Why are bullmastiffs good dogs

They are known to be patient with children, although their size can be intimidating to small kids. Adult Bullmastiffs are typically mellow and as a result, can do well in an apartment. They have a short, easy to care for coat, but beware: these dogs drool. This breed was developed as a cross between Bulldogs and Mastiffs by gamekeepers in the mid-to-late 19th century to provide a solution to poachers.

At the time, the estates of the English aristocracy were plagued by poachers. Gamekeepers wanted a large, swift, fearless dog who would be able to pursue and pin a poacher wandering on estates grounds. They found the perfect combination in this breed. These dogs were intelligent enough to work on command, able to detain a person without mauling them, and large enough to intimidate intruders.

Their utility and loving nature resulted in them being sought out as pets even after issues with poachers declined. Bullmastiffs were recognized by the Kennel Club England by and given full recognition by the American Kennel Club in The Bullmastiff is known as being gentle giants with their loved ones and is incredibly loyal.

They typically are good-natured, loving, and enjoy being around their family. While they do have strong guarding instincts, they are less aggressive now than when they were first bred. These dogs can be stubborn and headstrong. They were bred to be able to think and act independently from their owners when used by gamekeepers in the 19th century.

Training is critical to ensure this large dog responds well to you and recognizes his family as being in charge. Otherwise, your Bullmastiff will try to be the boss!

This time together is important to keep them bonded with the family. This breed does best as an indoor dog, but they can be outside by themselves for part of the day, weather permitting. Overall, they want to be with their families. Bullmastiffs are excellent guard dogs due to being bred to guard land against poachers.

Since they were bred to be silent guard dogs, they typically don't bark much. These dogs are a protective breed who would put themselves in harm's way to protect their family. With proper socialization, they can learn which behaviors distinguish an intruder from a friendly stranger. Before bringing a Bullmastiff into your home, talk to your neighbors. This could help make your neighbors comfortable with the dog's size and allow your dog to get to know neighbors you trust.

Bullmastiffs can be loyal and loving companions. They want to be around people, which is excellent for families.

However, small children can find the adult dogs intimidating, so keep that in mind. Whether you want to go with a breeder or get your dog from a shelter or rescue, here are some things to keep in mind.

Finding a good breeder is the key to finding the right puppy. A good breeder will match you with the right puppy, and will without question have done all the health certifications necessary to screen out health problems as much as is possible. He or she is more interested in placing pups in the right homes than in making big bucks. A good breeder can tell you about the history of the breed, explain why one puppy is considered pet quality while another is not, and discuss what health problems affect the breed and the steps she takes take to avoid those problems.

While most Bullmastiffs have sound temperaments, because of their size a breeder who has American Temperament Test Society TT certification on her dogs is to be preferred over one who does not. A good breeder will welcome you to meet her dogs as well. Find a breeder who is a member in good standing of the American Bullmastiff Association. Choose a breeder who is not only willing but insists on being a resource in helping you train and care for your new dog.

Avoid breeders who only seem interested in how quickly they can unload a puppy on you and whether your credit card will go through. Put at least as much effort into researching your puppy as you would into choosing a new car or expensive appliance. It will save you money in the long run. Red flags include puppies always being available, multiple litters on the premises, having your choice of any puppy, and the ability to pay online with a credit card.

Those things are convenient, but they are almost never associated with reputable breeders. Disreputable breeders and facilities that deal with puppy mills can be hard to distinguish from reliable operations. The cost of a Bullmastiff puppy varies depending on his place of origin, whether he is male or female, what titles his parents have, and whether he is best suited for the show ring or a pet home. For that price, the puppy you buy should have been raised in a clean home environment, from parents with health clearances and conformation show titles to prove that they are good specimens of the breed.

Puppies should be temperament tested, vetted, dewormed, and socialized to give them a healthy, confident start in life. Before you decide to buy a puppy, consider whether an adult Bullmastiff might better suit your needs and lifestyle. Puppies are loads of fun, but they require a lot of time and effort before they grow up to become the dog of your dreams.

An adult Bullmastiff may already have some training and will probably be less active, destructive and demanding than a puppy. If you are interested in acquiring an older dog through breeders, ask them about purchasing a retired show dog or if they know of an adult dog who needs a new home.

If you want to adopt a dog, read the advice below on how to do that. There are many great options available if you want to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or breed rescue organization. Here is how to get started. Sites like Petfinder. The site allows you to be very specific in your requests housetraining status, for example or very general all the Bullmastiffs available on Petfinder across the country.

