If you own a Bullmastiff, or if you are thinking about purchasing or adopting one, you might be wondering about the most common Bullmastiff temperament traits. When people are choosing a dog breed, they often want to fit the temperament around their lifestyles and families. When deciding if a Bullmastiff will fit in with your lifestyle, consider several types of Bullmastiff temperament traits in various environments and social situations including sociability with family, new people, and other dogs. It’s also important to understand other temperament qualities so that you can better understand the reasons for why he does the things he does. With this knowledge, you will also be able to better understand the best ways to train him.

 

Bullmastiff Temperament in General

This breed sometimes intimidates people because of it’s size, but Bullmastiffs are usually calm and gentle. They tend to be happy and confident with their independence. What is useful to understand about the Bullmastiff is that it was bred for guarding purposes. Consequently, it has a territorial nature. Its instinct is to protect the family and territory.

 

Strong-Willed, Not Dumb

Some people confuse their strong-willed nature with stupidity. Although they are pack animals and love to be part of the family, their dominant nature often causes them to test boundaries even after the owner has established himself as the leader. People sometimes confuse this boundary testing as a sign of stupidity. Bullmastiffs will sometimes not follow commands, consequently they need an owner who has a firm but loving hand. Punishment is not the best course of action for a strong-willed personality type; it will only make a Bullmastiff more stubborn. Instead, use rewards and praise as training techniques.

 

Temperament With Children

Bullmastiffs tend to be good with children, due to their tolerant natures. They understand the ways that children behave, and they are very loyal and protective of their family. In fact, this is actually where some of the positive Bullmastiff temperament traits shine best. Their docility, loyalty, and courageousness are most apparent with the most vulnerable family members. They will also go to great lengths to protect family members, especially family members who are children.

 

Training and Socialization

Bullmastiffs can have a dominant personality, and they must be socialized and trained from an early age. This is partly because, due to their dominant and independent natures, they sometimes do not agree with other dogs. They also need a firm and assertive approach in training from their owners. Bullmastiffs will often push boundaries, so they need supervision. Although their dominant personalities might mislead people to believe that they are not good family pets, the opposite is actually true. Due to their loyal and primarily docile natures, they are great for many families. They can also get along with other animals that they have been raised with. Just don’t put them with other dogs of a similar size. They will most likely try to dominate the other dog if they feel that the other dog threatens their status.

 

Temperament With Strangers

They are known as excellent watch dogs, so they must be introduced to new people because they are wary with strangers. This is another reason why they must be socialized from a young age. If they are, it will feel more normal to accept new people that you introduce to him.

Bullmastiffs can be wonderful pets for an owner who is able to take charge in an assertive an loving manner, but the Bullmastiff temperament is not for every owner personality and lifestyle. If you are thinking about getting a Bullmastiff, think about what you want from a dog and what your personality and lifestyle is like. If you already own a Bullmastiff and want to understand his behavior better, implement a few of the outlooks on training, and make sure that you are the loving but firm owner that your Bullmastiff needs.

 

The black bullmastiff is a large, dark-brindled breed, originally trained to be a follower with deep loyalty to their pack leader. English gamekeepers called them the “Gamekeeper’s Night Dog” and the characteristics of that role continue to this day, as they are strong, agile, and capable home protectors.

 

Breed Description

According to the AKC Breed Standards, the bullmastiff will have a symmetrically shaped body, with a lot of power and alertness built into its stance. It is a large breed. Males stand 25-27 inches and can weigh between 110-130 pounds (50-69kg) whereas females stand 24-25 inches tall and weight slightly less, 100-120 pounds. It comes in six colors, including black. The bullmastiff should have a nearly square body, with dark, medium shaped eyes and triangular ears.

 

Breed History

The bullmastiff was bred by English gamekeepers with a mixture of 60 percent mastiff and 40 percent extinct English bulldog. The gamekeepers kept the dogs to help track and prevent poachers by finding and threatening them, but were taught not to bite the ones they captured. The black color was highly prized early in the bullmastiff history, as the darker color was ideal for night camouflage and wooded environments. The earliest mentions of the breed date back to 1724, and they were officially recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1924. The American Kennel Club followed, recognizing the breed in 1933.

Over the last century, the dog has been bred more as a home companion and protector than to track poachers through dark forests, and so the black coloring has become less common compared to brindle, fawn, and red. It is currently ranked as the 48th most popular dog breed in the United States.

 

Black Bullmastiff Care

The black bullmastiff is a large breed that requires plenty of exercise. They may be happy snoozing with you on the couch, but only after a thrilling romp on the leash outdoors. Owners should make sure they have both plenty of space and time to give this breed the exercise that it needs every day. However, with their short snout, dark coloring and stocky body, black bullmastiffs do not do well in hot and humid climates.

Grooming is relatively easy. Their short coat should be combed and brushed regularly with a short bristled brush and only shampooed when necessary. They shed very little. Owners should pay close attention to their feet and keep their claws trimmed and neat.

Many bullmastiffs drool. Owners should be prepared for this, and give the dog large, comfortable beds to sleep on which can be washed or shampooed easily.

 

Training

The black bullmastiff is a breed best suited to an experienced and capable dog owner. When well-trained and socialized, they are an intelligent, friendly animal, but fiercely loyal to their owners and often standoffish with strangers. Training should begin as early as possible, because the young bullmastiff puppy will grow quickly into a large and powerful dog.

Their demeanor is said to be steady and reliable, and when raised around children they can be gentle and protective at the same time. Some bullmastiffs can have difficulties with other dogs, especially males, so early socialization and firm training is a must. Yet while trainers should be firm, the dogs respond best to positive reinforcement and a loving home, as their loyalty is hard-won and strong.

 

Health

Like many large breeds, the bullmastiff is prone to many health problems and has a lifespan averaging 8-10 years. In particular, the breed is prone to cancers, bloat, hypothyroidism, and sub-aortic stenosis (SAS) and hip and elbow ailments owing to their bulky bodies. Veterinary care will be crucial throughout their lives to detect and provide early treatment for many of those conditions.

Proper exercise and a balanced diet will also help the bullmastiff live a long and healthy life. Many veterinarians recommend that the dogs eat two or three smaller meals per day instead of one large meal, as this will keep them from overeating, and keep their digestion balanced. They can easily gain weight, which is a major risk factor for bloat and hip dysplasia.