How to Select a Bullmastiff

The bullmastiff is a working dog, used by the English in the late 1800s to protect land from poachers. It's a mix of the mastiff and the old English bulldog, with colors of fawn (brown-yellow), red, red-fawn and brindle (gray with dark streaks or spots). This intelligent and good-tempered breed can sometimes be a bit stubborn, but it is generally great as a family pet.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Electric Dog Clippers
• Dog Balls
• Dog Bones
• Dog Bristle Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Dog Training Aids
• Dog Training Leashes/collars
• Dog Shampoo
• Dogs

1. Be careful about choosing a bullmastiff if you have other pets in the house. These dogs tend to get along well with other animals if trained to do so at an early age, but the bullmastiff can also be aggressive. Two males won't get along, and two females may or may not get along.

2. Think about getting a bullmastiff if you live in an apartment or know you'll keep your dog indoors. This breed will remain calm indoors and does well in extreme hot and cold weather.

3. Reconsider getting a bullmastiff if you know the dog will be left alone often. These animals need constant human attention.

4. Keep in mind that a bullmastiff is a very powerful dog with a dominant personality and that it can be aggressive at times. You'll need to train your pet at an early age, so that she knows that you're the boss.

5. Look at a prospective pet's features. An ideal dog will have dark eyes, V-shaped ears and a large skull with wrinkles on the forehead. Its coloring should be mostly fawn, red or brindle, with very little white. Its body should be compact and muscular, and not overly built.

6. Expect a full-grown male to reach a height between 25 and 27 inches and a weight between 110 and 130 lbs. Females will mature to heights between 24 and 26 inches and will weigh between 100 and 120 lbs.

7. Check out breeders carefully. Ask if they are members of breed clubs, specialty clubs or obedience clubs. You can check references through a club to make sure a breeder doesn't run a puppy mill and that it carefully screens for health problems before breeding.

8. Consider adopting a bullmastiff from an animal shelter or a bullmastiff rescue organization (the American Bullmastiff Association has a great rescue program). But keep in mind that many people give up bullmastiffs when the dogs grow up and become too big to handle. Most adoptable bullmastiffs are adults rather than puppies.

9. Note that you'll probably pay between $300 and $1,500 for a bullmastiff.

10. Expect to enjoy your bullmastiff throughout its 10-year life expectancy period.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (see the Related Sites) to learn about hip dysplasia in bullmastiffs.
• The bullmastiff gets along well with children and other pets if socialized with them early on in life.
• The bullmastiff will get along fine with the children in your household, but exercise care if your kids play rough with other kids.
• This breed can be lazy. Your dog needs to be kept active or she will easily gain weight.
• Bullmastiffs tend to drool and snore.
• Unless you are prepared to constantly assert your authority with your bullmastiff, this may not be the dog for you.

[Syncopechic]

on 4/16/2008 I have a Bullmastiff mixed puppy. He loves dogs of both genders. I keep him in line most of the time. He is a very good puppy at just 9 months of age.

[jag96]

on 7/14/2007 I have a bull mastiff named Mikey. He is the best most loving loyal sweet dog i've ever seen. He is like an over grown lap dog who is so scary to look at because they look mean but in reality are so gentle. they are the perfect watch dog as people who don't know them are't coming near your house but if they do and you let them in he'll be kind and so sweet to everyone.I would get another one in a minute. I also have a french mastiff whom i adore but they are much more stubborn and aggressive.They shed terribly and drool and slobber everywhere. But thats Ok because we love him to death.

on 2/1/2006 Be persistent! My Bullmastiff is a lovely dog with my children. Make sure you socialize them lot. They need that to know not all are bad. Our pup is 18 weeks old and is just now beginning to bark if someone walks in the house without knocking. I do love the breed. Drooling is worse after drinking and eating, but not bad so far.

on 1/26/2006 Bullmastiffs are very stout. If your not accustomed to a large breed dog, or never owned a Bullmastiff, you will be surprised at their strength. A lying bully is literally like a tree stump. They are extremely loving and loyal pets, but because of their strength it is a must for them to be socialized at an early age and trained early to understand you are the leader of the pack. Like Rottweilers, they have a very willful personality and can run you over if allowed. Also, Bullmastiffs are not an outside dog. They do not tolerate very cold or very hot temperatures, and their personality requires them to feel they are a part of the family.

If you are prepared to have a horse sit on the sofa and sleep with you, provide you with lots of drooling sloppy kisses, then this is your dog. You will not be able to resists loving their adorable face.

on 11/22/2005 Try not to let your child play roughly with your Bullmastiff. Children often get hurt through rough play due to the size and strength of the dog. The Bullmastiff won't mean to hurt the child, it's just down to their build and strength. I have six children and a Bullmastiff, and the dog is great with them. He is a year old now, but I couldn't ask for a better dog. His temperament is lovely, he is so soft and laid back. He is great.