© Xanguard 2006

The Bullmastiff was developed by English gamekeepers during the 19th century to help protect game preserves from poachers. These poachers sought game for food and profit. They did so with the help of a dog known as a Lurcher, a cross between a Shepherd and Greyhound. Lurchers were trained to drive game into traps set by the poacher and also to attack on command.

The gamekeeper needed a quiet, fearless dog with enough speed, strength and size to overpower the Lurcher, then catch and hold (but not maul) the poacher. At the same time, it had to possess a stable, trainable temperament so it wouldn’t attack innocent travelers on public footpaths that often ran through the preserves from one village to another. In addition, the dog would be living with the gamekeeper’s family, which made stability and good temperament very important.

Several breeds were tried and eventually a cross between the English Mastiff and the English bulldog worked best. The Mastiff possessed courage, power, and size but lacked the speed and aggressiveness needed. The Bulldog (quite different than the English Bulldog of today) was strong and tenacious, but a little too fierce and lacked size. Combining the two produced what the gamekeeper wanted and the Bullmastiff was born.

The early Bullmastiffs were bred for utility, not looks. Since their work was often done at night (hence the early nickname, "Gamekeeper’s Night-Dog") the dark brindle color was preferred for stealth. Eventually, as poaching began to disappear, the Bullmastiff came into demand as a guard dog and the light fawn color became popular. Appearance became a higher priority and breeding efforts focused on achieving a specific type that would establish the Bullmastiff as a pure bred dog. In 1924 the English Kennel Club granted that recognition.

Check out Opalguard Bullmastiffs for moreBreed specific and general dog articles.