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Medium Size Poodle
Bullmastiff
Written by zooplus Editorial Team
© CallallooFred / stock.adobe.com
A well-trained and adequately rewarded Bullmastiff will willingly follow commands and instructions.
The Bullmastiff is one of the youngest dog breeds in the world. While the powerful giant once made life difficult for poachers in its homeland of England, today this loyal and child-friendly canine is primarily kept as a family dog.
Table of contents
History
Unlike many older dog breeds, the Bullmastiff’s beginnings in the 19th century can be precisely traced. It stands apart from breeds that evolved from more ‘random’ crosses in ancient or medieval times. The Bullmastiff was purposefully bred from the start. Crossing an Old English Mastiff with an Old English Bulldog, 19th-century English gamekeepers aimed to create the perfect guard dog to protect them and their game from poachers.
Despite the death penalty for poaching, many saw it as their last resort. The growing social poverty and desperation of poachers made life increasingly dangerous for gamekeepers who defended the landlords’ game. To escape the death penalty, which awaited them if caught by a gamekeeper, some poachers even resorted to murder. Initially, large hunting dog breeds like the Irish Wolfhound were used to catch poachers. However, these extremely prey-driven dogs often injured poachers so severely that some died from the attacks.
As a result, public executions – intended to deter other poachers – couldn’t take place. Thus, the need arose for a large, strong dog that could quietly but bravely capture poachers without causing severe harm. With a mix of Mastiff (approx. 60%) and English Bulldog (approx. 40%), this goal was soon achieved. Through selective breeding, an excellent guard dog was created with all the desired traits.
The later addition of the Bloodhound improved its sense of smell and tracking abilities, enhancing the “Gamekeeper’s Nightdog”, as it was initially called.
On Christmas Eve 1924, the English Kennel Club officially recognised the new breed with the name “Bullmastiff”, derived from its ancestors, the Old English Mastiff, and Old English Bulldog.
With better social structures and changes in English ownership in the 20th century, the Bullmastiff was no longer needed as a gamekeeper’s guard dog. However, its excellent scent-tracking abilities and menacing appearance soon made it an English “Policedog”. It also became popular with American authorities. In its homeland and many other countries, the loyal and reliable Bullmastiff also became a valued companion and family dog.
Appearance
Standing up to 69cm tall at the withers and weighing up to 60kg, the Bullmastiff is undeniably a large, hefty dog. Despite its stocky build and considerable weight, these dogs never appear sluggish. On the contrary, their muscular bodies impress with strength and agility. This imposing appearance is accentuated by the square shape of the skull, high-set, folded, V-shaped ears, and a wrinkle-free forehead at rest. When something piques its interest, the Bullmastiff’s forehead wrinkles noticeably.
These distinctive forehead wrinkles have become a trademark of this young breed.
The Bullmastiff’s coat colours include shades of red, brindle, or fawn, all featuring a black mask fading towards the eyes, completing its impressive skull. Its extremely muscular neck almost matches the head’s circumference, and its broad chest reaches deep between the wide-set, straight front legs. Though white markings are undesirable according to the FCI standard, one on the proud chest is allowed.
Bullmastiff Temperament
No doubt, this large and strong dog can intimidate others. Its attentive gaze and heavy build suggest it should not be provoked. Fortunately, the Bullmastiff has a high threshold for stimulation, ensuring it never attacks people or animals without reason. This trait, combined with good socialisation and consistent training from puppyhood, makes the Bullmastiff a very calm, gentle, and adaptable dog, suitable for families with children.
Despite its size, it is gentle and patient with children and, given its strong nerves and confidence, is unlikely to be provoked by other dogs during walks. Frequent or nervous barking is uncommon for this breed. Outdoors, it is lively, energetic, and playful, but it also values the peace of home, often spending time alone sleeping when its owner is away.
Despite its balanced and good-natured demeanour, a Bullmastiff can also be quite headstrong. It may sometimes obey commands with a delay, and with commands it deems pointless, its calmness can turn into stubbornness. One shouldn’t expect absolute obedience from a Bullmastiff. This is partly because this breed finds it hard to subordinate. Their intelligence and quick situational assessment make Bullmastiffs equal companions. However, they remain loyal and devoted to their family, showing kindness, friendliness, and strong attachment.
