Considering a male Bullmastiff

[Krazy4dogs]

We have neighbors who rescued a female Bullmastiff who unknown to them was pregnant. She was rescued from a breeder who was too ill to care for her and apparently she was impregnated by one of their Bullmastiffs. We have been considering getting a larger dog for quite a while. All my dogs have been rescued ranging in weights from 10-70 pounds have had both male and female dogs. We currently have a female 11 year old long hair chihuahua and mix breed shepherd/rottie/huskie also female. We are interested in getting a male. We live in a remote mountain area and want an easy going but protective dog. I am also hoping to eventually use this dog for therapy work. I would appreciate any feedback.

 

[TylerDurden]

My wife and I were thinking about getting a male Bullmastiff, as well. However, we ended up getting a male English Mastiff instead. Both are large, strong and powerful dogs, which is why they should be handled by responsible and preferably experienced owners. Based on our individual living situation, we felt that an EM was more "manageable" and "suitable". As you know, quite a lot of the behavioral traits depend on genetics, upbringing, and training, but I just didn't think we could meet the needs of an energetic Bullmastiff at this point. Again, this is all very subjective, and I cannot proof it providing any objective research, but I think Bullmastiff might be more reactive to both strangers and other animals/dogs. I don't know enough about the breed make a statement on compatibility with your dogs. Overall, I would utilize the forum, as well as other credible sources to read as much as you can. I have been extensively studying treats on the forum before getting my EM. I've read anything from training, to health, and behavior. Even though quite a lot of the information might never apply to your own dog, it can be helpful to informed about any possibilities. I have learned that many subjects (e.g. food) are highly controversial, and that available information can often be misleading or even contradictory.
Also, have you dealt with Bullmastiffs at some point other than your neighbors? I would also recommend to spend some time with them to learn more "first hand".
There are highly experience BM owners on the forum, so I hope you will find some more answers to your questions. Generally, I would always ask myself the "lifestyle" questions. In other words, can I meet all the needs of the dog, and can I take full responsibility for owning, training, and socializing such a powerful dog.

 

[Krazy4dogs]

My wife and I were thinking about getting a male Bullmastiff, as well. However, we ended up getting a male English Mastiff instead. Both are large, strong and powerful dogs, which is why they should be handled by responsible and preferably experienced owners. Based on our individual living situation, we felt that an EM was more "manageable" and "suitable". As you know, quite a lot of the behavioral traits depend on genetics, upbringing, and training, but I just didn't think we could meet the needs of an energetic Bullmastiff at this point. Again, this is all very subjective, and I cannot proof it providing any objective research, but I think Bullmastiff might be more reactive to both strangers and other animals/dogs. I don't know enough about the breed make a statement on compatibility with your dogs. Overall, I would utilize the forum, as well as other credible sources to read as much as you can. I have been extensively studying treats on the forum before getting my EM. I've read anything from training, to health, and behavior. Even though quite a lot of the information might never apply to your own dog, it can be helpful to informed about any possibilities. I have learned that many subjects (e.g. food) are highly controversial, and that available information can often be misleading or even contradictory.
Also, have you dealt with Bullmastiffs at some point other than your neighbors? I would also recommend to spend some time with them to learn more "first hand".
There are highly experience BM owners on the forum, so I hope you will find some more answers to your questions. Generally, I would always ask myself the "lifestyle" questions. In other words, can I meet all the needs of the dog, and can I take full responsibility for owning, training, and socializing such a powerful dog.

 

[Krazy4dogs]

Thanks for all your good advice!

 

[TWW]

A lot of it has to do with your life style.
BM's tend to have a bit higher energy than EM's and they tend to be a bit more independent, this is subjective to a lot of things though, training, exercise, parents, and temper.

I would caution anyone from giant breeds that have infants and toddlers.
Other issues are can you live with drool or have a lot of knick knacks, (There tails will clear a coffee table).

