Are bullmastiffs good to protect your home?

[esaudio]

Hi,
I am a new bullmastiff owner, although I have had many other dogs in the past. I bought a Bullmastiff puppy after some research a few days ago, with the conviction that they are great guard dogs. However, I saw a video on Youtube of a burglar going into a house, taking lots of things and the BM actually being nice to him.

[video=youtube;V3k9t8hfXdY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3k9t8hfXdY[/video]

I read a lot about being protective of their families, but nothing much about protecting their property. Well actually, I read they are not very good for that and the video above seems to show that.

Also, browsing the internet I came across the following comment that had zero answers but it would really be great to know your opinion on this, considering you own bullmastiffs. I am pasting the comment below. Thanks so much in advance.
Julio

THE COMMENT I FOUND:
We have an 8 month old Bullmastiff named Annabelle who is the sweetest dog in the world and barks at nothing except our cat. Unfortunately we live in a neighborhood that is suffering from alot of crime. Just wondering if our sweet girl will ever act anything like the guard dog that Bullmastiffs are famous for as at the moment she wont even bark if she hears a strange noise at night least invesigate either. She does get up off her bed if someone comes to the door just to try and lick the person so Im kind of worried as sometimes I have to work late leaving her home with my wife and two girls aged 2 and 4 (whom she just adores). The other night my wife was upstairs with girls and heard a noise and called Annabelle who was downstairs and she didnt even get off her bed to come upstairs. I keep hearing that they do change when their instincts kick in but we cannot even imagine Annabelle doing anything protective at all. Any Bullmastiff owners out there that can shed some light?

 

[musicdeb]

Welcome aboard~ All mastiffs are guardian breeds and it depends on the pup's breeding. Generally, a mastiff will protect it's home and family, however, some mastiffs need training to fully protect their home. In my opinion, some mastiffs have been breed to the point of not having the genetic code to be full guardian breed. I'm not sure if I worded that correctly.

Also depends on the age of your BM. Mastiffs generally come into their true temperament at about age 12 months.

I'm sure some BM owners will post a reply. I own a DDB and he does a good job of protecting the home and family.

 

[Browniebits]

Deb definitely knows her stuff. I have a Cane Corso, about 7 months old, and he is already showing a guardian's temperament. He doesn't do a lot of barking, or growling, but he knows everything that goes on around him. I expected him to stay in "puppy mode" for at least a year or two, but he is already very stoic and takes himself very seriously. He lives his family, and pays close attention to everything that happens around our property.

 

[dpenning]

In addition you need to take into consideration what you KNOW about the video. It would be easy for me to post a picture of me loading stuff into my jeep, posting it on you-tube saying i was being robbed and the dog did nothing. Um, she is my dog! Just saying, be careful of the context and how seriously you take things you find on the internet.

 

[LizB]

None of the 3 BMs I have owned over the years would have permitted a burglary. Not for one second.

As above, however, you can't determine in advance how each individual dog will be. We trained our BMs to "go see" when they/we hear a strange noise, even if we knew what the noise was, and we go investigate, allowing the BM to scope out the situation in silence (as they do) and determine if attention needs to be given to an issue. I always assumed they'd have naturally been protective, but you can't ever know for sure.

I myself once came in the house when my BM didn't realize I had arrived home, and he rushed me, quite alarmingly, but not getting close before he realized it was me, and he stopped in his tracks and literally YELPED in remorse that he had been showing aggression to me!

 

[angelbears]

I agree with all the above. Statistically, a guardian breed should be protective but a % of them will not be. I also believe that the more you bond with your dog the more apt he is going to be to protect you.

My mom swore by taking your dog for car rides. Not like we do today where we take our dogs to the pet store, walks at the park, ect. That wasn't done back then. But she would take them everywhere. Drive-thru at the bank, fast food(they also got their own hamburger), convenience store. All of her dogs would nail you if you made what they perceived as an aggressive move towards her. They were not guardians breeds. They were Irish Setters, Afghan Hound and mutts. Create a deep bond with your dog and more than likely he will defend you with his life no matter the breed.

