Raising dogs, in particular taking care of the bullmastiff, is a specialty of humans across the world. Some experts have proven dogs were domesticated between 12,000 and twenty five thousand years ago—and that all dogs evolved from wolves. Since then, human beings have selectively bred more than 400 different breeds, which range in size from 4-pound teacup poodles all the way up to Irish wolfhounds, who have earned the distinction of tallest canine. However, the most widespread pooches are non-pedigree dogs—the one-of-a-kind dogs known as mixed-breeds. The bullmastiff is another favorite pick among canine owners. Many owners are unaware, however, of many common bullmastiff care tips.
General cost of care for your bullmastiff
The yearly cost of taking care of your bullmastiff—including meals and treats, veterinary care, toys and license—can vary between $420 and $780. This is not even considering capital expenses for sterilization operations, collar and leash, a dog carrier and a crate. Note: Be positive you have obtained all your items before you bring your bullmastiff home.
Basic bullmastiff Care
bullmastiff Feeding Routine
- bullmastiff puppies between 8 and 12 weeks old need 4 bowls of food each day.
- Feed bullmastiff puppies three to 6 months old three meals in a 24 hour period.
- Feed pups six months old to one year 2 meals in a 24 hour period.
- By the time the bullmastiff hits his or her first birthday, 1 meal in a 24 hour period is all that’s necessary.
- Many times bullmastiffs, however, prefer 2 lighter servings. It’s your responsibility to adapt to your bullmastiff’s eating schedule.
Premium-quality dry food provides balanced nutrition for adult bullmastiffs and may be mixed with water, canned food, or broth. Your bullmastiff may dig cooked eggs, cottage cheese, and fruits and vegetables, but these dishes should be less than ten pct of her daily food. bullmastiff puppies must be fed top-quality, name brand puppy food. Please try to cut down on “people food”, though, since it can cause mineral and vitamin imbalances, tooth and bone issues, and might cause extremely finicky eating habits and obesity. Clean, fresh water should be made only, and be certain to clean food and water dishes daily.
bullmastiff Care Tips: Make sure to get your bullmastiff some daily physical activity
bullmastiffs need physical activity in order to stay fit, stimulate their brains, and maintain their health. Exercise also really helps bullmastiffs fight boredom, which has the potential to lead to destructive behavior. Getting out and about would curb most of your bullmastiff’s instinctual urges to chew, dig, chase, retrieve and herd. Activity needs are dependent on your bullmastiff’s level of health and her age—but merely a walk around the block every day and ten minutes outside probably will not do. If your bullmastiff is a six to 18 month adolescent, her requirements will probably be relatively more.
bullmastiff Grooming
You can help keep your bullmastiff clean and reduce shedding with regular brushing. Check for fleas and ticks daily during the summer or other warm weather. Many bullmastiffs don’t need a bath more than a few times per year. Prior to a bath, comb or cut out all mats from the bullmastiff’s coat. Carefully rinse all soap from the coat, or dirt will stick to the soap.
Handling Your bullmastiff
Pups are obviously easier to handle. While carrying your bullmastiff puppy, take one hand and place it under the dog’s chest, either with your forearm or other hand supporting the hind legs and rump. Never attempt to lift or grab your pup by his or her front legs, tail or back of the neck. When you must lift a bigger, adult bullmastiff, pick it up from the underside, holding her chest with one arm and rear end with the other arm.
How to House the bullmastiff
Your bullmastiff needs a warm quiet location in order to relax away from all drafts and away from the ground or floor. You may wish to think about purchasing a dog bed, or prefer making one out of a wood box. Place a clean sheet or pillow inside the bed for cushioning. Wash the bullmastiff’s bed covering often. If the bullmastiff will be outdoors much, be sure she has access to shade and plenty of cool water in hot weather, and a dry, covered, warm area when it’s cold.
bullmastiff Licensing
Your area has licensing rules to follow. You should attach the license to the bullmastiff’s collar. The license, together with an identification tag, may help you recover your bullmastiff if she happens to go missing.
Info on bullmastiff Temperament
Thoughts on Training Your bullmastiff
Well-mannered, companion bullmastiffs can truly be a pleasure to raise. However, left untrained, your bullmastiff can be a lot of trouble. Training your bullmastiff on the minimums—”Heel”, “Off”, “Sit”, “Stay”, “Come”, “Down”, and “Leave it”—improves the relationship with both your pooch as well as the relatives. If you’re the owner of a pup, start training her on the right behavior ASAP! Use little bits of food as recognition and incentive. Pups should begin obedience class when they are adequately vaccinated. Call the local SPCA or humane society for information about training schools. Invariably you should keep your bullmastiff on a leash while in public, even while a puppy. Be certain your dog will come back to you whenever you call him. An aggressive or disobedient bullmastiff should not play with other people.
bullmastiff Health
bullmastiffs should see the veterinarian for a full examination, vaccinations and heartworm exam every year, and immediately if he is ill or injured.
Knowing Your bullmastiff’s Oral Health
Although we may simply dislike our bullmastiff’s bad breath, it’s important to be aware of what it may be a sign of. Halitosis is usually an indication that your bullmastiff should have an oral examination. Plaque due to bacteria brings a bad smell that can only be eliminated by treatment by a professional. After you give your bullmastiff a cleaning done by a professional, the teeth and gums may be kept up by feeding a special diet focused on dental health, eliminating table food, and regular brushing. The veterinarian can give you additional advice on eliminating dental disease and halitosis. You can use a baking soda and water paste or a dog toothpaste once or twice per week to brush your bullmastiff’s teeth. You can brush them with a sterile gauze pad, a piece of nylon pantyhose stretched across your finger, or a child’s soft toothbrush. Sometimes bullmastiffs get periodontal disease, sometimes called gum disease. This troublesome condition can sometimes lead to loss of teeth as well as spread disease throughout her body. The veterinarian will clean the bullmastiff’s teeth in the typical health exam.
