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Bullmastiffs

Author

Nancy Milinkovich, c/o [email protected].
_Nancy will be offline for several months beginning Feb '97. All
correspondence will be held for her until she is back online._

The AKC standards, club names and breeder information were all
provided by the informatiion given out by the American Bullmastiff
Association, INC.

Additions, corrections, and suggestions all welcomed.

Thanks to Jon Dawson for providing materials on the standard, etc.
_________________________________________________________________

Table of Contents

* Breed Purpose
* Breed Characteristics
* Exercise Requirements
* Specific Health Problems
* References

_________________________________________________________________

Breed Purpose

Originally Bullmastiffs were a combination of 40% English Bulldog and
60% English Mastiff. They were bred specifically to accompany
gamekeepers on their rounds, being able to track well and having
sufficient size and strength to tackle and overpower a poacher.

They are classified as a Working Dog. The English Bulldog from which
the Bullmastiff is bred from is quite different from today's modern
version. The English Bulldog of the 19th century was a more athletic
dog than many of today's, although the loyal and calm temperments are
still the same. Description AKC Standards removed due to copyright
violation concerns.
_________________________________________________________________

Breed Characteristics

They present an aristocratic, attentive and intelligent look. The
Bullmastiff is distinguished from the English Mastiff by its smaller
size and more compact face.

They have been described as: intelligent, loyal, stubborn, laid back,
family oriented, stoic, and even-tempered. Bullmastiffs rarely bark
unless there is a reason. There is a minimal amount of slobbering
associated with a Bullmastiff, usually after eating or drinking. They
are a dog that requires consistent and fair training. They do not take
well to being bullied into something but will accept leadership.
Obedience work with Bullmastiffs can be challenging as they are
independent thinkers, but once learned it sticks!

The Bullmastiff seems to be very easy-going and as such tends to
integrate well with other dogs. But as with any breed, you should
start socialization early. Puppy kindergarten type situations are
definitely recommended. As far as the Bullmastiff's relationship to
other animals (other than dogs) I can only draw on my own experience;
my Bullmastiff is extremely gentle with cats, birds, hamsters, etc.
(can anyone else give me any info?). I have heard from others that
size rather than aggressiveness is often more an issue when being
around other animals. Often Bullmastiffs don't realize their size and
can hurt a smaller dog, or cat, with rough-house play.

One note of caution, e-mailed to me by a long time breeder of
Bullmastiffs, is that, being a territorial breed, sexually in tact
males and females put together, may lead to problems. Caution should
be used when introducing studs and bitches to one another - unless you
know they are extremely passive.

In relationship to people, Bullmastiffs tend to be one family dogs.
They bond extremely close with "their" people and can be suspicious of
strangers. Early puppy interaction with lots of different people is
key to overcoming potential problems due to this trait. This being
said, if the family is loving and welcoming, getting a grown
Bullmastiff dog through rescue contacts is a wonderful option, for
those that don't want to go through the early "puppy" years. This is a
quote from a long-time breeder of Bullmastiffs and rescue contact, "An
overwhelming percentage of rescue dogs (dogs who have the most reason
to be wary) settle in new homes with the greatest of ease. Almost all
of the Bullmastiffs I meet in other people's homes are immediately
outgoing and interested in being my best friend. Believe it or not
Bullmastiffs can be quite cuddly and demonstrative. They must be
integrated as a member of the family. I would say they are not very
suitable for being an outdoor dog.

Bullmastiffs are also very good with children. Their easy going nature
and calmness, tend to make them able to tolerate the energy of younger
kids. But again, due to their size constant parental supervision is
required.

They are a naturally protective dog. They have a suspicious nature in
regards to strangers and "size" people up. Sufficient socialization is
extremely important due to this fact. They also naturally "guard"
their family members. Bullmastiffs are constantly attentive and
curious about their surroundings and will be alarmed if any danger is
perceived to their pack. These two factors make, in my opinion, make
on-going training and early puppy socialization, all important.
Without it, Bullmastiffs can become over-protective and
over-aggressive towards strangers and other dogs, etc. The most
amazing thing about Bullmastiffs is their ability to sense people's
intentions - they seem to know instinctively the difference between a
"bad" person and a harmless visitor to their property.

Bullmastiffs do not tend to tolerate LARGE variances in temperature.
They do not like extreme heat or extreme cold. I have heard from
people that some Bullmastiffs do like the snow.
_________________________________________________________________

Exercise Requirements

The Bullmastiff is not a high-energy dog. One longish walk every day
should take care of required excercise. But play sessions, trips to
exciting places and other highlights should be incorporated as they
will otherwise tend to get bored.

