The Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff is a British breed through and through, although the origins are lost in the midst of time. He is not one of the giant breeds such as the mastiff, nor must he be considered as medium size, for example similar in size to the boxer. He is a large, strong, powerful dog, fearless yet docile . As the Bull Terrier is considered to be the middleweight champion of the canine world then the Bullmastiff is indisputably the light heavyweight champion. The epitome of the bullmastiff being a dog which is in hard muscular condition with well toned and responsive musculature. He is high spirited, active, fit and sound in both body and mind. He is faithful and fearless but not ferocious. Big enough to be powerful, but not too big to be active. The bullmastiff puppy should not be exercised excessively until they are over twelve months of age at which stage, as his skeleton matures, he should  be capable of gradually increasing his exercise. As a mature dog he is capable of sensible amounts of exercise providing that he has not been overfed and is carrying too much weight, muscle not fat is of prime importance. There are several recommended feeding regimes ranging from one hundred percent dry complete feeds to home based cooked feeds to a completely raw food diet. Whichever method one chooses it is imperative that the dog should receive the correct quantities and balance of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. 

He is naturally intelligent and is easily trained although he may sometimes have a stubborn streak and it may take a little longer than some of the more popular breeds commonly used for obedience work etcetera.  It is important that puppies should be socialized at an early age with humans both adult and children, other dogs, animals kept as pets within the family and farm animals.

It is known that not only were there mastiffs in the records of history there was also a smaller mastiff type of dog which is thought to be the ancestors of the dogs used in the baiting rings of yesteryear. From these origins by selective crossings evolved the dogs known as night-dogs. Such dogs were developed for their guarding instincts and aggressive qualities, mainly by gamekeepers for protection from poachers and others, who in those early days would suffer extreme consequences if caught, thus they would stop at nothing to escape. The Bullmastiff has evolved from crosses between the Old English Mastiff and the Old Bulldog (Not to be confused with the modern day short legged bulldog, these older type bulldogs were descended from those used in the baiting rings).  

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth century the breed we know today began to emerge with the stoic work of such men as Mr.J. Barnard. Later Misters S.E. Moseley, G.F.Wedgewood and V.J.Smith who worked tirelessly to improve the breed. The first clubs formed for the breed were the National Bull and Mastiff Police Dog Club and later the Midland Bull-Mastiff Club both of which became defunct. In 1931 it was suggested by Mr.W.S.Phillips that a new club should be formed from the remnants of the previous clubs which together with the new club would greatly improve the breed. It was agreed that it would be called The British Bullmastiff League and an application was sent to the Kennel Club. This was placed before the KC committee and granted approval on the 17th November 1931. Thus The British Bullmastiff League is now the oldest bullmastiff club in existence.   

 The breed has progressed from those early dogs to that which we know today. A noble, affectionate, quiet and responsive companion with a great heart. Its reliability, intelligence and willingness to please are renown. He is one who is always alert and protective of his family making him an ideal dependable companion and family pet.