I've always owned English Mastiffs but know and met quite a few BullMastiffs, there generally great dogs, the ones that I have met that where not, most of the time can be linked to a owner that trained incorrectly or did not train the dog.
Training for the breed and any mastiff breed starts the day you bring them home.

You do not wait till there 6 months and 75 to 100 pound of energy.

 

[marke]

while on average i would agree a bullmastiff will be more energetic than an average em , although i've seen some pretty athletic drivey em's , and some lazy bullmastiffs .... one of the best dogs i've had the pleasure of owning was a male bullmastiff , and possibly the best dog i've ever owned was his daughter ...... loving , bold , drivey , athletic .........

 

[Jakesmum]

I have a male bullmastiff. He is the sweetest gentle giant that I could have asked for. He is happy to sleep all day, go for a short 20-30 minute walk in the evening and then go back to sleep. He loves all people and all other dogs, his best buddy at home is our cat. The only thing I've ever seen him go after are the bugs that fly past him in the summer. From the day we brought him home as a puppy he was content to be with his people and laze around all day (he is 6 1/2 now). Knowing what a large powerful dog he was going to grow into I spent a lot of time taking him to training classes to ensure I would be able to handle him and that he turned out to be the sweet dog he is. Because he is so special I have him registered as a therapy dog and we go to hospitals, nursing homes, libraries etc so that he can meet other people and bring a smile to their face.

 

[Krazy4dogs]

I have a male bullmastiff. He is the sweetest gentle giant that I could have asked for. He is happy to sleep all day, go for a short 20-30 minute walk in the evening and then go back to sleep. He loves all people and all other dogs, his best buddy at home is our cat. The only thing I've ever seen him go after are the bugs that fly past him in the summer. From the day we brought him home as a puppy he was content to be with his people and laze around all day (he is 6 1/2 now). Knowing what a large powerful dog he was going to grow into I spent a lot of time taking him to training classes to ensure I would be able to handle him and that he turned out to be the sweet dog he is. Because he is so special I have him registered as a therapy dog and we go to hospitals, nursing homes, libraries etc so that he can meet other people and bring a smile to their face.

 

[Krazy4dogs]

Thank you for your comments. That is exactly what I am hoping to be able to do with ours! I got a little nervous reading some of the other post on this forum, especially those talking about an aggressive massive dog. The mother is extremely sweet unfortunately I don’t know anything about the father since she was a rescue. The one thing that seems consistent is training training and more training! Fortunately I love working with dogs!

 

[TWW]

Thank you for your comments. That is exactly what I am hoping to be able to do with ours! I got a little nervous reading some of the other post on this forum, especially those talking about an aggressive massive dog. The mother is extremely sweet unfortunately I don’t know anything about the father since she was a rescue. The one thing that seems consistent is training training and more training! Fortunately I love working with dogs!

With training please remember they get bored after 10 or 15 minutes of something so plan on switching off to something else, every so often.
Socialization will also be key if you plan on taking him places.
Also get ready for fear stages at 6/12/18 months, and the teenage times at 12/18 months. Trust me you will be having a drink or 2 when these arrive.

 

[Krazy4dogs]

With training please remember they get bored after 10 or 15 minutes of something so plan on switching off to something else, every so often.
Socialization will also be key if you plan on taking him places.
Also get ready for fear stages at 6/12/18 months, and the teenage times at 12/18 months. Trust me you will be having a drink or 2 when these arrive.

I be contacting you again at that time!!

 

[Jakesmum]

And they do have a mind of their own, even at 6 years old he tends to "forget" his training and try to do his own thing and when he is corrected he still will give me attitude like a child (huffs and puffs like it's such an effort to sit or lay down).

 

[Nik]

And they do have a mind of their own, even at 6 years old he tends to "forget" his training and try to do his own thing and when he is corrected he still will give me attitude like a child (huffs and puffs like it's such an effort to sit or lay down).

I think the "attitude" may apply to all mastiffs. Mine give me plenty of attitude when they don't want to obey sometimes even barking at me or grumbling at me the whole time.