NOTE: Bullmastiffs do tend to have a high tolerance for pain and often
will not complain about discomfort until the condition is quite bad.

Suitability for Working People

The Bullmastiff seems to tolerate being left alone well, and would fit
into a family where both parties are working. Although it should be
noted that any puppy will require someone coming home during the
afternoon.

Please note that puppies of any breed are a LOT of work and require
without a doubt, time, energy and love. On average a puppy requires at
least 4 hours per day and probably more if you are into any type of
training.

Grooming Requirements

Bullmastiffs are a short-haired dog which have minimal shedding. The
brushes I have found that work the best are: rubber palm brushes used
in a circular motion to lift out dead hair and bring the oil to the
surface followed by a slicker brush to trap the hair. A grooming
session at least once a week should be sufficient.

Ear cleaning is a must as is nail clipping.

Would recommend teeth cleaning using an enzymatic toothpaste.
_________________________________________________________________

Specific Health Problems

1. As with any large to very large breed, hip dysplasia is a problem.
Suggestions are to make sure that both parents and grand-parents
have been screened for hip dyplasia, either vet-cleared or
OFA-cleared.
2. OCD "osteochondritis dissecans" - in the elbow can be particularly
bad. They now OFA elbows.
3. hypo-thyroidism - this can cause many problems and you should ask
about this in parents and grand-parents. Although it can be
controlled with medication I would not knowingly buy a puppy or
dog at risk for this disease.
4. eye problems "cherry eye" - can develop problems with the bottom
lid poking through - this can be corrected with surgery. entropia
- eyelashes growing inside the eyelid. This can be corrected with
surgery. The symptoms are: puffy eyes with discharge, eyes that
look half closed.
5. renal failure - probably mostly due to the hypo-thyroid condition
if it is present.
6. lymphoma sarcoma - have talked to some Bullmastiff breeders who
are seeing an alarming trait in some lines with the development of
lymphoma sarcoma. I would talk with the breeder to make sure that
this trend did not exist in past litters of both parents and
grand-parents.

While this seems like a large list it should be remembered that the
occurrences of some of the above conditions is rare. Hip dysplasia
probably being the most common condition. As far as the breed as a
whole, my vet has said it has very few commonly occuring medical
problems as far as her vet science books are concerned.
_________________________________________________________________

References

UNITED STATES

American Bullmastiff Association
Pres: Peter Aczel 1380 Masi Rd. Quakertown, PA 18951-5221

Secretary: MaryAnne Duchin (1995-1997)
P.O. Box 37 Dayton, KY 41074 606-291-3127

ABA National Rescue/Information
Barbara Brooks-Worrell 9840 South 222nd St. Kent, WA 98031
(206) 850-6319

Rescue/Central Linda Thompson
P.O. Box 399 Conifer, CO 80433 (303) 697-0547 FAX (303)
697-5089

Kelli Johnsen
P.O. Box 1902 Manhattan, KS 66502-0022 (913)539-5741

Southern (including TX)
Anna Williamson 934 North San Jose, Abilene, TX 79603 (915)
677-7635

Eastern Anne Lewis
Rt. 1 Box 2475 Berryville, VA 22611 (540) 955-2562

CANADA

Bullmastiff Fanciers of Canada
Amy Hayward RR #6 Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada E0J 2B0 Ph.
506-325-2658 Fax 506-328-0802

CLUBS

Bullmastiffs of NO. California
Connie Urbanski, President Patricia J. Potter, Secretary 1957
Everwood Court San Jose, CA

California Bullmastiff Fanciers
Carol Beans, President Mona Lindau-Webb, Secretary 1934 South
Holt Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90034

Delware Valley Bullmastiff Club
Adele Millett, President Helma Weeks, Secretary 133 Chase
Avenue Iveyland, PA 18974

Eastern Atlantic Bullmstiff Association
Roxanne LaPaglia, President June Moeller, Secretary Box 69
Rohersville, MD 21779

Glass City Bullmastiff Fanciers
David Schwieterman, President Zoe Murphy, Secretary 7326
Starlight Rd, Perrysburg, OH 43551

Great NY Bullmastiff Fanciers
Ed Silva, President Jude E. Newton, Secretary 517 Commack Road
Islip, NY 11751

