Video
* We invite you to watch a video about the Bullmastiff . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Bullmastiff looks like.
In this article:
|
Rate the material!
[Total votes: 0 Average: 0]
The Bullmastiff is a reliable and fearless family dog. He behaves reservedly towards strangers, but has a soft spot for his loved ones. Dubbed the “silent watchman,” this breed is so easy-going that it makes an excellent apartment dog. She has a short, easy-to-maintain coat, but be careful: this dog produces a lot of saliva. If this doesn't bother you too much, then the Bullmastiff will find a protector and companion who will be happy to go on adventures with you, as long as he is given a place on the sofa afterwards.
Advantages and disadvantages
Endowed with great physical strength, huge animals are unusually gentle and loving creatures. Fearless and gentle, affectionate and trusting, loving and calm - these are the main characteristics of the giant breed. They are also loyal to children, but can be so clumsy in games that they can drop a human offspring.
Young individuals have difficulty calculating their strength, and only with age can they control their power. And dogs are also very slobbery. When getting a bullmastiff, you should accustom yourself to always have an absorbent towel on hand to wipe your pet's face.
History of the origin of bullmastiffs
The history of the Bullmastiff begins around 1860 in England. The breed was bred to help huntsmen defend large English possessions. Poaching on estates was a problem for landowners, and it was the gamekeeper's job to catch thieves. The owners needed a dog that could calmly track, quickly cover short distances, and deter poachers without hurting them.
Owners experimented with several breeds, looking at the mastiff, which was too slow, and then the bulldog, which was a more ferocious dog at the time than it is today. From these breeds the Bullmastiff was born. He combined the best of both breeds for the job required of him. Work on creating the breed continued until a 60% mastiff/40% bulldog ratio was achieved and a purebred line was formed. This type of dog suited the huntsman's needs very well.
Fun Fact: The dog was known to be used to guard the De Beers diamond mines in South Africa, as well as the New York estate of John D. Rockefeller, in addition to being used in emergencies such as the Mau Rebellion in Kenya.
A dog could track a person in the forest at night, work quietly and, being close enough to the intruder, the dog could knock the person down and hold him there until the huntsman approached. This was a formidable dog as the poachers used every trick and tool at their disposal to escape, knowing they would be hanged for trespassing.
The bullmastiff had to be very brave and persistent; many animals died at the hands of desperate criminals. But this breed was exactly what the gamekeeper needed, and did its job well. Nowadays, the Bullmastiff is primarily a family companion with a calm, reliable character when properly trained and socialized. In 1924, the Bullmastiff breed was recognized as a dog breed by the English Kennel Club. In America, the breed was recognized in 1933.
Purpose of the breed
Today, Bullmastiffs are considered companion dogs. They perfectly protect private estates and their owners. They successfully participate in exhibitions, being recognized by all world canine organizations. But dogs are not used by government agencies for their intended purpose, as guard dogs performing guard duty.
Only the De Beers company, which develops diamond mines in South Africa, uses bullmastiffs for their intended purpose, guarding the mines. Privately, many famous personalities keep Bullmastiff dogs as personal guards. So, J. Rockefeller introduced a bullmastiff into the staff of the estate’s guards, calling him a gentle and terrifying giant.
Bullmastiff - description of the breed
The Bullmastiff has a shoulder height of 61-68 cm and an average weight of 45-60 kg. The Bullmastiff has a large, wrinkled head and a short, wide, dark muzzle. He has a dark nose with wide nostrils and round amber eyes that look at his owner with devotion.
The Bullmastiff has a moderately defined stop (the point where the muzzle meets the forehead) and dark, V-shaped ears that hang very close to the face. They have a flat back and a low, high-set tail. Their entire appearance expresses dignity and power.
The Bullmastiff is not as tall as its close cousin the Mastiff and not as large as the Bulldog. However, it is still a big dog. After the first impression of the Bullmastiff's size and large, broad head, which conveys the essence of the breed, the dark eyes, high-set V-shaped ears and wide, deep muzzle become noticeable - all of which combine intelligence, alertness and confidence, which makes the Bullmastiff a protector and companion of the world. class.
Interesting fact: Your dog's ears should be checked thoroughly every day and, if necessary, cleaned with a solution recommended by your veterinarian. If the ears smell bad or are filled with waxy contents, like coffee grounds, then the dog has an infection or a mite infestation, so a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.
They are docile and reliable creatures, but as with any large guard dog, owners must begin training and socialization early. To control the puppy while it is still small enough. Today, the Bullmastiff ranks 40th out of 157 AKC-registered dog breeds, demonstrating their value as a companion dog.
Breed card
- Known breed names : Bullmastiff
- FCI breed number: 157
- Standard on the FCI website (English) : link
- Height at the withers : males - 64-68 cm at the withers, females - 61-66 cm.
- Weight of an adult dog : males - up to 50-59 kg, females - up to 45-54 kg
- Color Options : Red, Tan, Brindle
- Life expectancy : up to 8-10 years
- Puppy cost : from 600-800 dollars
- Learning ability : 4 out of 5
- Attitude towards children : 4 out of 5
- Protective and guard qualities : 5 out of 5
Popular colors of bullmastiffs
The Bullmastiff's coat is short but dense, which provides good protection from rain, snow and cold. But this is not enough for permanent residence on the street, so this breed must live in a house with its owners. The Bullmastiff's coat is easy to keep clean and shiny with a quick daily brushing using special tools. You only need to bathe your dog when necessary.
The Bullmastiff's coat can appear in fawn, red or brindle colors (spots and stripes of light and dark spots) with a dark muzzle and ears. These are the only acceptable colors in the AKC standard. They can range from very light brown to reddish brown. Red can range from light tan to dark rich red. Brindle is a striped overlay of fawn or red. The Bullmastiff should have no white markings except on the chest.
Main colors of the Bullmastiff breed:
- A red dog contains red fur. It can be any shade of red. The red color usually ranges from a dull red color to a bright, shiny and glowing red colored coat. Shades vary from dog to dog;
- The fawn bullmastiff is very popular. His coat looks incredible and contains various shades of brown. It can range from light brown to bright reddish brown. A bullmastiff with a similar color was often used in various films. These days, the fawn bullmastiff is most often seen with a black mask on its face;
- The dark spotted brindle bullmastiff is a type of dog breed that contains delightful stripes and specks of dark and light markings. The Bullmastiff's short, dense coat is usually coarse. Their head contains black markings. Bullmastiff dogs are intelligent, loyal and fighting dogs.
Bullmastiff breed standard
Bullmastiff puppy
The Bullmastiff is a dense, compact weightlifter with a melancholy, as if slightly tired look. However, the distant expression in the eyes is nothing more than a cunning trick. In fact, the Bullmastiff is in a state of permanent alertness, as evidenced by the folds on its face. These improvised wrinkles are straightened out only in a state of complete rest and tranquility, which in a dog occurs only during periods of sleep.
The Bullmastiff is a breed with pronounced sexual dimorphism. Hence the particularly sculpted shapes and emphatically brutal image of males and the refined and elegant figures of females. The height at the withers for males is 63-69 cm, females are slightly lower - 61-66 cm. The weight categories for “girls” and “boys” are also different. The maximum that a female can gain without compromising her health and appearance is 50 kg, while for a male this body weight is the maximum permissible minimum.
Head
The bullmastiff's skull is massive, almost square. The muzzle is short, obtuse, more voluminous under the eyes, with a well defined stop. The skin on the bullmastiff's head is stretched loosely, and in a dog interested in some phenomenon it forms shallow folds.
Bullmastiff muzzle
Lay down to rest
Nose and lips
The lobe is flat, quite wide, with large nostrils. The bullmastiff's lips are developed, but not drooping, and have moderate shavers.
Teeth and jaws
Bullmastiff at an exhibition
The teeth are strong, easily fitting into the mouth, the fangs are massive, widely set. Preferred bite types: straight, slightly overshot, tight overbite.
Eyes
The bullmastiff's eyes are hazel or dark hazel in color, relatively widely spaced and bordered by black “spectacles”.
Ears
The ears are characterized by a high set, enhancing the angularity of the skull, and the shape of an isosceles triangle. The ear flap is small in size, close to the cheekbones and colored in a darker tone than the rest of the body.
Neck
The Bullmastiff's neck is incredibly muscular, of moderate length, and is as thick as the circumference of its head.
Frame
Bullmastiff from the back
The dog's body is massive, but compact. The back is short and level. The chest is strongly let down, with a wide, deep chest. The bullmastiff's croup is slightly arched and slightly sloping.
Limbs
The legs of the bullmastiff breed should give the impression of hidden power and strength. Widely spaced, with muscular shoulders, straight pasterns and mobile strong shins, they allow the animal to move at a free, energetic trot with good reach of the forelimbs. The bullmastiff's paws have a distinctly arched shape and hard pads. Dark colored claws are preferable.
Tail
Representatives of the breed have a very strong tail, noticeably thickened at the base with a strong tip. In movement and at rest, the tail is carried straight or slightly curved, but never assumes a vertical position.
Wool
The ideal “clothing” for a Bullmastiff is a glossy short and tough coat that tightly covers the body. The presence of undercoat depends on the color of the dog. It has been noticed that the majority of brindle individuals do not have an undercoat, while light-colored animals have it.
Color
Bullmastiffs can come in red (both light and dark tones), brown and brindle coat colors. All listed options should be monochromatic, without a hint of sable (gray coating) or lightening in certain areas of the body. Mandatory items: a dark mask on the face and the same edging of the eyes. A small white spot on the chest is also acceptable.
The silky sheen inherent in the coat of Bullmastiffs varies in intensity and is often tied to the type of color. In particular, the most brilliant dog color is in dark red and brindle dogs and much duller in fawn and sand colored animals.
Disqualifying faults
- Yellow eyes.
- Brown mask on the face or its complete absence.
- Cryptorchidism.
- Behavioral deviations: cowardice, causeless aggression.
- Obvious physical defects that call into question the breed of the animal.
Character and habits of bullmastiffs
Being well trained and well socialized, the Bullmastiff is trustworthy to its owners. Despite its size, the Bullmastiff is not considered an energetic dog. A few short walks or plays a day will suit his needs. He is a soft and flexible dog enough to live comfortably in an apartment if he is walked daily.
It is known that a puppy has more energy than an adult dog, but he will calm down when he is two years old. Restraint of character does not mean that the dog is lazy. This breed can excel in dog competitions such as agility, conformation, obedience and tracking. Bullmastiffs are super calming dogs, thanks to their calm nature and funny facial expressions. They are independent thinkers when it comes to training. They need to be led firmly, fairly and consistently.
Fun Fact: If left to your own devices and not nurtured, they can become unmanageable, so don't let that happen. Early socialization—exposure to many people, places, sounds, and positive experiences—is important.
With its history as a guard dog, the Bullmastiff can do well in homes where both family members work, as long as it has plenty of human interaction during home hours. They can spend time in a fenced yard or kennel, but these dogs should primarily live indoors. If you want a guard dog to be there in case of an intrusion and also to be emotionally close to you, then intimacy between you is very important.
The Bullmastiff dog is a silent watchdog that deters unwanted visitors with its size and presence, biting only when necessary.
They treat children very well and show amazing patience with them. However, their size may be excessive for toddlers. The Bullmastiff should not be a babysitter. No dog should be left unattended with small children.
pros
Representatives of the breed have the following advantages:
- Balanced character . Despite their physical advantages, Bullmastiffs are very calm and reserved. They will never attack anyone without a good reason.
- Always ready to protect the owners . There are often cases when the owner of a bullmastiff raises his voice in a dispute with someone, and the animal begins to growl at the potential threat.
- Courage and agility . In emergency situations, such qualities can be a great advantage.
- Doesn't growl or bark for no reason . The absence of barking in the home, if there is a dog, is a big plus. After all, loud animals often cause discomfort not only to pet owners, but also to neighbors.
- No they shed . The short, smooth coat lies close to the body and almost never falls out.
- Can become an excellent companion and personal security guard . Bullmastiffs can get along both in an apartment and in a private house. It is not recommended to keep your pet in an enclosure.
Interesting facts about bullmastiffs
Dogs can reach a weight of 95 kg and are mostly muscle. Therefore, she must be well trained and sociable, because you are responsible for her. If so, you will have a wonderful pet living with you, loving, loyal and brave, who will become your best friend.
- Bullmastiffs do not need much exercise. They are happy with a couple of short walks every day;
- Bullmastiffs can do well in families where both parents work. They are not too bothered by being alone, but puppies will need someone who can let them out during the day;
- Bullmastiffs require only minimal grooming;
- Bullmastiffs can be aggressive towards other animals if they are not properly socialized;
- Dogs must live in a residential area with their owner;
- Bullmastiffs are susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke and should be kept indoors during hot, humid weather;
- They drool and may be prone to producing gas. If you don't want to wipe away drool all the time, then this is not the dog for you;
- Puppies need early training that lasts throughout their lives. Training + socialization help curb unwanted aggression and willfulness;
- Large Bullmastiffs love to spend time on the couch with you. They take up a lot of space but give a lot of love in return;
- Bullmastiffs can be determined guard dogs and will protect their family and home even at the cost of their lives if the need arises. Their impressive size and confidence will be a deterrent to attackers;
- These dogs are patient with children, but can accidentally knock over or step on a baby;
- Bullmastiffs have a high pain threshold, making it impossible to tell if the dog is injured.
