Bull Mastiff breed is a fearless and firm dog to act as a family guardian. These dogs have got a soft spot for lovable people. These dogs are generally known as silent watchdogs which makes them suitable as apartment dogs. The dogs are short and easy-care coats. Also, famous for their drooling activity. Here are some facts about the bullmastiff that you must always know.
More about the breed
The Bullmastiff is a very imposing dog, of large size, which carries all its bulk with elegance and ease. An adult male can reach a height of 70 cm at the withers for a weight of about 60 kg. The trunk is compact and strong, with a short back without curvature, the limbs are very straight and muscular; particularly developed in the back. The tail has a rather high set and is carried straight or slightly curved, the neck has a medium length and is strong and muscular, slightly arched. The head is square and imposing, very wrinkled; the muzzle is short and flattened with a very evident stop.
The truffle is large and flat, absolutely black in color. The eyes are dark, slightly elongated, and very expressive. The ears, positioned very high, are wide and soft; triangular in shape and with a rounded tip. They are worn drooping and give the dog’s head an even more square shape. The coat is made up of a layer of short hair that is very hard to touch, uniform all over the body. The allowed colors are fawn in all its shades and brindle, the black mask is mandatory.
The dogs originated and developed by the gamekeepers on the vast estate of England and served as the guardians of the ground. These were bred to be courageous, muscular, confident, and fast. The breed has a formidable appearance that has got powerfully built. The dogs are determined protector when you need. Also, they act as loving friends for a family to have the best life. When you well train and well socialise the dog’s Bullmastiff turns to be confident, good credit, and trustworthy to the other dogs and breed in general.
In a sense, the dog is a clean breed that does not shed excessively. But they are drooling dogs, and thus it is better to keep a hand towel with you for cleaning. Despite the size, the bullmastiff is not a highly energetic dog. It needs a couple of short walks and playtimes in a day to meet the needs. The dogs live very comfortably in an apartment as long as you give them a chance for an outing.
Breed Overview
- Life expectancy: 8 – 10 years
- Origin: United Kingdom
- Temperament: Loyal, Obedient, Strong, Protective, Reserved, Trustworthy, Vigilant, Affectionate, Brave, Calm
- Height: Male: 64–68 cm, Female: 61–66 cm
- Colors: Brindle, Fawn, Red
- Weight: Male: 50–59 kg, Female: 45–54 kg
- AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 51 of 197
- Hair: Hard, Short
- Coat: Masked, Markings, Brindle
The temperament of the bullmastiff
The puppy has more energy than an adult dog. However, the dogs must settle down by the time they are two years old. Being low-key does not mean that the dogs are lazy. The breeds are best with dog sports like conformation, agility, tracking, and obedience. The dogs are super therapy dogs. When the talk is about training, the dogs turn to be independent thinkers. You can guide them with consistency and firmness at the early stage.
It is better to let dogs go on their way and hence you must not make it happen. It is essential to give early socialization which helps them explore sounds, sights, and experiences. The dogs should live in a fenced area, but it is good for them to live at home. The breed detains the unwelcome visitors with his presence and size.
Highlights
Bullmastiff dogs do not need to perform a lot of exercises and become happy after a short walk.
These dogs can perform well in a family with both working parents. The dogs do not feel overly concerned about living alone.
They shed very little and require less grooming, but are famous for drooling.
They can perform well in the apartments because they are mellow.
The dogs turn to be aggressive if you do not socialize them properly.
It is better if this breed lives indoor with loving people.
The dogs are generally prone to heatstroke and heat exhaustion and should leave indoors during humid and hot weather.
History
The Bullmastiff is a dog of English origin belonging to the Molosser class, a breed created with crosses aimed at obtaining a perfect guard dog. As often happens it is very difficult to understand exactly what was the chronological order of the attempted crosses, in this case, according to some dog experts there would have been the first attempt between Mastiff, Bulldog, Ir
Of course, there is no confirmation of all this, one can only refer to the obvious similarities that the breed has. In any case, one thing is certain, in 1924 the new English dog breed was recognized by the FCI, and it spread like wildfire throughout the United Kingdom.
