The Bullmastiff dog breed was developed for protecting hunting
grounds against poachers in England during the late 1800s by crossing
Bulldogs with Mastiffs.
The resulting cross gave gamekeepers a fast and power dog that could
ambush poachers with hunting dogs and simply overpower them. They were
trained to take down intruders without mauling them to death so that
they could be punished appropriately by the property owner.
The Bullmastiff was so effective at its job that it became a
favorite guardian of estates throughout England. Repeated Bulldog and
Mastiff crosses would yieled a viable Bullmastiff population that could
now sustain being bred as a bloodline rather than continuing the cross
breeding. The AKC would officially recognize the breed in 1933.
Bullmastiffs will protect their family to the death against
intruders when provoked, but are typically easygoing gentle giants when
not under attack. They can do well with children, but it is preferable
that the children had a hand in raising them from puppies.
They are sometimes aggressive with other dogs, especially males, but
do get along just fine with other pets like cats for example. These
dogs are powerful, and very stubborn. It can be difficult to coax them
into doing anything that wasn't their idea in the first place.
- Health The Bullmastiff has very little tolerance of heat and humidity and
should be considered an inside dog and guardian of the household. If
drool makes you feel a bit nauseous, then this definitely is not the
dog for you. If you are a light sleeper then you may not be very fond
of the snoring either!
Exercise requirements are fairly insignificant and can be met by a
daily walk around the park or neighborhood. Be sure to have ample space
available for him to lay down and stretch on comfortable bedding.
The most threatening health conditions for this breed include
gastric torsion, elbow dysplasia, and canine hip dysplasia. Entropion
can also be of concern, but is not as prevalent as the prior conditions.
A Bullmastiff's life span is approximately 8-10 years on average.
The Bull Terrier dog breed, also referred to as the English Bull
Terrier, has a dark and violent history dating back to the early 1800s.
In a time where dog fighting and Bull baiting were popular sports in
Europe, dog fighters were experimenting with various crosses in search
of the perfect pit fighter.
They would first cross English Terriers with Bulldogs to produce a
formidable canine called the Bull and Terrier in 1835. They felt it
lacked size and strength to completely dominate the competition and
refined it with crosses to Spanish Pointers.
The fighting dogs developed as a result of the refinement were
seemingly unstoppable in the pits. Dog fighting would eventually be
banned leaving the Bull and Terriers without purpose, so owners began
to breed them purely for looks.
In 1860 a man by the name of James Hinks bred his Bull and Terrier
with Dalmatians and White English Terriers to produce the first ever
pure white Bull Terriers. They would be further crossed with
Staffordshire Bull Terriers in the early 1900s which resulted in a
colored variety. Both white and colored varieties are recognized by the
AKC and are still bred today.
These dogs are energetic, and owners will find they will supply
endless entertainment and laughter with their antics and stubbornness.
They are not known to look for fights with other dogs, but will defend
themselves ferociously if needed.
Most make friends with household pets other than dogs, but some
owners report them as being aggressive in some instances (Particularly
with smaller pets). They will without a doubt become bored if not
exercised daily, and may take out their frustration on your belongings.
- Health :The Bull Terrier is happiest when taken on a walk or jog that is
followed up by a game of some sort. Most live indoors, but it is
acceptable for them to live outside in moderate climates.
White specimens may suffer from hearing impairment, and other
primary concerns for both white and colored varieties include renal
dysplasia and hereditary nephritis. Some may also have problems with
mitral stenosis, subvascular aortic stenosis, allergies, or compulsory
behavior issues.The average lifespan for this muscle dog is 11-14 years.
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