The nature of the Bullmastiff has been determined by the type of work to which the breed was originally intended. The game keepers of England needed an agile, strong, and obedient dog that could make decisions when working on its own. England's early 20th century laws were so harsh that poachers would go to extreme lengths to escape. For his own safety, the newly developed Game keeper's Night Dog was not only an asset to the keeper, but a necessity.
The original game keepers ' dogs were more aggressive than is either necessary or acceptable in today 's Bullmastiff. The early Bullmastiffs lived with their masters in isolated forest lands. Today, such rural and solitary lifestyles are rare for man and dog. The modern Bullmastiff can be an excellent guard dog and still be able to live peacefully in today's more crowded society.
The most important thing to remember about the Bullmastiff temperament is that the dog was bred to be a GUARD dog. This dog could catch a desperate man, down him, and hold him. The Bullmastiff is different from most guard breeds because it has an independent mind. Those who say dogs lack the ability to reason haven't lived with a Bullmastiff. Combine a sense of possessiveness with this independent mind, and add the agility, intelligence, and power of a dog the size called for in the breed's standard, and what one arrives at is a very impressive animal.
The Bullmastiff can be very gentle or a total clown, if he feels that the situation warrants it. Bullmastiffs can be seen curled up napping with small children, or viewing television with them. They are also often found laying upside down, with all four feet in the air.
Each Bullmastiff has a personality of its own. Dogs can range from too aggressive to too passive. In discussing the breed here, we are discussing the Bullmastiff with the proper personality desired for this breed.
The true Bullmastiff personality should exhibit dignity, alertness, agility, intelligence, stability, and loyalty.
The Bullmastiff was originally bred to work as a partner to one man; living their day to day lives depending on each other for companionship and protection. There had to be mutual respect for this to be a workable situation. The modern dog with the proper temperament presents this attitude of knowing he is capable of caring for himself and his loved ones without being overtly aggressive until the situation demands it. He quietly surveys his area of responsibility using his great strength only when it is necessary.
An alert dog is not necessarily one who spends all his time running about to check every inch of his property. A Bullmastiff should be in firm condition and exercised properly. But, a dog can be alert to what is happening around him without wearing ruts into the ground. A Bullmastiff generally chooses a favourite spot in the house or yard that will afford the best overall view of the territory. The dog may appear to be at ease, while still being aware of the slightest changes that occur.
While the Bullmastiff need not be raised in a rural setting, agility should be a natural attribute of this breed. These dogs were bred to sneak up on a man through trees and brush, and tall grasses without giving away their presence. When close enough to the quarry, they would take several leaps and have their man on the ground. In order to do this, a dog must have excellent muscle tone and agility. There is nothing wrong with a Bullmastiff taking time to relax, but the dog should never seem dull. The Bullmastiff at rest should be able to come fully active in a matter of seconds. A lethargic Bullmastiff may be an inoffensive, and even an attractive decoration for the house rug, but the dog is worthless for the purpose for which the breed was developed and perpetuated. It is a family guard dog. A Bullmastiff of proper temperament should be a well behaved family member and an agile guard .
The Bullmastiff is an intelligent dog. He has the real talent for distinguishing who belongs on his property and who are intruders. When a person is welcomed at the door, the dog adopts the owner's attitude toward that person. If someone were to climb over the fence or break into the property, the greeting would be sudden and unfriendly.
The Bullmastiff is adaptable to obedience training, which is almost a must for a large and powerful dog in the average family. The prime factor in the training is consistency. From the first minute one acquires a Bullmastiff puppy basic behaviour guidelines must be set and adhered to. Puppies should not be spoiled because they will persist in encouraged bad habits into adulthood. If a certain behaviour in unacceptable, it should be discouraged from the start.
In demonstrating their intelligence to get what they want, Bullmastiffs, especially puppies run the entire gamut of emotional responses; from mock terror, disbelief, wounded-to-the-heart, disdain, didn't-hear-a-word-you-said, cajoling with sweetness, and a few varied and sundry ploys known only to that individual dog. Correcting a puppy for breaking will usually meet with one of the above responses. Do not give in, for it then takes ten time the effort to convince this strong minded dog that things should go as the owner chooses. Bullmastiffs are the worlds greatest con-artists; that is the behaviour of an intelligent animal!
Consistent, firm, kind training brings out the intelligent nature of the dog. They may seem stubborn to some people, and hard to handle, but the breed is a long way from being stupid.
Temperament stability is a must in a dog of this size and capability. When choosing a puppy, it is best to avoid the shy puppy, or the overly aggressive one. Those traits may be cute in a puppy, but they are undesirable in an adult. A dog with the size and power of the Bullmastiff must be tractable.
Loyalty is basic in the Bullmastiff character. A dog of this breed takes its whole family to heart and gives of itself every moment. The Bullmastiff will love and protect its own family at any cost to itself. Although the Bullmastiff is a marvellous breed, it is not the breed for everyone. People who cannot or will not take the time to properly control and train a large, powerful animal, should not own a Bull mastiff. Due to the dog's intelligence, and independence of mind, size, and the strength to back up its wishes, the Bullmastiff should not be owned by those who are not willing to, or are afraid to, enforce rules of proper behaviour. A person or family who is willing to offer a Bullmastiff love and discipline will find the dog will become one of the greatest pleasure in the owner's lifetime
