmastiff, there are aspects of their care to consider. Bullmastiffs are generally known for their sweet temperament and loving nature. However, like all breeds, they do have attributes that need to be understood before bringing one into your family. Bullmastiffs are high-energy dogs that need ample daily exercise. Many people think that since they are bred as a giant breed, they must be low energy, but this is not the case at all!
7.1. Ideal Activities:
Create a routine that includes a minimum of one hour of playtime each day. Activities can include brisk walks/jogs, ball or Frisbee tosses, or sessions in a fenced-in yard. Bullmastiffs love being outdoors and because of their history as a guard dog, should spend time in a secure space at least once each day. Go on additional outings to explore hiking trails, fields, or parks where they have room to roam off-leash. Bullmastiffs are not typically water lovers, but some dogs do enjoy a dip at the beach or a swim in the pool if thoroughly introduced to it first.
Making exercise fun is key to keeping your Bullmastiff seemingly happy! Try out agility or flyball, which is a growing trend in dog sports. Another activity option to entertain your Bullmastiff is to encourage them to dig. Digging can be prevented by setting up an area in the backyard filled with sand or dirt that they can dig in. Once set up, make the spot enticing with some toys buried that they can uncover. It is a great way for them to get their energy out and have fun!
7.2. Training
Training your Bullmastiff is equally important, especially since they are such big, powerful dogs. Training represents an opportunity to bond with your Bullmastiff, and it is a great method to ensure that they develop into a well-mannered family member. Proper training is key to ensuring that your Bullmastiff is obedient and able to thrive in your home without disrupting day-to-day activities. Bullmastiffs can be stubborn, but with patience, consistency, and encouragement, they will learn.
8. Health Issues and Common Medical Conditions
The Bullmastiff is a breed known for its strength, intelligence, and loyalty. During the last two decades of the last century, the Bullmastiff was a dog that was very popular until the breed was chosen as the most popular breed of dog by the American Kennel Club in 1985. The Bullmastiff, with its massive head, wrinkled face, and concerned look on its ancient face, is a dog that has tireless strength paired with an unending will to protect. The breed was used in the 19th century by aristocrats to protect their estates from illegal poachers. The breed had to be fast to track down a poacher and strong enough to hold that poacher until the authorities arrived. As such, they have been instilled with their traits for generations. Bullmastiffs are also known as "gentle giants" due to their caring nature towards people and pets. In fact, Bullmastiffs have been known to find and care for lost children and goats. The Bullmastiff breed has traits to look for in a dog. These dogs become loyal and loving companions and protectors for life. However, it is important to point out the physical as well as behavioral characteristics of Bullmastiffs before taking one home.
Health issues and common medical conditions of Bullmastiffs involve the following: hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and heart disease. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease that is found in most large breeds. In hip dysplasia, the leg bones do not fit into the hip joints due to which the thigh bone does not fit into its socket in the hip joint properly. This leads to the loose joints and the scraping of bones against one another which leads to arthritis. This research has shown that this disease is more common in large breed dogs that grow quickly. It affects 5% of dogs under a year old while 20% of dogs aged 1-3 are affected. It has also been observed that 8% of dogs older than one year have had hip problems whereas this percentage rises to 28% between the ages of 1 and 5. A Bullmastiff can be screened against hip dysplasia by radiographs at six months of age. Elbow dysplasia is also a genetic disease. It is a common disease found in large breed dogs where the elbow joint is unable to work properly. This leads to pain and lameness which worsens as the dog gets older. Elbow dysplasia may be hard to recognize as it develops slowly. Most dogs show mild lameness which may worsen after they have exercised for long periods of time or after they have rested. Dogs over 4 years of age may develop arthritis in the elbow. Bullmastiffs can be screened for elbow dysplasia by x-ray at 12 months of age. In Bullmastiffs, epidermal cysts are common whether they are neutered or intact. Hypothyroidism is an unrecognized disease in most Bullmastiffs. Most of the understanding of this disease comes from other large breed dogs. Most symptoms do not appear until middle-aged or after. The activity level of the dog slows down and the dog appears lazy. The hair coat may also become coarse and brittle. Hypothyroidism can be diagnosed by blood tests. Medications to replace the missing hormone are available.
9. Grooming and Coat Care
The Bullmastiff is considered an easy-to-groom breed. It has a short, weather-resistant double coat that is relatively maintenance-free. Hand stripping is a common grooming method that is used to help control shedding. The Bullmastiff's coat sheds some throughout the year, with heavier shedding occurring in spring and fall. Regular brushing helps prevent hair buildup in the home.
The Bullmastiff cannot tolerate extreme heat or humidity and can easily become overheated. Care should be taken to ensure that the Bullmastiff has easy access to water and shade when outside and that daily exercise is limited in extreme heat. On very hot days, the Bullmastiff should not be left outside for long periods of time.
Daily brushing of the Bullmastiff's coat is not necessary. A good brushing once a week with a rubber grooming mitt or a hound glove is usually sufficient. It is important to regularly check and clean the Bullmastiff's ears to prevent ear infections, especially if the dog is in the water or swims.
Cleaning the Bullmastiff's ears regularly is also important. A cotton ball moistened with a gentle cleansing solution can be used to wipe the inside of the ear, including the outer part of the ear canal. It's best to consult the vet before starting this process.
Dog toothpaste should be used to clean the Bullmastiff's teeth. Toothpaste meant for humans may be too harsh and can upset the dog's stomach and cause other problems. It's best to start tooth brushing when the Bullmastiff is a puppy, getting him accustomed to the taste and feel of the toothbrush.
Frequent bathing is unnecessary for this breed. Bathing too often can strip the coat of natural oils, leading to dry skin. However, if the Bullmastiff is dirty or smelly, a bath can be given. It's best to use a mild shampoo specifically formulated for dogs, as human shampoos may be too harsh and cause skin irritation.
Since this breed's coat is short and bristly, dog clippers should never be used on the Bullmastiff's coat, as this can alter the texture and lead to a nasty-looking patchy coat.
10. Conclusion and Final Tips
The Bullmastiff is an incredible breed that will undoubtedly enrich the lives of anyone willing to make the commitment to care for it properly. Ownership of a Bullmastiff is a rewarding experience that produces a fervent bond between dog and master. To maximize the fulfillment one will receive from this special breed, it is important to understand the breed and its needs. Unfortunately, many of the common problems faced by new Bullmastiff owners result from a misunderstanding of the dog.
For those interested in becoming a Bullmastiff owner, initial research is essential. Beyond this guide, reading more in-depth literature is advisable. Any potential Bullmastiff owner should make every attempt to speak with other current owners to fully understand the breed before obtaining a dog. Time should be taken, if possible, to observe the dog prior to adopting it. One caution is that it is extremely easy to fall in love with this breed. Prior to acquiring a Bullmastiff, it is important to have a small understanding of the initial costs, such as those associated with food, health insurance, socialization and obedience class, spaying/neutering, grooming, and necessary accessories. Also consider future possible costs like medications, health problems, property damage, and liability.
The time and commitment required to successfully care for a Bullmastiff should not be taken lightly. Prior to ownership, potential owners must question whether time can be devoted to provide proper exercise, training, quality food, socialization, companionship, and veterinary care. If the answer is "no" to any of these requirements, one cannot consider the Bullmastiff breed. The Bullmastiff is a large breed that possesses a great deal of strength. However, it is also a gentle giant that is loyal, affectionate, and protective of its master and family. By provided with the proper care and love, the Bullmastiff will reward its owner with unyielding companionship, loyalty, and commitment.