Hailed for its strong prowess and calm disposition, the Bullmastiff is a true companion that stands out from the rest. Known for being loyal, affectionate, and brave, these dogs make good family pets for households with well-behaved children. Out of the American Kennel Club’s 201 registered breeds, this pup ranks 60th in popularity, although its numbers dipped slightly from 2021 to 2023.
Read on to learn more about this powerful canine!
1. These Dogs Come from England
The Bullmastiff is an English dog breed created in the 1800s. Around this time, breeders were breeding various mastiff and bulldog breeds together to create an ideal guarding companion.
Whether the Bullmastiff was developed through one of these projects or not is rather unclear, but what is known is that this breed was developed through the crossbreeding of the mastiff along with the now-extinct Old English Bulldog. It is important to note that the Old English Bulldog isn’t the same canine as the bulldogs known today. While the modern English Bulldog is known for its sweet disposition and sedentary lifestyle, the ancestral Old English Bulldog was aggressive and sleek.
So, why create the Bullmastiff? A dog was needed to guard gamekeeping properties that the rich often held for their sport hunts. The Old English Bulldog was utilized for its agility and resilience, while the Mastiff was crossed for their strength, size, and somewhat less aggressive temper.
Eventually, the Bullmastiff was created, and these dogs were even held in high regard that John D. Rockefeller, a well-known oil tycoon, imported some of these dogs into the United States (these Bullmastiffs would be the main foundation stock for this breed in America today). Rockefeller brought them over specifically to use them as guard dogs.
The Kennel Club in Britain recognized the Bullmastiff in 1924, while the American Kennel Club (AKC) would then recognize them just a decade later. The registration process was rather strict for the former club, as Bullmastiffs must not be bred with either bulldogs or mastiffs for at least four generations. After all, they have to be purebreds, as crossbred dogs are not true Bullmastiffs.
2. Bullmastiffs Were Prized Guard Dogs
As noted, the Bullmastiff was primarily bred as a guard dog to protect properties owned by wealthy landowners. The bold canines often accompanied gamekeepers at night as they looked out for poachers looking to break in; as a result, they were given the nickname the “gamekeeper’s night dog”. While the Bullmastiff was bred as a guard dog, their job wasn’t to savagely maul criminals but only to quietly track them down and apprehend them if needed by holding them down.
Stealing livestock in 19th-century England was a serious crime with severe consequences. Whether it be outstanding fines, imprisonment, or the death penalty, poachers knew the risks and were often armed as well. The Bullmastiff was a handy partner to not only scare off the crime-doers but also strong enough to keep them in their place until the gamekeeper arrived to make the arrest. Unfortunately, some Bullmastiffs perished in the line of duty from conflicts among poachers.
As we will learn in the next part, the tough but gentle persona still deeply coincides with this canine today.
3. These Dogs Aren’t Known for Barking/Biting
True to its disposition, the Bullmastiff isn’t typically a fighter at heart (despite its bulldog ancestry). As mentioned earlier, this dog was meant to hold onto, but not maul trespassers. This balanced attitude can be observed in companion dogs today. It is a family dog that enjoys the company of its loved ones. As the Bullmastiff is a large strong dog, however, along with being a guard dog, they’ll also need to be trained in basic obedience and socialization skills at a young age to avoid behavioral problems.
4. The Bullmastiff Is Somewhat Popular
Believe it or not, the Bullmastiff has earned a spot in American pop culture. Most famously, one owned by Sylvester Stallone was featured in the hit Hollywood film “Rocky”, along with its sequel. This wasn’t a trained animal actor, but Stallone’s companion dog, named Butkus, as he couldn’t afford to hire a trained dog on set.
There is the rather famous story of how Sylvester Stallone sold Butkus to a man loitering near a 7/11, as his finances were in dire straits. He then managed to buy him back after around six months. However, his brother, Frank Stallone, has denied that this story ever happened, so who knows? Other pet-owning celebrities, including Christina Aguilera, Michael Bay, Jon Bon Jovi, and even Bob Dylan.
