Basic Care Of The Bullmastiff

PUPPY- Bullmastiffs are puppies for at least the first year of their lives, and in many breeder lines an additional year as well. Growth plates on male bullmastiffs generally close between 18 months of age and 36 months. Female growth plates close between 12 months and 24 months.

• Food- An unbalanced diet in a large breed puppy can lead to serious health complications when the dog is older. Hip and elbow dysplasia, osteodystrophy, rickets, hyperparathyroidism, osteochondrisis, panosteitis, and wobblers have been linked to nutritional imbalances.

Follow your breeder’s guidance in choosing a raw, kibble, or combination diet for your puppy. Be aware of ongoing research and investigations regarding Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy and grain free diets or those high in peas, lentils, legume seeds, and/or potatoes. Talk to your breeder about the use of large breed puppy formulas and why they do or do not recommend them.

Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are an important part of a growing, giant breed puppy’s diet. The recommended range for dietary calcium is .8% to 1.2% in kibble. Excess calcium adversely affects growth and skeletal formation and is associated with developmental orthopedic diseases.

Dietary calcium and phosphorus are considered together and should be provided in a ratio of 1.1:1 to 2:1 to maintain an appropriate hormonal balance. Deficiency in phosphorus, while rare, may occur when there is excess calcium, resulting in widening of the growth plates and rickets.

Daily recommended calories for puppies are 3,200 to 4,100 kcal/kg. Feeding amounts should be reassessed every two to three weeks. Transition to adult formula should be guided by your breeder. 

• Shelter- Provide your puppy with a safe place in the house to call its own. Generally, bullmastiffs enjoy their crate space and time. Crate pads, toys, etc., are earned as they mature and learn to manage puppy chewing tendencies.

• Health- Puppies should see their new veterinarian within a week of their arrival. Veterinarians will want to see the pup’s vaccination record. Do not be surprised if your doctor wants to repeat the vaccination protocol that was done by your breeder. Have an honest conversation with your doctor and your breeder and find the best plan for continued vaccination. Many bullmastiff breeders follow Dr. Jean Dodds’ vaccination protocol, and many follow traditional vaccination protocols. You, your breeder, and veterinarian will determine the best course for your puppy.

• Condition- Puppies require very little in terms of exercise, and should actually be limited from jumping on furniture, up and down stairs, in and out of vehicles, etc., until those growth plates are pretty solid. Bathe your puppy only as necessary with an emollient free canine shampoo. Once a shampoo bottle has been opened, bacteria can begin to grow in the shampoo. Discard unused shampoo after six months. To prevent some skin infections, bathe your puppy and adult dog with a flat hand. Do not work the shampoo into the hair follicles as this may introduce bacteria into the skin.
 

When your puppy begins teething you may find that their ears are beginning to “fly.” This is a cosmetic condition and it’s the owners choice whether to correct the ears or allow them to be as is. If you’d like to correct the ears, this can be done via taping, a harmless process that can take a couple of months and usually corrects the ear set. There are videos available on the internet and your breeder will have a recommended method to tape the ears.

ADULT- Adulthood is a time for cuddles, calmness, and easy times with your bullmastiff.

• Food- Continue to monitor food to make sure your bullmastiff maintains a healthy weight. An overweight dog has a shorter life span, and greater risks for degenerative diseases. Additionally, all that extra food comes out on the other end and out of your pocketbook. Why manage large poops, if smaller ones are available?

• Shelter- Full grown bullmastiffs love soft, comfortable places to stretch out or conversely, curl up. You may find that orthopedic beds and Kuranda type beds are your bullmastiff’s preferred spots. 

• Health- Check with your breeder about chondroitin, glucosamine, and other supplements. Maintain annual checkups with your veterinarian, including teeth. There is a growing movement to reduce vaccinations on adult dogs and replace with annual titre tests. Once your dog’s growth plates have closed talk with your breeder about possible spay or neuter. There is a growing population of veterinarians performing ovary sparing spays and vasectomies as an option to traditional spay and neuter. Talk with your breeder about the probability of cancer in their line and learn what to watch for as your dog ages.

• Condition- As your dog slows down in their day to day activity, watch for obesity. You may find that your dog is developing calluses on their elbows, hocks, and sides of their feet. Calluses help protect protruding bones from the pressure of lying on the hard ground and some bullmastiffs prefer the hard ground over those nice, comfy beds and sofas. These calluses can be treated with ointments or other topical creams and oils, whirlpool baths, epsom soaks, or even PEMF (pulse electromagnetic field) therapy. Again, communicate with your breeder and veterinarian for the best plans of treatment.