Bad Breath in bullmastiffs
If your bullmastiff has smelly breath, periodontal disease may just be the tip of the iceberg as far as his health issues. A sweet, fruity smell may sometimes be indicative of diabetes, while intestinal or liver diseases may cause foul breath. Kidney disease is a possible reason if your bullmastiff’s breath smells of ammonia or urine. Set an appointment with a veterinarian whenever your bullmastiff has halitosis along with other signs of disease like excessive urinating or drinking, depression or lethargy, weight loss, nausea, or decreased appetite.
Fleas and Ticks in bullmastiffs
Throughout the summer, it’s important for you to perform daily, regular inspections of your bullmastiff for fleas and ticks. Use a flea comb to remove fleas. There are several new methods of tick and flea reduction. Consult your veterinarian about her options.
Heartworm problems in bullmastiffs
Your bullmastiff is at risk of heartworms if she is exposed to mosquitoes often. The insect carries the worm from dog to dog. Heartworm infestations can be potentially deadly. It is very important that you make sure your bullmastiff takes a blood screening for this parasite each year in the spring. A once-a-month tablet given throughout the warm, wet time of the year can help to protect your bullmastiff. Should you travel in warmer regions with your bullmastiff during the winter, he should be on the preventive medicine during the trip. There are some locations, usually the locations with hotter climates, where the vets advise worm medication be consumed all throughout the year.
Toxins and Medicines
Do not ever give your bullmastiff medication that has not been prescribed by a vet. One little ibuprofen tablet is known to create stomach ulcers in bullmastiffs. Keep rat poison and other rodenticides away from your bullmastiff. When you believe your doggie has eaten a toxin, notify your doctor or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for twenty-four-hour animal poison assistance.
bullmastiffs: Neutering and Spaying
It is recommended that female bullmastiffs be spayed—the extraction of the ovaries and uterus—and males neutered—extraction of the testicles—by six months old. You will greatly diminish your female bullmastiff’s breast cancer risk by spaying before maturity. Spaying also eradicates the risk of a sick uterus, a very serious problem in older females that requires surgery and intensive medical care. Neutering males eliminates the risk of testicular and prostate diseases, certain types of aggressions and some hernias.
Shots for your bullmastiff
- The combo vaccine (also known as a “5-in-1 shot”) must be given to your bullmastiff at two, three, and four months old and again once every year. This shot immunizes your puppy from distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. The bullmastiff must be innoculated for at least the first four months of her life.
- If you have the rare bullmastiff who has not been innoculated and is older than four or five months, she must have a set of 2 innoculations given two to 3 weeks apart, followed by an annual vaccination.
- bullmastiff puppy innoculation and socialization should coincide. You can take your bullmastiff pup to socialization classes by eight to nine weeks of age, according to most veterinarians. At this age, they should have received at least their first immunizations.
Statutes are so varied around the country, the best thing is to contact your local vet about rabies vaccination info. For example, in NYC, the regulation states that all pets older than 3 months must be vaccinated for rabies. After the initial immunization, she must have a second shot the following year, and then every 3 years after that. There are many innoculations, many of which are appropriate for your bullmastiff. There are others that are not, however. Your vet can tell youmore about them. By the way, if your bullmastiff happens to get sick because she is not properly immunized, the shots should be taken once your dog is back to health.
Hookworms in bullmastiffs
bullmastiffs are often exposed to worms and possible infestation—in all areas, both rural and urban. Microscopic eggs made by roundworms are transmitted through an infested dog’s feces. Even the healthiest of bullmastiff puppies carry roundworms or hookworms. An accurate, early detection is the secret to effective treatment. Early, accurate diagnosis maximizes the possibility that prescribed medicine will be successful against your bullmastiff’s worms. A dewormer that eradicates hookworms, for example, won’t kill tapeworms. Your doctor can best determine the culprit—and decide the most effective medicine.
bullmastiff: Miscellaneous Care Tips
bullmastiff Supply Checklist
- Excellent-quality dog food and treats designed for bullmastiffs and similarly-sized dogs
- Food dish
- Water bowl
- Toys, toys and more toys, including safe chew toys
- Comb & brush for grooming, including a flea comb
- Collar with ID tag and license
- Quality leash
- Dog carrier (for pups)
- Crate for training
- Dog box or bed with sheet or towel
- Doggie or child’s toothbrush
Warnings to be Heeded
The following items should never be fed to bullmastiffs:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Chocoloate or any food with caffeine
- Raisins & grapes
- Moldy or spoiled food
- Onions, chives or garlic
- Chicken, turkey, or any other poultry bones
- Salt & salty foods
- Tomato leaves, stems or unripe fruit
- Yeast dough
Final Thoughts
Keep your bullmastiff on a leash when you are outdoors, unless you are in a fenced-in, secured location. If your bullmastiff does number 2 on your neighbor’s grass, his sidewalk or any other public space, please dispose of it! Don’t forget to check out these other articles about bullmastiffs
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