What does a bullmastiff look like: a description of the pet's character traits and reviews from owners

Mastiffs are a fairly large group of breeds, united by a common name and some similar characteristics.

It includes, for example, such breeds as the Spanish Mastiff, Tibetan, French, Major, Argentine, Neapolitan and others.

Bullmastiffs are a breed of dog developed in England by crossing English Bulldogs and English Mastiffs. The purpose of their creation was to obtain animals capable of protecting people and their homes.

The first breeders were gamekeepers who fought against poachers and needed strong and courageous helpers, which is why bullmastiffs were called “night dogs of gamekeepers.”

At first, the huntsmen used English bulldogs, which had good grip, but were too short for this work, then English mastiffs, which were not agile and fast enough.

So it was decided to cross these breeds to get one with their best traits.

The puppies born as a result of such matings fully met the expectations of the breeders: they were large, fast, powerful, had an excellent grip and had a keen sense of smell and sensitive hearing.

The improved characteristics of these dogs allowed them to quickly gain popularity not only in England, but also in other European countries, as well as in America and Australia.

Over time, it was no longer enough for breeders to only cross the two breeds and they decided to create new, purebred dogs that had 60% of the qualities of bulldogs and 40% of mastiffs. So at the beginning of the 20th century. Bullmastiffs appeared.

In 1924, this breed was recognized by the English Kennel Club, and in 1933 by the American Club.

Description of the breed and what it looks like in the photo

Bullmastiffs are strong, powerful and muscular dogs..

At the same time, they are distinguished by agility, speed, a harmonious, toned physique and smooth, springy movements.

Breed standard:

• The chest is wide, the ribs are rounded;
• the paws are straight, with well-developed muscles, not too long, the pads are rounded, large, the claws are dark;
• the back is wide, straight, shortened;
• the tail is long, set high, tapering towards the end;
• the head is square, large, with pronounced skin folds on the forehead;
• the nose is wide, dark;
• the muzzle is not pointed, large;
• the ears are small, triangular in shape, set high;
• the eyes are set wide apart, the iris is brown or hazel;
• The teeth are large, the bite is straight.

The coat of Bullmastiffs is dense, short, and fits tightly to the body.

Prevention

An annual visit to the veterinarian is required. Conduct a full examination of the dog to identify diseases or abnormalities.

Pet Personality

Bullmastiffs, which outwardly look menacing and intimidating, are actually good-natured, affectionate, unobtrusive dogs, loyal to the owner and all family members.

To this day they can be used as a reliable guard, but more often they are acquired as faithful companions and companions.

Representatives of this breed easily adapt to the owner’s lifestyle and are equally happy to accompany him on morning runs or simply lie next to him while he watches TV.

These dogs love both active walks with games and exercise, and leisurely walking..

Bullmastiffs are fearless and, despite the lack of aggression towards people, will not hesitate to defend their family if they sense impending danger. But you shouldn’t expect them to protect things and property - they won’t do this without a command.

They get along well with children, whom they perceive as the main object of protection . Dogs are kind and caring towards children, tolerate all their pranks and protect them from offenders.

There are often cases where dogs do not allow even parents to approach guilty children if they want to punish them.

Bullmastiffs are smart and quick-witted, they remember commands well and never act relying on emotions and without assessing the situation.

Cowardice and aggression are considered a breed defect; such individuals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions or breed..

Expert opinion

Kozhevin Semyon Kirillovich

Expert dog handler.

The reserved character and balanced psyche allow bullmastiffs to easily adapt to any conditions. Representatives of this breed do not strive to take a leadership position, despite their tendency to dominate, but only if they see the owner as a leader. These dogs need early socialization and proper education - this is the only way they will learn to obey their owner unquestioningly. Beginning dog breeders may need to undergo the OKD and ZKS.

History of the origin of the bullmastiff breed

The Bullmastiff breed is quite young, bred at the end of the 18th century in England. At first it was called the "night huntsman's dog." These dogs were used to protect forests and estates from poachers and robbers. The breeders sought to obtain a strong, vigilant guard and assistant for gamekeepers.