Heart of America Bullmastiff Fanciers
Lance Wright, President Izetta Wright, Secretary 215 St. and 69
Hwy Bucyrus, KS 66013

Midwest Bullmastiff Fanciers
Ben Baratto, President Linda Haskett, Secretary 514 South 700
East, Marion, IN 46952

Northwest Bullmastiff Society
Mark Worrell, President Laura Doll, Secretary 9840 S. 222nd St.
Kent, WA 98031 (206)850-6319

New England Bullmastiff Association
Cindy Sellitto, President 147 Janet Dr., East Hartford, CT
06118 Jean Gomes, Secretary

Piedmont Bullmastiff Club of Greater Washington
Greg Swain, President Sue Andrews, Secretary 14040 Esworthy
Rd., Germantown, MD 20874-3312

Southeastern Bullmastiff Enthusiasts
Andrea Jiles, President Jane Fleming, Secretary 2587
Willowbrook Circle, Birmingham, AL 35242

Southwest Bullmastiff Club
Vickie Lang, President Vickie Miller, Secretary 3700 Hialeah
Dr., Arlington, TX 76017

Breeders (ABA) (United States)

Dr. John G. & Susan M. Crawford DOX Bullmastiffs
505 N. Ridgeland Avenue Oak Park, Illinois 60302 (708) 524-9788
(815) 673-2068 e-mail: [email protected]

Lea Reuter Sound Off Bullmastiffs
11605 Pythian Cave Road Yreka, CA 96097 (916)436-2578

Helene Neitsch Banstock Bullmastiffs
14 Dodgingtown Road Newtown, CT 06470 (203)426-8194

Pam Kochuba Shady Oak Bullmastiffs
52 Walnut Tree Hill Sandy Hook, CT 06484 (203)426-7735

Karen Skiba Avonlea Bullmastiffs

46 Vista Drive Danbury, CT 06810 (203)743-0880 WEB page:
http://www.lyriq.com/avonlea.htm

Chris Lezotte and Alan Kalter Happylegs Bullmastiffs
6283 Hellner Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105 313-741-7326

Mickey & Dick Mullen Crossbow Bullmastiffs
3899 Kingston Oaks Cove Oviedo, FL 32765 (407)365-6760

Reyna & David Blasko Crossbow Bullmastiffs
3493 Soda Canyon Rd. Napa, CA 94558 (707)252-8850

Mimi Einstein Allstar
377 Mt. Holly Rd. Katonah, NY 10536 (914)232-9166

Patricia O'Brien Bullmast
1012 Dolores Dr. Fullerton, CA 92633 (714)870-5235

Kathy McAlister Sedentary
Box 549 Hayden, CO 81639 (303)276-3196

Carol Beans Tauralan
12131 Arroyo Ave. Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714)544-1824

Bud & Pauline Smith Torous
Box 1415 Oakhurst, CA 93644 (209)683-8537

Taun Brooks Wild Heart
56372 Paseo Las Ninas Yucca Valley, CA 92284 (619)369-2400

Brian & Tracy Ferrick Wild West
15455 Rockwood Rd. Escondido, CA 92027 (619)745-5756

Gail & Scott Lucas Wakulla Bullmastiffs
203 Mullis St. North Augusta, S.C. 29841 803-593-2823 ABA &
SEBA

Joyce Nelson
113 Winifred Rd. Landsdown, MD 21227 410-242-1961

Merry Johnson
11824 Harford Rd. Glen Arm, Md. 21057 410-592-2859

Melinda Agee Melkev's Bullmastiffs
2808 Greenbriar Rd Mt. Washington KY 40047 502-538-8822

Cindy Sellitto Camelot Bullmastiffs
147 Janet Drive East Hartford, CT 06ll8 (860)568-9074

Virginia Rowland Blackslate Bullmastiffs
PO Box 325, Templeton MA 01468 fax/ph: 508-939-5300 email:
[email protected]

Canadian Breeders

Mike and Cheryl Kelter Blackmoor Perm Reg'd
15412-84th Ave, Surrey, B.C. V3S 2N4 (604) 597-5205 E-Mail-
[email protected]

Sylvia and Roy Lawton Kinanama Kennels
17318 24th. Ave. Whiterock, BC V4B 5E7 (604)531-3895
(604)889-6836

Amy & Lanson Hayward Nytestok Reg'd Bullmastiffs
RR #6 Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada E0J 2B0 PH 506-325-2658
FAX 506-328-0802

