The Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff was developed in Britain and recognized officially in 1924. Sixty percent of its background comes from the Mastiff and the other forty comes from the Bulldog. The dog's purpose was to serve as the nightwatch for gamekeepers. By the end of the 19th century, poaching of game on large estates had become common and poachers would rather kill the gamekeeper than face the death penalty themselves. The Bullmastiff was quick and agile; it was courageous enough to attack on command and hold the perpetrator yet not maul him. The breed also worked as an army dog and a police dog, as well as family protector. The Bullmastiff enjoys family life in the suburbs and can adapt to apartment life as long as daily exercise is provided.
Height: 25 - 27" (63.5 - 63.5cm) for dogs, 24 - 26" (61 - 61cm) for bitches
Weight: 110 - 130 lbs (49.1 - 49.1 kg) for dogs, 100 - 120 lbs (44.6 - 44.6 kg) for bitches
Coat Type: The coat is short, sleek and dense. Colors include red, fawn and brindle, all with black markings on the face. A regular brushing keeps the coat in healthy condition.
Temperament: The Bullmastiff's personality is a well-rounded and robust one. It is fearless, obedient, loyal and affectionate and makes a good family protector. The breed also does well in obedience.
Health Problems: A balanced diet and regular exercise are required to keep the dog from gaining excessive weight. The Bullmastiff, because of its deep chest, is one of the breeds at risk for gastric torsion (bloat).
Special Interest: While the Bullmastiff has been used as an army aid and as a police dog, one of the most distinguished positions the breed holds is watchdog of the Diamond Society of South Africa.
Bullmastiff in a movie:
Please refer to
Training "Spot" the Bullmastiff to "Run"
an article on training a Bullmastif for the movie "See Spot Run", by Fred Topel.
Classifications:
AKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
CKC: Group 3 - Working Dogs
KC: Non-Sporting - Working Group
FCI: Group 2
ANKC: Group 6 - Utility
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