Personality
Bullmastiff is a fearless and confident dog that is very obedient to people’s wishes. These are smart and reliable dogs who are independent thinkers. The dog is the natural guardian of the house and the family who gives a response very instantly if you threaten them.
Nutrition
Bullmastiffs require a high-quality, healthy diet. They need a lot of nutrition, but not as much as can be expected. This variety could be great, however, they aren’t constantly busy. Many Bullmastiffs prefer to doze on their laps than play fetch.
Normally, Bullmastiffs need diets rich in meaty proteins, leafy vegetables, fruits, and essential vitamins. Vitamin C and minerals like magnesium and calcium are especially crucial for a Bullmastiff’s overall health.
Normally, this breed should consume around 1,770 to 2,100 calories per day, depending on their activity level. Sometimes, a very active Bullmastiff may need around 3,000 calories each day.
It is best to prevent Bullmastiff food containing artificial preservatives or flavorings, while these additives may produce the flavor of the formula better, they are not great for achieving Bullmastiff wellness.
Another common problem within this particular breed diet is food irritants. Some Bullmastiffs may have problems consuming gluten or grain-based products and may work best on a grain-free diet.
Puppy Bullmastiff Diet Bullmastiffs grow and grow at a slower rate than many other breeds. It is significant that Bullmastiff puppies consume a large breed puppy formulation that will provide them with nearly 22% protein as well as high levels of essential minerals and vitamins.
Mature Bullmastiff Diet Many Bullmastiffs don’t reach adulthood until they are 18 months to 24 weeks old. Sometimes, it may take 3 years to fully complete the growth. However, after your dog is fully grown, it’s time to change him to a large breed adult formula. Many Bullmastiffs consume around 25% protein in their diet, as well as lots of vegetables and fruits.
Senior Bullmastiff Diet Having a shorter lifespan, Bullmastiffs can begin to show signs of aging from 6 to 7 decades. Now, it’s best to start gradually transitioning to the senior formulation. Many older Bullmastiffs become less busy in their golden years and may only require 18% protein.
Along with providing your Bullmastiff with healthy, high-quality food, it may be beneficial to bring a supplement such as glucosamine to his diet. As they grow and grow, it is imperative that this strain maintains joint, muscle, and skin health so they can prevent problems in the future.
Special Diet For Bullmastiffs
Although the Bullmastiff variety is typically healthy, worrying health problems are more likely to occur. While a nutritious diet cannot completely prevent these problems, giving your dog the proper nutrition can decrease the risk of various diseases or ailments. Here are some of the common diseases that Bullmastiff suffers from:
- Hip dysplasia
- Allergies
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hypothyroidism
- Cancer
- Inflate
- Obesity
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are typical problems in moderate and large breeds. Dysplasia occurs when the hip or elbow joints get unnaturally ordered. While this can happen at any time during a Bullmastiff’s life, it is generally more noticeable with age.
Dysplasia of the hip and elbow can cause your dog to really have a reduction in the function of the affected joints. They may have trouble climbing, climbing stairs, and running. Without any treatment, some dogs may eventually lose the ability to walk.
Allergies are a problem in most strains, but they could be a specific problem for Bullmastiffs. It is not uncommon for a Bullmastiff to have an allergy to gluten-based products or problems with trapping soy, corn, and wheat. Although allergic reactions may differ from dog to dog, common symptoms include nausea, itching, and chronic ear infections.
Bullmastiffs are also more likely to have gastric bloating or dilation. This life-threatening disease occurs when the stomach relaxes with the consumed atmosphere and causes an obstruction in the stomach. If it is acute enough, the distension can cut off blood circulation and lead to tissue death.
Although the source of the problem is unknown, many experts believe that excessive exercise immediately after eating can lead to it. It is essential to detect gastric dilation. Early warning signs include bloating, dry vomiting, fatigue, and startling.
Although many of those Bullmastiff health problems are not preventable, obesity is. As this breed becomes active, it will be easier for them to achieve weight. Obesity can cause other health problems such as heart or joint problems. The best way to counter the possibility of obesity would be to join a feeding program and invite your dog to get active.