Larry Christie Crimsontyde Bullmastiffs
RR6, Site 11 Barrie, Ont L4M 5P5 PH 705-436 1960 FAX 705-436
7533 e-mail [email protected]

Joan and Jerry Minks Thunderlove Bullmastiffs
11428 - 64 Street Edmonton, Alberta, T5W 4H7

David & Charlene Ball Shire Kennels
1544 Sunrise Drive Parksville, B.C. V9P 1X7 (604) 752-6532
email via [email protected]

Danier Kennels
9 Isle Vista Drive RR#3, Pefferlaw, Ontario L0E 1N0
(705)437-4204

Paul and Lynne Rehsler Banbury Bullmastiffs
R.R.#1 1363 Duffield Road Cobble Hill, British Columbia Canada
V0R 1L0

UK Information

Mr & Mrs D. M. Fernandez Ferlines Bullmastiffs
@ ferlines.prestel.co.uk

Netherlands

Mrs. Assink Ghislaine The DOG of ORLOK
Vivaldipad 43 1323 AJ ALMERE the Netherlands +31 365362744

Danish Information

Web site (in Danish only) http://www.image.dk/~mkyed/dbk/

Danish Bullmastiff Club
Sandbjergvej 44 DK-2950 Vedbfk Phone 45 42892843 President, Mr.
Frank Hansen

Magazine: DBC-News
Tornbjergvej 26, P.o. Box 6 DK-4130 Viby Sj. Phone 45 56821116
Fax 45 56820175 Editor, Mr. Henrik Hyttel Eriksen E-mail
[email protected]

Breeders reg. in DBC:

Kennel Asethor v/ Jens Erik Pedersen
Moenstedvej 28 DK-7470 Karup +45 8666-1413

Kennel Bedste v/ Lis Lingskov
Kamillavej 4 DK-4593 Eskebjerg +45 5929-2056

Kennel Big-Bull v/ Johnny Linder Pedersen
OMoellevej 130 DK-3630 J?gerspris +45 4750-6070

Kennel Brak v/ Elin & Erik Madsen
Favrbovej 22 DK-4591 Foellenslev +45 5346-8778

Kennel Bullgaarden v/ Bill Linder Strand
Bautahoejvej 36 DK-3630 Jaegerspris +45 4753-5254

Kennel Bullstone v/ Ralph Smidt
Tranevaenget 5 DK-4160 Herlufmagle +45 5375-7043

Kennel Downland v/ Henrik H. Eriksen
Tornbjergvej 26, Postboks 6 DK-4130 Viby Sj. +45 5682-1116

Kennel Drot v/ Rune Thomsen
Langgade 50 DK-9000 Aalborg +45 9813-1285

Kennel Farmerdog v/ Ronnie & Bente Petersen
Gammelrand 10 DK-4470 Sveboelle +45 5929-4493

Kennel Kialixi v/ Johnny Jonasson
Middelfartvej 125, Ore DK-5400 Bogense +45 6444-2867

Kennel Werdoland v/ Dorthe Werth
Dalbyvej 52 DK-4281 Goerlev +45 5355-9363

Norway Breeders:

Kennel Rambull Mary Heli
7354 Viggja,Norway phone/fax +47 72867876 mob.ph.+47 90741662
e-mail:[email protected]

*NOTE: I am not guaranteeing the quality or honesty of any of these
breeders, you should contact them directly and also call the local
club for references. (If anyone would like to provide more breeders
names please feel free to contact me via e-mail at [email protected])

BOOKS/MAGAZINES, ETC

Oliff, Douglas B. The Mastiff and Bullmastiff Handbook. Published by:
Howell Book House, INC. 230 Park Avenue New York, NY 10169 U.S.A ISBN
#0 85115 485 9.

Beans, Carol and Adele Pfenninger. A Practical Guide to the
Bullmastiff. (Carol Beans # (714) 544-1824)

Beans, Carol. Bullseye.

Hoflin Publishing (Colorado). Bullmastiff Annual.

Hubbard, Clifford L.B. The Bullmastiff. Published by: Nimrod Press
15 The Maltings Turk Street Alton Hants, GU34 1 DL ENGLAND.

Walkey, Bill. The Bullmastiff Fancier's Manual. Published By: Coast
Arts Publishing P.O. Box 363 Sechelt, B.C. CANADA V0N 1V0.
_________________________________________________________________

Bullmastiff FAQ
Nancy Milinkovich, [email protected]