Bullmastiff Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: Bullmastiffs don’t shed too much, but their coat should be kept clean and shiny with a short daily brushing. Their ears should be checked for any discharge or build-up, and can be cleaned with a solution provided by a veterinarian. Nails should be trimmed once a month, and teeth should be brushed daily. Frequent grooming helps form a bond between the Bullmastiff and owner, and ensures that your animal stays healthy.

Coat length: Short

Grooming: Occasional

Shedding: As long as a regular grooming schedule is followed, Bullmastiffs should not produce too much excess fur. However, their large size means that owners will need to clean hairs off of rugs or furniture every so often.

Training: Early socialization and constant training are essential when you choose a large breed that comes from a guard dog lineage like the Bullmastiff. They are intelligent animals that seek to please their masters, but they are also independent thinkers who need clear boundaries to be set for their behavior. Bullmastiffs can become bored with repetitive commands or poorly planned training sessions, so it is important to have a good base of knowledge in different dog training methods. Positive reinforcement and food rewards are often effective, while physical punishment has little effect and often causes more problems than it corrects. Owners need to remember that bad habits that seem cute when a Bullmastiff is small can become a huge problem once the dog is fully grown.

Barking: Bullmastiffs are not known to be frequent barkers. When they do speak, it is a deep, authoritative bark that is sure to deter an intruder. However, if a Bullmastiff is not properly socialized, their territorial instincts may cause them to bark more frequently than desired.

As long as prospective owners understand the lineage of the Bullmastiff and have a good understanding of how they want to train their dog, they should have no trouble raising a confident, loyal animal that is comfortable in a wide range of situations. However, inexperienced owners may be challenged by the Bullmastiff’s tendency to think for themselves. If they are not well socialized and do not understand their place within the home, a Bullmastiff can be dangerous to other animals and people.

Temperament & Behavior: Bullmastiffs were originally bred to be the guardians of large estates, and though they have adapted to become wonderful family dogs today, much of their behavior can be explained by their historical purpose. They can be territorial and mistrustful of strangers, so it is essential to socialize and train them properly from an early age. Bullmastiffs are fairly independent animals who are happy to spend time alone while you are away, but they still need their fair share of affection and companionship. Most Bullmastiffs are calm and relaxed, but when they sense trouble they will instinctively and courageously protect their owner from a threat.

Behavior with kids: The Bullmastiff can be an excellent companion for children, often displaying plenty of patience and a surprising degree of playfulness. However, their size means they could accidentally step on a toddler or knock them over, and their protective instincts can sometimes lead them to react if children are playing rough with each other. Like all breeds, they should not be left alone with young children.

Protection: The large size and bold appearance of the Bullmastiff is often enough to deter many threats. Bullmastiffs were bred to have the intelligence and quickness to catch intruders, and the size to hold them down. They are fearless and relentless in the defense of their owners, and respond instinctively to threats.

Life Span: On average, Bullmastiffs live to be about 8 to 10 years old.

Inherited health issues: Many health conditions have been identified in the Bullmastiff and occur either through methods of inheritance or at an increased frequency within the breed. Genetic testing is commonly performed by responsible breeders in an attempt to decrease the incidence of many health issues. These may include: lymphoma, ectropion, entropion, progressive retinal atrophy, glaucoma, macroblepharon, optic nerve hypoplasia, persistent pupillary membranes, retinal dysplasia, cystine urolithiasis, osteochondritis dissecans, hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia

Preventive care: Related to their giant stature, Bullmastiffs are prone to developing a variety of joint conditions. Maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial to keeping your Bullmastiff’s joints in the best shape possible. Fish oil supplements can also be helpful to decrease inflammation within the joints related to the onset of arthritis.

Bullmastiffs can also develop a variety of eye issues. Be sure to take your Bullmastiff to the veterinarian if you notice any changes in the appearance of their eyes or with their vision. Any problems are best addressed sooner rather than later.

Since adult Bullmastiffs are not known for a high level of energy, they can easily become overweight if they are overfed. Make sure that your Bullmastiff is fed several portion-controlled meals of a balanced diet every day. Avoid offering treats or table foods in excess because this will quickly pack on the pounds.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Bullmastiff is 3-5 cups daily

Exercise: The amount of exercise that a Bullmastiff needs changes throughout its life. Before they are two years old, Bullmastiffs can be quite energetic, so owners can be tempted into overworking them. Excess walking at this age can cause health problems down the road, so owners must carefully monitor the activity level of their pet.

As a Bullmastiff grows older, they should mellow and be quite content spending the majority of their time guarding their home. Adult Bullmastiffs will still require around 30 minutes of exercise per day. Early training is essential to ensure that a strong, powerful breed like the Bullmastiff does not walk you.

Climate: Bullmastiffs do well in cold or temperate climates, but struggle in the heat. Owners should avoid walking them during the hottest parts of the day, and if they are left outside they must have plenty of water and shade.

Living space: Though they are obviously a large breed that would be comfortable roaming the grounds of a manor house, Bullmastiffs are fairly low energy dogs once they reach maturity. It is possible for them to live in an apartment if they get consistent exercise. However, owners need to remember that their sheer size can be difficult in compact living spaces.