Bullmastiff experiences
Discussion
Hi all,
We have decided to get another four-legged member of the family (we have a cat). Through my research I’ve arrived at the Bullmastiff – they seem perfect. From my research, they’re great around families and kids, are relatively low energy and only really spring into life when its time to eat, play or guard. They seem to have a wonderful temperament.
The only downside I can see is slobber, but I’m told this only happens at meal/water and playtimes.
What are your experiences with this breed?
We have decided to get another four-legged member of the family (we have a cat). Through my research I’ve arrived at the Bullmastiff – they seem perfect. From my research, they’re great around families and kids, are relatively low energy and only really spring into life when its time to eat, play or guard. They seem to have a wonderful temperament.
The only downside I can see is slobber, but I’m told this only happens at meal/water and playtimes.
What are your experiences with this breed?
I too was in a similar position and did lots of research. The thing that put me off is that they seem very susceptible to cancers, skin problems, gout, heart problems........ the list goes on. They don't seem to live that long compared to other breeds either 10 years is considered old seemingly.
I grew up with two, sequentially.
The first, a male, was big even for a bully but as soft as mince. Not timid, but literally zero aggression towards people or things (until he was woken up by my dad on earlies and proved that he would be a good guard dog!). He was about 11 stone and strong as an ox. People were, in general, very wary of him.
Like you say, lazy, great with kids and other dogs (though he did like a wrestle with a big neopolitan mastiff that lived nearby).
Our second was collected at 16 weeks and hadn't been socialised. Totally different dog. Not aggressive, but timid and skittish. A female, and a smallish one at 6 stone, she was never a problem, but I suspect the right situation might have resulted in someone being bitten due to the dog being scared.
So they *can* be excellent, but they can also be a bit dodgy if not socialised or socialised too late. Same as any dog really.
Neither slobbered, but both got arthritis in their older years and both died fairly young (normal for bullies, sadly).
The first, a male, was big even for a bully but as soft as mince. Not timid, but literally zero aggression towards people or things (until he was woken up by my dad on earlies and proved that he would be a good guard dog!). He was about 11 stone and strong as an ox. People were, in general, very wary of him.
Like you say, lazy, great with kids and other dogs (though he did like a wrestle with a big neopolitan mastiff that lived nearby).
Our second was collected at 16 weeks and hadn't been socialised. Totally different dog. Not aggressive, but timid and skittish. A female, and a smallish one at 6 stone, she was never a problem, but I suspect the right situation might have resulted in someone being bitten due to the dog being scared.
So they *can* be excellent, but they can also be a bit dodgy if not socialised or socialised too late. Same as any dog really.
Neither slobbered, but both got arthritis in their older years and both died fairly young (normal for bullies, sadly).
Baldchap said:
Worth noting, both would get to a certain point on a walk and basically say 'I'm done' and lie down. Don't go too far! 
I bet they're a big lump to carry too 
Would this point be at mile 5 (which I'm ok with) or mile 1 (which I'd be annoyed with) No way to definitively tell but its worth asking the question.
TeamBigfoot said:
This is a concern, I've also seen Cane Corso's which are still mastiffs but seem to do better with health, however they have a lot more excersize requirements.
What did you end up getting?
We haven't got anything yet (delays with a house move) but have settled on getting some sort of crossbreed (which will drop insurance premiums dramatically) from a rescue place called Rescue Remedies based in Guildford, they specialise in big bull breed dogs and terriers.What did you end up getting?
We had Betty a bullmastiff dogue de Bordeaux cross until last March when we had to make the hardest decision ever and have her put to sleep due to cancer.
She was an absolute star. We got her the week after marriage and she was there when we had our boys.
she has an amazing temperament, she was so relaxed never a hint of aggression though you could see she had a protective instinct from the way she would position herself between our children and strangers. My kids pulled her, prodded her and there was never any reaction. She allowed them to lay with and on her and would happily curl around them as they played.
She was very easy to train (barring recall, she never quite got that) and she was so loyal and always wanted to be around us (especially my wife)
She didn’t drool too much. Mainly if we were eating and she wanted some.