Nutrition
The Bullmastiff's diet should be balanced and amount to about 4% of the dog's weight, for puppies - 6%, including fruits and vegetables.
The puppy's main food is meat. Beef or lamb, sometimes chicken, is given boneless and raw. From six months onwards, the meat is replaced with cow stomach and other offal. Large cartilaginous bones are given separately. They are not considered a diet because dogs receive them at the time of teeth change.
The puppy's diet should include:
- sea fish;
- dairy products;
- quail and chicken eggs;
- cereals - oatmeal, buckwheat in the form of porridge, but separately from meat;
- fruits and vegetables.
Bullmastiffs should absolutely not be allowed meat broth, sweets, baked goods, sausages and river fish into their diet.
Relatively thick food at room temperature is always given at the same time and in a designated place for feeding, where a tripod is installed. As they grow, the bowls on the tripod rise. This is important for shaping your pet’s posture.
Pros and cons of bullmastiffs
Although the powerful Bullmastiff is usually gentle, he is a serious and confident dog. He is not afraid of anything, and when excited he will rarely retreat. This breed is highly devoted to its family and does not like to be left outside. If he lacks companionship or personal attention, he may jump over a fence just to be with people.
Being prudent with strangers, the Bullmastiff has well-tuned protective and territorial instincts. He must be fully socialized at an early age to learn the difference between friend and foe. Overall, this is a great dog and a great companion for assertive owners.
If you want a dog that:
- Massive and powerful;
- With short and easy to care for fur;
- Calm and quiet indoors;
- Impressive and devoted;
- Serious and confident;
- A moderate amount of exercise will satisfy you.
The Bullmastiff will be the right choice for you.
If you're scared:
- A very large dog that takes up a lot of space in the house and car;
- A heavy dog that strives to sit on its legs and lean with all its weight;
- Restlessness and excessive jumping in youth;
- Disruptive behavior when bored or spending too much time alone;
- Potential aggression towards other animals;
- Independent character, requiring a confident owner who can take responsibility;
- Snorting, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring;
- Excessive drooling;
- Gases (frequent flatulence);
- Serious health problems and short life.
In this case, the Bullmastiff may not be the right dog for you.
Bullmastiff - reviews
- + Leave a review
Leave a review Reset
milaabramova
https://irecommend.ru/content/samaya-luchshaya-porodapredenaya-do-sikh-por-v-moem-serdtse
Honestly, it's hard to write this review. But I want to tell you about this breed.
A dog of this breed appeared in our family 16 years ago, my aunt was the breeder of this breed and somehow it turned out that she gave my mother a puppy for her birthday. I was about 2 years old then. The family quickly fell in love with the dog, they even took me to dog handlers for several months, but then my mother got sick and it all stopped. A year later, my mother died.. The whole family believed that the dog was a gift from my mother, and one should love it with all my heart , and this is one of the things that was left of her.
As a child, if I was scared, I always ran to her, lay down next to her and hugged her. I thought that there was something from my mother in her, you know it happens. I always felt safe with her. And here I can say from my own experience that this breed is VERY WELL WITH CHILDREN. She never barked at me, never growled, never tried to bite me. She seemed to understand everything. Everything. I remember this knowing look that penetrates to the marrow of my bones even now. She is the best friend I've ever had. Sometimes when my father left me alone at night, I called her to sleep in bed with me, because I was scared. But with her everything is different, a big lump sleeps next to you and you feel good and warm. But it’s surprising that she never climbed onto beds and sofas herself, without permission. This was not allowed. I would also like to note that the breed is easy to train . Jesya worked all the standard commands perfectly.
Soon I grew up too. I also started walking her whenever possible. Dogs in general are not aggressive in principle; they sense on their own where it is possible and where it is not possible to show aggression. If you say you can’t, he’ll understand. He just doesn't rush at dogs. THIS IS A HUGE PLUS. The owner is everything to her. Listens and understands. These are such smart and family dogs, with a terrifying look at first glance, I have never met them before! She really was our family member, our friend, our ally .
When Jesa turned 7 , for some reason my father and I realized that we wanted offspring from her. Understanding that this is VERY DIFFICULT and the dog is already old. We also brought her together with a bullmastiff, waited and waited, but we had to take her to the veterinary clinic, where we were told that the dog was old and would no longer survive childbirth and inflammation of the uterus had begun... Also one of the worst days. The uterus had to be removed... Yes, it was stupid, so stupid to try...
When she turned 10 , the dog began to have real health problems, her legs began to give out a little, there was some kind of sore on her ear that smelled very strongly. The veterinary clinic advised me to buy powder and treat the ear. It really didn't help at all...
When she turned 12!! Believe me, this is such a period for this group! It was extremely difficult to walk her; the ear problem never went away, no matter how much we wandered around to veterinary clinics. In order not to torment the dog... There was a decision on the part of the father to euthanize it. It was an ordinary day, I came home from school and walked Jessu with difficulty, returned home, after which the doorbell rang and dad locked me in the room and said that the veterinarians had come to euthanize... 3 years have passed, and I still miss you , I still remember her smell, I remember her look, I remember everything... And it’s still a shame that I didn’t say goodbye to her. We haven't gotten a dog since then.
opala314
https://irecommend.ru/content/u-nas-ne-slozhilos-vernula-zavodchiku
I've wanted a bullmastiff for 10 years. I took it for 25 rubles at the age of just under 2 months. Boy. I read a lot on the Internet about the breed. I thought for the rest of my life. The boy turned out to be evil. As expected, I always put my hand in the bowl when he ate. But when he stole a chicken at 3 months and I tried to take it away, I got a fingernail bitten and a lot of growling. And at 4 months we went to dog training courses))) The trainer is experienced. He followed almost all the commands. Already during training they repeated “take the bone from the dog” several times. Nothing worked except bites. There was advice that if you can’t pick up the bone calmly, then the dog won’t be there. At 6 months nothing had changed and I gave the dog to the breeder.
But I still adore this breed. And I'll start it again. Maybe a girl would be better.
BulkaDeyka
https://otzovik.com/review_2211143.html
Advantages:
They get along well with children and animals.
Flaws:
There are no cons.
My name is Nastya. I have a bully named Dake at home. They gave it to me for New Year! He came to us at the age of three months. Now he is already four years old. On September 7, 2015, Dake will turn five years old. I love him very much and he loves me too. Dake is a very loyal and devoted dog. And I am completely sure that he is always ready to help me. This is why I fell in love with bullmastiffs.
Nick Chern
https://otzovik.com/review_665583.html
Advantages:
An excellent big and energetic dog. A good guard and companion.
Flaws:
Expensive content.
