Also called Gamekeeper's Night Dog · Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs · Great Britain
Steady, loyal and alert, the Bullmastiff is easygoing and affectionate at home while being naturally watchful.
| Size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Weight | 41 to 59 kg (90 to 130 lb)males 50 to 59 kg, females 41 to 50 kg12 |
| Height | 61 to 69 cm (24 to 27 in)males 64 to 69 cm, females 61 to 66 cm1 |
| Lifespan | 7 to 10 years342 |
| Coat | Short, hard, flat-lying |
| Origin | Great Britain (England)12 |
| Group | Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs (FCI group 2) |
Ranges cover males and females and every standard linked on the line, so one standard alone may give a narrower range.
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bullmastiff. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Needs daily walks and play, though it is built for strength rather than long-distance running. The Royal Kennel Club lists a generous daily exercise need.34
A large dog that appreciates room to move and a secure garden or fenced yard.3
Very attached to its family; early socialisation helps it stay relaxed with new people.3
Low-maintenance coat: a weekly brush, occasional baths and a wipe of the jowls when needed.43
A good-quality food formulated for large or giant breeds, split into two or three meals a day, with treats kept to about a tenth of daily intake.3
Feed your Bullmastiff a good-quality large-breed food split into two or three meals a day. Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests two meals daily, and your vet can help set the best times for your dog's routine.36
Choose a high-quality diet formulated for large or giant breeds, with treats kept to about a tenth of daily intake. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts; always check with your vet for a complete list.37
Bathe your Bullmastiff occasionally, about every eight weeks as a starting plan, or at least once every three months. Wipe the jowls when needed to keep them clean.438
Brush your Bullmastiff weekly to keep its short, harsh coat healthy. Pet Wiki's starting plan recommends a weekly brushing session.43
Trim nails about every four weeks, or sooner if you hear clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick, and ask your vet or a groomer for guidance if unsure.8
Your Bullmastiff needs daily walks and play, as it is built for strength rather than long-distance running. Pet Wiki's plan suggests daily exercise, and the Royal Kennel Club notes a generous daily need.34
Brush teeth daily if possible, at least two to three times a week, using dog toothpaste. Check ears weekly and dry them gently, as floppy ears trap moisture; never push anything into the ear canal.8
A Bullmastiff typically lives 7 to 10 years. Senior years usually start around age 6, so regular vet check-ups become especially important then.342
Yes, the Bullmastiff is steady, loyal, and affectionate at home, and can be good with children and other pets when properly socialised from an early age. Early socialisation helps it stay relaxed with new people and animals.135
Bullmastiffs are very attached to their family and may not do well if left alone for long periods. It's best to gradually accustom them to short absences and provide a secure, comfortable space.3
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the Bullmastiff. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
Faulty development of the hip or elbow joints that can lead to lameness and arthritis; breeders should hip and elbow score. Wikipedia breed health section; Kennel Club health schemes for the breed ↗
An inherited degeneration of the retina leading to blindness; a DNA test exists for the dominant form seen in Bullmastiffs and Mastiffs. Wikipedia breed health section; Kennel Club DNA test list ↗
The eyelids roll inwards so the lashes rub the eye, often needing surgery. Wikipedia breed health section ↗
A life-threatening twisting of the stomach seen in deep-chested giant breeds; needs emergency vet care. Wikipedia breed health section ↗
The breed has a high rate of cancer, including lymphoma and mast cell tumours. Wikipedia breed health section ↗
Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
Running costs for a Bullmastiff, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
| Foodabout 181 kg of dry food a year | 594 GBP ↗ |
|---|---|
| Routine vet care | 345 GBP ↗ |
| Pet insurancetypical policy, varies by breed and age | 538 GBP ↗ |
| Dog tax | 0 GBP ↗ |
| Licence and registration | 12 GBP ↗ |
| Gear to start | 531 GBP ↗ |
| Microchip and registration | 26 GBP ↗ |
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
10 of the 61 countries we check have a rule that names the Bullmastiff. Check the law before you travel or move, the details change.