 

[esaudio]

Thanks so much to all of you for your input. I am really a new BM owner and I was surprised not to find any detailed info on this online. I mean, I found tons of articles stating how this breed would give their lives to protect their owners, but very few comments or articles on their guarding abilities of a place when the owners are not home. Mind you, my main goal is to have a nice pet, a friend, a member of our family. But I would like to know that if I am not home for a couple of hours it will be protected somehow (apart from alarms and that kind of stuff, of course)

For all of you with BMs, is there any specific training you would recommend for home protection or it is just natural to them (I read about this being an innate ability when it comes to protecting family members)

Thanks so much for your comments one more time.

 

[LizB]

Angelbears really hit the nail on the head: establish a close bond with your dog, making him or her an integral part of your family "pack" and they'll come through for you.

I am a little less sure that they'll be protective over your belongings versus yourself and your other family members, which is protective versus territorial, but IME one goes along with the other in the case of BMs.

 

[esaudio]

Thanks so much LizB. That's my concern. I heard a lot about protecting the family, but not much about property or belongings.

 

[DennasMom]

Love how in the video the BM keeps looking back... as if asking the GSD - 'hey, buddy, some help here?!?!! why you hiding behind the house??' LOL!

 

[ShellNZ]

I agree with angelbears. We own a Rottweiler, 3yr old BM boy, 18mth old BM bitch and 19mth BM/ Rottweiler x bitch. Have never taught them any specific guarding commands but as they have grown older and become more secure with their place in the pack and bonded closely with us their natural guarding abilities have also matured. Our BM boy Ottis is very suspicious of any visitor on our property even extended family and friends. He is still friendly to our extended family and friends but always makes it known to us and the neighbours that somebody who doesn't live with us has stepped foot on the property. My teenage son had a carful of his mates arrive late one night and when spotting Ottis they all clambered back into their car awaiting someone to come out. Ottis wasn't growling or being aggressive but was simply standing like a statue staring into the car. His sheer size and ominous look is enough to keep intruders away. We had 3 burglaries in 2 years before getting our dogs. No problem since. Word gets out , plus the sign on the gate is a great reminder if they haven't heard .
Our young BM girl is much smaller still. She wants to be brave but will often rush out give a big growlie bark then rush back to us for reassurance before finding her courage and once again act tough. With maturity I'm confident she too will be a great guard dog. Remember dogs should look at you as their pack leader and ultimate protector of the pack. They will always take in your reaction and as you will hopefully have a healthy bond, they will protect their family and property accordingly.

 

[swanguy7]

Thanks so much to all of you for your input. I am really a new BM owner and I was surprised not to find any detailed info on this online. I mean, I found tons of articles stating how this breed would give their lives to protect their owners, but very few comments or articles on their guarding abilities of a place when the owners are not home. Mind you, my main goal is to have a nice pet, a friend, a member of our family. But I would like to know that if I am not home for a couple of hours it will be protected somehow (apart from alarms and that kind of stuff, of course)

For all of you with BMs, is there any specific training you would recommend for home protection or it is just natural to them (I read about this being an innate ability when it comes to protecting family members)

Thanks so much for your comments one more time.

Mate you have chosen the the best breed (owner of 2 bullmastiff myself ) for natuaral guarding instincts etc my 2 are amazing guard dogs and my mate also has 2 and no one goes in his or my yard unless they know them . Plus lots of research as you did I can confirm from experience also . But it also as said above comes down to a close bond between you and your dog etc. As for protecting you with there life I have no doubt regard mine as from 2 seperate occasions mine have proven themselves to protect . Once I was patting a rotty through neighbours fence and it bite me and my 9 month old female bullmastiff jumped the 5foot wire fence and attacked it I. Quickly got over fence pulling her off it . 2nd time a weird guy turned up yelling and carrying on at my female neighbour who was like a mum also to my bm and she leaped fence and knocked this guy flying than as he went get up he was knocked down straight away and I had to again jump fence etc etc .ended running elrctric fence in the end lol . Anyway bond well with your dog and you should have a great protector . They also do best been inside aswell helps them feel more of family pack thing etc . But best of all these dogs are just funny big goof balls most time great family dogs and good from telling friend from foe if socialised properly .