The king of all dogs or Bullmastiff. A wonderful, chic dog simply created for keeping in an apartment. Has short hair. An excellent guard and family companion. He does not choose one owner from the family, but loves all members of your family equally, is neat, loves children. Well amenable to training. But, this dog will seriously hit your pocket because it requires quite high maintenance costs. He eats a lot. He is choosy about food. You need to run and exercise the dog a lot because the dog is very energetic. The main minus and at the same time plus is the short hair. If the temperature drops even slightly below zero, they cannot be kept outside. But it is convenient to keep a non-hairy dog in an apartment. Sometimes it's worth brushing.
Grom1981ekater
https://otzovik.com/review_9786761.html
Advantages:
Great friend
Flaws:
The downside is that he's constantly drooling.
The Bullmastiff dog breed is a strong, powerful, responsible watchman, assistant, companion and guardian of the pedigrees of English bulldogs and mastiffs. He is very affectionate towards his owner and his family, but is wary of strangers. This breed is not prone to unreasonable aggression, but cases of such dogs attacking humans do occur. The Bullmastiff is a “slobber”, he constantly drools from his mouth, that’s just the breed. It can be kept both in a house and in an apartment. Due to his variable nature, he can be active and then suddenly become drowsy and lazy. Their voice is very menacing, but they bark very rarely and only for a reason. In their sleep they snore and sniffle at the same time. They do not tolerate high temperatures (heat) very well, so at such times I walk with them less often; they look for shade while walking and they definitely need to drink water. Representatives of this breed have excellent instincts, with the help of which they professionally work on the trail and can even search for psychotropic and explosive substances, of course, after undergoing trained courses. The breed has different shades of color from light to dark. So, if you want a massive, smart guard and a devoted friend, this is a great option!
Wunger
https://irecommend.ru/content/moi-bulmastify
I won't write for a long time. With Bulmas for 10 years, 4 litters. Now the male from the first and last litters is 8 and 4.5 years old, respectively.
Like all Molossians and brachycephals, they are heavy, bulldogs have their weak points - joints, heart. I haven’t encountered any problems with dysplasia. I have allergies, even food ones, but I decided to change the food. The breed is ideal for apartments and city life.
Maintenance in the apartment - there is a favorite sofa on which we sleep between walks, we eat no more than 500g of dried fruit per day. Loads-nursing! It is nursing, not running out. Although there are individual runners. At the initial puppy stage they require good investments. I raised mine only on natural water + vitamin complexes... it remembers commands for a long time, but for the rest of my life. The breed is serious, in most cases dominant dogs - a strong, experienced hand and character are needed. Protects the most precious thing - a person’s life. A good bodyguard. DOES NOT bark!!! That is, it can bang once and that’s it. It doesn’t bite, but knocks you down. That’s why I often explain that a dog with a muzzle can do more damage—it can count the ribs. And he’ll just knock you down and put you on your butt. Calm and measured dogs.
The main two disadvantages are drool all over the apartment (if the dog has a long hair) and they don’t live long - it’s hard to lift (up to 3 years old puppy) and after 5 years it’s already a veteran.. 8-9 years for most is the limit
_alexandra_
https://irecommend.ru/content/velikodushnye-lenivtsy
I am the happy owner of two dogs of this breed - a 7-year-old male and a 5-year-old female. The breed can be described in two words - lazy giants. Dogs of this breed have amazing intelligence and cunning - one gets the impression that they do everything in order to do nothing. Let me give you an example: I trained my boy for a year. By the way, a lyrical digression - at one time a dog trainer advised me - go for training immediately after the first vaccinations, while you can move this dog from its place. Oh, how right she was... because already at the age of 9 months, my “boy” weighed more than me and moving him during training was problematic, to put it mildly, and some blows and kicks were more painful for me than for him. So, let's go back - I trained a boy for a year with a group of dogs. The commands have been learned, but... At home, when a command is given, the dog simply turns his head away like, “I can’t hear what you’re telling me.” And this kind of behavior manifests itself in everything. So if you are a mega-active person, then this dog is clearly not for you. Bullmastiffs will not run after the ball or fetch slippers. But it’s easy to lie on the threshold with dignity, instilling fear and horror in everyone who comes to the house. And be sure to measure your size and body capabilities - an adult dog weighs about 60 kg and it is difficult to keep it on a leash. Only through discipline. In fact, you can talk about bullmastiffs for hours - they are wildly charming and make you fall in love at first sight. Just one nuance - drooling. A lot of them. So many. Be ready for this
Dima 58
https://irecommend.ru/content/nash-divannyi-dobryak
Our Bullmastiff Prince is 8 years old. I don’t know who gives them a short lifespan of 6-8 years, but the dog, at his full 8, is cheerful and cheerful and still continues to woo the girl Fille Brasileiro and goes for an independent walk through the window, so he’s a man wow!))) We adopted Prince at the age of 6 months, it took us a month to get used to each other, then we came to the training ground with Napoleonic plans (I smile) to raise a bodyguard, this, of course, is not due to great knowledge of the breed. I’m great I know the history of the breeding and its original purpose. But since the 18th century, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge and along with it the working qualities of the breed were erased. It took my wife and I six months to stop “tormenting” the dog by trying to put it on defense. The trainer, however, He immediately warned us that a bullmastiff would not make a bodyguard. Despite this, we passed the OKD and still continue to visit the training site. In the “obedience” we achieved quite good success, in particular in working at a distance, it’s hard to believe, but the Prince works according to gestures up to 70 steps. Of course, with a bullmastiff when executing commands, there is no such agility as NEO and he needs a second or two to think about the command (well, he’s not a “soldier”), but he carries out the command impeccably.... But with all this, our food dog, and It works better, as they say, in a piece, than on a drive. If you teach him something, he won’t forget it. In his entire life (ugh ugh) he was sick twice - the first time from the heat he had rashes in the form of warts between his fingers. the second time About three years old, he was - he made his last attempt to learn to swim by throwing himself from a high cliff into the river to our VEO Katya, who had gone over the rainbow, with whom he was head over heels in love. He severely sprained the ligaments on his front paw. He and his wife nursed him for about four months. massage, Traumeel, ointments. Since then, the swimming is over. We somehow didn’t work out with swimming at all))) since the wife went into the river and called him, and the Prince doted on her... Well, he went to her, now we think he will float... and as he walked along the bottom he kept going, the water covered his head, bubbles went, we grabbed him and pumped him ashore. Either he is heavy, or water is not his element. Our prince is a very calm character in the good sense of the word)) )snores all day long in a chair and farts)). He changed with the arrival of Brazilian Fila, a girl, into our lives... At first he became more active, apparently thinking that now he would receive less attention. He sits on a chair, sticks out his chest and looks with his bottomless eyes reproach, “Masters, why did you take this red-haired beast Fila? I’m still wow! I’ll still be useful!” And two months ago I decided to prove my prowess by attacking the postman delivering his pension. We didn’t expect this at all! Didn’t bite but he just knocked him down. This is due to his old age)) and despite the fact that six-seven years ago they tried to put him on defense to no avail.
