THE BULLMASTIFF... IN MY OPINION!


Modern Samurai, sweet home-loving, controlled guardian, big-hearted Mastiff, gold-hearted Molossian, calm guardian, colossus, muscular and tender-hearted, fireplace dog. These are the nicknames most commonly used by specialized breed magazines to describe our Bullmastiff even if I would like to spend few other words to outline this dog, still unknown to many people.



“Big companion for the whole family”

Certainly a bit ordinary, little refined, little striking, stout and not very comfortable as quilt even if I am sure it wouldn’t mind it!
Great guardian and defender of the property, it’s capable of taking part to training matches, agility races and jogging……for the sake of its master. Capable of seeking for lost people, it’s a good detective; gentle with disables, puts up with children and puppies; adores spending time with the family, respecting each one’s moods and moulding its character with ours.



“Big house dog”

Family suits it perfectly; never exclude it nor relegate it outside in the garden……big spaces are only useful to make it melancholy, awaiting constantly for a touch, a cuddle, a sound or your attention.
Bullmastiff is a strange name, difficult to remember especially for people unfamiliar with dogs. Frequently mistaken for a body-build Boxer, it is instead a typical English dog, steady and calm but with a face which arouses fear due to the numerous wrinkles and black mask around the muzzle, eyes and forehead. The imposing and proud structure makes it appear fearful even though its stability and non-violent nature grant a peaceful living with humans.
The Bullmastiff is adequate for people who never tried the experience of having four-leg companion, who have always dreamt of a paladin, who is not inclined towards great engagements or sacrifices; our Bull does not need a meadow to be happy; a comfortable armchair or the smell of our cloths will be enough to live as a Bullmastiff! 



“Useful advices”

Training your puppy to dirty outside:
Usually a puppy is handed over after 60 days; it weighs about 8 to 10 Kg; at this age, is already vaccinated and capable to hold back his pee and poopy; if trained correctly since its first domestic day, you may be so fortunate to avoid cleaning around the house.
This is what has to be done: as soon as the puppy finishes eating or sleeping, it needs to dirty. Take it in your arms and bring it outside, generally in a garden and keep it there without constraint; your presence will be enough to induce it to stay around, by your side. This moment has to be for the puppy an experience without fear or trauma; good sense and love will do the rest.
Pee may be slightly different as a problem since, as well as being a physiological need, it is also an instinctive need to mark territories….therefore….more patience…..more strolls….less pee. 
If you live in an apartment, arrange many newspapers on the floor so that the puppy will get used peeing on them. Then, gradually decrease the number. The puppy will start seeking for the covered areas only. When all newspapers will be removed, it will hold it till you bring it out for a stroll.


The Bullmastiff ears:

Around the third month, the Bullmastiff ears tend to form a fold near the ear-join; if no corrective actions are taken, in the adult age, they will tend to bend conferring an atypical expression to the dog and altering the physiognomy of the head. Few days of plaster on its ears usually solve the problem.
The below photos indicate the correct position of the plaster; it is best to let the dog breeder perform such task. 

Is training needed?

Young Bullmastiff from 5 months on are usually stubborn and most of the times, we penalize them for this behaviour. In my opinion stubbornness is perfectly normal in sane subjects of good bio-tone and good nature.
Such stubbornness, which in the Bullmastiff is characterized by disobedience to the call or by care-less attitude towards the master, resolves with the adult age…….I never met a Bullmastiff care-less of its master!!! He well knows that he may fail to observe only few rules!!!
Smells and street fellows are as much attractive to Bullmastiff as shopping or women/men are for us humans. How long could you resist such temptations?
Therefore, in my opinion training is not needed neither for obedience nor for aggressiveness. On the other hand, I think that maybe we are the ones in need of some training in order to understand it, get to know it, study it, communicate with it, grow it up.

From a good master who is very familiar with the Bullmastiff spirit and tendencies

Ferdinando Scuderi