 

[esaudio]

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this to me. I am enjoying my first 2 weeks with my puppy. I am sure I will be learning a lot along the way. I am coming from German Shepherds (actually as a kid) so some of my BMs behavior seems a bit strange to me. Like for instance I call her, and unless I have food or something she totally ignores me. She doesn-t seem to be willing to give kisses (for me that-s great, my wife thinks she-s not affectionate). Things like that that may be part of the breed. All the puppies I had seen in my life seemed to be drawn to people. My dog is rather aloof. But I guess It is part of the learning process.

 

[Ahdeeos]

My Cane Corso is a year old and if anyone rings the doorbell or knocks on the door she goes Ape-S@!T. Now I don't know if that constitutes a good guard. But she lets me know if anyone is near the house and if I have my storm door locked she will stand there and goes nuts if anyone even gets close to the house.

 

[LizB]

Thanks so much for taking the time to explain this to me. I am enjoying my first 2 weeks with my puppy. I am sure I will be learning a lot along the way. I am coming from German Shepherds (actually as a kid) so some of my BMs behavior seems a bit strange to me. Like for instance I call her, and unless I have food or something she totally ignores me. She doesn-t seem to be willing to give kisses (for me that-s great, my wife thinks she-s not affectionate). Things like that that may be part of the breed. All the puppies I had seen in my life seemed to be drawn to people. My dog is rather aloof. But I guess It is part of the learning process.

I think you will find that as you spend more time with her she will become more affectionate and see you as the source of all things. That's why it is so important to begin training from day ONE, and institute the NILF approach (nothing in life is free). Everything she gets/does is only after she performs some small behavior for you. She can't eat until she sits for an interval of time (depending on her age) or other act, and then you release her. She must sit nicely before being brought inside, before she gets a toy or treat, etc. I use a leash and tie pups to my waist for a couple of weeks when I first bring them home, and go about my daily life. The pup learns to follow you, pay attention to your cues, and look to YOU for instruction and reassurance. This is very important. You don't have to use the umbilical method to achieve this, but that's the way I do it. My first BM pup was aloof as well and it worked like a charm for him. He saw me and my husband as the source of all resources, and all resources belonged to us, even his own toys, his bed, everything. The toys belong to ME, and I'm just letting the dog play with them. That way I can safely take something away from him anytime, even food, as an exercise, and he willingly accepts this, and has no problem at all with it. That exercise means that if he has something that is dangerous or something that could be damaged that he shouldn't have I can easily take it from him and there is no issue. This means that the dog won't steal your cell phone or shoe and run away with it, because he will know for sure that he doesn't OWN anything, and if you say, "give it," he will.

Also, I have a German Shepherd/Great Dane now, and his behavior is so wildly different than that of a mastiff that it is taking some getting used to, and for exactly the opposite reasons from you! I'm not used to a dog being in my face, trying to practically climb down my throat in an effort to get close to me and find out what I want from him. My dogs have always been BMs previously, so they are independent thinkers, and this is key to what they were originally bred for - it is very much expected and also desired. The BM is independent and aloof, often, so they will make a decision (once they are trained and mature enough to be confident in their own impulses) and act on it, and not come running to get YOU. In protection of you, your family and your property this is an important factor. My BMs never barked or sounded an alarm, ever. They waited to see what was required of them. I just love that about them.

I have had affectionate BMs, but my last one was SUPER ALOOF, and though he was an absolute doll and the love of my life, he was not particularly affectionate and didn't want to sit there and be petted. He knew he had a job to do, which was hang out and be "ready" for anything, and that's what he did. He loved to play and was up for anything, but just not snuggling. Every dog is different.

 

[esaudio]

Wow, that explains a lot! Thanks so much all of you for taking the time to explain this! They are just gems for a newbie like me! Thanks again!

