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Discover the Bullmastiff’s evolution—from gamekeeper’s guardian to revered breed—and explore its rich, complex history and heritage.
Billy Brittle
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, December 2017 issue.
The plain truth is that when examining the facts around the history of the Bullmastiff, there is little that we can say for certain. We do not know when and where the breed first appeared, nor do we have any concrete evidence of how it first evolved, but throughout history, there have been references to Bulldog and Mastiff crosses. During the medieval period, there is much mention of the Mastiff and its use as a guard, but it is unclear if the word describes one type of dog or a general term for a group of dogs with similar characteristics, including the Bulldog and Mastiff cross.
Later, Buffon, a French naturalist, referenced in 1792 the merits of crossing a Bulldog with a Mastiff, and many similar references are recorded throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. It seems that the Bull and Mastiff type was recognized similarly to how the Lurcher is today—a recognizable type with similar appearance and attributes but not a distinct breed as we would consider it today.
Britain, especially England, is a temperate country with no extreme weather. It is an island and, unlike the rest of Europe, was protected from the migration of both people and animals. This isolation has generated a relative purity and richness in the development of livestock and animals. The number of breeds of cattle, horses, and especially dogs that Britain claims makes a nonsense of its size. There is no doubt that this island isolation encouraged breeders to utilize and modify those breeds available to meet specific needs, and the Bullmastiff is a typical example.
Large estates and protected game proved an attractive lure to hungry and desperate people, and a gamekeeper with a gun and a Spaniel was little or no deterrent to a determined gang of poachers and their dogs. Therefore, the need for a highly mobile, aggressive, and brave dog to accompany the gamekeeper became paramount during the 18th and 19th centuries. Clearly a great success, demand for the Bull and Mastiff cross increased, and the price of such a dog became considerable. By the end of the 19th century, the breed had become fairly well established and was known as the Bullmastiff or gamekeeper’s night dog, as both Idstone (Rev. Payne) and Stonehenge (J.H. Walsh), dog writers of the time, mentioned in their writings.
The Bullmastiff continued to increase in popularity and, more importantly, be recognized as a breed. Count Von Hollander, a well-respected dog fancier, called for its recognition in 1911, noting the breed as “the bravest, the most perfect guard and protector in the world.”
The best-known breeder of the 20th century and perhaps the father of the modern breed was Mr. Samuel Mosley of Farcroft fame. A full-time breeder and smallholder, Mosley was known for breeding Mastiffs, Cocker Spaniels, and GSDs, and had bred Bullmastiffs under the Farcroft and Hamil prefixes since about 1910. His formula for producing Bullmastiffs remains the basis for our understanding of the breed today and is loosely based on a 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog mix. However, some of his dogs lacked Bulldog characteristics and appeared more like light-framed Mastiffs, leaving other breeders of the time unimpressed.
Mr. Mosley’s success continued, and he exported dogs across the world, notably to John Cross in the USA, who used Mosley’s 60:40 ratio to produce the first American Standard. In 1924, after much support, the Bullmastiff was recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain, and in 1925 classes were made available for the breed. The two clubs of the time argued over the standard, especially regarding weight and height, but agreed that the Bullmastiff should be courageous and bold yet docile and intelligent.
Leading up to World War II, several breeders significantly shaped the breed, most notably Cyril Leeke and his Bulmas line. After purchasing a disappointing Farcroft bitch in 1924, he went on to purchase another named Sheila. When bred with Ch. Peter of the Fenns, Sheila produced Ch. Wendy of Bulmas, Leeke’s first champion. This line established a more standardized look, especially with Ch. Beppo of Bulmas, who contributed to the breed’s progress and achieved numerous Challenge Certificates. The Bulmas line became prominent both in Britain and the USA.
Leeke’s influence was unsurpassed for over 30 years. However, a move to the USA in 1957 turned out unsuccessful, and Leeke returned to the UK disillusioned. Though he never owned Bullmastiffs again, he remained a regular visitor at the Oldwell Kennels, where he admired the puppies that carried on his legacy.
The outbreak of WWII reduced Bullmastiff activity in the UK, but unlike the Mastiff, the Bullmastiff continued to progress, with registrations only slightly reduced. Observers argue that the war may have strengthened the breed by ensuring only the best were retained for breeding. After the war, the breed gained recognition worldwide, particularly in the USA, with John Cross leading efforts to promote and develop it.
The Bullmastiff is now a popular and established breed worldwide, known for its steady, dependable nature and rich heritage. Capable of excelling in the show ring while retaining its guarding ability, it is essential for owners and judges to remember and respect the standard that defines the breed.
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