Why Do You Tape Bullmastiff Ears?
Why Do You Tape Bullmastiff Ears?
Breeder-judge Helene Nietsch of Banstock Bullmastiffs in Newtown, Connecticut, considers an ear’s correctness to be of the utmost importance. “Some puppies require ear taping, while others do not.” It definitely accentuates the squareness of a Bullmastiff’s head.
The ear taping is done when the pups are very young, and they don’t seem to notice. “Bullmastiffs can be shown without taping, but the standard calls for ear leathers that cover the entire ear, with tape coming in contact with the ears (only on puppies).
This is mandatory for all bullmastiff classes, except for puppies under 6 months of age.” It entails the ear being supported by a bandage in such a way that the ear hole is completely covered with leather.
How Long Do Bullmastiffs Live?
The lifespan of a bullmastiff is reportedly 8 to 10 years. This normally depends on a variety of factors, including diet, lifestyle and genetic predisposition. Unfortunately, life expectancy is not always guaranteed.
According to the Bullmastiff Health and Research Foundation (BHRF), there are several causes of death associated with this breed: “It has been said that the Bullmastiff dies at 6 from old age or at 16 from cancer.
This is a myth not supported by veterinary statistics. Today’s veterinary medicine cannot offer any dog breed a lifespan that long.
How Much Does A Bullmastiff Weigh?
Male bullmastiffs weigh between 110 and 130 pounds on average (50 to 59 kilograms). Females range in weight between 100 to 120 pounds (45 and 54 kilograms). Bullmastiff weight is characterize by strong muscles and the ability to push as well as pull heavy loads.
They can carry heavy loads without showing outward signs of struggle or fatigue. Bullmastiff weight can vary depending on the sex, age and diet of the dog. When properly fed and cared for, this breed tends to be a healthy weight.
How Much Does A Bullmastiff Cost?
Bullmastiffs are some of the most expensive breeds in the world. In Canada, the average Bullmastiff will cost almost $9,000. In the United States and UK, this figure can be hundreds of thousands. Prices can vary greatly depending on location and quality.
As a rule of thumb, however, it would be safe to assume that a puppy with proven lineage would cost more than a puppy without it. On average though, they can be $1,000 to $2,000 USD.
If you are looking for a puppy from top show lines, it can be considerably higher. Nevertheless, it is not uncommon for purebred Bullmastiff puppies from high-quality parents to sell for around $3,000.
What Does A Bullmastiff Look Like?
The Bullmastiff has a short, dense coarse coat. It may be smooth, broken or rough-coated. The Bullmastiff is a large breed dog that may weigh up to 110 pounds and stand at 28 inches in height.
It has an athletic build and muscular body. The head is well proportioned with a broad skull and moderately developed cheek muscles that develop from the cheek to the outside corners of the eyes. The forehead is slightly rounded when viewed from above.
The muzzle is moderately developed and tapers from the tip of the nose to the chin. The Bullmastiff’s eyes are medium sized, and set in a well-defined triangular shape with or without haw. The eyes are typically brown or dark brown, sometimes blue-grey when dogs have been crossbred with other dog breeds.
Homozygous for white coloured eye pigmentation is common in this breed, due to genetic drift. Black and blue bullmastiffs are also possible as a result of genetic drift. It is recommended that breeders of the Bullmastiff avoid breeding two dogs that are closely related to each other, as this can result in several problems such as white-eye puppies, deafness and other defects in the offspring.
The ears of the Bullmastiff are long, thick and well cushioned. They should fall forward on the face with the tip even with or slightly below eye level. The bullmastiff’s neck is strong and muscular, slightly arched and muscular with loose skin at its throat.
The Bullmastiff’s chest is deep, and need only be proportional to the rest of the body due to its large and muscular physique. The front legs are short, straight and strong with a straight stifle and hocks.
The hind legs are perfectly proportionate to the rest of the body, strong and muscular with short, strong thighs and well sprung stifles. The hips are broad with little or no angulation.
