The Bullmastiff is both good with children and a great guard dog. Some may decide that guard Dog training is essential for a good guard dog. The Bullmastiff does not require as much guard dog training because the Bullmastiff was solely developed and bred to be a guard dog. The Bullmastiff was bred to aid gamekeepers in protecting the game on large English estates. Poaching on the estates was an expensive problem for the landowners, and it was the gamekeeper’s duty to catch the thieves. Gamekeepers needed a dog that could track quietly, cover short distances quickly, and pin and hold poachers without mauling them. Gamekeepers experimented with several breeds, looking to the mastiff, who was too slow, and then the bulldog, who was at the time a more ferocious combined the best of both breeds for the job required of him. He is now primarily a family companion with a calm, dependable disposition when properly trained and socialized. The Bullmastiffs guarding instinct is usually noticed on average at the age of 8 months to 18 months some as early as four months. There is no difference between a male and females guarding ability.