Strangers are met with initial scepticism and distance. With keen perception, the Bullmastiff often quickly understands a person’s intentions. Harmless guests are soon welcomed, but potential intruders quickly learn not to mess with the true “master of the house”. The FCI standard states that “its courage, bravery, and defence against intruders” are legendary. The Bullmastiff’s protective instinct is innate and requires no further encouragement. Similarly, its vigilance doesn’t need training, as this breed naturally possesses a well-developed sense of smell and hearing.
Physically, mentally, and visually, the Bullmastiff has all the qualities of an excellent guard dog. Hence, early socialisation and training by an experienced dog owner are essential to highlight its kind and calm nature and shed the attack dog image, which doesn’t do justice to this friendly, versatile canine.
© Volofin / stock.adobe.com
Breeding and Health
S. E. Moseley, with his “Farcroft” kennel, significantly contributed to the Bullmastiff’s worldwide popularity. His stud dog “Farcroft Fidelity” remains one of the most renowned representatives of the early Bullmastiff breed. Thanks to their calmness, high stimulation threshold, and self-confidence, Bullmastiffs were valued as working dogs in police, tracking, guide, and rescue roles. Moseley, the first president of the “National-Bull-Mastiff-Police-Dog-Club”, also saw their reliability and good nature as ideal for family dogs.
In 1925, he began breeding them not only as guard dogs but also as family and show dogs. After WWII, the Bullmastiff made its way to Germany, where it has been bred since the mid-1970s. England, the breed’s homeland, remains responsible for the breed standard.
The Bullmastiff Working Group in Germany’s “Club for Molosser e. V.” (VDH) now has over 300 members, with 15 recognised breeders. The club sets high standards for breeding animals, accepting only puppies that fully match the breed standard in temperament and appearance. VDH breeders also emphasise the dogs’ health. Generally, Bullmastiffs are a healthy breed with a limited number of breed-specific diseases. Like other large Molossers, they are prone to hip joint problems (HD) and other skeletal diseases, as well as heart muscle disorders.
Bullmastiff Lifespan
With proper care and a healthy diet, Bullmastiffs can live for 10 to 12 years.
© Sergey Lavrentev / stock.adobe.com
Bullmastiff Nutrition
Regardless of breed, all dogs need a meat-rich diet with little grain. Dog food should be chosen based on your pet’s weight, age, and special characteristics: An older dog needs different nutrition than an adult dog because of the many changes that occur with age. If in doubt, consult your vet. For Bullmastiffs, overweight should be avoided as it strains the joints and heart over time. Ensure a balanced diet and give treats in moderation. Fresh water should always be available for your canine friend.
Besides conventional dry and wet food, BARF (biologically appropriate raw feeding) is an option. This diet involves mainly raw meat, supplemented with offal, vegetables, and vitamins and minerals. Beginners should research thoroughly before choosing to BARF, as improper quantities of ingredients can lead to nutrient deficiencies and endanger your dog’s health. It’s best to seek advice from your vet to understand the specific nutrients your dog needs.
Care and Housing
The Bullmastiff’s coat care is straightforward. Thanks to its short, smooth, and tight-fitting coat, occasional brushing is sufficient to remove dirt from long outdoor walks.
However, more time should be invested in training Bullmastiffs. Ideally, training starts at birth from the mother and breeder and continues throughout the dog’s life. Formal obedience training is a good complement to basic training. This type of “work” often brings more delight to these former working dogs than long walks. Despite their moderate energy levels, these calm canines can be housed in city apartments. Nevertheless, every Bullmastiff needs one or two daily exercise sessions to be fully satisfied.
A well-trained and adequately rewarded Bullmastiff will willingly follow commands and instructions, becoming an affectionate and friendly family member. This once guard and police dog will not only reliably protect its family but also be a loyal companion for life.
Other Mastiff Types
If you like the Bullmastiff, you might also be interested in these breeds:
- Boerboel
- English Mastiff
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Pyrenean Mastiff
- Mastín Español (Spanish Mastiff)
The zooplus editorial team consists of a dedicated team of experts and editors with many years of experience in the field of animal husbandry: Florian, Luisa with her White Swiss Shepherd Elyos and Franziska with her Maltese Emmy and her horse Rubi. Together with a large network of animal experts, we work to make the zooplus magazine a trusted source of information for all animal owners and lovers. Our goal is to provide exciting animal knowledge and relevant information on the proper care of pets.
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