Bullmastiff Dog Breed Information: Traits, Facts, Care & More

This content was reviewed and fact-checked by veterinarian Dr. Aukse Caraite, DVM.

History and Origin

The Bullmastiff, a powerful and confident guardian breed known for its strength and loyalty, traces its origins to 19th-century England, where it was developed by gamekeepers to protect large estates from poachers. By crossing the English Mastiff with the Bulldog, breeders aimed to create a dog that combined size, speed, courage, and intelligence—capable of stopping intruders without excessive aggression.

Historically, Bullmastiffs were known as the “Gamekeeper’s Night Dog.” Their role was not to attack, but to track, corner, and hold trespassers until authorities arrived. This working purpose shaped the breed’s calm temperament, natural protectiveness, and strong sense of judgment. Unlike more vocal guard dogs, Bullmastiffs relied on quiet confidence and physical presence to deter threats.

The breed gained formal recognition in the early 20th century and was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1933. Today, Bullmastiffs are valued less for estate guarding and more as devoted family protectors. They remain respected for their loyalty, courage, and steady temperament, thriving in homes where they are treated as close companions and guided with consistent training and leadership.

Appearance

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Coats Types & Colors

Bullmastiff Characteristics

The further out a point is along a spoke, the stronger that trait is in the breed (on a scale of 1 to 10).

Exercise & Activity Breakdown

Bullmastiffs are calm, powerful dogs with a balanced energy level and a naturally laid-back temperament. While they do not require intense or high-endurance exercise, they do need consistent daily activity and mental engagement to maintain healthy weight, strong muscles, and stable behavior. Overexertion—especially in puppies—should be avoided due to their rapid growth and heavy build.

• Puppy (0–12 months): Bullmastiff puppies grow quickly, and their bones and joints are still developing. Exercise should focus on short, controlled play sessions, basic obedience training, and gentle socialization. Activities like light leash walks, early interactive games, supervised play, and simple training games help build confidence and manners without stressing growing joints. Avoid long walks, stairs, jumping, or rough play during this stage.

• Adult (1–6 years): Adult Bullmastiffs benefit from moderate daily exercise,canine sports, such as steady leash walks, yard time, and structured training sessions. They enjoy purposeful activities like obedience work, scent games, puzzle toys, and light strength-building exercises. While they are not built for agility or long-distance running, regular movement helps prevent obesity and supports cardiovascular health.

• Senior (7+ years): As Bullmastiffs age, activity levels naturally decline, but daily gentle walks remain important for joint mobility and weight control. Low-impact exercise, short strolls, and mental stimulation—such as food puzzles or calm training refreshers—help maintain cognitive health and overall comfort. Routines should be adjusted to accommodate arthritis or reduced endurance.

Nutrition

Bullmastiffs need a high-quality, well-balanced diet that aligns with their life stage (puppy, adult, senior) and supports their large, muscular build. As a giant breed with rapid growth in puppyhood, nutrition plays a critical role in bone development, joint health, and long-term mobility. Diets formulated for large or giant breeds help regulate growth rate and reduce stress on developing joints.

A Bullmastiff’s diet should provide a controlled balance of protein, fat, and calories to maintain lean muscle without promoting excess weight. Because this breed is prone to obesity, joint issues, and bloat, portion control and measured feeding are essential. Look for formulas that include joint-supporting nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin, along with omega-3 fatty acids for inflammation control and heart health. As Bullmastiffs age, antioxidant-rich ingredients and easily digestible proteins help support immune function, cognitive health, and overall vitality. Read our “Best Bullmastiff Dog Food Guide” to explore targeted nutrition tips and top food recommendations.

Common Health Issues

Most Bullmastiffs are healthy, but like all dogs, they can be prone to certain health conditions. Common health concerns include:

*CANCER*: (Osteosarcoma, Lymphoma)
*SA/DER*: Skin Allergy & Dermatitis
*EP*: Eye Problem
*HS: Heat Sensitivity
*SD: Seizure Disorders

Recommended Health Tests for Bullmastiffs:

Proactive health measures, attentive care, and regular veterinary visits can help ensure your Bullmastiff lives a happy and healthy life as your loyal companion.

💡 Due to this breed’s high proclivity to health issues, we recommend getting pet insurance for financial protection against unexpected medical emergencies, ensuring your pet receives the best possible care without the burden of high out-of-pocket expenses. Check out our best pet insurance guide to find a suitable plan for your pet.

