Hi everyone,

We are considering buying a bullmastiff puppy and are currently doing serious research into the breed, including, of course, the costs we are likely to incur (insurance, food, vet fees, etc. etc.) I very much like the breed but am concerned about the costs of feeding a puppy and adult bullmastiff. I owned a poodle for 19 years and this was not much of an issue but with a bullmastiff... Your help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Alex and Xandra

hiya,
       For one bullmastiff you would be looking at £7-10 per week on food,we use M&S insurance which costs around £10 per month(this is an extremely good price!!!)
Worming should be done every 3 months(as an adult) and from the vets this works out to about £20.
Hope this helps!!

Make sure if you do get one that the mother and father have had all the revelant health test, hip scores, elbows and there's no entropian in there lines.  They do eat alot but there well worth it, they're an excellent family dog. I'd say you'd pay a little bit more.  Good luck with your search for your best friend.

Warm regards Susan

Thanks very much, Susan.

What exactly are "entropians"?

Regards,

Hi entropian is the dogs eyelids turning in and the hair scrathes the dogs eye, it's a very painful condition for the dog to have.  Although it can be correted by surgery which would cost hundred pound, so best to be avoided in the first place/

warm regards Susan

Thanks Sambull, that's really helpful (and good news too!!!). I take it that I should be prepared to spend more than 7-10 quid when my bullmastiff is a puppy, is that right?

Thanks once more!

Alex

You would be well advised to insure the dog too as vets bills are often related to the size of the dog, worming tabs will cost more, flea treatment will cost more etc. etc. :)

hi, i've had bullmastifs in the past and i now have a ddb. When i purchased her the breeder was very knowledgable and recommended jame well beloved puppy food  for the first year its about £35 a sack, follow the weight guide should last a bullmastiff pup about six weeks, hope this helps.  

Hi

Thanks everybody. You've been most helpful. I've bought the Pet's Guide to the Bullmastiff today and was, well, a bit shocked at reading that apparently crates or kennels are every bullmastiff's heaven (or must).  (I don't have the book with me now, otherwise I'd quote but the point is that nonetheless). So, what do people think about this? My house is not small (but not huge either) but I couldn't certainly fit a crate inside and the book was talking about having one inside the house!! Oh! I'm realising that maybe I should've posted a different message for this :)

Thanks a lot

Alex

Hi Alex, i haven't got a crate for my girl she sleeps in the back kitchen, although she isn't a great chewer and i always provide boys for her to chew so she doesn't chew nothing else.  Using a crate depends on your own opinion really, but they are a good idea.  It stops young puppies from getting into trouble while your not there, like chewing wires or other things.

Warm regards Susan

"i always provide boys for her to chew"

Would these be of primary school age - or secondary to last a bit longer<g> :)

I would imagine that you could find room for a 48 inch crate somwhere, and theya re a godsend if you go away anywhere as they can be collapsed and used in hotels, Caravan awnings freinds houses, and you know the dog will ahve a safe familiar place to be kept at night or if you need ot leave him/her for your meals etc, and there won't be damage caused to thier accomodation.

To be honest I have found at least with my dogs that feeding is the least of your costs :D

If I add up Wormer, flea treatment and vaccinations I could feed my dogs for several weeks.

I have dogs that weigh 20kg as adults and they cost 30p a day each to feed.

Thanks everybody. You've been most helpful.

As for the crate, maybe it's a good invesment because, as Susan points out, this will stop my puppy to get into trouble if I'm not around.

Now I realise that maybe I was a bit obsessed about feeding my propsective Bullmastiff and that perhaps there are more important things to consider: worm and flea treatments, regular vaccinations...I'm thinking of taking out pets insurance but I would imagine there's always an excess to pay, so vets' fees certainly are a concern after all. So, if anyone could help with this I'de be delighted to hear him/her.

Best regards :))

Insurance should be a BIG concern.  Do a search on this site and you'll see that it's frequently discussed and just one or two names keep coming up as being the way to go!! ;)

A good friend has recently had her Lurcher investigated, treated and just pts with a nasal tumour.  I asked at the outset about insurance and she happily replied "Yes and he's been with the same company for 7 years " but she saw the disappointment on my face when she said "E & L"!!  Not wishing to cause more distress I said that I hoped that they had improved as I'd heard nothing but bad reports about them.  Unfortunately I was wrong and this not wealthy couple, who thought that their dog was covered, now have a heap of money to find for Royal Veterinary College care of their poor dog, now deceased! :(

So buyer beware and heed the advice of those who have been there before you! ;)

If you are considering owning a dog who will weigh around 10 stone as an adult then you would be wise to consider the cost of everything you can think of, I can't help thinking that food costs will be the least of your worries LOL

Have you considered how you will cope and what you will do if you ever have to carry your dog to the car (heaven forbid! - but you have to think of these things now, not later ;) ) so you can get him to the vets?

I have to say, much as I love these dogs I would personally not be able to cope with the sheer size and weight of them, if I were determined to have a bullmastiff type I'd have to have a Pug or a Boston Terrier :D :D :D :D :D :D :D