Origin
The Bullmastiff is a relatively new breed that was developed in the mid-nineteenth century. The Bullmastiff was obtained in England by cross-breeding 60% of Great Danes and 40% of Bulldogs. Some Bullmastiff are listed in archives as early as 1795. The Bullmastiff was used as a guard dog to find, confront and hold poachers. Thus, the Bullmastiff is known as the Gamekeeper’s Night Dog. The dogs were fierce and threatening, but were trained not to bite intruders. The current Bullmastiff is a loyal friend of the family and a good guard. He likes to live with his family, with whom he feels good.
Description
The Bullmastiff is massive, powerful, but not bulky. Males should be 25-28 inches (64-71 cm) tall at the withers and 110 to 130 pounds (50 to 59 kg). Females should be 24 to 26 inches (61-66 cm) tall, and 100-120 pounds (45-54 kg). Their life expectancy is less than 10 years. Their coat is short, thick and slightly hard, offering great protection against rain, snow and cold. His color can be brindle, fawn, or red, often with dark markings on the head. The fawn may vary from light brown to reddish brown. Red can range from a light red-fawn to a dark rich red. The ridges are superimposed fawn or red striped. The Bullmastiff should not have white markings, except on the chest where a little white is allowed.
Temper
The perfect Bullmastiff is bold and confident, but obedient to the will of his masters. Intelligent and reliable, he can be independent, but he needs to please. He is a natural guardian of the home and family and will react immediately to threats. The Bullmastiff was bred to be a silent guard dog. He will therefore seldom bark. The Bullmastiff is patient and protective with children. But because they are so massive, they can hit or walk over little children accidentally. The Bullmastiff can be aggressive with dogs he does not know. He behaves best with dogs of the opposite sex, especially if he was raised with them. He can coexist with cats if raised with them, even if some cannot help but chasing them. The Bullmastiff is a devoted dog, a great guard with a friendly demeanor. He is docile and friendly, but fearless if provoked. Not inclined to aggression, he will however catch an intruder, put him on the ground and keep him there.
Living conditions
The Bullmastiff is a dog of low vitality that can adapt well to most houses, although his size makes him best suited for homes with a fenced yard. They cannot withstand extreme temperatures. Apart from preventing him from wandering, a protective barrier prevents the Bullmastiff from expanding his territory beyond the house and yard. The Bullmastiff should be taken for a walk every day to satisfy his primitive migration instincts. Those who do not meet these needs are more likely to have behavioral problems.
Care
The short-haired, slightly hard, coat is not difficult to maintain. Use a stiff brush and clean the dog if necessary. This breed is losing his hair a bit.