A Bullmastiff named Swagger serves as one of the official mascots for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). Swagger is usually represented by a live dog, though this football team also sports a costumed version by the name of “Chomps”. Sadly, the last live mascot (at the time of writing this article), Swagger Jr., passed away in June of 2024.
5. These Gentle Giants Are Usually Healthy
The Bullmastiff is generally healthy, though it can develop some issues that most other dog breeds can get. Most notably, this canine can develop both elbow and hip dysplasia. This occurs when your dog’s joints don’t grow properly, causing discomfort. Though this can be remedied through a management plan created by your veterinarian, in extreme cases, surgical intervention may be necessary.
The Bullmastiff, like some other large breeds, may be prone to a dangerous condition known as bloat, or gastric dilation volvulus. This occurs when your dog’s stomach fills up with gas and is suddenly twisted. Bloat requires immediate medical attention as it is very serious; if left untreated, it has fatal consequences. It is important to let your dog rest for about an hour or two to prevent it.
As with other wrinkly-faced breeds, the Bullmastiff may be prone to an eye condition known as entropion. This is when your dog’s eyelids roll inwards, causing pain in their eyes. This can only be solved through surgery. To prevent this condition, some breeders may put their puppies through a procedure known as lip tacking, which allows their eyelids to develop without growing inward.
As with all dogs, Bullmastiffs are also prone to other conditions such as hypothyroidism and certain types of dog-related cancers. Be sure to have your dog examined by a veterinarian annually to prevent issues early on from developing. If your canine is experiencing any symptoms of illness, schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible.
6. These Dogs Have Low-Maintenance Grooming Needs
Here’s some good news for lovers of Mastiff breeds: these dogs generally have low-maintenance grooming requirements. Their fur is short, and they’re not known for being big shedders. Simply, you’ll only need to brush this dog once a week.
Bathing a short-haired breed like the Bullmastiff shouldn’t be frequent, with six or eight to even 12 weeks can suffice, depending on your canine’s overall hygiene. As with any wrinkly-faced dog, you should clean its jowls to prevent gunk or other smells from forming.
As the Bullmastiff isn’t known to be a very active breed, its nails should be trimmed every few weeks. Just like its wrinkles, its ears should also be cleaned every few weeks to ward off potential infections. Your dog’s teeth should also be brushed weekly to prevent dental disease.
7. This Dog Does Well With Daily Walks
As with all dogs, the Bullmastiff requires exercise every day, though an hour a day usually works for this rather sedentary breed. Some individual dogs, just like us, are more on the couch potato side, while others may prefer a more somewhat active lifestyle. Overall, however, this canine looks forward to daily walks around the neighborhood. Keep in mind though that running may be out of the picture, though! You probably won’t see a Bullmastiff competing in various canine sports competitions.
Running around in a large, secure yard is another way to let a Bullmastiff lose some steam, along with a fun playtime session. Playing fetch or frisbee are both classically popular games that dogs, including Bullmastiffs, relish. Tug-of-war is another fantastic game.
Bullmastiff puppies should not be intensely exercised during their developmental stage. This can cause the dog’s bones and joints to not form properly, leading to soft-tissue conditions later in life.
8. While Gentle, These Dogs Need Experienced Owners
While the Bullmastiff is generally mild-mannered, its roots as a guard dog make this breed ideal for experienced owners. Socialization and obedience training should begin early in puppyhood. As this dog is a powerful animal, boundaries must firmly be established, and even then, this canine may overpower small children.
Like the Australian Shepherd, the Bullmastiff has a high prey drive, so having other pets such as cats or other small animals may be inadvisable. Due to its territorial nature, this canine may not cohabit well with other dogs, either. Yards should be secured to safely contain the Bullmastiff to prevent any unfamiliar and clueless strangers or animals from stepping inside.
Provided that all its breed-specific needs are satisfied, the Bullmastiff makes a loving family pet (with older children) as it loves hanging out with its loved ones. While the territorial instinct in this breed is strong, it is the result of what the Bullmastiff was bred for: serving as watchdogs to protect property.