The tail is long, low set, thick at the base, and carried low with a curve from root to tip. The hips may have a slight angulation. The Bullmastiff’s feet have well-arched toes.
Are Bullmastiffs Suitable Family Pets?
Bullmastiffs are friendly and compassionate with their families. Their generally quiet and easygoing natures make them suitable family pets for children who are moderately well-behaved.
It is not recommended that Bullmastiffs be kept with dogs smaller than them as they can be territorial and protective.
The Bullmastiff shares many common characteristics with other dog breeds. For example, this breed is known to have a soft mouth, tail, calm disposition and command of their prey.
Bullmastiffs are a gentle giant. They are very affectionate toward their families and humans. They require frequent walks, but may make good apartment pets because of their quiet nature and ability to fit easily in small spaces.
They are not suitable for apartment living due to their propensity to destroy things, bark and get into mischief.
Bullmastiffs are sensitive dogs that can be easily hurt, so it is advised that owners of this breed learn how to prevent and heal minor injuries.
They are very territorial and do not like being separated from the family for long periods of time. Bullmastiffs can be difficult to train if you plan on aggressive training methods or punishment.
They are a large breed that requires regular grooming and brushing. While they do shed a lot, they are still considered hypoallergenic because they do not shed much dander. The Bullmastiff is a very smart and trainable breed, but may be stubborn at times.
What Were Bullmastiffs Bred For?
In the 1860s, the Bullmastiff was developed in England by crossing a Mastiff with a Bulldog. The objective was to develop a guard dog that would protect affluent properties from poachers attempting to steal game, such as deer.
This dog would work in conjunction with the English Terrier, a breed that was bred to hunt vermin and bring down wounded game. The Bullmastiff was chosen for guard duty because of its tremendous strength and its ability to keep intruders out.
In earlier centuries, the Bulldog was used to guard livestock, track down thieves and attack poachers. Bulldogs were also used by soldiers during their war campaigns because of their tremendous strength and decisiveness. The Bullmastiff inherited these traits from his own parent: the Mastiff.
Breeding the Bullmastiff with a Mastiff resulted in an extremely powerful, large and aggressive dog. It was well suited for protection, but highly unsuitable for companionship due to its tendency to be bold and aggressive.
The Bullmastiff was originally used as a hunting companion. The Bullmastiff could bring game down with its superior strength and then track it down. The Bullmastiff would track the game down at great distances away from the house, often making multiple attempts to catch the prey without success.
The Bullmastiff would then bring the game back to the house, sometimes still carrying it in its mouth. To reward the dog for this work, the Bullmastiff was rewarded with a prize of chicken or other small game. The Bullmastiff would then kill the game and return it to its owners with pride.
The Bullmastiff was also bred for sport, often competing with other dogs in dog shows. Bullmastiffs were among the many breeds that competed in dog shows during the Victorian era.
The Bullmastiff breed was becoming so popular that in 1891, a group of Bullmastiff enthusiasts (one Mr. J.B. Andrew) decided to create a club for this breed. The club was called the British Bullmastiff Club, and its objective to popularize and promote the breeding of this dog breed in England.
By the early 1900s, the Bullmastiff was becoming very popular as a family pet and companion. The breed’s appearance was changing from that of a vicious guard dog to one that was more approachable. The Bullmastiff’s friendly, unaggressive nature had made it a popular choice as family pet and household companion.
Bullmastiffs have a reputation for being stubborn dogs. Some owners of this breed have reported that they can be hard to train, or even impossible to train in certain situations.
When Bullmastiffs are mistreated, they tend to get very aggressive or even violent. It is best to never mistreat a Bullmastiff, as it can have dire results for the dog and its owner.
Bullmastiffs are very protective of their families and their property. They are not suitable for households with small dogs, cats or any other pets because of their tendency to become territorial and defensive when they sense danger. Bullmastiff puppies can be aggressive if not trained properly at a young age.
Bullmastiffs are generally healthy dogs. However, they may have problems with hip dysplasia, bloat and achondroplasia. They can also become prone to ear infections and skin conditions, as these are common in Bullmastiff breeds.