Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 8 and 10 years.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
His general health is rather robust. His large size and his greediness nevertheless require regular monitoring in order to preserve his joints and avoid being overweight.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Particular attention must be paid to the joints, weight, eyes and the risk of stomach dilatation.
Hip dysplasia: As with most large dogs, this joint disorder is a risk to watch for.
Eye problems: The eyes should be checked and cleaned regularly with saline solution.
Overweight: His greediness requires carefully monitoring his ration and weight.
Stomach dilation: The daily ration should be divided into two meals to reduce this digestive risk.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its short, harsh coat offers it protection against bad weather. Its tolerance to cold is average and its tolerance to heat more limited, which requires moderating activity when temperatures are high.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Very greedy, the Bullmastiff can gain weight if its ration is not controlled. A measured diet and moderate daily activity help it maintain an appropriate weight without overloading its joints.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips checked regularly by a veterinarian.
- Clean the eyes regularly with saline solution.
- Maintain moderate activity to preserve the joints.
- Monitor the ration to avoid overweight.
Vaccination
Bullmastiff vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Bullmastiff need? Like all dogs, Bullmastiffs should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Bullmastiff vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Bullmastiff booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Bullmastiff need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Bullmastiff
Regular veterinary monitoring should focus in particular on the hips, weight and eyes. The eyes should be examined and cleaned regularly with saline solution.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
