So you have seen all those pics of cute puppies and striking looking adults on the web and you are sure no other breed will do.

Or are you ? ? ? Consider the following facts.

The Bullmastiff is a BIG, powerful and often stubborn dog. Are you ready for the challenge that awaits you? An adult Bullmastiff will weight 100-130+ lbs of mostly muscles. Both males and females are generally strong willed and will take over if you do not. Do you have the dog knowledge and experience required to train a Bullmastiff and deal with everything the dog will throw at you?

Bullmastiffs are loyal, faithful and intelligent. They are attached to their family and as a guard breed will protect their loved ones and their property. In return they must be treated as family members and that usually means they are house dogs. They are not to be tied outside or to be left in a kennel all day and never ever should they run free in the neighbourhood! A fenced yard is highly recommended and while some Bullmastiffs will adapt just fine living in an apartment, many breeders will not sell you a puppy unless you have a 5' or 6' well constructed fence and a large enough yard. If you rely on public dog parks to exercise your dog off leash the Bullmastiff is NOT for you.

The Bullmastiff is a BIG, powerful and strong willed dog (those words again . . . . ) and they MUST be OBEDIENCE trained. They must respond to voice or hand signals because you will not be able to physically controlled them if they decide otherwise. Obedience training must be seeked from the moment the puppy arrives in its new home. It takes time and dedication but it must be done.

Bullmastiffs are guard dogs, and as all guard dogs they require extensive SOCIALIZATION. Proper socialization includes Puppy Kindergarten class or Puppy Socialization class, frequent trips to public areas (the mall, post office, school yard, etc.) where the young puppy is set to meet all kind of people and animals and finds itself in new environments and situations. This is of the upmost importance because Bullmastiffs can show signs of dog AGGRESSION when they get older. Not all Bullmastiffs will develop dog aggression, and some will react only to some dogs (males towards males, or towards other large dogs for example). But proper and extensive socialization will help prevent this.

Bullmastiffs generally cost between $1000-$1500. But remember that your initial investment is nothing compare to what you will have to spend to take care of your beloved pet for the rest of its life. Food alone will be between $50-$100 per month. And everything is more expensive when it comes to shop for large dogs. Crates, leashes and collars, bowls, all add up. Vet bills are higher. . . just think of an emergency trip to the clinic with a 125 lbs dog! Do you intend to take the dog with you on any trip? If so, what kind of car are you driving? A Bullmastiff just won't fit in a VW Jetta.

Are you a "clean freak"? Bullmastiffs drool. Some drool very little and some drool a lot. Remember "Turner and Hooch" ? Remember the "slingers" that flew in the air and hit the walls whenever dear Hooch shook his head ? That is the kind of drooling we are talking about with some Bullmastiffs (although Hooch was not a Bullmastiff but a Dogue de Bordeaux, a very similar breed). And all Bullmastiffs will leave a pool of drooly, slippery water around their water bowl, not to mention the trail they also leave behind after they are done drinking and go searching for you all around the house in order to use your pants as a drool rag. (For some reason they seem to find humour in this!)

Bullmastiffs are great dogs. They are smart and funny and loyal and make great family pets when properly trained. But they are definitely not for everyone. Please make sure all members of your family agree on what kind of dog would best fit your lifestyle. And after all that if you still think that the Bullmastiff is the dog you want and no other will do, then you could not have chosen a better breed!