The Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff
Origins
The Bullmastiff has its origins in the regions of Great Britain, being considered a bulldog and mastiff crossed breed. These dogs were mainly used to seek out and scare off poachers. They were also bred by the 1800s English gamekeepers to guard their proprieties and possessions. Nowadays, the Bullmastiff is a great family dog.
Appearance
The Bullmastiff belongs to the giant/big dog breed category, weighting about 52-59 kg and with a height of 55-62 cm at the withers. These measurements differ for females, and because of bad breeding, even the size might be smaller than before. The head is sustained by a strong neck and the body structure is compact and sturdy; the feet are powerful. The body coat is colored mostly in fawn, brindle, even a dark rich red; there are also some white markings on the body, but this should be in a small amount.
Grooming
The Bullmastiff is a medium to low shedder. Grooming requires once a week brushing and cleaning of the coat, to keep it in the best condition possible. In the shedding season, a twice or three times a week brushing and coat caring is required.
Health Facts
This breed has a lifespan of 7-10 years. Several health issues are associated to this breed, ranging from elbow dysplasia, entropion, bloat, ectropion, respiratory issues. They are prone to sunburns and heatstrokes, and arthritis to the joints. They can suffer from eye problems, many times the common progressive retinal atrophy.
Temperament and Lifestyle
The Bullmastiff is a docile and curageous dog, fearless, loving, calm in nature. This breed displays great loyality to the owners, being protective and defensive when dealing with various threats, even to guarding the territory. A proper dog obedience training is required for the Bullmastiff to behave well around other pets and older children. Even so, the constant contact with the family and additional parental supervision is a must (especially since the dog might knock down the small children by accident).
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