| Considered to be one of the most powerful canine | | | | the best breed for you. But make no mistake about |
| breeds, the Bullmastiff was the result of cross | | | | it, when the Bullmastiff targets an aggressor, they |
| breeding English Mastiffs with Old English Bulldogs, and | | | | are extremely brave and threatening. Obesity can be |
| was originally bred to thwart the efforts of various | | | | a common malady with this breed as they have the |
| poachers and immobilize them. However, today they | | | | tendency to be lazy and overeat. So it is imperative |
| are viewed as viable family pets. Additionally, the | | | | that you keep this in mind, taking care to exercise |
| misconception is that Bullmastiffs are Britain’s | | | | them regularly and feed them proper amounts of |
| oldest breed of canine when in reality it is the Mastiff | | | | food. |
| that is older. For all practical purposes, the Bullmastiff | | | | Despite the fact that the Bullmastiff integrates well |
| is a relatively recent breed of dog. | | | | with children in the home, it is advisable that you do |
| The first documented evidence of the Bullmastiff | | | | not bring an adult into the home as a first-time pet. |
| appeared towards the end of the 19th century and | | | | They have been known to become hostile towards |
| they were employed to protect estates and | | | | strange dogs and pets so keep this in mind when |
| properties from poachers who were creating | | | | deciding about this breed for a pet. |
| significant problems for gamekeepers of the day. | | | | Bullmastiffs are large dogs and exercise is necessary |
| They were used as guard dogs to protect game, | | | | in order to keep them fit. As was mentioned prior, a |
| and exacted a brave and strong demeanor unlike no | | | | lack of exercise and overeating will result in the |
| other breed of dog up to that point in time. | | | | animal becoming obese, so you need to be strict |
| Bulldogs and Mastiffs were typically used prior to the | | | | about these issues. A long walk on a leash performed |
| onset of the Bullmastiff with the key negatives being | | | | on a daily basis should handle the exercise scenario. |
| that Bulldogs were too small and Mastiffs were too | | | | Also, be aware of the fact that they do not do well |
| slow to handle the job. It was for these reasons " | | | | in warm weather conditions. Being indoors is the norm |
| size and speed" that the two varieties were | | | | for the Bullmastiff, so be sure to provide them with |
| crossbred to produce the Bullmastiff. As a result, | | | | a big bed to stretch out on once in a while. |
| gamekeepers were awarded with the perfect | | | | Additionally, they do drool a lot and can snore |
| guardian for their game and property as well. | | | | alongside the loudest of humans. |
| Eventually, breeders desirous of a pure strain began | | | | The average lifespan of the breed is 10 years and |
| breeding Mastiffs and the result is that the breed is | | | | there is a tendency towards elbow, eye, and hip |
| now roughly 60%-70% Mastiff with the remaining | | | | issues. The common major health concerns are CHD, |
| genetics being Bulldog. In the 1920’s, the English | | | | elbow dysplasia, and gastric torsion, while the minor |
| Kennel Club deemed them as an official breed and | | | | health issues are hemangiosarcoma, hypothyroidism, |
| the AKC followed suit in 1933. | | | | lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, and |
| If you are searching for a breed that is calm, | | | | SAS. |
| laid-back, and quiet, then the Bullmastiff is most likely | | | | |