The dog had to track down the intruder, and then catch up and detain him until the owner arrived. Therefore, they paid attention to such qualities as patience, a sensitive sense of smell, malice, and a strong grip. At first, Old English Bulldogs were used for this, but they were very small. Mastiffs were not suitable for this work due to their slowness.

Therefore, huntsmen began to crossbreed dogs of these breeds. At first, breeding was carried out by amateurs. Only at the end of the 19th century did professional breeders become interested in the breed. They began to improve the appearance and working qualities of these dogs. St. Bernards, Bloodhounds, and Great Danes were also used in breeding. Representatives of the breed have become faster, stronger and less aggressive. But officially the Old English Bulldogs and Mastiffs are considered the ancestors of Bullmastiffs.

The breed was recognized only in the 20s of the 20th century. The dogs began to be exported to other countries, where they quickly became popular. The breed was called the Bullmastiff, and a standard was created in 1935. These dogs began to be used in the police and army. To this day, bullmastiffs guard diamond mines in South Africa. In the second half of the 20th century, these dogs were increasingly adopted as companions. They are valued for their endurance, devotion, and calm temperament.

Bullmastiff dogs appeared in Russia only in the late 80s of the 20th century. They quickly became popular, by the end of the century the number of animals had increased, and they began to participate in international exhibitions. Although some still consider bullmastiffs to be dangerous fighting dogs.

Advantages and disadvantages

Bullmastiffs are loyal and good-natured companion dogs with a number of advantages, including:

• good guard and security qualities;
• love for children;
• no need for great physical activity;
• Possibility of living in an apartment;
• intelligence and learning ability;
• lack of specific odor;
• balanced character;
• easy care.

Among the disadvantages of the breed can be noted:

• increased salivation;
• snore;
• stubbornness;
• short life expectancy;
• intolerance of male dogs towards other dogs of the same sex.

Also, these dogs shed quite heavily, which can cause inconvenience, especially when kept in apartments.

Care

Regular hygiene procedures are necessary for representatives of this breed - they help maintain an attractive appearance and maintain the health of pets.

Bullmastiffs do not require complex care, but they must be taught hygiene from early childhood, otherwise it will be impossible to cope with an adult and disobedient dog..

Wool and bathing

The coat should be brushed with a natural bristle brush 2-3 times a week, and daily during shedding . This will help improve the dog's blood circulation and get rid of dust and dead hair.

After each walk, you need to wash your paws, and carefully inspect the pads and rub vegetable oil into them to avoid the formation of cracks. Also, after walking and eating, you need to wipe your pet’s face with a towel.

NOTE!

Bullmastiffs should be completely bathed as they become dirty, but not more than once every 3-4 months, using shampoo and conditioner intended for short-haired dogs.

Ears

Inspect and wipe weekly with a cotton pad soaked in warm boiled water, removing dust and dirt accumulated in the inside.

If there is an unpleasant smell from the ears, redness, excess wax or black plaque, you should take your dog to the veterinarian.

Claws

If the claws do not grind down on their own, they need to be trimmed monthly with a nail clipper and the sharp edges smoothed with a nail file.

If the claws are very hard, the paws must first be kept in warm water for several minutes.

Eyes

Inspect and wipe daily with a soft, lint-free cloth, removing any gray lumps that have appeared overnight.

Healthy eyes should be shiny, without redness or souring.

Teeth

To prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, you need to add solid food to your pet’s diet and brush his teeth 3-4 times a week using a special brush and toothpaste for dogs.

Walk

Bullmastiffs need regular long walks, moderate exercise and play . Representatives of this breed need to be walked at least twice a day for 1-2 hours.

Interesting Facts!

