The Bullmastiff is a strong and powerfully built animal that possesses great intelligence and a willingness to
please, making them ideal family companions and protectors. Although large, the breed remains both agile
and active and is successful in conformation, obedience, agility, tracking, carting and therapy work. The
Bullmastiff’s coat may be red, fawn or brindle.
The Bullmastiff’s known history in England begins around 1860, when they were developed to keep large
estates and game preserves free of poachers. Gameskeepers needed a dog that could track quietly, cover
short distances quickly and pin and hold poachers without mauling them. The foundation breeding was 60%
Mastiff and 40% Bulldog; breeders were hoping to create a dog faster and more aggressive than the
Mastiff, yet bigger than and not as ferocious as the Bulldog.
The Bullmastiff is fearless and confident, yet remains docile and sweet-natured with his family. They are
natural guardians of the home, but do not bark much, as silence was a virtue when guarding estates.
Bullmastiffs are independent thinkers and may not respond to traditional obedience training. The breed does
not require much exercise or grooming, and can live happily in a house or apartment.
Bullmastiff Breed Standard
Working Group
General Appearance
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but active. The foundation breeding was 60% Mastiff
and 40% Bulldog. The breed was developed in England by gamekeepers for protection against poachers.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-Dogs, 25 to 27 inches at the withers, and 110 to 130 pounds weight. Bitches, 24 to 26 inches at the withers, and 100 to 120 pounds weight. Other
things being equal, the more substantial dog within these limits is favored. Proportion-The length from tip of breastbone to rear of thigh exceeds the
height from withers to ground only slightly, resulting in a nearly square appearance.
Head
Expression-Keen, alert, and intelligent. Eyes Dark and of medium size. Ears-V-shaped and carried close to the cheeks, set on wide and high, level with
occiput and cheeks, giving a square appearance to the skull; darker in color than the body and medium in size. Skull Large, with a fair amount of
wrinkle when alert; broad, with cheeks well developed. Forehead flat. Stop-Moderate. Muzzle-Broad and deep; its length, in comparison with that of the
entire head, approximately as 1 is to 3. Lack of foreface with nostrils set on top of muzzle is a reversion to the Bulldog and is very undesirable. A dark
muzzle is preferable. Nose-Black, with nostrils large and broad. Flews-Not too pendulous. Bite-Preferably level or slightly undershot. Canine teeth large
and set wide apart.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-Slightly arched, of moderate length, very muscular, and almost equal in circumference to the skull. Topline-Straight and level between withers
and loin. Body-Compact. Chest wide and deep, with ribs well sprung and well set down between the forelegs. Back-Short, giving the impression of a
well balanced dog. Loin-Wide, muscular, and slightly arched, with fair depth of flank. Tail-Set on high, strong at the root, and tapering to the hocks. It
may be straight or curved, but never carried hound fashion.
Forequarters
Shoulders-muscular but not loaded, and slightly sloping. Forelegs-straight, well boned, and set well apart; elbows turned neither in nor out. Pasterns
straight, feet of medium size, with round toes well arched. Pads thick and tough, nails black.
Hindquarters
Broad and muscular, with well developed second thigh denoting power, but not cumbersome. Moderate angulation at hocks. Cowhocks and splay feet
are serious faults.
Coat
Short and dense, giving good weather protection.
Color
Red, fawn, or brindle. Except for a very small white spot on the chest, white marking is considered a fault.
Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate angulation. Back remains level
and firm. Coming and going, the dog moves in a straight line. Feet tend to converge under the body, without crossing over, as speed increases. There
is no twisting in or out at the joints.
Temperament
Fearless and confident yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a dependable family companion
and protector.``
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