The Bullmastiff is a breed of dog that originated in Great Britain in the late 19th century as the result of a possible cross between the English Mastiff and the Bulldog. This dog was used in ancient times to guard and protect the large private estates of the landowners, fulfilling the function of chasing and catching poachers.

This dog harassed and knocked down thieves with his strength, even so, he never used his mouth to attack, only his body strength, that is why this dog is highly appreciated, because even today it is characterized by the good use of its strength body without hurting or injuring people or other dogs.

As mentioned above, its origin is attributed to Great Britain, but it has been proven that in the Iberian Peninsula there were already some dogs that had a morphology similar to that of the Bullmastiff , these were known as “bull dogs”.

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Main characteristics of the bullmastiff

This dog is very obedient, he attends orders easily regardless of which member of the family imposes them on him, this greatly facilitates his coexistence at home. The bullmastiff is a very intelligent, effective, loyal, powerful, courageous, loving, discreet, domestic watchdog and is not usually hyperactive so it can easily adapt to urban life.

• Height:  the male is between 64 and 68 cm, while the female is between 61 and 66 cm.
• Weight: the male weighs between 50 and 59 kg, while the female weighs between 45 and 54 kg.
• Longevity: the bullmastiff has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years.
• Coat: short, smooth and short.
• Coat color:  red, fawn, brindle fur, its snout is black and sometimes it has a white spot on the chest.
• Head:  broad and square.
• Muzzle:  short and square.
• Eyes: they are of medium size and dark or hazel in color.
• Ears:  small, triangular, bent and have a darker color than the rest of its body.
• Body: symmetrical, compact and powerful.
• Tail:  long and set high.
• Health: The bullmastiff is prone to diseases such as: hypothyroidism, hip dysplasia, dermatitis, cancer, atopic dermatitis, demodectic mange , entropion, gastric torsion , elbow dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy.

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Bullmastiff care

• The maintenance of the bullmastiff  is not complicated compared to other canine breeds, its hair is short and it has an annual shed in spring, it needs to be brushed on average three times a week to remove the dead fur and keep it shiny. they will avoid bad smells.
• Bathe your dog with pH neutral shampoo and warm water every 6 to 8 weeks to avoid skin problems.
• You have to take care of your eyes, ears and teeth.
• Remember that your dog needs physical activity, take him for daily walks and control exercise in the growing age to avoid musculoskeletal problems when he is in his adult stage.
• All pets need to be periodically checked by a veterinarian, so any type of health failures will be ruled out in time, also remember to have all their vaccinations up to date.
• Give him a balanced diet to avoid being overweight .

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Bullmastiff curiosities

• Dogs of this breed are usually obedient if they have good socialization, females are recommended for people who have a softer character or lack authority, while males are the best choice for people who need a guard dog. .

• This breed of dog has been part of different films such as see spot run, the dog of the Baskervilles, Frank and the secret garden.
• Another of the peculiarities of this dog is its great tolerance with children, it is also very affectionate with them.
• The bullmastiff has also been featured in the Pooch Café comic strip.