Bullmastiff

Overall description of the breed

The Bullmastiff is a dog of British origin, the result of several crosses that took place in the 18th century between the Mastiff and the English Bulldog. The main purpose of these crosses was to create a determined, powerful fighting dog and to strengthen his fighting skills in the ring.

Following the banning of dog fighting tournaments in 1850, he was converted into a guard and defence dog where he proved to be particularly efficient. He was not trained to bite, but because of his large size and weight, his education was oriented towards immobilization on the ground with the help of tackles. The breed proved useful in this discipline and was selected as a working dog to combat poaching in the large forests of the United Kingdom.

The breed was finally registered by the F.C.I. on April 24, 1955, and the latest update of the official standard was published on October 13, 2010.

The Bullmastiff is one of the larger dogs, its imposing appearance giving the impression of great power. His ample body is slightly longer than it is high, inscribable in a rectangle, his chest is well raised and his shoulders are prominent. His withers are clean, with a clean, well-built topline. Set high, the tail is thick at the base and gradually tapers to the tip. In spite of his strong build, he maintains a balanced and harmonious morphology.

His neck is thick, strong and particularly muscular, associated with a massive head, the skull is well rounded and the stop well marked. The muzzle is not long, always cubic in shape, coupled with drooping whisker pads, but not excessively so. The English Mastiff's coat is close, hard-textured and lies flat over the entire surface of its body. The coat colours allowed by the breed standard are fawn, red or brindle, the colour must be pure and clear, a slight white mark on the chest is acceptable.

Don't be fooled by the Bullmastiff's unassuming appearance, these soft-hearted giants are very affectionate with their owners as well as their close circle of friends. They are peaceful by nature and are extremely close to their family, whom they watch over very closely. Despite his imposing morphology, he is not clumsy and his movement is elegant. A dynamic playmate, the Bullmastiff greatly appreciates sporting activities in the company of its owners. Not very hardy, it is an energetic dog in spite of everything that needs to exercise regularly to feel at ease in its home.

His instinct to protect his territory is extremely pronounced. A remarkable watchdog, he will bring you security and watch fiercely over his land. Confident, he will not hesitate to go into contact with strangers if he senses danger, however, he is not an aggressive or biting dog, the deterrence of his stature will slow down the most reckless of thieves! A faithful companion, he is entirely devoted to his family, his acute sense of benevolence will make him endearing, ready to do anything for his owners whom he will protect in any situation.

Adult: The Bullmastiff will weigh 50 to 60 kg (110 to 132 lbs) for males and 41 to 50 kg (90.5 to 110 lbs) for females, his withers height will be between 63.5 and 68.5 cm (25" to 27") for males and 61 to 66 cm (24" to 26") for females.