Bullmastiff
- Height at the withers
- 61 to 69 cm
- Weight
- 41 to 59 kg
- Life expectancy
- 7 to 9 years
- Daily activity
- 45 minutes
- Origin
- England
- FCI group
- 2 · Pinschers, molossers and Swiss mountain dogs
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- a calm, mostly stay-at-home life
- close neighbors: it barks little
- watching over the house
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a home with cats
- intense heat: be careful in summer
Overview
A large, powerful guardian molosser with a short coat and a calm, self-assured temperament, originally bred to guard estates and known as “the gamekeeper’s night dog.”
History and origins
Developed in mid-19th-century England by gamekeepers, who crossed the English Mastiff with the English Bulldog to create an effective guard dog for tracking down poachers.
Health
Life expectancy is 7 to 9 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
- Entropion
- Lymphoma and other cancers
- Hypothyroidism
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Very calm, 1 out of 5
- Apartment
- Difficult, 2 out of 5
- Home alone
- A few hours, 3 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Reserved, 2 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very low, 1 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Often, 4 out of 5
- Barking
- Quiet, 2 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Very low, 1 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Rather fragile, 2 out of 5
In our lists
Bullmastiff FAQ
How big does the Bullmastiff get?
The Bullmastiff stands 61 to 69 cm at the withers and weighs 41 to 59 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the Bullmastiff shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Bullmastiff live in an apartment?
It is difficult: it needs space and activity, and a home with a yard suits it better.
How much exercise does the Bullmastiff need each day?
Allow about 45 minutes of activity a day: it is a very calm dog.
Is the Bullmastiff good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Bullmastiff live?
Life expectancy is 7 to 9 years, and the breed is rather fragile. The main health problems to watch for are hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat).