 

[Campbell Corso]

As I've said many times before there are many wise people and posts on this forum. I have a 20 month old female CC and a new male BM pup. I don't know if my girl would attack or prevent someone from entering the house or not. She does a great job of letting us know when anybody "unknown" comes near the house. I walk her everyday and train her daily, also in the neighborhood. So, everyone knows I'm the guy with the big dog who will do exactly what I say. So, between that, the deep growl and bark, the signs and the lighting would be enough to make any burglar/bad guy go to an easier target. Which at the end of the day is exactly what you want.

 

[esaudio]

As I've said many times before there are many wise people and posts on this forum. I have a 20 month old female CC and a new male BM pup. I don't know if my girl would attack or prevent someone from entering the house or not. She does a great job of letting us know when anybody "unknown" comes near the house. I walk her everyday and train her daily, also in the neighborhood. So, everyone knows I'm the guy with the big dog who will do exactly what I say. So, between that, the deep growl and bark, the signs and the lighting would be enough to make any burglar/bad guy go to an easier target. Which at the end of the day is exactly what you want.

Yes, absolutely! Thanks for the info!

 

[swanguy7]

I think you will find that as you spend more time with her she will become more affectionate and see you as the source of all things. That's why it is so important to begin training from day ONE, and institute the NILF approach (nothing in life is free). Everything she gets/does is only after she performs some small behavior for you. She can't eat until she sits for an interval of time (depending on her age) or other act, and then you release her. She must sit nicely before being brought inside, before she gets a toy or treat, etc. I use a leash and tie pups to my waist for a couple of weeks when I first bring them home, and go about my daily life. The pup learns to follow you, pay attention to your cues, and look to YOU for instruction and reassurance. This is very important. You don't have to use the umbilical method to achieve this, but that's the way I do it. My first BM pup was aloof as well and it worked like a charm for him. He saw me and my husband as the source of all resources, and all resources belonged to us, even his own toys, his bed, everything. The toys belong to ME, and I'm just letting the dog play with them. That way I can safely take something away from him anytime, even food, as an exercise, and he willingly accepts this, and has no problem at all with it. That exercise means that if he has something that is dangerous or something that could be damaged that he shouldn't have I can easily take it from him and there is no issue. This means that the dog won't steal your cell phone or shoe and run away with it, because he will know for sure that he doesn't OWN anything, and if you say, "give it," he will.

Also, I have a German Shepherd/Great Dane now, and his behavior is so wildly different than that of a mastiff that it is taking some getting used to, and for exactly the opposite reasons from you! I'm not used to a dog being in my face, trying to practically climb down my throat in an effort to get close to me and find out what I want from him. My dogs have always been BMs previously, so they are independent thinkers, and this is key to what they were originally bred for - it is very much expected and also desired. The BM is independent and aloof, often, so they will make a decision (once they are trained and mature enough to be confident in their own impulses) and act on it, and not come running to get YOU. In protection of you, your family and your property this is an important factor. My BMs never barked or sounded an alarm, ever. They waited to see what was required of them. I just love that about them.

I have had affectionate BMs, but my last one was SUPER ALOOF, and though he was an absolute doll and the love of my life, he was not particularly affectionate and didn't want to sit there and be petted. He knew he had a job to do, which was hang out and be "ready" for anything, and that's what he did. He loved to play and was up for anything, but just not snuggling. Every dog is different.

Good answer

 

[ruby55]

I wouldn't expect a lot of barking & fussing when your dog is on alert, They were not created to make a lot of noise; they were created to be silent & swift.
ShellNZ related a story of Ottis just standing there, staring into the car. Sounds like he was making a serious decision: do I attack or not? That's the beauty of bullies; they can think.
We have 4 bullmastiffs. They very seldom bark, unless they're playing with me. But the earth shakes, & the windows rattle when they think they see/hear/smell something that needs to be addressed.
I always refer people to this vid. It's a little flaky, but you get a good idea what a bullmastiff's job was, & why the breed was created.
[video=youtube;1EqRX1RsTx4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EqRX1RsTx4&spfreload=10[/video]

This is the type of behavior you might see from your dog as an adult. But with you, your dog will be a softie.