lavru
https://otzovik.com/review_5712331.html
Advantages:
Can be a very good guard
Flaws:
Character
After the death of the American Pit Bull Terrier, we got what we thought was a lazy, passive, calm bullmastiff. Many people say that in our country such an individual happens one in a hundred. We live in a private house in the Moscow region. We bought a puppy when he was 1.5 months old. At that time he already weighed about 5-6 kg. We tried to immediately accustom him to the street, since it was a private house, it was difficult for him to become infected with any disease. As expected, we carried him in our arms so that he would not walk up the stairs (otherwise his paws might be crooked). Every time they picked him up and then put him on the floor or ground, he always growled. If he didn't like something, he always growled. When he grew up, they began to study with a dog handler. Our baby has learned all the commands, but when he executes them he still growls with displeasure. And most importantly, he obeys commands when there is no one on the street. If he saw someone, he immediately forgot about all the commands. We bought him in July and until mid-October he only walked on the property. After vaccinations, we began to go outside the gate. And then the problems began. Since the baby was walking around the site all the time, he didn’t see anyone except us. When we went out the gate, he began to rush at people, strollers, bicycles, skis, cars. When he saw the dogs, at first he wanted to play. But he quickly got bored and threw the dog on his back and assumed a dominant state. And later, at about 8-9 months, he immediately rushed at the dogs. Now he is 6 years old. He attacks all dogs, people, strollers, cars, etc. In the summer you have to walk only in the area until everyone leaves. Since it weighs approximately 80-90 kg and it is impossible to hold it. On the one hand, who lives in a private house is good. The dog is a guard, he won’t let anyone into the area, you can live in peace. But on the other hand, we wanted a lazy, passive dog. We talked with different dog handlers and they all told us about the same thing: they say it’s his character, all people are different and dogs too. You won't change anything here. There are very grumpy people who don’t like everything - your baby is the same. And now, every day he is more and more grouchy, and always unhappy.
Nelly199421
https://otzovik.com/review_9723803.html
Advantages:
Excellent companions, friends, antidepressants)))
Flaws:
Seasonal molting, small pranks while growing up))) then it goes away. With age)))
Let me start by saying that I have 2 bullmastiffs, 1 French bulldog and a toy poodle at home. And there is also a cat. And you won't believe it, they get along great with each other. Moreover, our Frenchman and Bullmas named Paradise are generally best friends, despite the noticeable difference in age and weight category. Many people mistakenly believe that these are aggressive dogs, because they have a very intimidating appearance, powerful, with hair. Nanny dogs. That's what these big, snub-nosed handsome men are called. They are very loving))) they love the affection and attention of their owner. They feel great around dogs. They do not show aggression towards other dogs, unless they might argue for a stick)))) The Bullmastiff is a wonderful sofa dweller)) And those who like to travel to exhibitions can exhibit their pets))) We exhibited both pets. Rai even took the RKF champion))) *you can’t imagine what an adrenaline rush it is when your dog takes some place at the exhibition))) Before, I didn’t know that such large dogs could be so calm and safe))) like plush dogs toys. Bullmas are crazy about children. I have a small child and they adore him so much. As soon as my son starts crying, they immediately rush to calm him down and feel sorry for him))) It looks so cute))) In general, you can endlessly talk about this breed, but still, if you get such dogs at home, you need to be prepared for a little pranks))) Such as: chewed door frames, eaten furniture, peeled wallpaper, etc. If you are not ready for this, then it’s better not to. In general, they are very cool friends and it’s never boring with them...
Nickauga
https://otzovik.com/review_3569289.html
Advantages:
good, hardy and tireless dogs
Flaws:
No
Good evening! I would like to share with you a review about the guard dog breed - Bullmastiff. I used to have a red Bullmastiff. I adopted him when he was 8 months old because my friends were leaving somewhere and they needed a home for the dog. At that moment when I saw an 8-month-old male dog with his wide, not long, mouth and massive paws, I, to be honest, was scared. Although they say that you should not release adrenaline in front of animals, even I was not prepared for such a size. Huge, much larger and more massive than a Rottweiler (I have Rottweilers, they are such small dogs))) The advantages are that this dog had no fat, only muscles, apparently the previous owners trained him, because the dog followed all the commands and he was accustomed to partying, didn’t mess up the house and always asked when he had the urge. Moreover, he asked and endured. Very smart. The dog could calculate the distance and trajectory of the ball and, let’s say, go around the obstacle rather than jumping out the window, jumped and took the two-meter barrier, which was also a surprise for me personally. Now my Rottweiler can’t handle half a meter of this feeling. The only negative was that the dog had already had three owners and was absolutely not loyal to the family, although he obeyed all family members and did not choose the strongest. He treated his mother and grandmother and father and me in exactly the same way. He really tried to tear other males even with a muzzle, tried to fight with his paws like a bear))) I am very pleased with the breed, but unfortunately this male had to be sold because of his lack of loyalty.
