The Bullmastiff

Bullmastiff

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Instead of the usual alarms, razor-wire fences and other intimidating security accessories, have you ever considered owning a guard dog? These guard dogs are the perfect solution for keeping your family safe, with the added bonus of having a loveable pooch in the house to get active with and dote on, of course!

This breed makes the ultimate mix of loveable family pet and excellent guard dog! This breed could never be described as shy and retiring! These dogs are fearless defenders of their humans and are the perfect breed to keep you feeling secure in your home whenever they are around. With the right training, these dogs have traits that make them a key part of family life, both for security and for their beautiful, easy-going natures. Does this breed look familiar? Bullmastiffs are closely related to the South African Boerboel Mastiff , another imposing breed known for its formidable appearance and approach to strangers, but with a loving and loyal attitude to its owners.

Both breeds share common ancestors and appearances, with Bullmastiffs being more mellow in nature. One of the most immediately noticeable physical aspects of the Bullmastiff breed is their imposing size and strength.

Bullmastiffs: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em

This breed is built tall and strong, most of its weight made up of muscle. Bulles have expressive eyes, generally found in a dark hazel color, but in rare cases, they can range to lighter colored or even yellow. Bullmastiffs boast a short, dense shiny coat, which makes them perfect for colder climates. They can be found in fawn, which can range from a light to a red-toned brown, red and brindle.

Bullmastiffs have easy to groom coats that require very little upkeep. There are many types of Mastiffs. It can be confusing to know what exactly the differences are between some closely related types, such as the Bullmastiff and the English Mastiff.

Breed Characteristics

The Bullmastiff is a breed that came about from a cross between the Bulldog and the English Mastiff. English Mastiffs are much larger than Bullmastiffs and are descended from an ancient breed of dog known as Alaunts. A unique coat variation in the Bullmastiff is brindle, which is comprised of a mix of brown, black and yellow shades in unusual and remarkable patterns. These eye-catching pooches are rare and their brindle coat can range from light to dark shades.

Bullmastiffs are powerfully built dogs. Most Bulles tower over the average toddler, with male adult dogs exhibiting an average height of inches and weight of pounds and females inches and pounds according to the American Kennel Club. Bullmastiffs are certainly no lap dogs! While their size assists them in being excellent in apprehending intruders, a Bullmastiff with sufficient obedience training is no threat to strangers or their family.

Bullmastiff dogs are intensely loyal and protective and would die to keep their owners safe. Always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any ear biting or tail pulling on the part of either party. Teach your child to never approach any dog while he's sleeping or eating or try to take away the dog's food. No dog, no matter how good-natured, should ever be left unsupervised with a child.

The Bullmastiff may well be aggressive toward dogs he doesn't know. He does best with dogs of the opposite sex, especially if he's been raised with them. He can get along with cats if he's raised with them, although some Bullmastiffs can't resist the urge to chase them. A cat who stands up for itself will fare better than one who runs away. Bullmastiffs are often acquired without any clear understanding of what goes into owning one, and these dogs often end up in the care of rescue groups, in need of adoption or fostering. Contact rescue organizations for more information about available dogs and adoption requirements.

Below are breed clubs, organizations, and associations where you can find additional information about the Bullmastiff. See Dogs Not Kid Friendly. Anything whizzing by — cats, squirrels, perhaps even cars — can trigger that instinct. Dogs that like to chase need to be leashed or kept in a fenced area when outdoors, and you'll need a high, secure fence in your yard. These breeds generally aren't a good fit for homes with smaller pets that can look like prey, such as cats, hamsters, or small dogs.

Breeds that were originally used for bird hunting, on the other hand, generally won't chase, but you'll probably have a hard time getting their attention when there are birds flying by. See Dogs With Low Intensity.

Bullmastiffs don't need a lot of exercise and will be happy with a couple of short walks every day. Bullmastiffs can do well in families where both parents work. They are not overly concerned with being alone, but puppies will need someone who can come home to let them out for potty breaks. Bullmastiffs shed little and require only minimal grooming. Bullmastiffs can do well in apartments or condos because they're so mellow. Bullmastiffs can be aggressive toward other animals if they're not properly socialized Bullmastiffs should live indoors with their people.

Bullmastiffs are prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke and should be kept indoors during hot or humid weather. Bullmastiffs drool and can be prone to gassiness. If wiping up drool bothers you in any way, this is not the breed for you. Bullmastiffs need early training that continues throughout their life. Training and socialization help curb unwanted aggression and willfulness. Large and loving, Bullmastiffs enjoy spending time with you on your couch, feet, and lap.

They take up a lot of room but give you lots of love in return. Bullmastiffs can be determined guard dogs and will protect their home and family with their life if the need arises. Their size and confidence is a deterrent to intruders. Bullmastiffs are good with children, but they can accidentally knock over or step on toddlers. Bullmastiffs have a high pain threshold so it can be difficult to determine if the dog is hurt. Never acquire a Bullmastiff from a puppy broker or pet store.

Reputable breeders do not sell to middlemen or retailers, and there are no guarantees as to whether the puppy had healthy parents. Reputable breeders perform various health tests to ensure that their breeding dogs don't pass on a predisposition to genetic diseases. Interview breeders thoroughly, and make sure the puppy's parents have been screened for genetic diseases pertinent to that breed.

Ask breeders about the health issues they've encountered in their dogs, and don't believe a breeder who claims that her dogs never have any health problems.

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Ask for references so you can contact other puppy buyers to see if they're happy with their Beardie. Doing your homework may save you from a lot of heartbreak later. This is a heritable condition in which the thighbone doesn't fit snugly into the hip joint. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both rear legs, but you may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. As the dog ages, arthritis can develop.

