Is Bullmastiff a Good Dog to Have With Children?

Linda B: Is Bullmastiff's a good dog breed to have with children?
My husband and I are planning on purchasing a Bullmastiff. We have 3 children, ages 3, 4, and 13. We had to give a Rottweiler to a rescue because of aggressive behavior towards us and the kids. The Bullmastiff breed seems to be what we want in a dog. 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.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Karlo Márquez
We have two males And they aré so care with our kids, Also good protectors with them, this breed is so molossus and lovely with all my family. Good Luck

Answer by scd
Mastiffs are fantastic with kids. I personally had a Cane Corso, but males and females at the same time. Around little kids they are truly gentle it’s like they no the child is fragile. I currently have a 250 lbs male English mastiff that I got at 8 weeks old. He is now 3 years old. He is around a 3-year-old and 5-year-old little girls that he adores. They play and interact with not one problem my 3yo niece can actually walk him on the leash with no problems it’s like he knows that it’s not me walking him and is well behaved. But I have experience with the breed and I am 6 2 225 lbs so I can handle him with no problem.

Also, I raised him from a pup around the kids and set the limits as to what’s acceptable behavior from the kids to the dog and vice versa. It all in the socializing and limits set for both the kids and dog. Personally I would highly recommend the mastiff.

Answer by Carlo
This dog even at a smaller size female 75 pds dislocated my friend's shoulder when it yanked on a leash. It also nearly broke her leg when it gets startled in the kitchen and ran. And nearly dislocated her knee when it ran head-on into it. Full-size adults will nearly get knocked down. They also bark at little sound in the house or outside. You need to be careful with authority they will bark after dinner and want your food off the plate and their head is as high as the table.

They will also bark (with a really deep and loud bark) to depend on playtime, but you can’t get anything out of there mouth because their jaws lock onto anything so they drag on the floor and their paws bleed. Which then bleeds on furniture and floors. They also shed lots of sticky dander that sticks to couches drapes and anything in the house and floats like a cloud.

As far as allergies they are one of the most allergic coats you can find. Many people will be scared of this dog, but you cannot show any fear or back down or they will try to rule the roost. Also, they will demand to lay on anyone one the couch all the time and their head is so big about the size of your chest that they will easily block out tv for you and your partner while watching tv and easily lay on top of both of you and the third seat on the couch. The best way to get the dander off furniture is a sticky roller for clothes lint.

Answer by Antoine
I’m not sure if the comments about not being a good dog around kids are from people who.have never personally owned 1. I got mine as a B-day present when I was 6 years. Ended up growing to weigh about 120 pounds. With basic training from when a puppy is a very great dog around kids.

Also more resilient to the kids in the household playing with them. My brother and me, I am.pisitive was probably too rough sometimes with him when we were little. The 10 years we had him, he never snapped at me, brother, or my dad.

The only thing I would say is that it is a very protective dog, especially around the kids. So if he senses whether a family friend poses a threat may react. Overall, great with kids and family dog, excellent guard dog, and really good temperament. A little Basic training and you guys won’t regret buying!

Answer by mrskolar1457
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 me when we were young.
A bullmastiff 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 tendency to dig.
Other than that, they are once of the best family dogs you will ever own.

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Answer by Jenny
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 ensure 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 by Michelle
I have a 15-month-old child and she has been around my adult male Bullmastiff since the time she was born. Although he did accidentally knock her over occasionally he is the most gentle caring dog I have met! Bullmastiffs are great with kids!
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