rekona
https://irecommend.ru/content/kak-eto-bylo-bolshoi-otzyv-ili-nebolshoi-rasskaz
I will not retell dry encyclopedic data about this breed - anyone who wants can find it on the Internet. Mishka (as we affectionately called him) lived with us for 7 months, and then he was stolen... 14 years have passed, but I started writing about him and again - tears... Every day I lived with him was an event, good or bad, but the day did not pass without a trace. Therefore, what I have written now will most likely be not just a review of the breed, but a short story of how it happened. Please do not judge me strictly for the quality of the photographs, or rather, the lack thereof. At that time we only had a film camera. And now I took photos from the album on my phone and posted them here. In general, there are a lot of them, because we “clicked” Mishka’s every step. But I will have pity on your eyes) I can’t help but tell you about how we got this “whole-body smile” (that’s what one woman we met on a walk in the forest called it). Once upon a time there lived a family: me, my husband and my son, who was 14 years old at the time. They didn’t live richly and slowly collected money to send their son on vacation at sea. In the evenings we all loved to walk along the path along the forest. On one of these walks we met a man with two impressive dogs. And such charm emanated from them that I could not resist and asked what kind of breed this was? I must say that I have been a dog lover since childhood. My parents said that the first word I said was not “mom,” but “woof!” And my grandfather worked in service dog breeding. Therefore, I have a special relationship with dogs... So... The man was very happy about my question and began to tell us about his pets - bullmastiffs. For an hour and a half it was impossible to stop him. And during this time we have already become accustomed to respectable-sized dogs lying nearby and looking condescendingly at their owner, saying: “Come on, come on, praise us!” In short, as a result, the man went for a walk further, and we looked after him and these majestic animals. These were bullmastiffs - son and mother. Sighing heavily, my son said: “If only we had a dog like this!” I joked: “It’s either a trip to the seaside or a dog.” The joke turned out to be unsuccessful, because the son’s answer followed: “Mommy, I don’t want to go to the sea, I want a dog like this!” By that time, we had already collected $1,500 and believed that this amount would be enough for a decent vacation. But my son said what he said, and there was no need to beg me, since I had already fallen in love with these charmers. My husband, however, timidly tried to reason with us, but he did not resist for long, since he also fell under the bullmastiff’s spell. We spent the next three days traveling and by the end of the third, we returned home not alone, but with a two-month-old puppy named Emir. I am begging you! What an Emir! It was such a clumsy and clumsy creature that once we called it Mishka, we could no longer refuse such a precise definition. And so, His Highness began to get used to the new place. And this happened by testing everything that came along the way and was of interest to the inquisitive puppy. The dog turned out to be not malicious, but stubborn; not stupid, but persistent. Since I have diplomas in ZKD (protective training course) and NKD (initial course), and working with the education and development of character in dogs of different breeds was once my business, I knew how to behave with this kind of slow-witted people. In no case should you allow (if you have already begun to achieve something from a disobedient dog, especially from the mastiff breed) for the last word to remain with him. Give me some slack once or twice and that’s it! They see through this very quickly and will ignore you. But you can’t spank either! Therefore, after repeating another “no” or “ugh” to Mishka five times, but as if it didn’t apply to him at all, I approached and pressed down on the withers, as if pressing him to the floor and thus making it clear that I was the leader. And she didn’t let go until he released another object of chewing from his mouth - a telephone jack, a chair leg, a shoe or a sock. In dogs, this is how the relationship “who is more important” is clarified. If one dog puts its paw on the withers of another, and the latter endures and does not snap back, then dominance has been established. Mishka turned out to be a dreamer and a romantic. If on a walk he happened to see a singing bird sitting on a wire - that’s it, he fell into a daze. He sat on his butt, stretched his hind legs in different directions with pleasure, and looked... looked... No amount of persuasion to get up and move on could move him from his place. And his gaze was so dreamy and detached, as if, in his mind, he, too, was already sitting next to the little birdie and making deep trills. Also for a long time and thoughtfully, sitting in his signature pose, he could look at two drunken men actively gesticulating during a verbal altercation. But I couldn’t leave him and I had to stand next to him. Already at 4 months he had such strength that even with his hands it was impossible to force him to stand up, as if he was glued to the asphalt “in a moment.” At home, on the contrary, he was attacked by playfulness. And he didn’t even notice how the bedside tables, chairs and tables were moving from place like balloons. So, if you decide to buy such BIG happiness, then try to have as few individual pieces of furniture in the apartment as possible. And especially, all the vases and figurines standing on them (I can’t count how many I lost!) In general, this is how we grew up and matured. Mishka ate, to the envy of many. Every day meat, cottage cheese. Not being rich, we even began to deny ourselves many things. And as a result, at 9 months, our guy weighed about 65 kg. But handsome!!! It was impossible to go outside. There was not a single person who did not at least look back after us. And many stopped and endless compliments began. And how he understood it, how he liked it!!! He stretched his jaws so amusingly that it was clearly visible that the dog was smiling. And the hand of the one who stopped was already reaching out to stroke it. At first I was freaked out by this. Still would! So it’s not in vain that we shelled out $1200! But then my mind began to take its toll and I realized that nothing good could come from this. You cannot let a dog of this breed be cuddled by everyone. But I was late. The bear realized that everyone passing by should please him and stroke him. And when he went out into the street, he walked directionally towards the next passer-by, and more often - a passer-by. But during this time he had already grown and turned into a dog of very impressive size. And people stopped liking it when he approached them closely, even wagging his tail in a friendly manner. And I understand this perfectly. But it was not easy for me to cope with this “bulldozer” (as the man for whom we bought the bullmastiff called him). When he saw a dog, he did not run towards it, but simply walked, as if there was no one at the other end of the leash. Although at that time I was practically “digging the ground” and looking for a not very thin tree in the neighborhood so that I could grab it with my free hand and thus restrain my pet’s friendly impulse. I will note that I have always had a strong build. And twice it happened that I walked with a dislocated shoulder, when my baby more quickly went to another dog to play, and there was no tree nearby. I was generally afraid to let my son go with him, because he would drag the child away like a kite. And this was still a puppy that had not gained all the strength and power of its breed! So, think about this and measure your strengths. No matter how hard I tried to delay the moment of the difficult story about the theft, there was no escape. Although I could write about Mishka endlessly. Despite such embarrassing incidents, life with him was unforgettable and unique. And it all happened at the dacha. Since he crushed and gnawed everything there, when we were not on the site, we tied him on a long leash to a 15*15cm beam dug half a meter into the ground. One day, my husband and son went fishing in the river, and I started cleaning the house. I got carried away and didn’t go outside for a long time. And when she came out... there was a timber torn out of the ground lying on the site and no leash, no Mishka. Our dacha is not a house in a garden community, but in a village, where there is complete space around forests and fields. I called him for a long time. Then I thought that maybe he followed the trail after her husband and son, and she also went to the river. But he didn't appear there. The three of us went in different directions and walked around the area for an hour and a half. To no avail. I won’t go into all the details of the search, it’s very difficult. I’ll just write that by nightfall we accidentally met a village resident who told us that he saw some two idiots putting our Mishka into the car. He said he had never seen them here before. Returning to the city, I was on duty at the Bird Market several times, thinking that maybe it would be brought there for resale. After all, at that time he was only the seventeenth bullmastiff in the city and was highly valued. At night I couldn’t sleep - all the time I heard him grunting in his sleep or noisily drinking water. In general, hallucinations began. When she woke up in the morning, she greeted her men in the kitchen with swollen eyes. This is how I paid for allowing everyone to pet Mishka from early childhood. I was afraid to seem arrogant to people, and I also wanted to please the dog. My husband couldn’t stand it and said that we need to buy another dog. At first I couldn’t even hear about it. But when I realized that my brain was in real danger, I was forced to agree. Having already had sufficient experience, we decided to go to the other extreme and bought a rabbit dachshund, a charming little thing that helped me recover. My story-review about her is ahead. And there is something to talk about. Such a difference between large and small dogs! If anyone still has patience, they can just look at my Tasyunya in reviews on another topic for now.
Breeding Bullmastiffs
Breeding the perfect purebred Bullmastiff dog should be the goal of any breeder. Once you are sure that the breeding Bullmastiff is free of diseases, you can focus on breeding healthy dogs. The essence of dog breeding is to make sure that the next generation is better than the previous one.
