Bullmastiff
About the Bullmastiff
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 24-27" |
| Weight | 100-130 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Moderate (30-60 min/day)
45 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Moderate mental stimulation needed
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,800/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Bullmastiffs may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
Guides for your Bullmastiff
The story behind the Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff was developed in England during the nineteenth century, most closely associated with the decades around the 1860s to 1880s, when large estates and game preserves employed keepers to deal with poaching. Gamekeepers wanted a dog fast enough to close distance in darkness, powerful enough to hold a man without mauling him, and quiet on the approach. Crossing the Mastiff with the bulldog of the day produced roughly that combination, and the resulting animal was known informally as the gamekeeper's night dog. Breeders later stabilised the cross, favouring a consistent balance of the two ancestral types, and British kennel club recognition arrived in the 1920s with American recognition the following decade. Estate patrols vanished, and the breed moved into guarding and family life. It remains a moderately popular companion and property dog valued for size paired with an undramatic temperament.
Originally bred for: Estate guardian, Gamekeeper's night dog, Poacher deterrent. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Bullmastiff
A slow-maturing heavyweight, so growing puppies do best on a large-breed formula that keeps growth steady rather than fast. Adults put on weight easily for their activity level, so feed to a visible waist, divide the day's food into two meals, and avoid strenuous exertion close to mealtimes.
Watch for: Nothing food-specific is characteristic of the breed, although deep-chested mastiff types are conventionally fed in divided meals as a general precaution. Occasional skin or ear irritation blamed on diet turns up in individual dogs; a veterinarian should direct any trial change rather than guesswork.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Bullmastiff
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.