1. In the last century, bullmastiffs protected forest areas from poachers . These smart, well-mannered dogs quickly found criminals thanks to their sense of smell and hearing. They knocked them down and called out to their owners with loud barks. The owners of these animals, responding to the barking, detained the poachers.
2. A famous representative of the breed named Gunner was the mascot of the English football team called Arsenal for several years. His menacing appearance did not allow football hooligans to commit unacceptable actions. At the same time, his luxurious appearance literally spoke of who the winner was here.

Life expectancy and major diseases

Bullmastiffs are strong and resilient dogs with strong immunity, however, they also have a tendency to develop a number of diseases.

Most often these dogs are diagnosed:

• dysplasia of the hip and elbow joints;
• congenital dislocation of the elbow;
• rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament;
• volvulus;
• interdigital dermatitis;
• lymphoma;
• urolithiasis;
• contact dermatitis;
• eczema;
• partial loss of hair;
• inversion and inversion of the eyelid;
• allergic reactions;
• hypothyroidism;
• obstructive cardiomyopathy.

On average, representatives of this breed live 8-10 years, but there are cases when bullmastiffs lived up to 12 years.

Training

From the first month, the bullmastiff is taught commands. Learning also takes place outside the home. First, the pet must learn to respond to its name, and after that they move on to commands. At three months, the pet should be able to follow the commands: “Come to me,” “Ugh!”, “Near!” and "Place".

After these basic commands, you can proceed to others. By six or seven months, the pet should be able to follow commands for a treat. It is best to take your dog to practice with other pets in a training area.

When the Bullmastiff turns one year old, it goes through puberty. Because of this, he begins to consider himself more important than adults. When trained with others, he quickly realizes his place and there will be no problems with this.

What to feed?

Both natural products and industrial food are suitable for feeding bullmastiffs - the owner decides what exactly to feed the pet.

It is only necessary to ensure that the diet is balanced and contains everything necessary for healthy growth of the dog.

The natural menu should consist of:

• lean meat with cartilage and veins;
• greens, vegetables and fruits;
• oatmeal, rice, buckwheat;
• sea ​​fish;
• fermented milk products;
• offal.

You should also include 1 tsp vegetable oils in your diet. per day and a vitamin-mineral complex.

You can't feed your pet:

• fatty meat;
• tubular bones;
• smoked meats, pickles, marinades;
• sweets and chocolate;
• legumes;
• cabbage;
• potatoes;
• bakery and pasta products;
• river fish.

When choosing industrial food, you should buy at least premium class products intended for large breed dogs. It is better to choose holistic food containing a maximum of meat.

IMPORTANT!

Among experienced breeders, the brands Bosch, Guabi, Go, Royal Canin, Brit, Acana, and Purina ProPlan are popular.

You cannot mix 2 types of nutrition, this can lead to problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

How many times a day and in what portions

The number of feedings depends on the age of the dog:

• 2-3 months – 6 times a day;
• 3-4 months – 4-5 times;
• 5-10 months – 3 times;
• from 10 months and older – 2 times.

The daily food intake for a puppy should be approximately 6% of its body weight, for an adult dog - 4%.

So, a dog weighing 50 kg eats about 2 kg of food per day, of which 60% is protein, 20% is cereals, 20% is vegetables and fruits.

Breeding

They take bullmastiff breeding seriously - they first undergo a full veterinary examination and undergo deworming. They carefully choose a partner for mating, focusing not only on his pedigree and health status, but also on his behavior.

• Estrus. The first heat in bitches begins at seven to ten months. By this age, the dog is not yet formed and is not ready for mating - health problems will arise, the puppies will be born weak. Bullmastiff bitches are allowed to breed no earlier than 20-22 weeks.
• Knitting. Estrus lasts 10-15 days, in rare cases - up to 25 days. Mating is carried out from the seventh to the 12th day, when the bloody discharge is replaced by light mucous.
• Pregnancy. The duration of pregnancy is 63 days. Puppies are born viable from 53 to 68 days. If labor does not occur during this time, the issue of performing a caesarean section is decided. The diet of a pregnant dog is enriched with cottage cheese, fermented milk products, and special vitamins. In the second half of pregnancy, the duration of walks is reduced, and active games are avoided.
• Childbirth. Before giving birth, the dog becomes restless and its body temperature drops. Childbirth in most cases proceeds without complications. If this is your dog's first litter, it's a good idea to talk to your veterinarian beforehand and keep your phone handy just in case.

