Is Bullmastiff's a good dog breed to have with children?

Question

My husband and I are planning on purchasing a Bullmastiff. We have 3 children, ages 3,4 & 13. We did a little research and what we read about this breed seems to be what we want in a dog. We had to give a Rottweiler to a rescue because of aggressive behavior towards us and the kids. I ordered him from a breeder from out of state and it was a big mistake. It was our second pup from him, the first pup died from parvo and this one was very aggressive. A lot of people tell us to get a Lab or Golden Retriever, but my husband has his heart set on a Bullmastiff. The information on them seems that they are a good dog with children, but then other people think we're crazy for wanting this kind of dog. I know any dog you really have to watch with children, but I was wondering if anyone has had any experience with aggression with these type of dogs?

Answer 1

The Bullmastiff is a devoted, alert guard dog, with a good-natured temperament, though he tends to be willful. Docile unless provoked, he is fearless and protective, yet affectionate. Although unlikely to attack, it will catch an intruder, knock him down and hold him. At the same time, it is tolerant of children. Intelligent, even-tempered, calm and loyal. These dogs crave human attention. The Bullmastiff is an extremely powerful dog and needs a firm master. They should be thoroughly obedience trained for safety, and should be taught not to pull on the leash. Be sure to socialize extensively with both people and other dogs at an early age. Bullmastiffs can be aggressive with other dogs and are reserved with strangers. They may be okay with other pets if raised with them from puppyhood. The Bullmastiff is a more aggressive breed than the Mastiff. He tends to drool and snore. Puppies may seem uncoordinated. These dogs are very sensitive to the tone of your voice. It is not a difficult dog but does require a handler who can assert his authority. The Bullmastiff should never be banished to a kennel. This breed tends to drool and slobber.

Answer 2

First thing, I wonder why you husband insists on the large meaner looking dogs. Does his need for a "masculine" dog have anything to do with the problems with the Rottweiler?
Rotties are great dogs, most are very good with kids.

Mastiffs are also great dogs, a sister of mine breeds English Mastiffs. They are close to 200 lbs. each and afraid of my 30 lb. dogs, who are not at all aggressive. Consider obedience school over training the dog yourself. The people who think they know what they're doing, typically end up with the biggest problems.

Answer 3

The thing is no matter what bread you have the aggressive behavior is always a possibility, and will always need to be watched around your children. HOWEVER:

The Bull Mastiff: is very well tempered and loyal and are very happy around children. They can have a stubborn streak and be hard to train. If you are inexperienced in training a large breed you will need to find a professional trainer. They need LOTS of room to run as they are high energy. THEY CAN HIT THE WALLET IN THE FOOD DEPARTMENT AS THEY HAVE VERY BIG APPETITES. (you will need to ask your vet the recommended food intake for that breed. it is recommended for most large breeds to have 2 cups of food per day. feed 1 cup in am and 1 cup in pm....of course not at bed time or you will have to get up and put them out in the middle of your sleep.) Another problem is they DROOL ALOT!!!!!

But the looks of a Bull Masstiff throws everyone off. They look big and mean but they are really very gentle. (if you compare the research on a Mastiff and a lab you should see they are pretty much the same in temperaments....as far as I can tell)

GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 4

A Rotti and a Bull Mastiff are similar in their protective dispositions. (I know because I have one of each) You are taking a chance as not all dogs of a breed have the same personality but they do have COMMON PERSONALITY TRAITS. You MIGHT have luck if you bring it hope as a pup and make sure it becomes well socialized but by socialized I mean used to people. DO NOT LET YOUR KIDS MAUL THE PUP. If you do the pup will grow up and instinctively dislike your kids and may fear bite from remembering being mishandled as a pup. I would think long and hard about this though. These dogs require a great deal of good training, excercise and do not tolerate being mistreated by people in general but especially kids. With a three and four year old to chase after I would think long and hard about this one.

Answer 5

I don't think that that will be a good match, if for no other reason, than simply their size. You have some pretty small children that will probably get knocked around pretty easily by a puppy, not to mention a large one like a bull mastiff. You also have to consider that children cannot determine or understand the difference between real live animals and stuffed animals/toys until about 5 years old. For this reason, they tend to play a little rougher with dogs, pulling ears and poking and grabbing them. They simply cannot distinguish the difference yet. I personally would much rather have a child poke a small dog like a beagle or even a medium sized one like a smaller lab than a gigantic dog like a mastiff. What if your child pokes the dog and the mastiff decided he wants to play by jumping or nipping. Could have a dangerous situation on your hands. Not to mention that a dog that size will require very serious, structured training in order to insure that they don't become unruly as adults due to their size and strength. With two little ones, this might be hard to accomplish in your house.

I think an adult small or medium sized dog would be best for you. They will already most likely be housebroken and will respond much better to toddlers' poking and pulling at them. A Lab would be great, as would a beagle, or even a boxer.

Answer 6

Mastiffs are great dogs. They have often been referred to as "gentle giants". I have owned 2 English mastiffs and have loved them. My first was a female and she was very protective of my sister and I when we were younge.

A bull mastiff has a shorter frame and is stockier. An English mastiff is much taller with a leaner frame.

Something to know about mastiffs is that they want to be with their masters and love nothing better than to rest by your feet and aim to please. They are quick to potty train as well. Mastiffs are very intelligent.

They do like to play, but most of the time you will see them lounging. They do best as inside dogs, despite their size. The only thing you should worry about, is that they do like to chew and have a tendancy to dig.

Other than that, they are once of the best family dogs you will ever own.

Answer 7

I have two english mastiffs, 10 months old and they are huge. At the rate they are growing they should have a combined weight of 400 pounds as adults. They are the most loyal and sweest dogs you could have. With training they will be ok with your 13 year old, but just their massif size they will knock around your other two but not on purpose.

Answer 8

I have a English Bull mastiff named Harley she is great with kids. She is 1 year old as of Jan.15th. Harley does tend to jump on every person that enters my house wanting to play whether she knows them or not. My only concern would be rather a mastiff would be knocking your kids around during play time. Good luck on your purchase of a bull mastiff, they are the best dogs in the world as far as I am concerned.

Answer 9

Mastiff's are great dogs, and they are known as the gentle giants. They are very protective, and very good with children. Keep in mind however, they are enourmous and they could accidentally hurt children just by knocking them over, bumping into things, etc.

Another option for you could be a Boxer. They are smaller than the mastiff's, still very protective, and absolutely wonderful with kids. That might be worth looking into.

Answer 10

Make sure your dog is well socialized(meaning being used to be around people and other animals).Obedience training....very important!!....a well trained dog behaves better.
Most off all.....teach your kids to respect the dog.....you have to remember....biting is the dogs only defense.
Any dog...no matter what size can show aggression and seriously hurt a small child.....so never leave your kids unattended with the dog.
Well I hope this helps.