Dog Information
Learn more about the history of the breed and how to care for them today.
About the Bullmastiff:
Height: 25-27inches (Male), 24-26inches (Female)
Weight: 110-130lbs (Male), 100-120lbs (Female)
Life Expectancy: 7-9 Years
AKC Breed Group: Working Group
Records tell us that the breed was created in 1860 to aid gamekeepers in catching poachers on wealthy English estates. Poaching was a costly issue for estate owners and it was punishable by death.
The gamekeepers, who were hired by estate owners, bred the Mastiff with the Bulldog to give them the bullmastiff we know today. They bred for a ratio of 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The Mastiff gave the dog its great size and power needed to overpower a desperate criminal, while the Bulldog provided the ferocity and attitude they needed to pursue, take down, and hold a man. The Bullmastiff would hold down the criminal until the gamekeeper could catch up and apprehend them. Some dogs were known to have died at the hand of these poachers. The poachers knew their crimes were punishable by hanging, so they would do all they could to escape capture. The dogs were very loyal to their gamekeeper owners, which reflects heavily on the bullmastiff breed we know today.
View the AKC Breed Standard by clicking on the AKC logo: 
Bullmastiff Care:
Bullmastiffs can eat 3-6 cups of dry kibble per day based on their weight. Feed your bullmastiff puppy a large breed puppy food to ensure a slow and steady growth. Puppies should be fed several small meals a day. The bullmastiff grows quite rapidly and is a very large breed of dog, so it is important that you keep them from becoming overweight or gaining weight too quickly as to avoid joint problems and digestive issues. It is recommended that bullmastiffs receive added probiotics and enzymes in their daily rations. This will give them the extra boost they need to avoid an overgrowth of yeast that shows itself through skin issues. The yeast is most commonly seen in the paws between their toes, in their ears, and in other folds anywhere on the skin where moisture can be trapped.
Below is a link to the wonderful NuVet Lab’s products that I use on my dog’s food. I highly recommend their products that increase the beneficial bacteria, yeast, and enzymes that are lacking in today’s commercial diets.
Visit NuVet Labs Here.
Most commercial dog foods lack the beneficial microflora that dogs need present in their gut. Microflora are things such as good bacteria, yeasts, and enzymes that help to kill viruses, bad bacteria, and funguses that make their way into the dog’s body. Here is a quick and easy recipe guide from Nature’s Farmacy to create a healthy, hearty dog food at home in which you can add their products and NuVet Lab’s products that provide these beneficial microflora.
Bullmastiffs don’t require much in the way of grooming. Bathe them as needed and keep their wrinkles clear of dirt. Keep their nails trimmed. Shedding is seasonal and minimal. Significant hair loss, and dry or oily skin can be an indicator of poor diet or environmental allergies. It is recommended that you add probiotics and enzymes to their diet to help prevent these possible skin issues.
Bullmastiffs are very large dogs and they carry a lot of weight in muscle and bone. In order to fulfill their original breed purpose and maintain good health for family life today, they should be able to run and stay agile. Too much muscle is not advantageous to their duties of guard dog. We screen our dogs through OFA according to the ABA’s (American Bullmastiff Association) Health & Research Committee’s recommendations. More specifically, the ABA recommends hip, elbow, eye, and thyroid evaluation as well as a cardiac exam. Bullmastiffs are prone to certain cardiac issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and eye problems. They can also suffer from cancers and bloat, which are unfortunately quite common in many breeds of dogs.
Allergies: Bullmastiffs as well as all breeds can have dry or itchy skin caused by a wide range of allergens such as food, fleas, or the environment around them. Be sure to keep your bullmastiff on a healthy diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals and keep fleas off of them. Fleas are the most common cause of allergies in dogs. Home remedies are highly advised in place of over the counter or prescription chemical products.
Socialization and obedience training early on is critical for the bullmastiff breed. They will become very powerful and large and they can easily overpower their owners if not taught to obey at a young age. Training your bullmastiff will benefit both you and your dog and form a lasting bond. It is highly recommended that you join a local puppy obedience class with your puppy as soon as possible and continue to work with your dog through adulthood so they learn to respect and obey your commands.
Bullmastiff puppies do chew, as do most other breeds of puppies. Providing an early correction to inappropriate chewing behavior is essential. Redirecting unwanted chewing with a proper chew toy or bone will help them to understand what is okay to chew on and what is not.
Rough play and games like “tug-of-war” are not recommended for bullmastiffs because this can encourage aggressive behavior.
Bullmastiffs have been known to dig. In some dogs, this instinct to dig is just the heritage of the breed. Some dogs may be more inclined to dig if they are left all alone in the yard for a long period of time without any sort of enrichment. The bullmastiff is a family dog and with its sensitivity to high heat and extreme cold, it shouldn’t be left outdoors for long periods of time. However, if your dog is put outside for any short period of time without the stimulation provided by toys, playtime and exercise, they will often turn to digging or chewing to alleviate their boredom.
The bullmastiff does not have anything near the exercise needs of an Australian Shepherd but they do enjoy daily walks. Some dogs are more active than others but they all enjoy a moderate amount of exercise and play time. A fenced in yard is highly recommended as Bullmastiffs need their own space to roam and the fencing should be solid and secure so outsiders cannot come into the Bullmastiff’s territory. They were created to be guard dogs so they are very protective of their territory. They are sensitive to high heat and extreme cold due to their shorter muzzle length so be sure not to exercise them for long periods of time in these conditions. Overall they have an ideal energy level and exercise need.
