The Bullmastiff is a noble breed that is the result of breeding bulldogs with Mastiffs. This was first done back in 1860 in England. Originally, they were used to track poachers and keep them from escaping.
Bullmastiffs are great family dogs and do well with children. However, they can be very protective when necessary. They are mainly gentle giants, but they do require special care. This article will guide you through caring for a Bullmastiff.
When purchasing a Bullmastiff puppy, make sure his hips have been checked for proper alignment since this breed has a history of hip dysplasia. Your puppy will need to be fed a specific diet geared towards large breed dogs. Bullmastiffs need a dog food high in protein and calcium in order to support their rapid bone growth.
While they need activity and will want to play, be careful to limit the type of activity that your Bullmastiff puppy does. Restrict it from going up and down stairs as much as possible until they are at least a year old as this can cause damage to their feet and may cause their legs to become deformed. Pay special attention to their feet and legs because of the pressure their massive bones and rapid bone growth place on their legs.
Caring for your Bullmastiff as he or she grows can be time consuming. Make sure that you have the time to give one before you buy one. Remember that giving your dog table scraps can be bad for his health. Bullmastiffs are prone to developing kidney problems, cardiac disease, tumors, hypothyroidism, and panosteitis. This means that they easily develop digestive problems and giving them table food can aggravate these conditions. Keep your dog’s eyes clean and free of mucus. Bullmastiffs are known for eye problems, so be on the alert for infections.
As your Bullmastiff gets older, it’s important to watch how much you are feeding him. Once the big growth spurts are over (usually by age two), reduce the amount of calories you are giving your dog since he will burn fewer calories at that stage. Bullmastiffs are already big enough without the added stress of excess weight. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will help keep hip dysplasia and diabetes at bay. Bullmastiffs are great dogs and can give you joy for many years if they are cared for properly.