Hello,
me and my husband have been thinking of buying a bull mastiff,we have done a lot of research on the breed.My husband has liked the breed for a long time.I myself have liked the english mastiff.Anyway ive been in contact with a guy who has a litter of bull mastiff x mastiff pups.I really like the idea of one as then we would have the best of both worlds.Has anyone ever come across a mix like this or could anybody give us any advice? Thanks.

I don't know that you would get the best of both worlds. Both breeds are of a size where the last thing you want in iffy temperament, and someone who has a cross may not have been as careful about checking mum & dad's pedigree back for temperament problems as a breed enthusiast might be. Chances are, he won't have done the proper health checks either. Also you won't know what size the pup will grow to or how it will look when grown. Finally, from what I've read, people are selling this type of cross for as much as a full bred pup of either breed with all the health checks etc. I can't speak for old english mastiffs, but I've just got my second bullmastiff and think they are wonderful dogs. That said, they need careful rearing and can be very boisterous and clumsy as youngsters, so they aren't for everyone.

I'd be concerned about temperament + the high possibility of hip dysplasia. I doubt that the parents would have been tested. I think adopting an adult cross that needs a home is one thing. You can fairly easily see the temperament/emotional and activity needs in an adult dog. Puppies are pretty much impossible to tell. Sure, they might have the best characteristics, but what if it's the opposite? A very large dog that has the worst of these two breeds would be a nightmare to train and handle.

I also think it would encourage the breeder to breed more off his dogs if he's easily able to sell them. There are enough dogs that need homes out there who are mutts/crosses without having more bred on purpose.
jmo
toodles

a friend of mine had a Neopolitan cross english mastiff, which had initially been sold to them as a pedigree Neo, they were told Kc had been applied for and were given a pedigree, when they checked with kc to hurry the papers along giving the bitches kc name and sires kc name , they were told the bitch was a Neo and the Sire was an english mastiff - so the pups obviously would never be registered. they did try to get the kc to help them, but got nowhere and trading standards told them to take it to small claims court, by which time they had fallen in love with the pup and did not want to return it but wanted some kind of refund for the price they paid and wanted this woman stopped. The breeder had done no health checks at all, (incidentally she was well know here for her German Shepherds she bred having all sorts of health problems, and the ponies she sold as well!!) Trading standards knew her but claimed they couldn't help. She moved away during the tooing and froing of letters and nothing ever happened,I sure she must be doing the same to others right now somewhere else. the pup concerned who had been raised in a dark stable and was totally unsocialised as a tiny pup before they got it, turned into a really guardy nervous dog, who eventually bit one of their children and was rehomed to the NCDL, one of the staff actually kept the dog themselves. I know this is long winded my posts normally are ;) make sure you go with a breeder who does carry out all the health checks and I would advise to decide which breed you actually prefer out of the two and do some research into that particular breed first, contact the breed clubs etc. and then make an informed choice. knowledge is power and all that! julie:)

Thanks for the posts.I can tell you that the owner has a pair of bull mastiffs & pair of mastiffs.This wasnt a planned mating,but both parents have been health checked previously.Also hes not selling them at a ridiculous price its really reasonable actually,after speaking to him he told me that because they were crossed he didnt really want to charge at all but was worried about them getting into the wrong hands.We have done a lot of research into Bull mastiffs and are used to large dogs as we have had 2 Akitas and a staffie that all lived together in the house successfully. Finally the nicest and calmest dog we ever owned was an Akita that was crossed with a bull mastiff.Sorry if im coming across a little stuffy but ive had bad experience with some reputable breeders over health issues and fancy websites that dont always make prospective owners aware of some of the health issues.And I feel this guy as at least been honest with me.But thanks for all the advice.

Don't think you need advice, you seem to have made up your mind. As long as you are sure the dam & sire are compatable and are willing to take the chance on what you will get, then perhaps better you than a first time owner.