Dogs with hip dysplasia should not be bred. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but it can be worsened by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries incurred from jumping or falling on slick floors. This is a heritable condition common to large-breed dogs. It's thought to be caused by different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog's elbow, causing joint laxity. This can lead to painful lameness. Your vet may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to control the pain. Caused by a deficiency of thyroid hormone, this disease may produce signs that include infertility, obesity, mental dullness, and lack of energy.

The dog's fur may become coarse and brittle and begin to fall out, while the skin becomes tough and dark. Hypothyroidism can be managed very well with a thyroid replacement pill daily. Medication must continue throughout the dog's life. This defect, which is usually obvious by six months of age, causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes can be affected.

If your Bullmastiff has entropion, you may notice him rubbing at his eyes. The condition can be corrected surgically, which is best done after the dog reaches maturity at one or two years of age. This common heart defect occurs when the aorta narrows below the aortic valve, forcing the heart to work harder to supply blood to the body. This condition can cause fainting and even sudden death.

Did You Know?

It's an inherited condition, but its mode of transmission isn't known at this time. Typically, a veterinary cardiologist diagnoses this condition after a heart murmur has been detected. Dogs with this condition should not be bred. This genetic disorder is caused by an inability to reabsorb cystine, an amino acid, back into the kidney tubules.

This results in the formation of kidney or bladder stones, which can cause life-threatening blockages of the urinary tract, especially in males. It's identified through an inexpensive urine nitroprusside test for cystine available through the University of Pennsylvania. Medication, diet, and surgery are all options that may help. Dogs with this inherited defect should not be bred. This life-threatening condition can affect large, deep-chested dogs such as Bullmastiffs, especially if they are fed only one large meal a day, eat rapidly, drink large volumes of water after eating, or are allowed to exercise vigorously after eating.

Raised feeding dishes and the type of food given may also be factors. It is more common among older dogs. GDV occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and then twists torsion. The dog is unable to belch or vomit to rid itself of the excess air in its stomach, and the normal return of blood to the heart is impeded.

Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog can die. Suspect bloat if your dog has a distended abdomen, is salivating excessively and retching without throwing up. He also may be restless, depressed, lethargic, and weak with a rapid heart rate. It's important to get your dog to the vet as soon as possible. There is some indication that a tendency toward GDV is inherited, so it's recommended that dogs who develop this condition be neutered or spayed.

Ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament: This common knee injury tends to occur in large young dogs during play and older overweight dogs. A twisting of the dog's hind leg, which causes the anterior cruciate ligament to tear or rupture resulting in a sudden lameness in a hind leg. When the ligament is torn or ruptured, the tibia and femur can move against each other.

This can lead to arthritis fairly quickly. Surgery is one form of treatment if the ligament is completely torn. If the ligament is only partially torn and other circumstances rule out surgery as an option, the rupture can be treated medically with special instruction on low-impact exercise and, if the dog is overweight, diet. Dogs, like humans, can develop cancer. There are many different types of cancer, and the success of treatment differs for each individual case.

For some forms of cancer, the tumors are surgically removed, others are treated with chemotherapy, and some are treated both surgically and medically. Cancers found commonly in Bullmastiffs include lymphosarcoma, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, and mast cell tumors. This is an elusive ailment sometimes seen in young dogs. Its primary sign is sudden lameness, and puppies usually outgrow it by the age of two years with no long-term problems. The lameness can be slight or severe and can be managed with canine pain relievers. Panosteitis is often misdiagnosed as elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, or even more serious disorders.

If misdiagnosed, the vet may want to do surgery on your dog that isn't needed. If signs occur, ask for a second opinion from an orthopedic specialist before allowing surgery to be performed. Bullmastiffs have sensitive skin that can be prone to rashes, sores, and irritations. They may also be prone to contact or inhalant allergies , caused by a reaction to substances such as detergents or other chemicals or airborne allergens such as pollen, dust, and mildew. Check your Bullmastiff's skin regularly and treat any rashes quickly.

Provide soft, clean bedding in crates and other sleeping areas to prevent sores. Sometimes a change to a diet with few or no chemical additives can help. Other Bullmastiffs need long-term treatment with antibiotics or steroids to keep skin problems under control. The Bullmastiff coat is short and dense, offering good protection from rain, snow, and cold. Though usually mild-mannered, the powerful Bullmastiff is also serious and self-assured. He is afraid of nothing, and once aroused will seldom back down.

Bullmastiff puppies up to two or three years old can be rambunctious and have an aversion to keeping all four feet on the ground at the same time. Fortunately, adults are calm and quiet and need only moderate exercise to maintain their impressive muscle tone. This breed is intensely loyal to his family and doesn't like being left outside. If he doesn't get enough companionship or personal attention, he may walk through fences just to be with people. Though sensible with strangers, the Bullmastiff does have well-established protective and territorial instincts.

He must be thoroughly socialized at an early age so that he learns to distinguish friend from foe. He can be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex, and though he may be fine with the family cat, strange animals will not be accepted onto his property. Tremendously strong and stubborn, Bullmastiffs are inclined to do things their own way and will test members of the family. However, he will respond to early, consistent obedience training that includes leadership, cheerful praise, and food rewards.

Overall, he's a splendid, capable companion for assertive owners, but without ongoing time and effort, socialization and supervision, he is too much to handle. Keep in mind that the inheritance of temperament is less predictable than the inheritance of physical traits such as size or shedding. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training.

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