| Country | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | Muzzle and leash requiredControl of Dogs Regulations 1998: restricted breeds (and their crosses) must be muzzled in public, on a strong lead of max 2 m, held by a person over 16, with a collar showing the owner's name and address. | official |
| Germany, Baden-Württemberg | RestrictedPolVOgH list 2: dangerousness assumed only if indications exist; authorities may impose conditions. | official |
| Germany, Bayern | RestrictedKategorie 2: presumed fighting dogs unless a Negativzeugnis (negative certificate after temperament test) is obtained for the individual dog. | official |
| Germany, Hamburg | RestrictedSecond Hamburg list: presumed dangerous unless a Wesenstest proves otherwise. | official |
| Germany, Nordrhein-Westfalen | RestrictedLHundG NRW §10 Hunde bestimmter Rassen: permit, Sachkunde, insurance, leash and muzzle; large dogs (40 cm / 20 kg) of any breed must be notified and leashed in built-up areas. | official |
| Switzerland, Genève | BannedLChiens Art. 23 and RChiens Art. 17 (15 'chiens listés' and their crosses): these dogs are banned in the canton. Dogs already kept when their breed was listed may stay only with a keeping authorisation, and owners of newly listed dogs must apply within 12 months of the listing; listed dogs must pass a behaviour test (RChiens Art. 16). | official |
| Switzerland, Ticino | Permit requiredRegolamento sui cani (RCani, in force 1 Jan 2026) art. 14-20: the 32 listed breeds (Bull Terrier and Miniature Bull Terrier share one entry) and their crosses, born after 1 April 2009, need an authorisation from the cantonal veterinary office before acquisition, a training course, and aptitude tests at 9 to 13 months and again in the third year. Applies to residents and to anyone staying with the dog in the canton for at least 30 days a year. | source |
| Austria, Wien | Permit requiredWiener Tierhaltegesetz and Hundefuehrscheinverordnung: 'Listenhunde' need a Hundefuehrschein (exam within 3 months, repeat after 21-24 months), muzzle and leash in public, handler at least 16 and under 0.5 permille alcohol; Sachkunde course before registering since 1 July 2019. | official |
| Austria, Vorarlberg | Permit requiredVorarlberg: keeping a listed breed requires an authorisation; muzzle, leash or custody conditions are set case by case by decision (older secondary overview, not re-verified against the current law). | source |
| Ukraine | Insurance requiredCabinet of Ministers resolution 'Deiaki pytannia shchodo nebezpechnykh porid sobak' (10 Nov 2021) lists 51 breeds and their mixes as dangerous: owners must hold compulsory liability insurance when registering, and use a leash and muzzle where the dog may endanger people. | official |
| Singapore | Insurance requiredPart 2 licensing conditions: leashed and muzzled in public, insurance of at least 100,000 SGD, 2,000 SGD banker's guarantee, obedience training. | official |
| Argentina, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires | Insurance requiredLey 4078 CABA: registration before 3 months of age, muzzle and non-extensible leash of max 2 m in public, liability insurance, secure enclosure; abandonment is a serious offence. | official |
| Malaysia | RestrictedRestricted breeds may be imported only with prior written approval of the MAQIS Director General before the DVS import permit. | official |
| Belarus | RestrictedAnnex to Ministry of Agriculture and Food Resolution No. 40 of 12 Dec 2001 lists 40 potentially dangerous breeds (Russian names as in the FAOLEX copy, English in brackets). Importing them needs permission from the Main Veterinary Directorate, and owners must complete a special course at a dog club within three months. The Law of 1 April 2024 No. 361-Z on responsible treatment of animals replaced the term with 'dogs requiring special owner responsibility'; a new list is in a draft Council of Ministers resolution not yet adopted as of Aug 2026, so the status of the 2001 list is uncertain. | official |
| Malta | BannedSince 13 December 2024 it is illegal to breed, advertise or sell non-pedigree bully-type dogs of these breeds or their crosses, or to keep ones born after that date. Pedigree dogs with recognised kennel club registration are allowed, and existing non-pedigree dogs may be kept if they were microchipped and registered before 13 December 2024. Dogs brought from another EU country that the keeper has had for at least six months are exempt if registered within 30 days of entry. | official |
See the rules and sources for every country
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Keep treats to no more than 10 percent of a Bullmastiff's daily food. Their deep chest puts them at risk of bloat, so split food into two or three meals instead of one.
Source: petmd.com
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Early gamekeepers preferred brindle dogs because the colour was harder to see in the dark.4
In 1928 the De Beers company brought Bullmastiffs to its South African mines as security dogs.2
When The Kennel Club first recognised the breed in 1924, a dog needed four generations of Bullmastiff ancestry to count as pure.2
Its old nickname was the Gamekeeper's Night Dog.2
I started my day with a big yawn and a stretch. My human gave me a scratch behind the ears, and I followed her to the kitchen. After breakfast, we went for a gentle walk around the block. I sniffed the lampposts and wagged at the postman. Back home, I found my spot on the sofa and napped. In the afternoon, I played tug with my rope toy. Evening came, and I lay at my human's feet, content.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
Films and series picked by Oskar, who made Pet Wiki.
Butkus, a Bullmastiff, keeps a Philadelphia boxer company.
An FBI dog on the run hides out with a mail carrier and a boy.
English gamekeepers of the 1800s crossed Mastiffs with Bulldogs to get a large, quiet dog that could track down and hold poachers at night. The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1924, followed by the AKC in 1934.245
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
English Mastiff
Bulldog
Dogue de Bordeaux