Contrary to popular belief, bearing and giving birth to offspring does not improve a bitch’s health. If you do not plan to seriously engage in breeding, the dog should be sterilized

SALUKI: DESCRIPTION OF THE BREED AND CHARACTER OF THE DOG

GAMPR: HISTORY OF ORIGIN AND CHARACTER OF THE DOG

KUVAS: HISTORY OF THE BREED AND CHARACTER OF THE DOG

LEONBERGER: HISTORY OF ORIGIN AND CHARACTER OF THE DOG

How to choose?

Before buying a puppy, you need to inspect the conditions of its detention and find out about the health of the parents - there are a number of pathologies that are inherited.

In a healthy, standard puppy:

• smooth, shiny coat without dandruff;
• proportional body with developed muscles;
• long tail that reaches the hock joint;
• straight paws with a U-shaped set;
• rounded ribs;
• wide muzzle;
• moist, shiny nose;
• straight bite;
• straight back, strong neck;
• eyes are dark blue or brown.

A properly developing puppy should weigh 9-10 kg at 2 months, at least 17 kg at 3 months.

It should be remembered that males look more textured, but are distinguished by a more independent character and a tendency to dominate. They are also more likely to experience allergic reactions and dermatitis.

Bitches are less expressive in appearance, but they are more sociable, easier to train and more tolerant of children..

Price range

The cost of puppies is not fixed and depends on a number of factors: the titles of the parents, the place of purchase, as well as the age, gender and class of the future pet.

On average, the price of bullmastiffs varies from 10 to 50 thousand rubles.

You can buy a puppy at the market or through an advertisement cheaper than in kennels, but in this case the risk of purchasing a dog that is not purebred or has physical or psychological disabilities increases.

What to teach a bullmastiff puppy at home

1. Accustoming to a nickname. It is important that the bullmastiff puppy associates the nickname with something pleasant. Give him his name and immediately give him his favorite treat or game.
2. Accustoming to the place. The place should also evoke only pleasant associations; under no circumstances scold or punish the bullmastiff puppy when he is in his place. It is important that the place is located where no one will disturb the dog (for example, you should not place a bed on a hike) or in a draft.
3. Teach your Bullmastiff puppy to greet you on all fours. It is unlikely that you will be pleased when a huge dog jumps on you, expressing delight. While your baby is jumping, turn away. Once all four paws are on the floor, squat down and pet him. It is important not to bend over the puppy, but rather to squat - this way he will be less tempted to start jumping again.
4. Teaching a Bullmastiff puppy to be clean. As soon as the puppy is ready to do his business (usually shortly after sleeping and eating), take him outside. If he managed to go to the toilet outside, praise him and give him a treat. But don’t demand too much - a small puppy is not able to tolerate it, so there will be puddles and piles at home. Don't scold the puppy for them.
5. Gradually teach your Bullmastiff puppy basic commands. The puppy’s entire training takes place through play, and every success is reinforced with a treat. Classes should under no circumstances cause negativity in the child.
6. Teach your bullmastiff puppy to play healthy games. An important rule is that the game ends on your initiative before the baby gets tired or overexcited.
7. Accustoming to a collar (harness) and leash. First introduce the puppy to new objects, and only then put the equipment on him. The time spent in a collar or harness increases gradually. At first, a couple of seconds is enough. If the puppy is restless and tries to get free, distract him.
8. Getting to know different places, sounds, smells, people and animals.

Remember that every day, no matter how busy you are, your Bullmastiff puppy needs attention.

When raising and training a Bullmastiff puppy, it is important to find the right motivation that suits your dog. This could be, for example, a treat, play or stroking.

From 6 to 7 months, you can begin special training for a bullmastiff puppy (for example, start training OKD).