Mary Allen
Height at shoulder: 61 – 69 cm
Weight: 41 – 59 kg
Age: 10 -12 years
Color: solid red, fawn, brindle, with a black muzzle
Use: Companion dog, guard dog
Native to the UK, the Bullmastiff is a cross between a Mastiff and a Bulldog. The former protection dog for game wardens is now mainly used as a guard dog and family companion dog. He is considered to be somewhat stubborn and headstrong, although he is docile, he needs consistent and competent training.
Origin and history
The Bullmastiff comes from Great Britain and is one of the mastiff-like dogs. A cross between an English Mastiff and an English Bulldog, he was once used as a guard dog by game wardens. His job was to catch poachers without hurting them. Later, the Bullmastiff was also used as a police dog, today it is mainly a guard dog and family companion dog. The Bullmastiff was only recognized relatively late – in 1924 – as an independent dog breed.
Appearance
The Bullmastiff is a large dog with a shoulder height of up to 68 cm and a massive dog with a body weight of almost 60 kg. Its hair is short and harsh, weather-resistant, and lies flat against the body. The coat color can be red, fawn, or brindle – muzzle and eye area are darker (black mask). The ears are v-shaped, folded back, and set high, giving the skull a square appearance. The Bullmastiff has fewer wrinkles on the forehead and face than the Mastiff.
Nature
The Bullmastiff is a lively, intelligent, alert, and docile dog. He is territorial and very confident, so he needs consistent and knowledgeable training. It only submits to clear leadership, but will never give up its strong personality. The Bullmastiff is considered an excellent guardian and protector, but reacts confidently and is not aggressive on its own.
The Bullmastiff is a sporty dog and loves all kinds of activities – but he is only suitable for dog sports to a limited extent, as he is never completely subordinate and always keeps his head. He loves walks, tends neither to stray nor to poach, and likes to do all sorts of things with his family. For lazy or unsportsmanlike individuals, the Bullmastiff is not the ideal companion. However, its short coat is easy to care for.