Bullmastiff

Bullmastiffs are a large working breed originating in Britain in the mid-1800s as estate guardians to ward off poachers. They were bred by gamekeepers for strength, size and speed using a cross of the tough, heavy and aggressive Bulldog of the 19th century with the large, strong, less aggressive Mastiff.[4] As a result, the Bullmastiff is known as the Gamekeeper's Night Dog. The preferred color, by gamekeepers, was brindle, as this color works as a more effective camouflage, especially at night.[5]

The Bullmastiff breed was deemed pure by the English Kennel Club in 1924, with a genetic background of approximately 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog.[6] In 1934, the AKC recognized the Bullmastiff.[3] The first standard for the breed was approved in 1935.[7] The standard has undergone several revisions since then; the most current version is available on the AKC website.[8]

In 1928, the diamond mining company De Beers imported Bullmastiffs to South Africa to guard the mines.[9]

The Bullmastiff breed was bred to tackle and pin a poacher that comes on their land. An issue people have with the breed is that the dog may jump onto an unfamiliar person and tackle them until told to stop. This is why Bullmastiff owners must greet newcomers to the dog at their first interaction.

* ancestor of today's modern bulldog.

Bullmastiffs are strong, powerful, but sensitive dogs. For a Bullmastiff to become a well-behaved family member, consistency is needed. Training and socialization is of high importance, as the breed can be independent.[3] Dogs of this breed are natural guardians of their home and owners. No special guard training is needed for a Bullmastiff to react appropriately if its family is endangered. Activities Bullmastiffs enjoy include obedience, agility, tracking, and carting.[1]

A UK survey based on the lifespan of 96 Bullmastiffs found a median age of 7.5 years.[10] A Bullmastiff does not stop growing until their second birthday.

Health concerns within the breed include hip and elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, bloat, and cancer, with a relatively high incidence of lymphoma and mast cell tumours.[11][12][13] Bullmastiffs are prone to certain hereditary diseases, including:

• Hip dysplasia, affecting 24.5% of individuals [14]
• Elbow dysplasia, affecting 13.8% of individuals,[15]
• Entropion, hypothyroidism affecting 2.8% of individuals,[16]
• Lymphoma
• Progressive retinal atrophy is a particular problem, since the trait is an autosomal dominant one. (This has recently been called into question by another medical team and has been proven that some Bullmastiffs have autosomal recessive PRA genes. In America, this is being investigated by the American Bullmastiff Health and Research Committee, and the DNA Optigen test only works for dominant genes, so it is considered inadequate at this time.)[17]
• Arthritis
• Gastric dilatation volvulus, also known as bloat.

Cosmetic genetic problems include longhairs and "Dudleys". Both are recessives and not common. The Dudley, named after a notable Bulldog breeder of the 19th century, the Earl of Dudley, is a lack of pigment in the mask. It can be liver colored or simply not present.

• Rocky – Roloff family dog (Little People Big World)
• Swagger – the live mascot of the Cleveland Browns
• Butkus – actual pet of actor Sylvester Stallone and featured in the movie Rocky[18]
• Frank - 2007 movie of the same name
• Spot - 2001 - from the movie See Spot Run also known as Agent 11

Pete in Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco is played by a Bullmastiff Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

• Mastiff (disambiguation)

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bullmastiff.

• Bullmastiff Details about Bullmastiff
• Bullmastiff at Curlie