The Oldest Regional Bullmastiff Club in the United States · Est. 1967
A community of breeders, exhibitors, owners, and enthusiasts dedicated to the Bullmastiff breed — founded in Philadelphia in 1967.
The DVBC is the oldest regional Bullmastiff club in the United States. We host specialty shows, support breed rescue, educate the public, and provide a welcoming home for everyone who loves this remarkable working breed.
Annual AKC-licensed Bullmastiff specialty shows and sanctioned matches celebrating breed excellence.
Partnering with Bullmastiff Rescuers, Inc. to support the rescue and rehoming of Bullmastiffs in need.
Resources on the breed standard, health screening, responsible breeding, and basic care.
A welcoming community of experienced breeders and new owners united by a love for the breed.
The DVBC grew out of a chance encounter near the Philadelphia Art Museum — a club founder walking their Bullmastiff puppy met Marcy Cohen, whose family owned two Bullmastiffs. From that meeting, a small circle of enthusiasts across the Delaware Valley came together with a shared idea: form a Bullmastiff support group.
Over more than fifty years, the club has hosted specialty shows, supported rescue, educated the public, and built lasting friendships around a love for this extraordinary breed.
"We got together with Al and Lillian and the idea was hatched to form a Bullmastiff support group where we could exchange information and talk dogs — that was the beginning of the DVBC."— Club Founding Member
The Delaware Valley Bullmastiff Club is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected by the membership. The Board oversees club operations, finances, events, and programs in accordance with our Standing Rules and Bylaws.
| Position | Contact |
|---|---|
| President | President@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Vice President | vice-president@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Secretary | Secretary@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Director 1 | Director1@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Director 2 | Director2@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Director 3 | Director3@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Rescue Chair | Rescue@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Membership Chair | membership@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
| Webmaster | webmaster@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com |
The Bullmastiff is powerful, loyal, and deeply affectionate — but not right for everyone. Before welcoming one into your home, it is important to understand what life with a Bullmastiff truly entails.
All DVBC member breeders are encouraged to follow AKC and ABA health testing recommendations prior to breeding. At minimum, responsible breeders should test for hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cardiac issues, and thyroid function.
When evaluating a breeder, ask about:
To inquire about DVBC member breeders in the Delaware Valley region, contact our Membership Chair at membership@delawarevalleybullmastiffclub.com.
You may also consult the ABA's national breeder referral at bullmastiff.us.
The AKC Breed Standard describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of the Bullmastiff. Judges at AKC conformation shows evaluate dogs against this standard. The complete standard is maintained by the American Bullmastiff Association.
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but active. The foundation breeding was 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The dog should be kept to a high standard of perfection as regards those points which are to be admired.
Dogs, 25 to 27 inches at the withers, and 110 to 130 pounds weight. Bitches, 24 to 26 inches at the withers, and 100 to 120 pounds weight. Other things being equal, the more substantial dog within these limits is favored.
Expression keen, alert, and intelligent. Eyes dark and of medium size. Ears V-shaped and carried close to the cheeks. Skull large, with a fair amount of wrinkle when alert. Muzzle broad and deep. The nose is black, the nostrils large. A dark muzzle is preferable.
Coat short and dense, giving good weather protection. Color red, fawn, or brindle. Fawn and red may range from a light shade to a dark shade. Brindle — fawn or red ground color with dark stripes distinctly defined. A white mark on the chest is permissible but other white markings are undesirable.
Feed a high-quality large or giant breed food appropriate for your dog's age. Measured meals 2–3 times daily help prevent bloat (GDV).
Moderate daily exercise is ideal. Avoid intense activity in heat. Avoid heavy exercise in puppies until growth plates close around 18 months.
Weekly brushing, regular wrinkle cleaning, monthly nail trims, and regular ear and dental checks keep your Bullmastiff comfortable.
Bullmastiffs are indoor dogs. A securely fenced yard is essential. They do not tolerate extreme heat. Provide an orthopedic bed to protect their joints.
Annual wellness exams and vaccinations are the minimum. Discuss bloat prevention, parasite control, and breed-specific health screening with your vet.
Begin puppy classes and socialization as early as possible. Consistent, reward-based training throughout life is essential in this powerful breed.
