Breed Profile: Bullmastiff

The bullmastiff was developed during the early- to mid-19th century in Britain to protect large game preserves and land holdings from poachers. The mastiff was crossed with the bulldog to combine the great size and power of the former with the tenacity and ferocity of the latter. The desired result was a dog who could catch, down, and hold a man without mauling him. The preferred brindle color of the early bullmastiffs was developed to make them less detectable in the dark. Subsequent generations of bullmastiffs developed friendlier temperaments that allowed them to function as both guard dogs and family pets.

John D. Rockefeller was the first person to import bullmastiffs into the United States so that he could use them as guard dogs for his country estate in New York. The American Kennel Club first recognized the breed in 1933. Today, the bullmastiff remains useful as a guard dog but is also one of the most affectionate and responsive dog breeds.

The following description is of an “ideal” bullmastiff. Not all bullmastiffs will fit the description exactly, but that’s not an issue unless you want one who can participate in dog shows.

The bullmastiff is intelligent, affectionate toward family members, and fearless. He is generally calm and unexcitable but remains a consummate guard dog who is highly protective of children, other pets, and property.

Here are some traits to consider when determining how well a bullmastiff is going to fit in with you and your family.

The loyalty and devotion of the bullmastiff make him an excellent family pet. He is a natural guardian but is also loving and friendly with family members and those whom he recognizes as nonthreatening. A bullmastiff usually gets along very well with children, but his large size can cause him to injure a child accidentally while playing. He should be carefully supervised around children, and children should be instructed on the proper way to interact with a dog.

Bullmastiffs are happiest when they are with their loved ones, and they can live comfortably in most settings, including apartments in urban areas, assuming that their exercise and other needs are met. They have little tolerance for extreme heat and should be kept indoors in hot weather until the coolest parts of the day. They should never be left unattended outdoors because their guard dog tendencies can make them aggressive toward other animals or perceived threats. Other pets within the home, however, can easily become a part of the bullmastiff’s family—and subject to his protection—with proper and early socialization.

Despite their large size, most bullmastiffs don’t require a great deal of exercise. A fenced yard or other enclosed space is ideal to give them a place to romp, and frequent walks also are beneficial, but a high level of activity is not necessary. Bullmastiffs do not tend to self-exercise, though, so be prepared to spend time exercising with your bullmastiff so that he doesn’t become obese.

The bullmastiff is intelligent and enjoys pleasing his owners, but he also has a bit of a stubborn streak, which can make training more difficult than for other breeds. If training is started early, though, a bullmastiff puppy will more readily accept basic obedience training. Keep training sessions short, interesting, and positive to get the best results.