Now
here is a dog’s dog. The Bullmastiff is as big as his name implies.
The Mastiff is one of Britain’s oldest breeds. The Bullmastiff however
is a fairly recent breed.
It is known that crosses between the Bulldog
and the Mastiff took place already in the 1790’s. However there is
no evidence that these were actually bred at that time.
The Bullmastiff
was bred near the end of the 19th century when game poaching from the large estates
had become a major problem. The estate owners needed a dog that could quietly
and patiently wait as the poacher approached. The Bullmastiff would then
attack on the command of the handler. This dog needed to contain but not
kill the poacher.
It seems that the Mastiff was not fast enough and the
Bulldog was not large enough, hence, the Bullmastiff. The new breeders worked
towards the new breed to be 60percent Mastiff and 40percent Bulldog. By
1924 the breed was considered to be pure.
AKC Ranking: 48 Family:
Bull, Mastiff Origin: England Date of origin: 1800’s Original Duty:
Estate Guardian Today: Companion, Pet
The Bullmastiff, even though it
is a huge muscular dog is gentle and quiet. It is a very loyal companion
to its master. It is not easily to anger, but if it is, a Bullmastiff can
be fearless. Some do have a tendency to be aggressive against strange dogs;
especially the male dog, it can have a problem with other male dogs.
These
dogs need daily exercise. The Bullmastiff is an indoor dog and needs lots
of room for sleeping. They do not tolerate extreme heat very well.
Also, they have been known to drool. Look for a good quality premium dog
food to feed your Bullmastiff.
The Bullmastiff has a very alert look.
They are very strong and muscular and therefore in need of training right from
the onset. The owner needs to familiarize himself/herself with dog training techniques.
They will make the perfect pet for the accurate family.
A beautiful brute
of a dog, the male will weigh 110 – 130 pounds.
