Bull Mastiff –
The Gamekeeper's Night Dog

  
A result of breeding between the Bulldogs and the Mastiffs the Bullmastiff inherited from the latter the stature and body, being at the same time fast and active like Bulldogs. Loyal, gentle, a good companion and play mate for children, he still remains an excellent guard dog.

Although the Bullmastiff gained official recognition in the year 1924, the modern breed first appeared in the early 17th century. It is obvious that between the two breeds there have always existed crossings. Both of British origin, but differently orientated through selection, they gave the final product a sum of qualities very appreciated among the breed lovers.

The main reason this breed was created was the mixture of guardian abilities with courage: seeking to obtain a dog faster than the Mastiff, but that could protect hunting guards and could also help capture and immobilizing illegal hunters. Actually the Bullmastiff was once called the Gamekeeper's Night Dog, which means the night dog of the hunting guard.

It appears that perfecting the breed took some time – almost 30 years – its creator admitting the fact that he started with settling the standards, and only then achieving the correct mixture. Soon, the Bullmastiff gained fans all over the world and it was preferred to the Mastiff because it was smaller, as well as easier to control and raise.
 
The Bullmastiff, a dog that will never act naturally violent, must not be abused in any way (much like any dog.) He feels at his best next to a master that has lots of patience ad when properly trained. In society he is pretty quiet and relaxed, assuming he has been brought in contact with people since he was little. When he is still a puppy he must grow used to petting and to strangers.

Equipped for guarding, the Bullmastiff has some incredibly quick reactions and he will protect his owner even with his life. In the family he is a pleasing friend, loving and patient with little children. Playful, he will love children and let them do anything to him without fighting back. He needs wide spaces to exercise and run freely, but to be always around his master. The Bullmastiff will also adapt to an apartment life as well, taking over the couch.