While the mastiff is arguably one of the oldest dog breeds in England, the bullmastiff - a direct descendant of the mastiff, which was crossed with a bulldog - is thought to be a breed that has been developed more recently. It is believed that the history of the bullmastiff begins around 1860, even though references have been found indicating its existence as early as 1791. However, many believe that those early dogs were never bred any further. The bullmastiff was apparently bred to protect large estates from game poachers - a problem that had grown so much as to make gamekeepers fear for their lives. The bullmastiff was bred to be a silent, patient and courageous dog, which would wait for a poacher to come within striking distance. It was trained to attack upon command, and rather than maul the intruder, the dog would simply restrain him. The crossing of the bulldog with the mastiff created a faster, larger dog - one that was able to fulfill its role. The bullmastiff was commonly referred to as the "gamekeeper's night dog," and the dark brindle coat was preferred because it made the dog nearly invisible in the pitch of night...... Find out more about this dog breed.
Bullmastiff Pictures
Bullmastiff Breeders
Bullmastiff Clubs
Bullmastiff Info
Bullmastiff Rescue
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