Dog Breed Guide

Bullmastiff

Profile

Size

Large

Country of origin

United Kingdom

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Watchdog, Guard dog

Height

male 64 - 69cm (25 - 27in), female 61 - 66cm (24 - 26in)

Weight

male 50 - 59kg (110 - 130lb), female 41 - 50kg (90 - 110lb)

Life span

8 - 10 years

A powerfully built, muscular dog with a broad head and a black mask. The short coat comes in fawn, red and brindle.

The Bullmastiff is calm, patient and affectionate with its family. It is usually quiet, rarely barks and likes to take life easy indoors. At the same time it is strongly protective and keeps a careful distance from strangers. Because it is so strong, training and socialization from puppyhood are important.

It does not need a great deal of exercise, but it gains weight easily, so watch its weight. It drools a lot and is sensitive to heat. The joint problems and bloat common in large breeds are also concerns.

Good to know

In 19th-century England, gamekeepers on large estates struggled with poachers who stole deer and rabbits. To fight back, they set out to create a dog with the size and power of the Mastiff and the courage and speed of the Bulldog, crossing them in a ratio of about 60 percent Mastiff to 40 percent Bulldog. The result was the Bullmastiff.

What they wanted was not a dog that bit, but one that could creep silently through the woods at night, knock a poacher down, pin him and hold him until the gamekeeper arrived. It became known as "the gamekeeper's night dog," and for a time dark brindle coats that blended into the night were favored.

Its skill as a guard is said to have led the South African diamond company De Beers to import Bullmastiffs in 1928 to guard its mines. The Kennel Club in Britain recognized the breed in 1924.