Social media is another great way to find a dog. Post on your Facebook page that you are looking for a specific breed so that your entire community can be your eyes and ears. Start talking with all the pet pros in your area about your desire for a Bullmastiff. That includes vets, dog walkers, and groomers. When someone has to make the tough decision to give up a dog, that person will often ask her own trusted network for recommendations. Networking can help you find a dog that may be the perfect companion for your family.

You can also search online for other Bullmastiff rescues in your area. The great thing about breed rescue groups is that they tend to be very upfront about any health conditions the dogs may have and are a valuable resource for advice. They also often offer fostering opportunities so, with training, you could bring a Bullmastiff home with you to see what the experience is like.

You now know the things to discuss with a breeder, but there are also questions you should discuss with shelter or rescue group staff or volunteers before you bring home a pup. These include:. Wherever you acquire your Bullmastiff, make sure you have a good contract with the seller, shelter or rescue group that spells out responsibilities on both sides.

Petfinder offers an Adopters Bill of Rights that helps you understand what you can consider normal and appropriate when you get a dog from a shelter. Puppy or adult, take your Bullmastiff to your veterinarian soon after adoption. Your veterinarian will be able to spot problems, and will work with you to set up a preventive regimen that will help you avoid many health issues. Bartonella is a type bacteria that can be transmitted to cats, dogs and humans from exposure to infected fleas and….

Want to give your pup yummy, low-calorie treats? Not sure about food puzzles? Our veterinarian reveals why the payoff for your pet is well worth any extra work. The friendly and inquisitive LaPerm has an easy-care coat that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Check out our collection of more than videos about pet training, animal behavior, dog and cat breeds and more.

Wonder which dog or cat best fits your lifestyle? Our new tool will narrow down more than breeds for you. If the video doesn't start playing momentarily, please install the latest version of Flash. Sally Anne Thompson, Animal Photography. Mary Bloom. Paul Cotney, Animal Photography. Make sure he always has access to water and bring him inside if he seems to be getting hot.

A quick daily brushing should be just fine to get rid of any loose hairs that are holding on for dear life. Because loose hair is usually the problem and not matting , a rubber glove brush might be the quickest way to get those daily brushings in. The Bullmastiff is definitely not the type of dog that simply coexists with you and your family.

He wants to be involved in nearly everything you do and will likely be by your side almost every second of the day. So, make it a point to include him in your family outings if you can. Pro-tip: Does your Bullmastiff have issues with anxiety, destructive chewing, aggressiveness, jumping up, barking or fearfulness? Brain Training For Dogs is an excellent online training course that addresses these behavioral issues as well as dog training basics.

The Bullmastiff is also prone to getting a little chubby, so a healthy diet is a must. Last but not least, the Bullmastiff drools - a lot! If you really want another dog that badly, get a dog of the opposite sex and properly socialize them.

Neither a Bullmastiff nor a cat will enjoy being in the company of one another. This helpful article of ours talks more about Bullmastiffs and other pets. To avoid the stubbornness, you need to work on training from the time your Bullmastiff is only a few months old. Most importantly, you need to use positive reinforcement. A few extra pounds on large frame dogs like the Bullmastiff puts a lot of extra pressure on his joints, meaning he might be more prone to joint conditions like arthritis or hip dysplasia.

No matter how much he begs for table scraps, every calorie counts. So, if you notice that your Bullmastiff is getting a little chunky, reduce his food intake every day and work on getting a little more daily exercise.

Your Bullmastiff craves your attention and love and, without it, he gets very emotional. A family with a bullmastiff will be rewarded with a loving, loyal companion. However, despite the dog's generally easy-going nature, supervision is imperative when the dog is around children as the dog is so large that it could inadvertently knock a child over.

Socialization and training are crucial to living successfully with this breed. By exposing the dog to as many new people, places and situations as possible, especially when he's a puppy, he may be less suspicious of visitors and people he doesn't know. The short coat makes his grooming needs minimal and he sheds little.

If you're adding a bullmastiff to your family, consider buying him a bib as these dogs tend to slobber and drool quite a bit. They also are known for snoring. As is true with most very large breeds, the bullmastiff doesn't live as long as smaller dogs do. Average life expectancy is about eight to 10 years. The bullmastiff was developed during the midth century by British gamekeepers to protect country estates from poachers. By crossing the larger mastiff with the bulldog, breeders were able to develop a powerfully built but active animal that could cover short distances quickly, knock a poacher down to the ground, and hold him there until the gamekeeper arrived to apprehend the intruder.

Today, however, the bullmastiff is more likely to be an easygoing, loyal and loving family pet than a poacher's worst enemy.

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