Breed Information

History of the Breed

In the early 19th century, English gamekeepers created this noble breed by crossing the courageous Mastiff with the tenacious Bulldog to create fleet-footed, powerful dogs for protection against poachers. Originally called the "Gamekeepers Night Dog," these dogs combined tremendous strength and guarding instinct with an affectionate disposition and devotion to their master. Originally, 60% Mastiff 40% Bulldog, the Bullmastiff was recognized in England in 1924, and by the American Kennel Club in 1933.

The Bullmastiff is an intelligent dog. He has, however, a definite mind of his own. His independence of mind makes your relationship with him sort of a working partnership. The Bullmastiff will give you and your family endless love and devotion, He will view your children as his charges to love and protect. It is crucial that they be taught to respect him and not be allowed to tease him. The Bullmastiff loves the family to which he belongs and wants to be included in that family. In turn, he will give back boundless loyalty and devotion.

Temperament

The definition of temperament is that it is ones nature or disposition. Temperament is certainly not the same from breed to breed. Because of the work or purpose of each breed, the temperament of each breed varies. Dogs were developed with not only certain physical characteristics, but also mental characteristics for the work intended for them. The Bullmastiff was intended as a guard, and has the temperament suited for that job. They are possessive, territorial, loyal dogs with an innate sense of who does and who doesn't belong on one's property. They seem impelled to stop intruders, yet are (or certainly should be) more than willing to accept those people accepted by their masters.
Bullmastiffs, being territorial, possessive creatures that they are, seem happy to do their guarding on any sized property. They are just fine as long as they understand their position in the family hierarchy. One of the worst things that can happen to a Bullmastiff is to belong to someone who is incapable of commanding that dog's obedience and respect. The dog is first AFTER ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE HOUSEHOLD. THE BULLMASTIFF IS NOT THE BREED FOR EVERYONE. There is nothing wrong with the Bullmastiff being strong-willed, territorial and possessive. That is the breed's temperament. On the plus side, there are very few strong-willed dogs who are dumb. On the minus side, if this type of dog ends up with wishy-washy or inappropriate people, there is going to be a problem.

The Bullmastiff and Children

Most Bullmastiffs are good with children if they are brought up with children and common sense is used. Never forget that while not an aggressive dog, the Bullmastiff is a guard dog, and will be protective of those he is guarding, particularly if they are children. If he fears your child is in danger, he will react. If other children are at your home and are running, screaming, wrestling or punching each other, the dog may not be able to distinguish whether those actions are serious or not. If he perceives they are serious, he may try to interfere, and while not intending to, may inadvertently injure a child. The Bullmastiff should never be left unsupervised with other children and the dominant puppy in a Bullmastiff litter should NEVER be placed in a home with young children.

The Bullmastiff and Other Dogs

As with most guard dogs, the Bullmastiff is not always tolerant of other dogs, and should always be introduced securely on a leash. As a general rule, mature males do not get along with other males of any large guarding or working breed. Occasionally, females will not tolerate other females. If you are planning on having two Bullmastiffs, or other large working breeds, the best combination is one of each sex. Although there maybe exceptions, I would never recommend having two male Bullmastiffs; you are looking for trouble if you do. Also remember that if you and your Bullmastiff are challenged or threatened during your walks, he (or she) will not back down and will finish the fight. Keep an alert eye and keep your Bullmastiff out of trouble. Letting a Bullmastiff run loose alone or with other dogs can lead to serious injury. Be careful!

Training

Because of its temperament and size, the Bullmastiff is a breed that requires early, consistent training, before becoming too large to handle. The Bullmastiff is a relatively smart dog, but also a stubborn one, and will not do something just because it pleases you. Praise and food are perhaps the best incentives for training a Bullmastiff. Training through punishment rarely works and will only serve to make your dog angry. Along with training, the best thing you can do is socialize your Bullmastiff early and often, so that he or she develops into a reliable, confident and well-behaved dog.

