Bullmastiff

General Information - Bullmastiff

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History

The Bullmastiff was developed in Britain and recognised officially in 1924. Sixty percent of its background comes from the Mastiff and the other forty comes from the Bulldog. The dog's purpose was to serve as the night watch for gamekeepers. By the end of the 19th century, poaching of game on large estates had become common and poachers would rather kill the gamekeeper than face the death penalty themselves. The Bullmastiff was quick and agile; it was courageous enough to attack on command, hold the perpetrator, and yet not maul him. The breed also worked as an army dog and a police dog, as well as family protector. The Bullmastiff enjoys family life in the suburbs and can adapt to apartment life as long as daily exercise is provided.

Temperament

The Bullmastiff's personality is a well-rounded and robust one. It is fearless, obedient, loyal and affectionate and makes a good family protector. The breed also does well in obedience.

Upkeep

The Bullmastiff is a big dog and needs daily exercise to stay in shape. Its needs are moderate, however, and can be met with walks on leash and short romps. It does not do well in hot, humid weather and generally should be kept as an indoor dog. It needs a soft bed and plenty of room to stretch out. It drools; some snore. Coat care is minimal.

Bullmastiff

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

Breed Standard - Bullmastiff

Characteristics: The temperament of the Bullmastiff combines high spirits, reliability, activity, endurance and alertness.

General Appearance: The Bullmastiff is a powerfully built, symmetrical dog, showing great strength, but not cumbersome.

Head and Skull: The skull should be large and square, viewed from every angle, with fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. The circumference of the skull may equal the height of the dog measured at the top of the shoulder; it should be broad and deep with good cheeks. The muzzle short, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop should be approximately one-third of the length from the tip of the nose to the centre of the occiput, broad under the eyes and nearly parallel in width to the end of the nose; blunt and cut off square, forming a right:angle with the upper line of the face, and at the same time proportionate with the skull. Under jaw broad to the end. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils when viewed from the front; flat, not pointed or turned up in profile. Flews not pendulous, and not hanging below the level of the bottom of the lower jaw. Stop definite.

Eyes: Dark or hazel, and of medium size, set apart the width of the muzzle with furrow between. Light or yellow eyes a fault.

Ears: V-shaped, or folded back, set on wide and high, level with occiput, giving a square appearance to the skull, which is most important. They should be small and deeper in colour than the body, and the point of the ear should be level with the eye when alert. Rose ears to be penalised.

Mouth: Mouth to be level, slight undershot allowed, but not preferred. Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even and well-placed. Irregularity of teeth a fault.

Neck: Well-arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to the skull in circumference.

Forequarters: Chest, wide and deep, well set down between forelegs, with deep brisket. Shoulders muscular sloping and powerful, not overloaded. Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned and set wide apart, presenting a straight front. Pasterns straight and strong.

Body: Back short and straight, giving a compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs a fault.

Hindquarters: Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flank. Hindlegs strong and muscular, with well developed second thighs, denoting power and activity, but not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent. Cow:hocks a fault.

Feet: Not large, with rounded toes, well:arched (cat feet), pads hard. Splay feet a fault.

Tail: Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching to the hocks, carried straight or curved, but not hound fashion. Crank tails a fault.

Coat: Short and hard, giving weather protection, lying flat to the body. A tendency to long silky or woolly coats to be penalised.

Colour: Any shade of brindle, fawn or red, but the colour to be pure and clear. A slight white marking on chest permissible but not desirable. Other white markings a fault. A dark muzzle is essential, toning off towards the eyes, with dark markings around the eyes, giving expression. Dark toenails desirable.

Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.