Most important facts
- Group
- Working
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 41–59 kg
- Lifespan
- 8–10 years
- Coat
- Short, dense
- Energy
- Moderate
- Height
- 61–69 cm
- Colours
- Fawn, red or brindle
- Shedding
- Moderate
- Est. feeding cost
- ~£66/mo
- Gear to consider
- Slow-feeder bowl, orthopaedic dog bed, wide flat-buckle collar with sturdy lead
Typical dry food, adult
About the Bullmastiff
The Bullmastiff was developed in nineteenth-century England by gamekeepers who needed a dog fast and powerful enough to catch and hold poachers without mauling them. It is generally accepted to have been created by crossing the Mastiff with the Old English Bulldog, aiming for roughly sixty percent Mastiff and forty percent Bulldog. The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1924, and it has since traded gamekeeping duties for life as a steady family guardian.
Bullmastiffs are typically calm, steady and deeply devoted to their family, often described as gentle giants around people they know. Bred to hold intruders at bay rather than attack, they keep a watchful, self-assured streak that shows as wariness of strangers, so early, consistent socialisation matters more here than with most breeds.
They can be stubborn, so training benefits from patience, consistency and food-based reward. Treats used as motivators should stay within about ten percent of daily calories to avoid undoing careful portion control. They do best with a settled routine, don't enjoy long stretches alone, and can be surprisingly sensitive despite their size.
Common health conditions
Things Bullmastiff owners commonly watch for. Guidance, not veterinary advice.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
A deep-chested breed at real risk of this life-threatening emergency. Split the meals down in size, and keep mealtimes clear of vigorous exercise.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Common in large, heavy-boned breeds. Look for BVA/KC hip and elbow scores in the parents, and keep your dog lean through the growth phase.
Skin infections and allergies (atopy)
Facial folds and a tendency towards atopic skin mean the wrinkles need regular cleaning. Ask your vet about a limited or novel-protein diet if a food sensitivity is suspected.
Brachycephalic-related breathing difficulty
A shortened muzzle can mean noisy breathing or heat intolerance in some dogs. Keep weight in a healthy range to reduce strain on the airways, especially in warm weather.
Certain cancers
Like many large breeds, Bullmastiffs carry a higher lifetime cancer risk. Book regular vet check-ups to catch changes early.
Feeding a Bullmastiff
Bullmastiffs are a large, deep-chested breed at meaningful risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat, which is a genuine emergency. Two or more smaller meals a day is the usual veterinary advice, with a slow-feeder bowl to reduce gulping and a quiet hour either side of eating. A complete diet formulated for large breeds supports controlled growth in puppyhood and steady joint development.
This is also a breed that gains weight readily once past the active puppy stage, and excess weight strains hips, elbows and a frame already carrying plenty of bone. Feed to body condition and not the bag guideline alone, keeping ribs easy to feel, and reassess portions regularly, as an adult Bullmastiff usually needs less than owners expect. Where skin issues recur, a clear, limited ingredient list can help if your vet suspects a food link.
Every dog is different — weight, age and activity all shift what a Bullmastiff needs. The turns these breed tendencies into a shortlist matched to your dog’s age, size, budget and needs.
Typical adult weight
41–59 kg
Est. daily calories
1,360–2,380 kcal
A broad guide for an average-activity adult in good body condition — not veterinary advice. Real needs vary with age, neutering, activity, health and body condition, so no two Bullmastiffs eat exactly the same. Get a personalised estimate or estimate feeding costs.
- Per day
- ~£2.17
- Per month
- ~£66
- Per year
- ~£794
A broad typical monthly budget guide, not a live price quote. Food format, calorie density, pack size and retailer pricing all change the real cost.
Find the right food for your Bullmastiff
Foods ranked to your dog
Answer a few quick questions and the Food Finder ranks foods to your Bullmastiff by score, price, life stage and fit.
Breed at a glance
- Exercise needs5/10
- Appetite7/10
- Trainability5/10
- Good with children7/10
- Shedding4/10
- Tolerates being alone3/10
The good & the worth-knowing
The good
- Devoted, gentle and protective with its own family
- Low-maintenance short coat needs only a weekly brush
- Moderate exercise needs compared with many working breeds
Worth knowing
- Short lifespan even by large-breed standards
- Strong protective instincts mean early, consistent socialisation is essential
- Size, drooling and bloat risk mean feeding and living space need real planning
Best matched accessories
All accessories →The collections that suit the breed, judged by the same independent standard.
Common owner questions
How much should I feed a Bullmastiff to avoid bloat?
The pattern vets generally recommend is two or more smaller meals across the day, fed from a slow-feeder bowl, with a quiet rest either side of any exercise. Our Food Finder can point you towards large-breed formulas suited to this.
Are Bullmastiffs prone to putting on weight?
Yes. Once past the puppy growth phase, many Bullmastiffs need fewer calories than their size suggests. Feed to body condition, keep ribs easy to feel, and adjust portions without sticking rigidly to pack guidelines.
How much exercise does a Bullmastiff need?
Around two hours a day is typical, ideally split into a couple of walks with some off-lead time somewhere secure, rather than one long strenuous session, particularly given the breed's bloat risk.
Do Bullmastiffs get on with children?
Well-socialised Bullmastiffs are typically gentle and patient with their own family's children, though their sheer size means interactions with very young children should always be supervised.