Other Considerations

99% of the time, the Bullmastiff is an affectionate, laid back, sweet and loyal dog. Many who see a Bullmastiff playing with children or hanging out on the couch cannot believe that this dog can be anything but friendly. Always remember that although the Bullmastiff is not by nature an aggressive dog, this is a guard dog, and should be treated and respected as such.
It is highly advisable that one NOT play games of aggression or ones where the dog could perceive it could dominate the master(s).

Care of the Bullmastiff

As a "wash and wear" dog, the Bullmastiff is relatively easy to care for. An occasional bath and brushing, as well as a nail trim every two weeks, are all that are necessary to keep the Bullmastiff well groomed. Hard rubber brushed, much like the "curry comb" used for horses, work well. As a fairly dominant breed, Bullmastiffs as a whole do not like having their nails trimmed. Therefore it is imperative that nail cutting sessions start as young as possible, with the owner always winning the sessions. The Bullmastiff is a relatively clean dog, although most drool some. Depending on the amount of "flew" If you cannot tolerate a little messiness in a dog, then the Bullmastiff is not the breed for you.

Exercise

The Bullmastiff is a relatively inactive breed; it still requires some exercise to keep it in condition and from preventing it from getting too fat. One 20-30 minute walk or play session a day is usually sufficient. Unlike dogs that were meant to run and hunt all day, which requires a lot of stamina, the Bullmastiff was meant to sit and wait for a poacher, then pounce on him quickly to hold him down. Therefore it is not a good idea to run or jog with a Bullmastiff; they have neither the build nor the stamina for it.

Nutrition

Bullmastiff should be feed a premium quality dry dog food. Table scraps are not necessary to entice a Bullmastiff to eat; most will eat the dry food with just water added in a very short time. Due to the amount a Bullmastiff eats, its food should be divided into two meals per day throughout its entire life. Treats should be kept to a minimum to prevent the Bullmastiff from getting too heavy. A Bullmastiff's size at maturity is determined by genetics, not by how much it eats. As a breed prone to hip dysplasia, it is wise to keep the Bullmastiff on the lean size, especially as a puppy.

Environment

The Bullmastiff is basically an indoor dog… it does not do well in either extreme of weather. While it does enjoy the snow, it does not get a heavy coat, and should only be let outside for short periods of time in frigid weather. Extreme care should be taken in warm climates or when the weather is hot. Like its relative, the Bulldog, the Bullmastiff does not fare well in the heat. In the summer months, only exercise your Bullmastiff in the cool parts of the day, early morning and after the sun has set. Although air conditioning is not mandatory, the Bullmastiff should be kept still and allowed to lay on a cool surface, indoors, with plenty of water. Bullmastiffs are especially prone to heat stroke; it is imperative that one be extremely careful in warm weather. Also keep in mind that the Bullmastiff was bred to be with man. He does not like to be outside alone; a Bullmastiff let outside while the owners are away is likely to get into a lot of trouble.

Health Concerns

Unfortunately, the Bullmastiff is not a long-lived dog; its average life span is eight years. However, with proper exercise and nutrition, the Bullmastiff can live most of its life in good health. There are, however, conditions and ailments which are common in the breed. These can include hip and elbow dysphasia, entropian, bloat, ruptured cruciates, and various forms of cancer. Regular veterinary visits as well as an understanding of possible problems will help your Bullmastiff live a healthy, happy life.

Suggested Reading

Bullmastiffs Today - Lyn Pratt
The Bullmastiffs Fancier's Manual - Bill Walkey
The Bullmastiff - Clifford Hubbard

Thank you for your interest in Regency Bullmastiffs. We have been breeding quality, well-tempered dogs since 1994 and are proud of your home-raised puppies. If you have further questions or would like to arrange a visit, please do not hesitate to call.

Rhea B. Kutnick


Special acknowledgments:
Chris Lezotte
Carol Beans
Helene Nietsch