Introduction to the Breed

By Bill Walkey

So you have decided to add a special member to your family but you are not sure what breed to choose? Well, let us tell you about a special dog. The Bullmastiff.

To his family he is a soft, gentle, loving pet. He is large, about 65 cm high at the shoulder and 60 kilos in weight, making an ominous deterrent to intruders but a big, soft pet to his family. He is gentle with his loved ones and doesn't take up much room in the house as his appearance first
suggests. He is quiet, not usually barking unless there us a problem he can't investigate. Then he barks to warn you of problems. His coat is waterproof and can manage well outside in a sheltered dog house. Because he was bred as an estate guard dog, your yard must be fenced to give him his boundaries. If you don't the neighbours may not appreciate your dog claiming their gardens as your private property. A Bullmastiff does not jump fences, he is too heavy. He jumps against them. To avoid a collapsed fence it is a good idea to have a rail about five feet off the ground on your fence for him to jump against.

The Bullmastiff will naturally be defensive of his own yard, so gates at all points of access should be secure. There is nothing more upsetting to an unknowing acquaintance entering your yard, for a friendly visit than to find a Bullmastiff coming to investigate him at full speed. On the positive side, the Bullmastiff is a knock-down-and-pin- dog, not a biter so your 'guest' may feel a little indignant but will come to no harm as long as he does not retaliate. If he does, the dog will stand no nonsense. He is quite able to protect himself.

The Bullmastiff should not be considered by apartment dwellers as the exercise necessary for the dog will be hard to fulfil. Running your dog loose in the local park is not advisable unless you have complete and total control over your Bullmastiff. Remember the dog was bred to be a fearless protector and therefore dominant. No amount of spoiling or pampering will affect his genetic make-up. The Bullmastiff is relatively unknown as a breed and many people exercising their dogs do not know a Bullmastiff or his temperament, often mistaking him for a Boxer cross or some form of Mastiff and allow their dogs to be totally uninhibited and free, unaware of the
defensive nature of the Bullmastiff. Your Bullmastiff should not be criticised for being antagonistic to male dogs challenging him as this is natural but flare-ups will occur if someone else's dog running loose in the park challenges your Bullmastiff. Considering the size discrepancy, a defensive snap by the Bullmastiff could be fatal to the foolish interloper. Bullmastiffs will normally tolerate strange female dogs as long as they are submissive. This also applies to neutered males. As a Bullmastiff owner, it is best to avoid any confrontation that may develop. It is sometimes very aggravating while trying to exercise your dog to find so many dog
owners who do not only run their dogs loose, but also have no control over them whatsoever. However, this does not reduce the responsibility of the Bullmastiff owner, so avoid such confrontation as any irresponsible attitude by a Bullmastiff owner is detrimental to the owner, the dog, the breed and the public.

When you bring this cute, little pup home at eight weeks, his soft beseeching eyes will tug at your heartstrings. Until one year of age, he will be gaining approximately 4 kgs each month. At 9 months, this amounts to a large 50 kg bundle of fun with a heart of a puppy, who still thinks he
can leap on to your lap. The exuberant and large baby will have to be convinced not to jump playfully onto the Pekingese next door - or its' elderly owner. You may have become accustomed to the size of your pet but those around you may not be so keen. Bullmastiffs usually live no longer than 10 years.