The average litter size of Bullmastiffs is much larger than the average litter of other dogs. Its close relative, the Neapolitan Mastiff, holds the world record for the largest litter size of 24 puppies. The average bullmastiff litter size is eight puppies.
Female bullmastiffs often undergo caesarean sections. Brachycephalic breeds tend to have difficulty giving birth naturally. Dystonia is a condition where the puppy's head or body is too large for natural delivery - there is a disproportion between the bitch's birth canal and the puppy's. A puppy stuck this way can kill its mother and other unborn puppies.
Fun fact: The breed has a higher rate of stillborn puppies. The higher risk of death in newborns requires surgery and may be related to the anatomy of the dogs themselves.
The number of reproductive years the Bullmastiff has is short compared to other dogs. This breed is not particularly long-lived. Many of the conditions that prevent the breed from reproducing do not occur until the dog is fully grown at three years of age. Overall, the Bullmastiff breed is one of the most expensive to invest in. The prevalence of hip dysplasia alone removes many dogs from the breeding stock (statistically a quarter of them).
Bullmastiffs are large dogs with large litters. While they don't need a lot of space to be happy, their size requires an indoor or outdoor nursery large enough to accommodate them. These dogs need warmth and should not be left outside in hot weather. They may suffer from heatstroke. Bitches will be required to give birth indoors in a temperature-controlled environment.
Training
You should train your Bullmastiff from the moment the puppy first goes outside after a ten-day quarantine after the last vaccination. This breed needs long walks. Puppies are walked three to four times a day, adults two, but preferably three times.
for a young dog . Therefore, from puppyhood, the bullmastiff should be accustomed to crowded places, leading him through parks and alleys with oncoming passers-by. With age, it is advisable to teach the basics of OKD, which significantly contributes to the dog’s skills in being in society.
Since the Bullmastiff weighs a lot, the dog must be in constant motion during walks. In the summer swimming is useful , as it strengthens the bones well. It should be remembered that games, jogging, and swimming must contain elements of training.
The training process should be based only on positive emotions. Restrained and reasonable bullmastiffs with their characteristic balance of character, but possessing the appearance of a ferocious monster, with high-quality socialization become worthy members of human society.
Caring for Bullmastiffs
Bullmastiffs are strong, powerful, but sensitive dogs. For him to become a good family member, consistency is needed. Training and socialization are of great importance. Dogs of this breed are natural guardians of their home and owners. In order for a Bullmastiff to react appropriately if its family is threatened, special guard training is not required. Activities that Bullmastiffs enjoy include obedience, agility, tracking, and go-karting.
Let's see what you need to do first:
- This is a big dog and it has a natural instinct to defend itself. You must teach your dog that the mailman and the barking dog on the street are not a threat;
- Having a special puppy crate will provide your dog with shelter and teach him not to panic when you are not home;
- Train your Bullmastiff throughout its life. This breed is intelligent and independent, but these dogs will do almost anything for their owner's pleasure;
- Take your dog for walks daily, outside the yard and in densely populated areas. Make sure you use a strong leash in case your dog sees something he likes;
- The Bullmastiff does not need much exercise, but a daily walk will keep him alert and familiar with the world around him, the sounds and smells of new people and animals;
- Set aside a couple of towels to clean up your bullmastiff's drool. The breed has a fairly heavy saliva, so be prepared to wipe drool around your dog's mouth and off your pants very often;
- Bathe your Bullmastiff every three or four months. Brush his coat weekly and trim his nails monthly. Use a dog dental kit to brush your teeth a couple of times a week to avoid smelly saliva;
- Check your Great Dane's wrinkles daily for inflammation. If your dog has skin problems, wash the affected areas with a clean, damp cloth. After washing, dry your skin thoroughly and cover it, as moisture trapped in wrinkles can aggravate skin problems;
- Take your bullmastiff to the vet at least once a year. A veterinarian should check the dog for common health problems of the breed.
Bullmastiff puppies (up to two or three years old) can be restless and have an aversion to having all four feet on the ground at the same time.
Pet care and maintenance
Speaking about the bullmastiff breed, it is worth noting that they are unpretentious in care, difficulties arise when preparing a diet. The dog's fur is short, and it is not necessary to constantly brush the dog. And such actions are not necessary during molting.
Care is carried out as follows:
- To keep your dog well-groomed, you need to comb its coat several times a week with a special brush.
- Bathing - as needed. After water procedures, the dog is dried. Dry shampoo is an indispensable tool for regular care.
- Examination of the ears. The ears require constant attention. For these purposes, special lotions are used; it is recommended to avoid cotton pads. If signs of irritation are visible or an unpleasant odor appears, you should seek help from a veterinarian.
- Dental care. They are cleaned for the dog once a week. Regular care can help prevent bad breath.
- Nail cutting. Animals that live at home have their claws trimmed periodically. If you hear a clattering noise while walking, this is a signal that it’s time to trim your nails.
- Walks. You need to walk your dog every day. If there is no training, the dog quickly begins to gain weight.
The diet may include natural products, semi-finished products, and dry professional food.
Bullmastiff diet
Consult your veterinarian about the proper diet for your Bullmastiff, which will help prevent bloat while providing your dog with the nutrition it needs to prevent health problems. Bloat occurs when dogs experience gastric dilatation, in which the stomach fills with gas and fluid and becomes distended, or gastric torsion, which causes obstruction, bloating, and impaired blood flow in the stomach.
Volvulus is an emergency and can cause severe internal organ damage and rapid death if not treated immediately by a veterinarian. Avoid overeating your dog. Divide your daily diet into three or more meals. Feed your dog good quality dry dog food. Added table scraps may include cooked meats with bones and fat removed and cooked vegetables. Limit waste overall to less than 10 percent of your dog's diet. Vegetables can replace 20% of your dog's food.
Avoid feeding your pet garlic, onions, alcohol, yeast, chocolate, avocado, grapes or raisins as these contain substances that are toxic to dogs. Train your Bullmastiff to eat quickly. Try not to train him immediately after eating. Always provide him with access to fresh water. Feed your dog in a tall container twice a day. How much an adult dog eats depends on its size, age, build, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals just like people and don't need the same amount of food. It goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a calm dog. The quality of the food also matters - the better the food, the longer it will nourish your dog.
Health and heredity
Like all dogs belonging to the Molosser section, Bullmastiffs are prone to elbow and hip dysplasia, which subsequently leads to chronic lameness and arthritic phenomena.
A breed characteristic is considered to be fragility of the knee ligaments. If the cruciate bone ligament of the knee joint is torn, the dog will have serious problems with the limbs for life, consisting of complications caused by chronic inflammation.
