Bullmastiff

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bullmastiff
A fully grown male Bullmastiff (Hugo Boss Le Revve of Chailis Kennels)
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Traits
Classification & standards FCI Group 2 Section 2 #157 standard AKC Working standard ANKC Group 6 (Utility) standard CKC Group 3 - Working Dogs standard KC (UK) Working standard NZKC Utility standard UKC Guardian Dogs standard

The Bullmastiff is a powerful dog, said to be a cross between the English Mastiff and the Old English Bulldog. Originally bred to find and immobilise poachers, the breed has proven its value as a family pet.

Contents 1 Description 1.1 Appearance 1.2 Temperament 2 Health 3 History 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Description

[edit] Appearance

[edit] Temperament

The Bullmastiff is courageous, loyal, calm, and loving with those it knows. It has a very strong protective instinct and will defend its owners against anything it perceives as a threat. However, it does not normally attack to protect. Instead, it knocks the intruder over with its massive size and pins them to the ground, or, will simply stand in front of the stranger/intruder and refuse to let them pass. Bullmastiffs become intensely attached to their families and do best when they can live inside with them. Their protective instinct combined with their great size and natural wariness of strangers means that early socialization is a must. The Bullmastiff may or may not get along well with other dogs. Occasionally, females in heat will also not get along with other females. The Bullmastiff gets along well with children and is very loving towards them. Parental supervision must be maintaned when they are with children because of their size and may knock smaller children down accidentally.

[edit] Health

Bullmastiffs are prone to certain hereditary diseases. These include:

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Entropion
• Hypothyroidism
• Lymphoma cancer
• Progressive retinal atrophy, a particular problem since the trait is an autosomal dominant one.

[edit] History

Bred by English gamekeepers in the 1800s to tackle poachers, the Bullmastiff (also known as a Gamekeeper's Night Dog) was a cross of 40% English Bulldog for its agility and tenacity (which was the Old English Bulldog, not the short, fat Bulldog of today) and 60% English Mastiff for its size, strength and loyalty. They bark much less often than other breeds, but when they bark they will make your head turn, as it is dark and hollow sounding.

The Bullmastiff was recognized as a pure-bred dog in 1924 by the English Kennel Club.

In October, 1933, The American Kennel Club recognized the Bullmastiff. The first standard for the breed was approved in 1935. [1]

The standard has undergone several revisions since then. The most current version is available on the AKC web site. [2]

[edit] See also

• Mastiff

[edit] External links

General

Breed Standards For Different Countries

• Bullmastiff Breed Standard (US)
• Breed Standard (Canada)
• Breed Standard (Great Britain)

General Information Web Sites

• About Bullmastiffs
• Bullmastiff Illustrated Standard
• Information for prospective Owners
• Molosser World article on the Bullmastiff
• Bullmastiffs Online - "Your complete comprehensive guide to the Purebred Bullmastiff."

Clubs

• De bullhoveve|Topdog De bullhoveve B
• The American Bullmastiff Association, Inc.
• Pacific Northwest Bullmastiff Bullmastiff Fanciers Regional Breed club in the US
• California Bullmastiff Fanciers Regional Breed club in the US
• Bullmastiff Fanciers of Canada
• The Bullmastiff Club of Southern Africa
• The Southern Bullmastiff Society Breed club in the UK
• The Bullmastiff Association Breed club in the UK
• The Dominion Bullmastiff Club of New Zealand
• The Bullmastiff National Specialty Shows of Australia - Official Site

Bullmastiff Email Groups for Breeders, Owners and Fanciers

• AUSBULLMASTIFF - An email group for Bullmastiff Breeders, Owners and Fanciers worldwide. All topics are discussed, from health and showing to diet and training. Share your photos and experiences with others interested in the Breed. Many of Australia and New Zealand's major breeders are members

• BULLMASTIFF-L Generally known as the Shastid list. An email list originally created by Jack Shastid in the late 1990's. It's open to anyone interested in Bullmastiffs. Discussions of all aspects of the breed. Many of the most knowledgeable breeders and handlers in the United States and Canada are members.

Rescue

• (United States)
• (Canada)

A young brindle male Bullmastiff at 8 weeks (Shayla's Vegas)

Shayla's Vegas at 3 years old nearly 130 lbs