Guardian dog Large size 45-59 kg

Bullmastiff

A calm, devoted guardian that is gentle with its family - but the size, drool and short lifespan with heavy joint and heart risks are real commitments.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
45-59 kg, 61-69 cm tall
Low
Activity
Moderate walks; not a high-endurance dog
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Fairly independent but bonds with family
Moderate
Trainability
Willing but strong-willed; train early
Very low
Coat care
Short coat; minimal upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Gentle with family; supervise due to size
Moderate
Other pets
Guarding instinct; socialize early
Heavy
Health burden
Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, heart, short lifespan

The Bullmastiff typically weighs 45-59 kg, stands 61-69 cm, and lives 8-10 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a calm, quiet guardian rather than an athlete,
you have a house and can physically handle a 50+ kg dog,
you can commit to firm, early training and socialization,
moderate daily walks fit your lifestyle better than dog sport.

Do not consider this breed if…

this would be your first dog or your first large guardian breed,
drool, snoring, and gas in the living room are dealbreakers,
you want a jogging or hiking partner - heat and joints say no,
an 8-10 year lifespan with heavy vet bills at the end is too much.

A typical day with a Bullmastiff

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    30-40 min calm walk before the day heats up
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Sleeps; occasionally patrols the windows
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk or yard time; avoid midday heat
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training, 10-15 minutes of obedience and manners
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second walk at an easy pace; calm exposure to people
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Sleeps near the family - and hears everything

Temperament and training

Trainability Moderate
Guarding tendency Very high
Independence High
Energy at home Low
Sensitivity Moderate
Prey drive Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Skipping socialization because the puppy seems calm and friendly · Waiting on training until the dog outweighs a teenager · Exercising hard in heat or right after meals - bloat and overheating risks

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle with its own kids; sheer size demands supervision with small ones.
Dogs Conditional
Same-sex aggression occurs; introduce carefully.
Cats Conditional
Usually fine when raised together; strange cats may be chased.
Apartment Conditional
Calm enough indoors, but stairs, size, and drool are daily realities.
House with a yard Ideal
Its historic job: quietly watching its territory.
City Conditional
Constant strangers mean constant guardian management.
Countryside Suitable
Space and a clear home turf suit it well.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Heavy

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Common large-breed joint concern
Elbow Dysplasia Can cause lameness; screen breeders
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested; know the warning signs
Dilated Cardiomyopathy Heart condition; monitor with age

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Bigger, even calmer relative
Mastiff
A calm, enormous homebody guardian: modest exercise needs, immodest food bills, and one of the shortest lifespans in dogdom.
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More athletic, sharper guardian
Cane Corso
A serious guardian mastiff for experienced owners with space and structure - not a first dog, not an apartment dog.
View profile →
Similar build and family devotion
Dogue de Bordeaux
A massive, affectionate French mastiff and devoted family guardian - but heavy health burdens, serious drool, and one of the shortest lifespans in dogdom come with the package.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Bullmastiff cost?
Expect roughly $1,500-$3,000 from a health-testing US breeder. The bigger number is what follows: giant-breed food bills, and a heavy health load - hip or elbow surgery can run $3,000-$7,000 per joint, and bloat surgery similar. Compressed into an 8-10 year life, lifetime costs commonly exceed $25,000; insurance from puppyhood is one of the better arguments in the dog world.
Is a Bullmastiff a good family dog?
For the right family, genuinely yes - it is calm, quiet, and gentle with its own household, including kids. The conditions: someone must be able to physically control it, training must start young, and visiting children and guests need managing, because guarding its family is what the breed was made for.
How much exercise does a Bullmastiff need?
Less than most large breeds: two moderate walks a day, roughly an hour total, plus short training sessions. More important than quantity is caution - avoid heat, avoid hard exercise around mealtimes because of bloat risk, and go easy on joints during the long puppy growth phase.
Why do Bullmastiffs have such a short lifespan?
It is the giant-breed trade-off: mass strains the heart and joints, and cancers and bloat hit large breeds harder and earlier. Typical lifespan is 8-10 years. Keeping the dog lean, screening the breeder's lines for hips, elbows, and heart, and knowing bloat symptoms cold are the levers you actually control.