Another breed predisposition is intestinal torsion. Bloating occurs when the stomach becomes full of air when the dog eats or drinks quickly. The disease is life-threatening not only for the bullmastiff.
Hereditary diseases include:
- ectropion – inversion of the lower eyelid;
- turning of the upper eyelid inward, leading to vision problems;
- interdigital dermatitis, accompanied by inflammation of the paw pads;
- dermatitis;
- alopecia;
- eczema.
With age, mainly in male dogs, urolithiasis may occur. Bitches suffer from vaginal hyperplasia. All Molossians, including bullmastiffs, are predisposed to the development of low-quality neoplasms, as well as lymphosarcoma.
Diseases and health problems
Bullmastiffs are often healthy, but like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain diseases. Because some health problems do not appear until the dog reaches full maturity, a health certificate is not issued to dogs under two years of age.
Common health problems in this breed include:
- Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition where the femur bone does not fit well into the hip joint. As you age, arthritis can occur. Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease, so these dogs are not bred;
- Elbow dysplasia is also a hereditary disease common in large breeds. It is generally accepted that it is caused by a discrepancy in the growth rate of the 3 bones that make up the elbow;
- Hypothyroidism occurs due to a deficiency of thyroid hormone, the disease can cause associated abnormalities, including: infertility, obesity, mental dullness and lack of energy;
- Entropion - a defect that appears at the age of 6 months and causes the eyelid to rotate, irritating or injuring the eyeball. One or both eyes may be affected;
- Subaortic stenosis is a common heart defect that occurs due to narrowing of the aorta below the aortic valve. This may lead to fainting and possibly sudden death;
- Cystinuria is a genetic disorder caused by the inability to reabsorb cystine, an amino acid, into the kidney tubules. Leads to the formation of kidney or bladder stones, which can cause life-threatening blockages in the urinary tract;
- Expanding enlargement of the stomach Volvulus, twisting of the stomach and swelling of it. A very life-threatening condition for a bullmastiff. It affects large dogs, especially if they eat one meal a day, eat quickly, drink large volumes of water after meals, and exercise vigorously after meals. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock. Without immediate medical attention, the dog may die;
- A torn anterior cruciate ligament is a common knee injury, especially in large young dogs during play and in older, overweight dogs. Twisting of a dog's hind leg, which causes a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament, resulting in lameness in the hind leg;
- There are many types of canine cancer, and treatment success varies from case to case. In some forms of cancer, tumors are removed by surgery, others are treated with chemotherapy;
- Panosteitis is an elusive disease that occurs in young dogs. Its main symptom is sudden lameness, and puppies usually outgrow it by two years of age without any long-term problems;
- Sensitive skin problems - rashes, ulcers and irritation.
Choosing a puppy
It is advisable to purchase a Molosser puppy no earlier than 8-9 weeks of age. Up to two months, puppies receive mother's milk, but from the first month of life they are introduced to supplementary food. Until the age of eight weeks, puppies from their mother receive the necessary skills of canine behavior, which a person will not provide.
And a self-respecting breeder simply will not sell a puppy without certification - confirmation from a canine organization that it matches the breed data with the issuance of a puppy birth certificate.
The choice of a bullmastiff puppy is based on potential working qualities and exterior features, which are already clearly visible by two months. Also, some birth defects appear at this age: for example, a light-colored cornea of the eye or a deformed tail.
The bullmastiff's color must comply with the standard . The absence of a mask on the face and a large number of white spots are unacceptable for the breed, as is long or wavy hair. A male dog should have two developed testes descended into the scrotum.
When you come to view, ask to see all puppies from the litter, including those reserved, as well as the mother. Some nurseries can provide not only the mother, but also the father of the family, so that the future owner is completely confident in the type of dog being purchased. Depending on the show or non-show class of the Bullmastiff breed, the price of a puppy varies. Only the breeder can name the exact amount.
All puppies must be active. A defensive position when trying to pick up a baby and natural curiosity are highly encouraged. A lethargic puppy that avoids human attention may be sick, and a swollen belly indicates the presence of worms or intestinal problems.
Puppies should not be afraid of extraneous noise, sudden movements, or emotions of visitors. They must be sufficiently well fed, have a shiny coat, and no signs of skin lesions or the presence of parasites.
A mother should not shun strangers and not show cowardice. After giving birth, the bitch may not look good enough, but childbirth does not affect the type and character. It should be remembered that there is a “cowardice gene” that is inherited.
Interesting Facts!
- In the last century, bullmastiffs protected forest areas from poachers . These smart, well-mannered dogs quickly found criminals thanks to their sense of smell and hearing. They knocked them down and called out to their owners with loud barks. The owners of these animals, responding to the barking, detained the poachers.
- A famous representative of the breed named Gunner was the mascot of the English football team called Arsenal for several years. His menacing appearance did not allow football hooligans to commit unacceptable actions. At the same time, his luxurious appearance literally spoke of who the winner was here.
How to choose a kitten
Litter of Bullmastiff puppies
Buy bullmastiff puppies only from trusted breeders. Before you buy a baby, you should meet his parents.
It is not recommended to buy a puppy that is forced by a breeder. Before choosing, you need to look at the entire litter, become familiar with the hereditary diseases of the bitch and the dog.
Those wishing to purchase a pet such as a bullmastiff should study the characteristics of the breed first. The future owner must have certain skills and knowledge in order to cope with raising a serious and respectable dog.
Training and education of the breed
The upbringing and socialization of a bullmastiff lasts from an early age until the age of three. This breed matures slowly, and until the age of three is considered young and amenable to behavior modification. The dog’s external calm and balance is maintained only as long as they do not see a threat from others. As soon as the dog feels. If someone encroaches on the owner and family members, the plush toy turns into a valiant defender. At the same time, by nature, he will only protect people. If the owner wants the bullmastiff to become a guard of housing or property, these qualities must be developed in him through training.
The dog's behavior pattern is instilled in it from the age of two months. It is necessary to limit the puppy in some actions and teach him to follow basic commands. But the bullmastiff will not comply with all commands even after many days of training. For example, he may consider the “Aport” command inappropriate; he does not want to execute it.
This breed remembers reprimand from its owner well. Once he shames the dog for some wrong actions, he will remember and will not repeat them next time. The intelligence of the breed is so great. That the dog will not rush and perform actions quickly. Therefore, some owners believe that the dog is stupid and lazy and try to stir it up. You shouldn't do this. The Bullmastiff understands its owner perfectly and knows what is required of him. There is no point in punishing him for being slow, or getting annoyed about it. In extreme situations, there is no trace left of the Bullmastiff's slowness; he instantly decides what he must do.
The Bullmastiff needs general training courses (GTC) and the instillation of protective skills (PCS), which in the absence of experience are best entrusted to a professional.