She was a great companion and she’s missed daily.
She was an absolute star. We got her the week after marriage and she was there when we had our boys.
she has an amazing temperament, she was so relaxed never a hint of aggression though you could see she had a protective instinct from the way she would position herself between our children and strangers. My kids pulled her, prodded her and there was never any reaction. She allowed them to lay with and on her and would happily curl around them as they played.
She was very easy to train (barring recall, she never quite got that) and she was so loyal and always wanted to be around us (especially my wife)
She didn’t drool too much. Mainly if we were eating and she wanted some.
She was a great companion and she’s missed daily.
TeamBigfoot said:
I bet they're a big lump to carry too
Would this point be at mile 5 (which I'm ok with) or mile 1 (which I'd be annoyed with) No way to definitively tell but its worth asking the question.
Be careful with exercise in such a big breed, they shouldn't get too much until their bones and joints have matured, and 5 miles before 18 months is too much, a mile a day up to that point should give longer problem free life, it's just like running an engine in!Would this point be at mile 5 (which I'm ok with) or mile 1 (which I'd be annoyed with) No way to definitively tell but its worth asking the question.
The is Boris, he is a 11 month old Bullmastiff. We got him at 8 weeks old after we lost our cane corso and Labrador. I had a Bullmastiff when I was a kid and they are great but extremely daft dogs. Boris doesn’t have a bad bone in his body and is extremely good with young children and the majority of dogs. The main issue we have is some small dog (terrier) owners. Most Dog owners absolutely love him and can’t wait to see him but there are a few who own little dogs who are petrified of him when he just comes over to say hello which often leads to him getting nipped after the owner starts screaming and running around.
They are brilliant dogs though and are very laid back. Don’t be fooled though if you can’t stand the drool they aren’t the one for you.
I wonder if the OP got one ! My friend used to have them. The vets bills were heinous ( and this was 20 years ago) the cost of insurance alarming even then -probably £200 - £300 per month now for a lifetime policy with a decent insurer, and very sadly 6 or 7 years was about the best . Giant breeds can look cool but do not always make great pets . Horses for courses I guess .
Wilmslowboy said:
One thing I noticed when out for walks with our choc labs, is bullmastiffs never seem to be let off the lead, not sure if this is a recall or aggression issue (or an owner thing).
Seems a bit sad as the fields and wood are great around us.
Ours is in the i'm not listening to recalls stage so he's on his lead unless we go in the woods until he gets past this. We have had this with all our mastiffs, it's like the teenager years when they get their own ideas!Seems a bit sad as the fields and wood are great around us.
They aren't nasty one bit but obviously they are big dogs and a lot of small dog owners are petrified of them and think they are going to eat their dog so start screaming, running and picking their dog up or all three which just screams this is great fun to our bullmastiff pup.
My elder chock lab is massive (tall), so enjoys to play with big dogs and a mastiff look like a huge bag of fun to him, so he always looks disappointed when he comes across one on a lead and the owner is pulling it away.
B3NJY said:
Ours is in the i'm not listening to recalls stage so he's on his lead unless we go in the woods until he gets past this. We have had this with all our mastiffs, it's like the teenager years when they get their own ideas!
They aren't nasty one bit but obviously they are big dogs and a lot of small dog owners are petrified of them and think they are going to eat their dog so start screaming, running and picking their dog up or all three which just screams this is great fun to our bullmastiff pup.
They aren't nasty one bit but obviously they are big dogs and a lot of small dog owners are petrified of them and think they are going to eat their dog so start screaming, running and picking their dog up or all three which just screams this is great fun to our bullmastiff pup.
Wilmslowboy said:
My elder chock lab is massive (tall), so enjoys to play with big dogs and a mastiff look like a huge bag of fun to him, so he always looks disappointed when he comes across one on a lead and the owner is pulling it away.
He's off in the woods or if the owners/dog wants to play I let him off.
ote]
He's off in the woods or if the owners/dog wants to play I let him off.
ote]
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff