The Bullmastiff possesses the courage and ferocity of a bulldog and the strength and speed of a mastiff. It has a keen sense of smell and can efficiently track poachers, with enough stamina and strength to bring them down or subdue them. This dog immediately attacks upon receiving commands from its owner, restraining the opponent without causing harm. The American Bullmastiff has more mastiff characteristics. The head is large and square, with distinct eyebrows and a short, wide muzzle. The ears are small and V-shaped, set high with wide spacing, folding downwards, and darker in color than the body. The eyes are medium-sized, with dark or light brown color, and deep wrinkles between them. The eye sockets are dark, and the muzzle resembles wearing a black mask. The body is sturdy, with a thick and wide chest and a short, flat back. The front legs are straight and strong, with wide spacing between them, and the hind legs are muscular. The feet are hard, with rounded tips like cat's paws, and the toe pads are tough, with dark-colored claws.
The Bullmastiff comes in various colors, such as red or fawn. Only white on the chest is accepted. This dog has a strong aggressiveness, high energy and liveliness, as well as a steady, loyal, and affectionate temperament. It is popular as a family dog and is also used in the military and police fields.
1, Heart Disease
Dogs are prone to heart disease, which is often related to obesity and old age. When a dog has heart disease, it may exhibit symptoms such as easy fatigue and difficulty breathing. Heart disease in dogs can be difficult to detect, often by the time the owner realizes it, the dog is already seriously ill.
2, Infectious Diseases
Canine distemper and parvovirus are common and highly fatal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been timely vaccinated are easily susceptible to these two infectious diseases. Once infected, the dog will show symptoms such as lethargy, decreased appetite, elevated body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3, Kidney Disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease must be mentioned. The terrifying thing about kidney disease in dogs is that it often develops unnoticed. By the time the owner realizes it, more than 75% of the dog's kidney cells have been damaged. Common symptoms of kidney disease in dogs include blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4, Parasites
Intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites in dogs. When a dog is infected with intestinal parasites, the main symptoms include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gums. Heartworms are parasites that reside in the dog's heart. After infection, the dog will exhibit symptoms such as reduced vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and abdominal fluid accumulation.
5, Canine Pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, although it is often a complication of other diseases. It is commonly associated with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral infections, lung damage, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal congestion, and elevated body temperature are the main symptoms of pneumonia in dogs.
Newborn period: The newborn period is when the dog is just born and relies primarily on breastfeeding. The body cannot regulate its temperature and needs the mother's heat to keep warm. The first day has no hearing or vision, and only relies on weak touch to find the nipple. Around day 13, the eyes begin to open, and hearing develops around day 15. Teething starts around day 20. From day 21 to 28, breast milk is not enough and a transition from liquid to semi-solid food is needed. This can easily cause diarrhea and constipation, so be sure to feed lactase, probiotics, or give him goat milk powder/pet milk powder. If constipation occurs when using milk powder, feed a small amount of vegetable oil and massage the abdomen to help with bowel movements. Deworming starts at 14-28 days old.
Puppyhood: 1 month to 2 months old. The puppy's digestive system is not fully developed yet, so it needs the owner's careful care. Generally, they should be fed at least 3 times a day, taking into account the puppy's own condition and feeding smaller meals more frequently. Soak the dog food in warm water or milk powder and feed it little by little. Do not overfeed, otherwise the puppy may have poor digestion. Make sure to give the puppy drinking water and remember not to feed milk, which can cause diarrhea. You can give him a little probiotic every day to condition his intestines. During this time, puppies have weaker resistance to viruses and bacteria, so they should not be taken out and should not come into contact with cold patients to prevent the puppy from getting sick. Immunization starts at 6-7 weeks old, and ends at 3 months old. Try to bathe him after immunization is completed. Early bathing can be done with dry shampoo. The dog's teeth start to grow at 19-28 days old, and all deciduous teeth grow out at 2 months old. They have certain learning ability and can start training to go to a designated toilet area.
Adolescence: 3 months to 6 months. At this time, puppies can gradually transition from soaked dog food to dry dog food. The feeding time for puppies should be slowly adjusted and regularized. They still eat dog food and drink water. However, at this time, the puppy's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium, and the fur is gradually replaced with adult fur, which is a critical period for coat grooming and may appear awkward. In addition, puppies develop a dominant period and start trying to have their own territory, dominating their owners. Their destructive ability increases. During this time, the dog's body length and height develop rapidly and lose baby fat, so they need a moderate amount of exercise every day to maintain their growth.
Sexual Maturity: 8 months to 14 months. At this time, the dog enters sexual maturity and experiences its first heat. The first heat can easily cause hormonal imbalances and disrupt the heat cycle. Continuous estrus, anestrus, or false pregnancy can lead to low fertility and high difficulty in mating. You need to supplement nutrients that promote reproduction, such as vitamin E, organic chromium, and folic acid. Pay attention to hygiene during the heat period to prevent infection. If not for breeding, sterilization can be performed after the end of the heat period.
Teenage period: 6 months to 10 months, 6 months to 18 months. Now the dog can fully eat dry dog food, and can also be properly supplemented with some meat to enrich the nutrition, such as cooked beef and chicken. However, be careful not to feed the dog chicken or duck bones, as this can cause poor bone development. If necessary (such as poor nutrition, weak physique, picky eaters, etc.), you can appropriately feed some nutritional supplements. According to the dog's actual situation, choose to supplement vitamins, calcium, protein, or nutrition for maintaining hair. Do not be greedy and do not give a large amount of supplements all at once due to love for the dog. Care should be taken slowly and continuously. At this time, the dog's bones and muscles grow rapidly, requiring a large amount of protein and calcium. They are curious, have strong cognitive ability, and have a profound memory. This is the best period for learning.
Adult: Dogs that are 1 to 6 years old. Dogs are considered adults at 1 year old and will be fully developed by around 1 year old, with little change in size thereafter. At this stage, they can still eat dog food normally, and there are no excessive dietary taboos. However, it is still important to supplement nutrients in moderation. Do not feed chicken or duck bones, avoid salty and spicy foods, feed cooked food instead of raw food, and avoid eating animal fat. If the dog catches a cold or gets sick, take it to a veterinarian in a timely manner. Avoid making blind judgments and self-medicating unless you are a veterinarian. Take responsibility for your beloved pet.
Old Age: 8 years to 18 years old. Dogs over 8 years old are equivalent to being over 50 years old in human age, entering the "old age" period of their life. At this time, the dog's organ functions decline and old age-related diseases may occur, such as diabetes, weakened liver and kidney function, and bone and joint diseases. It is more prone to diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, hypertension, fractures, arthritis, and other diseases, so pay special attention to supplementing calcium. You can choose to eat more soy products and cartilage, or use commercial calcium supplements for dogs. Get more sunlight and exercise. Pay attention to hygiene in daily life. Believe that the time spent with your dog will be longer.
The Bullmastiff has different grooming requirements compared to other smooth-haired dogs. They rarely need to be bathed, only once or twice a year. It is worth noting that some skin diseases, such as dermatitis, allergic dermatitis, and thyroid imbalance-induced alopecia, are prevalent in this breed. If any signs of skin diseases are found, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. Avoid using highly irritating shampoos and conditioners to prevent allergic reactions. Like other breeds with drooping ears, the Bullmastiff's ears are prone to infectious diseases due to poorer air circulation, so regular cleaning is essential. Some individuals may have their ears lifted during the teething period, and if not corrected in time, they can easily become deformed. In such cases, it is recommended to seek assistance from dog breeders or consult organizations specializing in dog health. Failure to treat the condition in a timely manner can lead to serious ear problems.
Due to its susceptibility to diseases, the Bullmastiff's face should be kept clean, especially after eating, by washing it with warm water and medicated soap. The feet (especially between the toes) should be kept clean and dry as much as possible to prevent the occurrence of cysts. Occasionally, the Bullmastiff may suffer from entropion, and if any discharge or inflammation is found in the eyes, immediate veterinary attention should be sought.
For beauty pageants, the only thing to do is to trim the dog's nails and whiskers, rather than brushing the coat with a rubber brush.
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