Description

The Bullmastiff is a strong looking dog at first glance - and first impressions are correct. With a sold body frame and a powerful stance, this breed can be quite intimidating to the everyday person that encounters it. But while this stocky build appears to be awkward, the overall frame of the Bullmastiff can be quite agile.

The head has wrinkled skin on the surface and is broad in size, though short. The square shape contains a muzzle that\'s about one third of the entire head\'s size with a dark coloring. With a black nose and larger nostrils, the Bullmastiff is punctuated by piercing hazel eyes that have a focused and intelligent appearance. The ears of the Bullmastiff are set wide on the head and are dark in color and have a v shape. The shortened back portion of this breed is straight and is on the same level as the loin and the withers of the dog. The tail is set high and tapers, reaching to the backs of the legs.

With such an impressive look, it\'s no wonder the Bullmastiff is a menacing dog that can help with guarding your family or a single person. Very alert in nature, this is a dog that will protect whoever it deems to be worth protecting. In this loyalty, training can be tricky, but if you start at a young age and work to consistently build trust, you will have a protector and a friend for a long time.

Coat Description

The fur of a Bullmastiff is short and thin, making this breed unable to deal with extreme temperature changes. The short and rough coat can come in a number of colors and patterns (see Colors below) and in consistent in length and texture throughout the body.

History

The Bullmastiff is thought to be a cross between the Bulldog and the English Mastiff with a rich history. This is a breed that was originally bred to search out and to stop poachers, but then became a part of the family setting. The combination of the two breeds is about 60% Mastiff and 40% of Bulldog. Then the dog was used as a hunting dog and then as a watchdog by the Diamond Society of South Africa.

Recognized as a purebred by the English Kennel Club in 1924, it was soon followed with recognition by the American Kennel Club in 1933.

Temperament

Loyal isn\'t strong enough of a word to use to describe the Bullmastiff. This is a dog breed that\'s often called courageous for its ability and desire to protect those it feels it needs to protect. This protective instinct is not punctuated by a fierce attacking stance, however, but rather an action to divert the danger away from the person that is being threatened. While the Bullmastiff will attack if it feels that is the only option, generally speaking, it will simply just stand between the stranger/intruder and the person the dog is protecting.

The usual response in highly threatening situations is for the dog to physically stop the danger, but if that doesn\'t work, the dog will catch the intruder and knock them down, holding them until they are told to let them go. Often, this dog will simply \'mouth\' on the intruder and not bite them, making them a great watchdog or companion when you\'re out at night. However, just like any other dog that\'s fearful for its life, in certain situations, it will bite and attack more aggressively.

What should be noted about its protective nature is that the Bullmastiff is protective of PEOPLE, and not necessarily \'things.\' So, they aren\'t necessarily a good choice if you want to protect your home when you\'re not around, as they may not feel the draw to protect \'things.\'

The Bullmastiff is a dog that will become attached to its family quite quickly. And in the presence of these people it trusts, it will be docile and loving. Calm by nature, this dog breed is fearless and willful at the same time. If they are trained when they are young, they can be the perfect dog for a family, even with children. But the dog will need to be trained to not act out with children. In any case, even with training, leaving the child alone in the room with the dog is not advised, especially when the child is young. The dog can accidentally run or bump into the child, causing injuries.

Depending on the Bullmastiff, it may or may not get along with other dogs. This largely depends on whether it has been socialized with other dogs when it was young. In many cases, the male Bullmastiff will not do well with other male dogs, so this can be problematic. And in even rarer cases, female Bullmastiffs can be intolerant of other females.

Thyroid Disease - Medium Risk

The Bullmastiff ranks #70 among all breeds for autoimmune thyroiditis prevalence. While this is not a high risk breed, there is still a good chance of disease transmission through breeding. Therefore, all dogs intended for breeding should be tested first. 

You can download the full report (on all breeds) by the Michigan State University Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health. Here

Other Health Problems

Though the Bullmastiff is a healthy and athletic dog, it is prone to several health problems:

• Hip dysplasia - A common occurrence in dogs. This is a condition in which the hip joint wears down, causing pain and problems with mobility. Owners can choose to treat with pain medications, activity, and sometimes surgery in severe cases. Occurs over time.
• Elbow dysplasia - The same situation as hip dysplasia, but in the elbow area. Often caused by the larger bond structure of this particular breed.
• PRA ( Progressive Retinal Atrophy ) - The retina begins to deteriorate, causing troubles with sight in the dog.
• Hypothyroidism - A slowed thyroid condition that can cause the body to not function properly. Treatment can include thyroid replacement supplements and monitoring of thyroid levels.
• Entropion - The inward rolling of the eyelid.
• Lymphoma cancer - Quite common in this breed and can progress rapidly, beginning with fatigue and lethargy, then pain and problems with basic activities and functions. Often results in the need for chemotherapy or other cancer therapies, but many times require euthanasia.