"Naturally intelligent and observant, he is easily trained but likes to have a reason for doing things."
As long ago as 1785 there was written reference to large dogs of the Bullmastiff kind.
These dogs had various names including the Keepers Night dog/Mastiff with a dash of Bulldog/Large Bulldog.
These dogs were mostly working dogs and there was evidence to say that not only were the Mastiff & Bulldog used but also the Great Dane, St Bernard, the Bloodhounds and the Dogue de Bordeaux.
The Bullmastiff came into being only because people wanted a dog that could guard like the Mastiff with the courage of the Bulldog but which had more speed and agility than the Mastiff.
Mostly Gamekeepers used the breed. The Police also found the Bullmastiff invaluable and used them as a guard in warehouses and the dockland areas.
The Bullmastiff was recognised by the Kennel Club in 1924 as a pure breed. Mr S E Moseley is seen as the father of the breed and all Bullmastiffs today would be able to trace their pedigrees back to his Farcroft kennels.
In 1925 Farcroft Fidelity (born in 1921) was the first to win a first prize at a show held under Kennel Club rules and the first to qualify for registration in the Kennel Club Stud Book.
The first Bullmastiff Champion was a Brindle bitch, Farcroft Silvo (born on 18/3/25). One of the most influential stud dogs was Ch Roger of the Fens (born on 7/11/29); he sired 10 UK Champions.
The Bullmastiff today
Today the Bullmastiff is no longer widely
used as a working guard but his instincts are
still there and he will guard his family with
all his considerable strength if need be.
Trained and socialised the Bullmastiff will make
a wonderful family pet and guardian.
Primarily used as a guard dog and, in olden
times, to help the gamekeeper in the
apprehension of poachers.
Naturally intelligent and observant, he is
easily trained but likes to have a reason for
doing things. Highly spirited, he makes a happy
companion who is totally reliable both
physically and mentally. Devoted to his 'family',
his bravery and courage are legendary, defending
them against intruders. He can quickly assess a
situation and this, combined with his acute
hearing, makes him an excellent housedog. He is
very strong, but amenable to kindly discipline.
General Appearance
Powerful build, symmetrical, showing great
strength, but not cumbersome; sound and active.
Characteristics
Powerful, enduring, active and reliable.
Temperament
High spirited, alert and faithful.
Head and skull
Skull large and square, viewed from every angle,
fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in
repose. Circumference of skull may equal height
of dog when measured at top of shoulder; broad
and deep with well filled cheeks. Pronounced
stop. Muzzle short; distance from tip of nose to
stop approx one third of length from tip of nose
to centre of occiput, broad under eyes and
sustaining nearly the same width to end of nose;
blunt and cut of square, forming right angle
with upper line of face, and at same time
proportionate with skull. Under jaw broad to
end. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils;
flat, neither pointed nor turned up in profile.
Flews not pendulous, never hanging below level
of lower jaw.
Eyes
Dark or hazel, of medium size, set apart the
width of the muzzle with furrow between. Light
or yellow eyes highly undesirable.
Ears
V shaped, folded back, set on wide and high,
level of occiput giving square appearance to
skull which is most important. Small and deeper
in colour than body. Point of ear level with eye
when alert. Rose ears are highly undesirable.
Mouth
Level desired but slightly undershot to a very
small extent allowed but not preferred. Canine
teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth
strong, even and well placed.
Neck
Well arched, moderate length, very muscular and
almost equal to skull in circumference.
Forequarters
Chest wide and deep, well let down between
forelegs, with deep brisket. Shoulders muscular,
sloping and powerful, not overloaded. Forelegs
powerful and straight, well boned, set wide
apart, presenting a straight front. Pasterns
straight and strong.
Body
Back short and straight, giving compact carriage,
but not so short as to interfere with movement.
Roach and sway backs highly undesirable.
Hindquarters
Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of
flank. Hind legs strong, and muscular; with well
developed second thighs, denoting power and
activity, not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent.
Cow hocks highly undesirable.
Feet
Well arched, cat-like, with rounded toes, pads
hard. Dark toenails desirable. Splay feet highly
undesirable.
Tail
Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching
to hocks, carried straight or curved, but not
hound fashion. Crank tails highly undesirable.
Gait/movement.
Movement indicates power and strength of purpose.
When moving straight, neither front nor hind
legs should cross or plait, right front and rear
left legs rising and falling at the same time. A
firm back line unimpaired by powerful thrust
from hind legs denoting a balanced and
harmonious movement.
Coat
Short and hard, weather resistant, lying flat to
body. Long silky or woolly coats highly
undesirable.
Colour
Any shade of brindle, fawn or red, colour to be
pure and clear. A slight white marking on chest
permissible. Other white markings undesirable.
Black muzzle essential, toning off towards eyes,
with dark markings around eyes contributing
towards expression.
Size
Height at shoulder: dogs: 63.5-68.5 cm. (25-27
ins.); bitches 61-66 cm. ( 24-26 ins.). Weight:
dogs 50-59 KGs (110-130 lbs.); bitches 41-50 KGs.
(90-110 lbs.).
Faults
Any departure from the forgoing points should be
considered a fault and the seriousness with
which the fault should be regarded should be in
exact proportion to the degree of fault.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal
testicles fully descended into the scrotum.