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Fearless at work, docile at home, the Bullmastiff is a large, muscular guarder who pursued and held poachers in Merry Old England.
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The headpiece of the Bullmastiff is its crowning glory and a crucial element of breed type. Without the correct proportion of 1/3 muzzle to 2/3 skull, the Bullmastiff could be misidentifiable as any other Molosser breed.
The structure fore and aft should be moderate and balanced. Being slightly longer than tall (at the withers), the Bullmastiff should give the presence of power and stamina needed to work all night with the gamekeeper of old. The breed’s skeletal structure should be sound and accompany a substantial musculature, without compromise to health.
The temperament should be confident and stable, but not necessarily tail-wagging friendly to every person or dog that it meets. The independent working nature of the Bullmastiff was to bring down a poacher and hold, not savage, him until the gamekeeper arrived.
Bullmastiffs should have the ability to be agile, good nosed trackers and endurance minded. A quiet worker, he should not be prone to bark or growl, unless warranted by a threat, and is a dedicated guardian to his family.
The independent working nature of the Bullmastiff was to bring down a poacher and hold, not savage, him until the gamekeeper arrived.
Bullmastiffs should be discerning and watchful to those he does not know, yet once properly introduced, he should be accepting of strangers that his family approves of.
This is not a breed for everyone. The independent and solitary working nature of the breed can make for difficult training sessions. Once a command or task is understood, they are faithful and consistent workers. Same sex dog aggression can be common and is usually breed-specific.
The essence of the Bullmastiff is all of these things. Owners, breeders, and judges need to be mindful that all of these components present the total package of the Gamekeeper’s Night Dog.
The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.
Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.
Read and learn more about the brave Bullmastiff dog breed with articles and information in our Bullmastiff Dog Breed Magazine.
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