The Bullmastiff, A Gentle Giant Of A Dog

Now here is a dog s dog. The Bullmastiff is as big as his name implies. The Mastiff is one of Britain s oldest breeds. The Bullmastiff however is a fairly recent breed.

It is known that crosses between the Bulldog and the Mastiff took place already in the 1790 s. However there is no evidence that these were actually bred at that time.

The Bullmastiff was bred near the end of the 19th century when game poaching from the large estates had become a major problem. The estate owners needed a dog that could quietly and patiently wait as the poacher approached. The Bullmastiff would then attack on the command of the handler. This dog needed to contain but not kill the poacher.

It seems that the Mastiff was not fast enough and the Bulldog was not large enough, hence, the Bullmastiff. The new breeders worked towards the new breed to be 60percent Mastiff and 40percent Bulldog. By 1924 the breed was considered to be pure.

AKC Ranking: 48
Family: Bull, Mastiff
Origin: England
Date of origin: 1800 s

The Bullmastiff, even though it is a huge muscular dog is gentle and quiet. It is a very loyal companion to its master. It is not easily to anger, but if it is, a Bullmastiff can be fearless. Some do have a tendency to be aggressive against strange dogs; especially the male dog, it can have a problem with other male dogs.

These dogs need daily exercise. The Bullmastiff is an indoor dog and needs lots of room for sleeping. They do not tolerate extreme heat very well. Also, they have been known to drool. Look for a good quality premium dog food to feed your Bullmastiff.

The Bullmastiff has a very alert look. They are very strong and muscular and therefore in need of training right from the onset. The owner needs to familiarize himself/herself with dog training techniques. They will make the perfect pet for the accurate family.

A beautiful brute of a dog, the male will weigh 110 130 pounds.