Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff, though not as big as its kin, the Mastiff, is still an incredible and hard-working big dog. To get a sense of what the Bullmastiff is like, look no further than its nickname, “The Gamekeeper’s Night Dog.” Bullmastiffs’ main duties in the 19th century were to keep poachers at bay. (Poachers, if caught on the estates of English aristocracy, faced serious penalties.) They are large, imposing dogs, who can easily intimidate and alert owners to any misdeeds. When breeding for a dog that could be fast and foreboding, the English hit what they felt was the jackpot with the Bullmastiff, part Bulldog and part Mastiff. They have a wide, large head, and dark eyes. They were bred to capture, not maul, and looking intimidating. Their coats come in fawn, red, and brindle colours, the latter a clever genetic disguise in the dark to oblivious intruders. This means, that as a family dog, the Bullmastiff is an alert, world class protector. They are docile creatures at home but have been bred to be fearless, working dogs when need be. They are very reliable but it is important that they are trained and socialized properly early on to ensure you have control and they do not. 

Did you know?

What do you get when you cross a Mastiff with a Bulldog in 1860 England? The Bullmastiff, of course.