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Dogs 101 BULLMASTIFF Top Dog Facts About the BULLMASTIFF

The Bullmastiff, as the name suggests, is a breed developed by combining strains of bulldogs and mastiffs. The word ‘bullmastiff’ had been used in a generic sense for such combinations at least from the 1700s, but a specific breed with defining features began to be developed only in the late 1800s, with specific traits from the English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog. Poaching had become a major problem in those days, and wardens and gamekeepers on large estates were looking for a guard dog that combined the size of a mastiff with the speed of a bulldog. The dog also needed to be tough, brave and obedient. The Bullmastiff, which is supposed to be 40% Old English Bulldog and 60% English Mastiff, proved perfect for this job. By the beginning of the 1900s, breeders began to focus on refining the Bullmastiff breed rather than continuing to cross the two old breeds. In its early days, in keeping with its guard dog duties, dark brindle colored Bullmastiffs were preferred for better camouflage, but over time fawn and red shades became popular too.

Time for some Ruff Trivia:
Which of these films had an FBItrained Bullmastiff as an important character?
o A: See Spot Run
o B: Turner and Hooch
o C: K9
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.


The height of an adult male Bullmastiff is typically between 25 and 27 inches, and weight between 110 and 130 pounds. The female’s height is between 24 and 26 inches, and weight between 90 and 120 pounds. The dog is known for its appearance of strength and alertness. It has a large skull, broad and short muzzle, and a slight underbite. The neck is very muscular, the body compact. The coat is short and dense. White markings can be seen in some dogs, on the chest.

Grooming: The Bullmastiff requires very little coat care – a weekly brush using a soft bristle comb should be good. An occasional bath preserves the sheen of the coat. Its short, but drooping ears can gather debris, which can cause infection. This makes regular cleaning necessary. Many dogs of the breed tend to drool and the facial area around the mouth needs to be wiped for these dogs. Regular trimming of nails and brushing of teeth are advised.

Environment: The most notable trait of a Bullmastiff is its fitness to be a guard dog. It is not trustworthy of new people, is generally silent, and protective of its home and family. It is a low energy dog and, while goodnatured with kids and other pets, is not particularly playful. This can make it a bit boring for children, who typically look for a lively pet that can join them in their antics. The dog is also known to be sensitive, and harsh responses from its master can make it depressed.

Training: The Bullmastiff is easy to train, but requires a firm hand because of its stubborn nature. Its daily exercise needs can be met with a walk on leash – exertion is not advisable, partly because the breed cannot bear heat well. For the same reason, it does better as a home dog.

Health: The Bullmastiff’s life expectancy is 8 to 10 years, a little lower than dogs this size. Some of the more common inheritable diseases are hip or elbow dysplasia, lymphoma cancer, retinal atrophy, arthritis and bloat.

A dog with a majestic appearance, the Bullmastiff is strong but gentle. Very intelligent, it can be a great family companion and an efficient guard dog. Add to these its low maintenance needs, and you have a perfect dog for city living.

Find out if the Bullmastiff would be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.



Music by Kevin McLeod Royalty Free