Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff was bred by English gamekeepers in the late 1800s due to a need for a fearless guard dog to protect large estates and game preserves from poachers. These breeders crossed an Old English Bulldog (agility and tenacity) with an English Mastiff (size, strength and loyalty). The Bullmastiff was trained to tackle and pin down poachers, but were trained not to bite.

The Bullmastiff is a large and powerfully built dog. Fearless and intelligent, these dogs thrive on being with family. It’s their instinct to protect – Bullmastiffs are extremely loyal dogs that want to please.

The English Kennel Club recognized the Bullmastiff as a purebred dog in 1924 and the American Kennel Club recognized the Bullmastiff in October of 1933.

Height: The height for a Bullmastiff adult dog is 25 to 27 inches tall (63.5 to 68.5 cm) at the withers. Females typically reach 24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm) at the withers.

Weight: The weight for an adult Bullmastiff dog is 110 to 130 pounds (50 to 59 kg) and for females: 100 to 120 pounds (45 to 55 kg).

Coat Type: The Bullmastiff’s coat is short-haired, dense, rough. This breed’s coat is protective against the elements. Grooming the Bullmastiff’s coat is is easy and this breed sheds very little.

Color: The color of the Bullmastiff’s coat can be red, fawn, or brindle. Except for a very small white spot on the chest, white marking is considered a fault.

Temperament: The Bullmastiff is good-natured, calm, loyal, courageous and loving. This breed has a very strong protective instinct although these dogs normally do not attack to protect. They’ll pin down the one who poses a threat with their massive build or will stand in front of them not allowing them to pass. Early socialization of a Bullmastiff is imperative due to their massive size and wariness of strangers. This breed does very well with children, but must be careful around smaller children since they may inadvertently knock them over possibly causing injury.

Health Problems: Bullmastiffs are prone to certain hereditary diseases such as arthritis, elbow dysplasia, entropion, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, lymphoma cancer and progressive retinal atrophy.

Special Interest:
• Bullmastiffs are massive dogs possibly weighing up to 130 lbs – which is mostly muscle.
• The Bullmastiff is also known as a Gamekeeper’s Night Dog.
• The Bullmastiff barks less often than other breeds.
• The American Kennel Club recognized the Bullmastiff in 1933 and the first standard for the breed was approved in 1935

Classifications:
AKC: Working
ANKC: Group 6 – Utility
CKC: Group 3 – Working Dogs
FCI: Group 2 Section 2 Molossoid breeds
KC: Working
NZKC: Utility
UKC: Guardian Dogs

Kennel.com RecommendsGuide to the Bullmastiff