The DVBC strongly supports health testing and responsible breeding. We encourage all breeders to follow the health testing recommendations of the American Bullmastiff Association and the OFA.
| Test | Organization | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia Evaluation | OFA or PennHIP | Prior to breeding (age 2+) |
| Elbow Dysplasia Evaluation | OFA | Prior to breeding |
| Cardiac Evaluation | OFA — Cardiologist | Annual |
| Thyroid Evaluation | OFA | Annual |
| Degenerative Myelopathy DNA | OFA | Once |
Bloat (GDV) — A life-threatening emergency in which the stomach fills with gas and twists. Signs: unproductive retching, distended abdomen, sudden distress. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately.
Hip & Elbow Dysplasia — Malformation of hip or elbow joints, leading to arthritis and pain. Genetic component; responsible breeders screen breeding stock.
Heart Disease — Bullmastiffs can be affected by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and subaortic stenosis (SAS). Annual cardiac evaluations are recommended for breeding dogs.
Cancer — Bullmastiffs have a higher than average incidence of lymphoma and mast cell tumors. Annual wellness exams and owner vigilance are important.
Entropion / Ectropion — Eyelid conditions that may require surgical correction. Watch for excessive tearing, squinting, or eye discharge.
The Delaware Valley Bullmastiff Club grew out of a chance encounter near the Philadelphia Art Museum. A club founder, walking their Bullmastiff puppy, was approached by Marcy Cohen, daughter of Al and Lillian Cohen, who themselves owned two Bullmastiffs — Scyldocga Shere Ni and Scyldocga Shere Khan.
From that introduction, the group expanded. At the Kennel Club of Philadelphia show, they encountered Vic Michelotti and exhibitors from Maryland, Virginia, and New York. The idea was hatched: form a Bullmastiff support group where owners could exchange information and talk dogs. That was the beginning of the DVBC.
In the early years, the DVBC chose not to seek AKC recognition, preferring to remain an informal club with an emphasis on the social side. They published a small newsletter and hosted matches at Peddlers Village, with ribbons hand silk-screened by Fred Hawkins. Dog shows were deeply social — hoagie parties at the benches in Philadelphia, post-show gatherings at members' homes after the Baltimore show.
In 1984, at the AKC Centennial show at the Philadelphia Civic Center — over 8,000 dogs across two days — the DVBC played an active supporting role, contributing trophies despite a political dispute with the national club that prevented their official recognition in the catalogue.
Club member Ed Schwartz, who loved both Philadelphia and the Bullmastiff breed, commissioned sculptor Victoria Davila to create a bronze statue of the breed as a gift to the city. One of the club's members provided a fine male as the model. After navigating the Philadelphia Art Commission's approval process — one influential voice mistook the model for a pit bull — the statue was erected in a pocket park on Fairmount Avenue, between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and its Perelman Building. It stands there today.
More than fifty years after its founding, the Delaware Valley Bullmastiff Club continues to serve owners, breeders, and enthusiasts throughout the Delaware Valley region. We hold annual specialty shows, support rescue efforts, educate prospective owners, and maintain the social spirit that has defined us since that first conversation by the river. We remain the oldest regional Bullmastiff club in the United States.
The DVBC holds an AKC-licensed Bullmastiff specialty show each year, typically in the fall. The show features regular classes, Veteran classes, a Rescue parade, and special attractions. Members and non-members are welcome to exhibit. Entry fees and premium lists are distributed by Rau Dog Shows.
Our annual sanctioned match provides a relaxed, informal venue for socializing puppies, practicing ring skills, and connecting with fellow Bullmastiff owners — continuing a tradition stretching back to our earliest gatherings at Peddlers Village in the 1970s.
The DVBC holds regular member meetings throughout the year. Meeting minutes are available to members through the Member Login portal. For upcoming meeting dates, contact the Secretary.
The DVBC proudly supports Bullmastiff Rescuers, Inc. (BRI), a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Bullmastiffs in need throughout the region and beyond.
Visit bullmastiffrescuers.net →BRI works with animal shelters, Bullmastiff owners in need, and other rescue groups. Their focus is the safety of Bullmastiffs in need — including the often-overlooked senior and infirm dogs. Each dog receives complete veterinary care before placement.
Space requirements, breed experience, and veterinary expenses are all magnified for large breed dogs. Rescue also combats the stigma of "bull breeds," promoting public understanding of the Bullmastiff's true temperament — calm, devoted, and deeply loyal to family.
Membership in the DVBC is open to all who love the Bullmastiff breed. Member benefits include:
To apply or inquire about dues, contact our Membership Chair.
Members can access financials, meeting minutes, and club resources after signing in.
Whether you have questions about the breed, membership, upcoming events, or rescue, we are happy to help.