Bullmastiff

Grooming Tips

Seasonalsheddingis to be expected, though unusual hair loss should be noted as a possible problem. A balanced diet and a healthy environment are most important for coat health. Frequentgroomingensures that shedding can be managed, and dogs should be bathed as needed. The skin and coat should be monitored in order to ensure that dryness or oiliness is not issued. These can be related to diet, and sometimes to allergies.

Exercise Tips

Bullmastiffs enjoy dailyexercise. Some are more sedentary, while others are very active by nature, but moderate exercise should be encouraged.Brisk walksand outdoor play are favorites of the breed, although secure fencing is a must for outdoor areas. Fencing is critical to ensure that the dog is safely contained and so strangers and unfamiliar animals do not intrude on the Bullmastiff’s territory. Puppies should not be overexercised, especially during periods of rapid growth. Bullmastiffs are not the ideal breed for people who want a canine running partner, but they are great walking companions.

Feeding Tips

Most Bullmastiff breeders advise feeding adultdog foodor large-breed puppy food for puppies in order to ensure slow and steady growth. Several small meals are best for puppies, and two meals daily is a good routine for adults, so dogs don’t have to digest too much food at each meal. Because of the risk ofbloat, exercise is discouraged immediately before and after eating. Bullmastiffs should be kept lean, especially as puppies, as they grow very rapidly, which can tax their systems.

Health Tips

Bullmastiffs are a large breed with heavy bone. Breeders strive to adhere to the standard and to avoid overdone animals. In order to do the job of a guard dog, thisworking breedmust be mentally and physically sound. Responsible Bullmastiff breeders support theAmerican Bullmastiff AssociationHealth & Research Committee and screen their breeding stock for cardiac issues, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and eye problems. Like many dogs, both purebred and not, Bullmastiffs can develop cancer as well asbloat, sudden and life-threatening swelling of the abdomen; owners should educate themselves about its symptoms and what to do should bloat occur. Heredity and environment play roles in the health of the breed, so breeders and owners must work together in order to breed and raise healthy dogs.

Trainability

Early trainingandsocializationare critical for Bullmastiff puppies. The breed can be quite strong-willed, and dogs and owners will both benefit from training regimens instilled in puppyhood. Rules and routines should be put in place early and adhered to as dogs grow up. Many breeders will encourage new owners to enroll in localpuppy classesin order to ensure that puppies are exposed to other dogs and that owners have access to training assistance and information. Bullmastiffs can excel inagility,obedience, rally, even scent work, andtracking, so training should begin immediately and be a part of the lifelong bond between dog and owner.

It is thought that dogs of this "type" have been around for hundreds of years both in England and elsewhere in Europe. They were highly prized for their hunting and guarding abilities. The Bullmastiff came about by crossing Mastiff type dogs with Bulldogs, but back in the 17th and 18th centuries, they did not look like the modern Bullmastiff we see today with dogs looking looked more like a Staffordshire Bull Terrier back then. They were a popular choice with gamekeepers who needed strong, powerful-looking dogs to help them keep poachers at bay.It is thought the Bullmastiff has the Molosser and the Alaunt in their lineage and that these two dogs were introduced to Britain around two thousand years ago. The Bullmastiff, however, was created by crossing them withOld English Bulldogsbecause gamekeepers in the day wanted a strong, robust dog that was capable of not only guarding large flocks of livestock but also of keeping poachers away. Over the years, these courageous, loyal dogs found their way into other environments which saw them working as sentries, guards as well as working alongside the police and the militaryHowever, it's also thought that over time other dogs were used to develop the breed which includesBloodhounds,St BernardsandGreat Danes. Efforts were made to standardize the breed in the early twentieth century with enthusiasts promoting the breed as much as they could. However, the Bullmastiff was only recognized as a breed in 1925. That same year, the British Bullmastiff League was formed although at the time it was known as the Midland Bullmastiff Club and the first official breed standard was established.Although the dogs we see today do not resemble the first Bullmastiffs that were bred back in the day, their intelligence, their high spirit and the devotion they show towards their owners remain the same which is just one of the reasons why the breed continues to be a popular choice with people the world over.