Breed profile

Bullmastiff

Historic cross of Mastiff and Bulldog. A robust guardian. Balanced temperament, sweet with its family, resolute with intruders. Drool and snoring guaranteed.

Origin: Inglaterra Size: Gigante Lifespan: 8-10 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Families with space
✓Those seeking a reliable guardian
✓Quiet households

Reconsider if

×Small flats
×Very warm climates
×Those who cannot tolerate drool

Notify me when a Bullmastiff is up for adoption

We'll only email you when a verified rescue posts one available. No spam, unsubscribe in 1 click.

We'll only use your email for this alert. More info in our privacy policy.

Meanwhile, see all dogs up for adoption →

Is the Bullmastiff a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

90-150 €/month

Food 55-85 €, antiparasitics (large-dog dose) 15-22 €, veterinary provision 20-35 €, hard-wearing accessories 5-12 €. Budget a generous fund for surgery and emergencies: everything is more expensive in a giant (anaesthesia, drugs by weight).

History and origin

Created in England in the late 19th century by gamekeepers crossing the Mastiff (for size) with the Bulldog (for grip) to stop poachers without killing them.

Recognised by the FCI within Group 2 (molossers). In the UK it appears on rural and farming estates as a guardian, as well as in homes with space. Adults live up to 8-10 years: the short average lifespan is a consequence of the extreme size and predisposes it to specific care needs.

Temperament and character

Calm, devoted, brave. Reserved with strangers without aggression. Adores its family. Intelligent but stubborn. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food-stuffed Kongs and short trick sessions channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment breeds fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it detects tension and takes it on.

Living together

Children: excellent with its own. Other dogs: dominant with the same sex. Cats: cohabits if socialised.

Life stages of the Bullmastiff

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 8-10 años.

Puppy

0-18 months

Controlled bone growth, giant-breed diet and firm socialisation.

Junior

18 months-2.5 years

Low-impact exercise, training and joint monitoring.

Adult

2.5-5 years

Gastric torsion prevention, dysplasia and eye monitoring.

Senior

5+ years

Oncological (lymphoma), joint and cardiac screening.

Care

Exercise: 30-45 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Brushing: 2-3 times/week; intensive during moulting (spring and autumn).

Feeding: quality food appropriate to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the main avoidable cause of joint problems.

Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from 5 years (7 years in giant breeds); twice a year from 8.

Moderate exercise (45 min/day). Weekly brushing. Fold cleaning. Weight control. Firm, early training.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food for giant breeds, with controlled calcium/phosphorus during growth and split meals (bloat prevention). Weight control is critical to protect the joints.

✂️ Grooming

Very easy short coat: weekly brushing. Attention goes to the facial folds and the drool, which must be cleaned to prevent dermatitis.

🎓 Training

Calm, devoted and brave, but stubborn and very strong: it needs firm positive-reinforcement training and socialisation from puppyhood, while it is still manageable in size.

🏃 Exercise

Moderate exercise (45 minutes a day) split up and without overloading the growing joints; it is a low-energy guardian, not a sporting dog.

Breed-specific health

Dysplasia. Heart disease. Bloat. Cancer (lymphosarcoma). Entropion. Life expectancy 8-10 years. Life expectancy 8-10 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests recommended in responsible breeders (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current condition.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦴Displasia de cadera 🦴Displasia de codo 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)🎗️Linfoma 👁️Entropión

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Bullmastiff

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Official hip and elbow X-ray (dysplasia)
✓Cardiology assessment/echocardiography (subaortic stenosis, cardiomyopathy)
✓Monitoring for gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
✓Ophthalmological examination (entropion/ectropion) and cystinuria test

Prevention

Strict anti-bloat routine (split meals, rest after eating; consider gastropexy), weight control to avoid overloading the joints, and avoiding heat because of its flat muzzle. Vaccination and deworming kept up to date.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with cardiac monitoring and blood work from 4 years; two visits a year from 6 due to its short average lifespan.

Warning signs

!Distended abdomen with unproductive retching and restlessness (bloat: LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY)
!Fainting, coughing or fatigue (heart disease)
!Skin lumps or weight loss (lymphoma/cancer risk)
!Crystals or blood in the urine, difficulty urinating (cystinuria)

Bullmastiff gallery

Foto de la raza bullmastiff — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Bullmastiff

How long does a Bullmastiff live?

▾

The life expectancy of the Bullmastiff is 8-10 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Bullmastiff weigh?

▾

An adult Bullmastiff weighs between 40-60 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is gigante.

Where does the Bullmastiff breed come from?

▾

The Bullmastiff originates from Inglaterra. Created in England in the late 19th century by gamekeepers crossing the Mastiff (for size) with the Bulldog (for grip) to stop poachers without killing them.

How much exercise does a Bullmastiff need?

▾

The Bullmastiff has baja energy. **Exercise:** 30-45 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Is the Bullmastiff good with children?

▾

Children: excellent with its own. Other dogs: dominant with the same sex. Cats: cohabits if socialised.

Who is the Bullmastiff NOT recommended for?

▾

It isn't the right breed for: Small flats. Very warm climates. Those who cannot tolerate drool. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Bullmastiff have?

▾

Does it need a lot of exercise?

▾

No. It is a calm, low-energy giant for which around 45 minutes of moderate walking a day is enough. As a puppy, it is best to avoid strenuous effort and jumping to protect its growing joints.

Is it a good guardian with the family?

▾

Excellent. It was created to stop poachers without biting, so it is brave and deterrent yet balanced, sweet with its own and reserved without aggression towards strangers. Early socialisation is key.

Why does it live relatively short?

▾

Its giant size shortens its life expectancy (8-10 years on average) and predisposes it to heart and joint problems and certain cancers. Good bloat prevention and weight control help make the most of those years.

Does it drool and snore?

▾

Yes, both. Its flews make it drool and its flat muzzle causes snoring. These are breed traits that must be accepted, along with sensitivity to heat.

Does it get on with other dogs?

▾

With its human family it is wonderful, but it may show dominance towards dogs of the same sex. Early socialisation and careful introductions are important given its size and strength.