Differences Between a Mastiff & a Bullmastiff

Mastiffs and bullmastiffs have much in common, including their large size, their willingness to please and their natural tendency to form a strong bond with their handlers. These breeds also differ in traits such as breed beginnings, coat color and length and life expectancy. It is important to consider all traits of a breed before deciding to bring a dog into your home.

  1. Breed Beginnings for Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs

    • The mastiff, sometimes called the English mastiff, is a breed with a history that dates back to the time of Julius Caesar. According to the American Kennel Club, Caesar was impressed with the dogs' ability to fight in combat against the British, and he later introduced them in Rome, making them participate in bullfights and gladiator events.

      Centuries later, the English used the breed as watchdogs to keep wolves away from homesteads. The dogs' intimidating size and courageous manner made them a perfect breed for human protection. The mastiff was introduced in the United States around the 17th century, according to the Dog Breed Info website. World War II saw a drastic decline in population of the breed in Europe, and later mastiffs from the U.S. were brought to England to repopulate the region.

      In contrast, the bullmastiff's history traces back to the 1860s. Again in England, the dogs were bred as watchdogs and game hunters. They are a combination of mastiffs and bulldogs. Breeders aimed to combine the strength and size of the bulldog with the demeanor of the mastiff. According to the AKC, true bullmastiffs are 60 percent mastiff and 40 percent bulldog.

    Size Difference in Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs

    • Due to the bullmastiff's bulldog heritage, it is slightly shorter than the mastiff. According to the AKC, the bullmastiff breed can be anywhere from 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder. The mastiff can be anywhere from 27 to 30 inches at the shoulder, depending on the sex.

      Mastiffs are slightly heavier than bullmastiffs, weighing an average of 160 pounds compared the the bullmastiff's 110 to 130 pounds. The bullmastiff appears slightly stockier than the mastiff.

    Color Differences in Mastiffs and Bull Mastiffs

    • Mastiffs have medium-length coats that can be fawn, apricot or brindle. Mastiff ears should be dark in color and short when compared to the head. The breed also has dark, preferably black, muzzles or faces.

      Bullmastiffs have slightly shorter coats that can be red, fawn or brindle in color. They have medium-length ears that are dark in color. The muzzles or faces are also dark.

    Other Differences Between Mastiffs and Bullmastiffs

    • While both breeds respond well to training, the bullmastiff may need slightly sterner training than the mastiff due to its partly bulldog temperament. Bullmastiffs tend to slobber and drool while mastiffs don't.

      The mastiff's lifespan is 10 to 12 years, and the bullmastiff's is less than 10 years.