Top 10 Bullmastiff Tips

1.  Security

Make sure your Bullmastiff is safe all the time. Never let your Bullmastiff outside alone unless he’s safely behind a fence or in a kennel run. When you take your Bullmastiff out, the safes practice is to keep him leahed. Obedience training is also useful because it teaches your Bullmastiff to respond to calls like “Stop,” or “Come,” helping to assure your Bullmastiff’s safety.

If you leave your Bullmastiff at home alone, particularly as a puppy, the safest place for him is in a crate. That way he won’t be able to knock things over or chew through electric cords.

2.  Nutritious Bullmastiff Food

There’s lots of choices out there and without guidance, it’s hard to figure out which brand is best for your bullmastiff. Ask your breeder what kind and how much food to give your dog. Don’t just give your bullmastiff table scraps or generic brands. You want a good quality food that makes his coat shine and keeps him trim and energetic.

3.  Fresh Water

You must keep close tabs on your Bullmastiff’s water supply at all times of the year. In the summer, he’ll drink more of it quicker. In the winter, it can freeze. Water can also become warm or dirty and can be spilled, so check your Bullmastiff’s water supply several times a day. Make sure your Bullmastiff can reach it, that it’s clean, and if you keep your Bullmastiff outside, put his dish in a shady spot.

Be sure to buy a weighted water dish that won’t tip. Some even have heating elements for the winter to keep the water from freezing. Thime is also a gadget you can buy that attaches to an outside faucet, allowing your Bullmastiff to lick fresh water at any time.

4.  Shelter

The best shelter you can provide is your own home. But it can be comforting to your bullmastiff to have a little space to call his/her own, whether it’s a rug, crate, or bed. It’s nice for them to have a comforting den to retreat to when they need rest or some alone time.

When your bullmastiff is outside, even for short periods, they need a house or a door to the garage or other protective shelter to provide a barrier against sun, freezing cold, wind, and storms. They don’t need a fancy dog house, just a simple two-room shelter made from plywood. The second room provides a partition to curl up behind for protection against cold, wet, and wind.

5.  Family

Be sure to make your Bullmastiff a true member of the family. When Bullmastiffs are isolated, they can become bored, depressed, and/ or destructive. They’re smart animals meant for pack living. Once you remove them from their canine family, they are part of your pack.

6.  Obedience Training

The commands a Bullmastiff learns in obedience training not only help the owner control the Bullmastiff, but also protect the Bullmastiff. There is no more important command for him to learn than Come. When it’s 100% reliable it can be the one thing that saves your Bullmastiffs' life when he’s running straight into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

7.  Regular Exercise & Mental Stimulation

Bullmastiffs can’t properly exercise on their own. If you don’t take your Bullmastiff out of the house or backyard, they will not get the mental and physical stimulation they need. Take him out for a walk around the neighborhood (on a leash, of course). Throwing a ball or Frisbee around in a safe, off-leash environment will be a great delight to your Bullmastiff and help form a bond between you.

Most Bullmastiffs don’t have to work to earn their keep nowadays. The modern Bullmastiff typically has one purpose: companionship. To be a good companion, they need to keep their minds sharp. Toys are good. You can also play games with your Bullmastiff like “Find the Hidden Treat” which teaches Bullmastiffs to use their noses. Organized events and classes are also a good way to provide mental stimulations, whether it’s in tracking, agility, earth digs or field trials.

8.  Weight Management

Bullmastiffs can’t diet themselves. You’re the one who feeds them, so you have to do it. So when you think you’re only feeding your Bullmastiff a cup of food twice a day but he’s still getting fat, count how many times you’re giving him a treat or feeding him table scraps.

Try breaking the treats in half. Your Bullmastiff won’t know the difference. Try giving him a fresh carrot. Some Bullmastiffs even like ice cubes. Unbuttered popcorn also makes a good low-fat treat. Be sure to also increase his exercise. And, if necessary, switch to a food with less calories or cut back on the amount you give your Bullmastiff.

9.  Grooming

All Bullmastiffs need the basics: nail trimming, ear cleaning, baths, and brushing.

10. Vet Care

Regular physical examinations and inoculations must be given to your Bullmastiff. They need to visit the vet at least once a year for check-ups, vaccinations and to be tested for heartworm.

As your Bullmastiff ages, he’ll need to visit the vet twice a year and it would also be a good idea to regularly examine him for bumps, lumps and sores.

These days, owners are advised to brush their Bullmastiff’s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste (not meant for humans) at least once a week and have them cleaned professionally when needed. This helps prevent tooth and gum problems as well as infections, abscesses and heart disease.