Bullmastiff Breed description: Character & Co

The Bullmastiff was originally bred as a protection dog for British gamekeepers. Today, they have established a reputation as a well-suited family dog with its advocates. You can make sure that the Bullmastiff's full potential of their generally balanced, people-orientated nature fully develops through early puppy training and consistent, non-violent socialisation.

Origin of the Bullmastiff

The first breeds of Bullmastiff puppies with today's character are known from 19th century England. There, the breed was achieved by crossing the Old English Bulldog with the Old English Mastiff resulting in a well-suited protection dog for the gamekeepers of the Landlord. Outside of English territories the strong, big dog only became known after the middle of the 20th century. Later on, crossbreeding with Bloodhounds further developed the Bullmastiff's scenting ability to add to their already existing protection and guard dog potential. 

Breed characteristics of the Bullmastiff

• FCI Standard Bullmastiff (157) Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoids - Swiss Mountain Dogs; Section 2 Molossoids; 2.1 Great Dane dogs
• Appearance: Proud and muscular physique, overall strong build
• Breeding types: short coat, hard and smooth in the colours fawn, brindle or red with permitted shading and occasionally a white chest marker
• Other physical characteristics: V-shaped, folded back ears; straight, muscular back on sturdy legs; tail set high - when at rest it is carried almost horizontally or slightly downwards
• Square head - appears big in relation to the body

Conditions for the Bullmastiff as a list dog

Despite its high stimulus threshold and good-natured character, the Bullmastiff belongs to the "list of potentially dangerous dogs". These regulations apply in German federal states as well as in German-speaking countries:

• Germany (Berlin): List dog without categorisation
• Germany (Baden-Württemberg, Brandenburg, Bavaria, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia): List dog category 2 (proof of harmlessness by providing a character test is possible)
• Switzerland: In eleven cantons keeping with certificate of competence possible, in Ticino permission necessary, in Geneva purchase, keeping and breeding prohibited
• Austria: In Vienna keeping these dogs is only allowed with a dog handler's license, in Vorarlberg keeping is only possible with a special permission of the mayor

Using the Bullmastiff

Originally, the Bullmastiff was bred to silently track down poachers and keep them free of injury for the gamekeeper's arrest. But with the end of the Landlords, this field of work became obsolete. Now, the British police has discovered the gentle but respectable giants as reliable partners for police service. Their fine sense of smell still makes them a top utility dog for authorities, among other things for tracking purposes. But nowadays, Bullmastiffs are also bought by private individuals. Because of their calm nature, their playful and joyful temperament as well as their unmistakable facial expressions they have become popular even with celebrities in the film world in the last few decades.