Bullmastiff Dogs and Puppies

Appearance

The Bullmastiff is known to be composed of 60%Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The dog was first noted as a distinct breed in 1924. The Bullmastiff is very symmetrical and very powerfully built. The dog is not cumbersome, however has great strength and is a very active and sound dog.

Bullmastiffs generally grow to be about 25 to 27 inches tall (63 to 69 cm) at the withers and approximately 110 to 130 pounds (50 to 60 kg). Female Bullmastiffs generally reach 24 to 26 inches (61 to 66 cm) at the withers, and about 100 to 120 pounds (45 to 55 kg).

Temperament

The Bullmastiff is a very loyal, courageous, calm and loving dog to the people and animals it is aware of. The dog has a strong innate instinct of protection and will vigorously defend against nearly anything the dog sees as a threat. The dog under normal circumstances only attack to protect, otherwise it will simply knock the stranger over with its large size and effectively pin the intruder to the ground. Other methods of protection include standing between the intruder and the protected individual or dog. These dogs become passionately attached to their families and flourish when then can be inside with them. Socialization at an early age is necessary for these dogs or there may be difficulties of control. Many males do not accept other male dogs, unless introduced early.

Overall, the Bullmastiff gets along well with children, however due to their size, they should always be supervised with children.

Health

Bullmastiffs are highly susceptible to some hereditary diseases. These include:

* Hip dysplasia
* Elbow dysplasia
* Entropion
* Hypothyroidism
* Lymphoma cancer
* Progressive retinal atrophy, a particular problem with Bullmastiffs because the trait is an autosomal dominant one.

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