Hi everyone,

I'm posting this thread on behalf of a friend of mine, who has recently had to pts her boxer. Her husband wants to get a bullmastiff but she doesn't know anything about them except that they are generally huge, and as she will be the one that will have to take care of it generally, like feeding and walking she would like to know a little more about the breed. She has a big house and a huge garden so I don't think space will be a problem. They have two children aged 6 and 10. She works but only about 3 hours a day and it's a family business so she can come and go as she pleases so is able to be at home if required. I don't know anything about this breed so I said I would ask my 'new friends' on CD for their unsurpassed knowledge and advice. Her husband has sourced a dog and they are going to see him at the weekend. Basically she wants to know if generally bullmastiffs make good 'family' pets.

hello Jaffa

Yes they make great pets if reared properly. However it is a large molosser breed and can develop very strong guarding instincts towards its home and family.

Marie. Where are you?............. Marie will be able to give much more info on the breed characteristics than I can.

Regards Mick

Hi Mick,

Thanks I was beginning to think I didn't have any new friends!!! I don't know anything about bullmastiffs, except they are huge, I'm a dobe person, but as my mate and I are neighbours, I expect we will be going to puppy classes together and walks in the countryside, hope they like dobes! I expect they cost quite a lot to feed too. Is there anything particularly to ask the breeder when she goes at the weekend? She has already told me the pup is KC reg'd. and hips were 7/11, is this ok?
Jaffa

I dont know enough about bull mastiffs to be able to advise I am into bull terriers. I will e mail marie for you as she is the best one I know to give you all the advice you need.
Mick

vHi

They are lovely breed, great with kids etc and very loving but yes they are a large breed and can produce a lot of waist. The best person to ask would be Mari and I am sure she will reply when she sees the thread. I would suggest that your friend does a lot of research before getting any breed that she doesn’t know much about. They like to protect their family but I wouldn't say they are aggressive with it (but any dog can be). Also I would say they are a great family dogs as they really do love kids and are very tolerant toward them.

I hope you friend enjoys her bully

Sophie

To be honest a Bullmastiff isn't that much taller than a Boxer,
they just weigh more :)
I own Boxers and have looked at getting a Bullmastiff on a number
of occasions to join my Boxers.
I have been told that they are generally not as bouncy & exhuberant
as a Boxer.....but I have seen some that bounce like a Boxer LOL!
Mari that posts on here is a Bullmastiff 'person'

Kind Regards
Kirstine

Hi we have a Bull Mastiff and she is fantastic. She is almost 3 years old and has a lovely temprement, we have young children and she is great. They are strong and very heavy but we have had no problems with her what so ever and she has always been very calm!! She is very loyal and loving. This is such a great breed that I could talk about her all night :D Tell your friend good luck

Hi Jaffa sorry was not online today,
Bullmastifffs are a wonderful dog very special and gentle .
They instinctively seem to know the difference between dangerous callers and family
They dont bark much unless to make you aware ,are wonderful with children and real old softies especially the bitches. The guys like all young guys need a bit more settling so will still be bounding around and eating the furniture at 18 months. the girls seem to settle after first season.
they are not stubborn but are not obedience material.They are fast learners but get bored easily, my opinion is they really cant see the point to repeating tricks as they have done it for you so why do you want me doing it again thing.:D.
They can take as much excercise as you give but can be lazy .
I can only say i love them with a passion and will always have a bullmastiff once you have one thats the way of things you would not want to be without one.
If you want I will forward some links if so email me .
Mari

Thanks Mari and others that replied. I guessed they were big softies. Any ball park figures on cost of feeding, not that this has any bearing on wether she'll be getting one or not but always an idea to be informed of approximate costs if at all possible. I guess they can eat you out of house and home, probably quite literally;)

It depends on what you're gonna feed 'em! My Dane/Boxer cross is the same size and bulk as a bullmastiff, but he costs me just under £5 a week because he eats Supadog Active. He has about a kilo and a half of food a day!!!

Annette

It definitely depends on what you feed them ..my Malamute is a big chap ..he gets minced raw chicken , biscuit , eggs and a variety of leftovers and fresh meat off cuts from the butcher. The chicken costs me £12.50 per month , the biscuit £10 per month .

I have a friend with a yorkie terrier who spends 4 times the amount I do ;)

Melody

Thanks everyone, but it seems that my friend now has a new addition to the family, she rang me tonight and they have got him, they've called him Alfie. She said he is absolutely gorgeous, I'm going over tomorrow, he's still settling in but said he was very good last night, no crying, no barking and no mess. How good is that

It does depend on what you feed him /her
The figures of the above are about right give or take a few pounds.
Mari