Chantal Cormier,
New Richmond, Quebec
CANADA
418-392-6778
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are bullmastiffs like in general?
- The Bullmastiff was developed in England in the mid-1800 to help the gamekeepers in their work against poachers. At that time and until the breed was officially recognized in England in 1924 the English mastiff and the old-type English bulldog were the two breeds used to create the Bullmastiff. Today the Bullmastiff is a large, strong, powerful dog that has kept his ability as a guard dog and protector of its family and property. The Bullmastiff is courageous and intelligent, but he can also be quite stubborn. He is laid-back and usually does not bark without reason. He is well known to be good with children and other animals when properly socialised and brought up with them from puppyhood. However adult males will very rarely get along with other males of any breed.
- How big do they get and what colours do they come in?
Bullmastiffs weigh between 100 and 130+ lbs. They come in three different colours: Red, fawn, or brindle. The solid colors, red and fawn, can occur in gradations…i.e., red fawn, light fawn, etc. Brindles (a dog with black stripes overlaying the solid colour) can be red brindle or fawn brindle.
- Are they good with children?
- Bullmastiffs are known to be good with children. However like with any other dog adult supervision is always required. Because Bullmastiffs are usually laid back, they tend to behave around people. But they are so big and powerful that they could hurt children just bumping into them. Bullmastiffs must be taught to obey to children when they are told "sit", "off", "stay" and "come". They should also be taught to automatically sit when they meet all people, especially children. Since Bullmastiffs develop strong bonds with "their" family it is important to remember that they will protect "their" children if they think they are in danger.
- Are they good with other dogs?
- Some are and some are not. Bullmastiffs are guard dogs and as such they might not tolerate other dogs as well as other non-guard breeds. Early training ans socialization are essential to help prevent dog aggression from developing. Neutering males at a young age (6-12 months) will also help reduce dog aggression tendencies. If you already have a dog, it is recommended that you get a Bullmastiff of the opposite sex.
- What kind of exercise do they need?
- Bullmastiffs are pretty laid back and usually not high energy dogs. However they tend to get bored and to put on weight easily. Walking your dog twice a day for about 20 minutes should keep your dog in shape. But your Bullmastiff will also need extra play sessions during the day to keep from getting bored.
- How about grooming?
- The Bullmastiff coat is short and dense which makes it low-maintenance. Grooming consists of regular brushings with a rubber curry comb or glove, nail clipping and ear cleaning. Some Bullmastiffs will need their faces cleaned especially after eating to prevent acne.
- What are the most common health problems?
- Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Thyroid imbalance, skin problems (hot spots, interdigital cysts, acne, dermatitis, allergies) and entropions. More rare but not uncommon are heart and renal diseases.
- How long do they live?
- The average lifespan for Bullmastiffs is 8 to 10 years.
- How much do they cost?
- Responsible and ethical breeders ask between $800 and $1500 for a Bullmastiff. Expect to spend $50-$100 per month for food. And don't forget the annual visit to the vet as well as the occasional emergency. Leashes and collars, bowls, treats, toys and a crate are additional expenses. Obedience training also has to be taken into consideration.
- Do Bullmastiffs drool?
- Some drool very little but some drool a LOT! In general the tighter the lips (or flews) the less they drool. Dogs with pendulous flews have a tendency to drool a lot more.
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