Bullmastiff Feeding Table
Speaking of feeding schedules, it is vital that you keep your Bullmastiff on a diet. Free feeding is not a perfect option, many dogs can overeat and gain weight or spend all day foraging for food.
Bullmastiff dogs should normally eat 3 times a day. The amount of food will change based on the feeding directions of specific brands, along with your dog’s age and weight.
When they become adults, Bullmastiffs can still eat 3 times a day, but many owners decide to feed them twice a day. Whatever you choose, these foods should be scattered out as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Handing out the foods will ensure that your Bullmastiff doesn’t eat much at the same time.
It’s a good idea to follow the exact same feeding routine so your dog’s digestive tract can adapt.
Bullmastiff’s 6 Best Food Choices
Now that you have a deeper understanding of the conditions of the Bullmastiff’s diet, health issues, and diet, it’s time to locate the best, high-quality Bullmastiff food for your pet. The best choices are listed below:
Taste Of The Wild Sierra Mountain Grain-Free Recipe
With roast lamb and lamb, the flavor of Wild Sierra Mountain’s grain-free recipe may be all it takes to receive your delicious Bullmastiffs. Not only does this include lean protein, but it’s also packed with easily digestible sweet potatoes and additional vitamins.
This may be an ideal choice for Bullmastiffs with sensitive stomachs. This formulation avoids food irritants, also includes dried chicory root to aid digestion. Plus, it includes a K9 probiotic strain to get a little extra help.
Professionals:
- Easily digestible
- It does not include artificial flavors or additives
- A great source of lean protein
- It consists of powerful antioxidants and additional vitamins
- Produced by a family business that guarantees product quality and safety
Versus:
- Dogs sensitive to lamb or lamb products may not respond well
- Highly active Bullmastiffs require additional protein (contains 25% protein)
Health Problems
The Bullmastiff is a very robust animal, so it does not have a special predisposition for any specific disease. As a companion dog, the Bullmastiff has undergone a very intense selection. Consequently, this race is usually very resistant. However, like any dog, they can be prone to genetic and eye diseases.
The diseases listed in the first three categories below are considered to be hereditary or fairly common to this breed.
This means that the disease occurs more frequently in this breed, compared to its occurrence in other breeds, or compared to the general canine population.
Common sense suggests that these are hereditary problems, but in many races and diseases studies to determine the form, inheritance, or frequency have not yet produced conclusive results, or have not been completed.
The University of Prince Edward Island has produced a list of diseases for which there is a general consensus among researchers in this field and veterinarians on the frequency and occurrence of the most significant diseases in the breed.
When it is known for certain that a hereditary disease exists, the information is included in the link for each disease.
The most popular breeds tend to group most of the diseases because there is a greater number of affected specimens, so there are better conditions to recognize the racial predisposition to each specific disease.
It should be noted that there is often indiscriminate breeding of these breeds, which leads to a higher incidence of hereditary problems.
In the less common or more recent breeds, there are no cataloged diseases, or the list of diseases is very reduced because it takes more time to collect the necessary data from the affected specimens, to be able to study the hereditary predisposition of the specimens more predisposed to these alterations.
The last list of categories lists the diseases that have been detected sporadically and can be of hereditary origin in this breed.
The most common diseases in the Bullmastiff breed
According to the database of genetically transmitted diseases of the University of Prince Edward Island, this is the list of the most frequent diseases of the Bullmastiff, for which science is making efforts to eradicate them as far as possible. These diseases can seriously affect the health of the dog and require veterinary or surgical intervention.
- Entropion
- Hip dysplasia
Other diseases with a high incidence in Bullmastiff
These diseases occur less frequently or are less devastating than the previous ones.
- Cerebellar abiotrophy (ataxia)
- Cervical vertebral instability (Wobbler syndrome)
- Elbow dysplasia – OCD of the elbow
- Retinal dysplasia
Diseases related to the morphology of the Bullmastiff breed
These types of disorders are directly related to the morphology and the standards of the breed. Although these diseases in many cases are so common that they have been accepted as normal for the breed, they can cause serious physical problems and discomfort for the dog.
