What Is a Bullmastiff?

One of England's massive native dog breeds, the bullmastiff is a relatively new variety. It was recognized for competition in England in 1924 and nine years later by the American Kennel Club. Bullmastiffs are members of the AKC's working dog group. The breed standard for the bullmastiff was finalized in February 1992.

  1. History

    • The bullmastiff is a new breed with a deep heritage, being a mix of 60 percent mastiff and 40 percent bulldog. The mastiff is one of England's oldest breeds, dating to before the Roman conquest. The bulldog also originated in the U.K. and was used for centuries in "bullfights," a practice that was made illegal in 1835. Around 1860, game wardens began crossing mastiffs with bulldogs to create a breed that could help them combat poachers. The bullmastiff breed turned out to be ideal for tracking and nonaggressively subduing illegal hunters until the game warden could arrive.

    Description

    • Male bullmastiffs grow to between 25 and 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 133 pounds. Females are smaller: between 24 and 26 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 120 pounds. The breed has a large, powerful, well-proportioned body noted for strength, speed and endurance. It has a large head with an alert and expressive face, a short muzzle and floppy, triangular ears. Loose skin around the head gives a heavily jowled appearance. Its long tail is thicker at the base than the tip, gradually tapering to a point.

    Coat and Color

    • The bullmastiff's coat is short and coarse, making it easy to groom and requiring just occasional brushing. It does not shed excessively, as long as it is brushed and washed adequately. Coat colors are red, fawn or brindle; they tend to be solid---which is preferred for competition. Historically, the darker shade of brindle was preferred because those dogs were less visible at night when hunting poachers.

    Temperament

    • Bullmastiffs are gentle giants, although they may not be suitable around younger children who accidentally could be knocked down. They have an even-tempered, loving nature and a high sense of loyalty. The bullmastiff is an intelligent breed, a quick learner easy to train. It is slightly more willful than the mastiff, but firm training and positive socializing help develop a well-rounded, well-behaved dog. As a guard dog, it is generally fearless and will protect family and property with its life, if need be.