Care Requirements

Bullmastiff Dog Trainability

Bullmastiffs are intelligent, calm, and independent thinkers bred for decision-making rather than repetitive obedience. While they are capable learners, their strong-willed and confident nature means training requires consistent leadership, structure, and clear expectations. Bullmastiffs respond best to firm yet fair training that uses positive reinforcement, calm guidance, and mutual respect rather than harsh corrections.

Compared to many high-energy or highly obedient breeds, Bullmastiffs mature more slowly and prefer purpose-driven training over constant drills. Early socialization is essential to ensure they grow into stable, well-mannered adults. With patience, consistency, and confidence from the owner, Bullmastiffs develop into reliable, obedient companions who are deeply loyal and responsive when they trust and respect their handler.

Intelligence

According to canine psychologist Stanley Coren (author of The Intelligence of Dogs – View on Amazon), dog intelligence can be broken down into three types:

1. Instinctive Intelligence – What a dog is bred to do (herding, guarding, retrieving).
2. Adaptive Intelligence – A dog’s ability to solve problems and learn from the environment.
3. Working & Obedience Intelligence – How quickly a dog learns commands and obeys them.

IQ Comparison

Bullmastiffs are intelligent, thoughtful dogs known more for their judgment, awareness, and problem-solving ability than for flashy obedience or rapid command repetition. Bred to make independent decisions while guarding estates, they excel in situational intelligence—assessing threats, reading human behavior, and responding calmly rather than impulsively. While Bullmastiffs do not typically rank at the top of obedience-based IQ studies, they are highly capable learners when training is purposeful and consistent. They tend to think before acting, which can be mistaken for stubbornness. In reality, this breed responds best to calm leadership, clear structure, and positive reinforcement, rather than repetitive drills.

Bullmastiffs shine in roles that require self-control, protective instincts, and discernment, such as family guardianship and advanced obedience with real-world application. With patient guidance and respect-based training, they demonstrate a steady, reliable intelligence rooted in confidence and restraint rather than speed.

Breeding

Bullmastiffs are valued for their strength, loyalty, and steady temperament, but like many large and giant breeds, they can be prone to inherited health conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia, heart disease (including aortic stenosis), hypothyroidism, cancer, and gastric dilatation–volvulus (bloat). Because of these risks, responsible breeding is essential to protect the long-term health and stability of the breed. Ethical Bullmastiff breeders prioritize comprehensive health screenings, genetic testing, and temperament evaluation before breeding. Proper spacing between litters is critical to protect the health of the dam and ensure strong, well-developed puppies. Only physically sound, mentally stable, and well-socialized Bullmastiffs should be bred, as temperament is just as important as structure in this powerful guardian breed.

• Age: Bullmastiffs should not be bred until they are fully mature—typically 24 to 30 months of age, once growth plates have closed and health testing is complete.
• Litter size: A typical Bullmastiff litter includes 6–10 puppies, though larger litters are not uncommon.
• Temperament: Breeding dogs should display calm, confident, and stable temperaments—protective without aggression, and steady without excessive shyness or fearfulness.

Is The Bullmastiff A Good Family Dog?

If the conditions below align with your lifestyle, personal preferences, and living situation, a Bullmastiff could be a wonderful pet for your family. Otherwise, you may want to consider other breeds.

✅ = Ideal / Strong Match | ⚠️ = Needs Consideration | ❌ = Not Recommended

Annual Cost of Ownership

Best Places to Get A Bullmastiff

Online marketplaces: For pre-screened, healthy puppies, Pawrade and PuppySpot are recommended resources, offering puppies from reputable U.S. breeders.

Rescue shelters: While Bullmastiffs are rarely available at local shelters, opportunities can occasionally arise. Check your local animal shelters or dog rescue organizations for information. Online communities, such as Facebook groups, can also be helpful resources.

Breeders: Finding a reputable Bullmastiff breeder can be challenging due to the complex nature of breeding this large, purebred working dog. Start by searching locally within your state. You may need to travel out of state if local options are unavailable. If purchasing from a breeder further away, consider the possibility of shipping the puppy if pickup is not an option. It’s essential to request medical records and health certifications for both parents. The American Bullmastiff Association’s approved breeder list is a trusted resource for finding ethical breeders.

Avoid breeders who:

• Don’t provide health clearances for both parents
• Don’t allow visits to meet the dogs or see their living conditions
• Have frequent litters with no waiting list
• Emphasize appearance over health and temperament

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Sources

Canine Bible uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process and product review methodology to learn more about how we fact-check, test products, and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.