One of the precautions that must be taken for responsible breeding is to remove affected dogs from the breeding program in extreme cases of manifestation of these diseases.
- Entropion
Other diseases that can be of hereditary origin in this breed
These diseases have been found sporadically and may have a genetic predisposition in the Bullmastiff.
- Neuroaxonal dystrophy
Coat Color And Grooming
The Bullmastiff has a short coat that generally needs little more than routine grooming. This breed is a moderately low shedder. Also, Bullmastiff’s ears and facial skin folds (if present) should be kept clean and dry. This breed is a drool, so be prepared when it shakes its head; Carrying a piece of old cloth of slime is in order for this one.
By walking regularly, your dog should be able to wear down his nails through activity. Be sure to check them out and give them a clipping if you hear a click from the floor. It is also good to pay attention to your dog’s dental hygiene and brush his teeth a couple of times a week.
Like all dogs, proper training and socialization are important to the Bullmastiff. In general, the breed is intelligent but also has an independent streak. Training will require firm consistency. Kill any habit of jumping on people early, as this can lead to dangerous situations once the dog is an adult.
The Bullmastiff is not overly active, but the breed does need routine exercise to stay fit and motivated. Take your dog for a couple of walks every day and start leash training as a puppy. The Bullmastiff will be so big and powerful in adulthood that if he pulls on the leash he will have a hard time controlling it. The dog should probably not be allowed to run free in a dog park as it is unlikely to do well with other canines.
The Bullmastiff is vulnerable to overheating, due to its short muzzle. Don’t overdo the exercise and be sure to keep your dog cool in hot weather.
Bullmastiffs are very gentle companions and family protectors who make lovely family pets. They will get along wonderfully well with children when they are properly trained and socialized. Like a large dog, they have the potential to knock down young children or react to any mistreatment by a young child. Supervise the dog when with young children and consider waiting until your children are older before adding a bullmastiff to your home
Salivation and drool containment
The Bullmastiff may have a tendency to drool. This does not happen if the teething is regular, as required by the Standard.
Training
The Bullmastiff is a very intelligent dog but also has a strong and stubborn character. It tends to be independent. It is therefore not very easy to train and requires attention and experience, also by virtue of its considerable size. A poorly trained Bullmastiff can become aggressive.
Exercise
This muscular and powerful dog has a fair amount of energy to let off steam through exercises, runs, and games, especially when he’s a puppy. In general, however, it is not among the most impetuous dogs there are, and the fact that it is usually kept outside is enough to make it peaceful and allow it to vent its energies.
As we said, these dogs are usually kept outdoors, in an enclosure where they can move and guard the house. For this, they can safely vent their energies by guarding. However, if they are kept in the apartment they need to go for walks every day. Be careful when they are puppies: they tend to be very agitated, but they don’t need to be exercised a lot because they still have very soft joints.
Is a bull mastiff dangerous?
The Bullmastiff is an imposing and muscular dog breed. Yes, the Bullmastiff is a potentially dangerous breed of the dog towards other dogs of its same-sex or other humans. Far from being suitable for any type of owner or breeding space he requires constant socialization and proper training.
Is a Bullmastiff a good family dog?
The Bullmastiffs are very kind to children, in addition, they are not too aggressive, and they are very persistent, characteristics that have earned them a complete adaptation to family life. At home, the bullmastiff has a calm and affectionate temperament, especially with children, with whom it always has a unique relationship.
Is a Bullmastiff easy to train?
How much do bullmastiffs cost?
The price of a Bullmastiff puppy in a certified establishment is around $1,000 to $2,000. dollars, for both males and females. It is essential that you buy from a trusted breeder so that you can be sure that your puppy has been raised for good health and temperament.
Can a bullmastiff be left alone?
This breed is intensely loyal to his family and does not like being away from his family. Bullmastiff is a dog that seeks to be surrounded by its own for this reason there is nothing worse for him than being alone.
Do Bullmastiffs like to cuddle?
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