How to Care for Bullmastiffs

Bull mastiffs are powerful but affectionate pets.

A large dog breed, the bullmastiff hails from England with roots reaching as far back as the 1800s. These docile, loyal dogs were bred to be fast, powerful guard dogs but their quiet, calm dispositions make them ideal apartment and house pets. Knowing how to care for bullmastiff prepares you for ownership of an independently-thinking, smart and friendly dog.

Things You'll Need

• Puppy training pads
• Harness with leash
• Dog food
• Treats

Instructions

1. Take your bullmastiff puppy to a veterinarian who focuses his practice around dogs, and preferably, large-breed dogs. Large-breed dogs are prone to conditions that don't often affect small breeds, making their care specialized.

   Have your vet administer shots for your puppy before you bring it home and settle it in as a member of the family. Puppies are susceptible to parvo, distemper and other conditions that the all-in-one vaccination given by a vet will prevent.

2. Use puppy pads to train your bullmastiff. These intelligent dogs train well, and the attractants used in puppy pads make it easier to train your dog not to "go" wherever it pleases.

3. Harness train your dog with a leash instead of a collar. Bullmastiffs have massive necks and square heads, making it easy for a collar to slip off while leash training. A harness gives this large dog proper support for going on walks.

4. Select a dog food that is formulated for a bullmastiff's diet, and appropriate for your dog's age. Mastiffs require high levels of protein for developing and maintaining their muscles; find a brand of dog food that contains at least 18 g of protein, with a balance of grains and vegetables.

   Feed your bullmastiff three times a day at the same time as your scheduled meals. This promotes good digestive health and trains the dog's bowels, cutting down on accidents in between walks.

5. Give your dog treats only when it completes a trick or task that warrants a reward. During obedience training, a bullmastiff aims to please its owner but it can still be difficult, so treats come in handy.

Tips & Warnings

• Socialize your bullmastiff as frequently as possible. When you are leash-training your pet, take it to a park to visit people and other dogs. Constant socialization reduces the chances of your dog forming an aggressive character.

References

• Bullmastiffs Online: Bullmastiff Information Resource
• American Kennel Club: Bullmastiff