They have an unquestioning devotion to all they consider to be within the family. They are hopelessly affectionate, and love nothing more than to be allowed to curl up in a comfortable spot in the heart of the home. They have a facial expression for every occasion, and most owners can read their Bullmastiff with great accuracy. They have terrific presence, few people can walk past a Bullmastiff without stopping to admire this splendid animal.

All those who have a true passion for the Bullmastiff and truely care about its future will ensure that puppies are matched to owners who will understand and recognise the breeds great virtues and forgive their natural bullish tendencies.

Powerful, active, reliable, alert and faithful ...... so this is the Bullmastiff as described in the Breed Standard. Just talk to anyone who has owned a Bullmastiff in the past, or who shares their home with one now, and most will tell you that no other breed of dog is quite the same. What is it that makes the breed unique?

If the Bullmastiff is so special, so wonderful in the home and a dog to be proud of, why don't more people own them?
Badly placed the Bullmastiff can become something resembling an out of control bulldozer! This is a guarding breed; they are extremely strong, often stubborn and require good training and socialisation from the start. They were not designed to be especially friendly with other dogs, take a look at the original job they were bred to do,

If you are thinking about buying your first Bullmastiff, look through the commonly asked questions section and check that your own character and lifestyle are in sympathy with that of the Bullmastiff. Please be honest with yourself. Bullmastiffs are highly sensitive, and re-homing a loving member of the family because the puppy was bought on impulse will be devastating for you, but far worse for the innocent dog.

Questions and Answers

I have two young children and have read that Bullmastiffs are good with kids. Is this true?

Yes, usually they have a great affinity with children. Obviously you need to take sensible precautions and you need to bear in mind that given the size of the dog small children can easily get knocked over. As with any breed you should never leave dog and children unattended and if noisy friends come to visit it would be wise to keep the Bullmastiff separate. Although the children may enjoy play fighting the Bullmastiff may not fully understand the fun, so always play safe.

I want to be able to leave my dog in the garden when I go out, with access to the conservatory. It would only be for an hour or two but what fencing do I need?

Most Bullmastiffs just love to sit on the doorstep when the weather is fine, and this arrangement would be very good. You must have very good strong fencing. Five or six foot lap fencing is ideal. Any lower and he will be able to see over by putting paws on the top. This will put an enormous strain on the fence and if strongly provoked he could jump over. Be careful in hot weather - a dog can die if accidentally shut in a conservatory.

I have several friends with dogs and we like to go to the local park together and let the dogs have fun whilst we catch up on the gossip.
Would a Bullmastiff enjoy joining in the fun?

Oh yes. I am sure he would have great fun - but please don't do it. If you want a dog you can let off lead and then relax whilst he exercises himself then the Bullmastiff is not the right breed for you. Even if you are lucky enough to have a Bullmastiff who is very good with other dogs; you can not be sure that someone elses dog will not be out to cause trouble. If a Bullmastiff decides to fight - it's serious. Also you should consider others - how would you feel if you are quietly walking your little Yorkshire Terrier and a 130lb Bullmastiff is hurtling towards you. Think again.


I have always done obedience training with my dogs. Can a Bullmastiff be trained?

There is no reason, as long as you have patience, why a Bullmastiff should not do well in obedience work. Don't expect the quick response you get with a collie, but they are quite capable of understanding your commands. They do like to see a reason for the request, so many people find that using food rewards works best. Clicker training can also work well. Training your Bullmastiff to be a PAT dog can be very rewarding for all concerned.

I have heard that Bullmastiffs slobber a lot. I have just re-decorated the house and I'm a bit worried about the mess.

All dogs make a mess, so if you are extremely house proud you will spend a lot of time cleaning! Some seem to be more slobbery than others, and dogs are likely to be worse than bitches. A real slobberer can easily reach the ceiling with a well aimed slobber flick! As you will not know by looking at a puppy whether it is a dribbler or not, you would be advised to assume that it is.

I have a three year old collie cross dog. I want to get a Bullmastiff dog as a companion, will they get along?







We live in a remote area and have decided to get a dog. I would like a dog that will guard as well as be a companion. Will the Bullmastiff protect the house and make us feel more secure?

An excellent choice. No Bullmastiff should be used solely as a guard dog. They are not suited to this type of life and need the love and companionship of family life. However, protecting the household is all part of their job description, and freedom to patrol the grounds is great for both dog and owner. The Bullmastiff is a formidable sight when barking at you from the other side of the gate, so few intruders would be foolish enough to venture in. In fact the Bullmastiff was bred to detain the foe, so you should always go to his aid if you hear he perceives a problem.

I have always wanted to own my own Bullmastiff. I now feel the time is right to buy the puppy of my dreams. I have done plenty of research and am confident it will be the right breed for me. My only problem is that my home is very small. Would it be unfair to keep a large dog in a small house? I do have a small garden and would take him out for two walks a day.








Bullmastiff puppies are hard to resist. Please do your research before going to view a litter.

No. This is just not worth the risk. Most male Bullmastiffs do not take kindly to other male dogs. OK if you visit a breeder you may well see dogs which appear to get along, and several bitches kept together; but breeders have the facilities to split them up if a problem developes. For anyone wanting to bring a new puppy into a household which already has a dog, always have a Bullmastiff of the opposite sex. Few things are more distressing than having to re-home a much loved pet because having reached maturity a dominance battle has developed. Experienced breeders are unlikely to sell you a puppy unless you a have good reason and good facilities to look after two dogs of the same sex.

I shouldn't think your Bullmastiff would mind living in a small house at all. Although large in stature, they are not constantly active dogs, so as long as you provide sensible exercise he should be quite happy. Your own attitude however must be carefully considered. A wet dog will cause havoc in a small space. Visitors may not appreciate your dogs attention as much as you do. You may become frustrated at the lack of free floor space. If you are prepared to sacrifice these elements of your home life on behalf of your dog, then go ahead.