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NEWSLETTER

VOL 1 ISSUE NO 2

2003

This is a news letter that will come out quarterly with info, and advice about the Bullmastiff breed.

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Only those that subscribe will receive in future their issue. Forward this to a friend.

First issue – last remark:

More important to me is – is the Bullmastiff breed the breed for me. Am I prepared to train this dog, exercise and socialize this dog? Think about the abovementioned until next time

You had time to think over my statement.

Is the Bullmastiff breed, the breed for me?

In this issue, I want to discuss those items that never get mentioned when you buy a puppy.

The good/bad about a Bullmastiff. The Pro’s and Con’s about a Bullmastiff.

As I mention in my first issue, there is NO perfect dog.

Before we look at the Pro’s and

Cons – let us look at the environment we want to bring this Bullmastiff in. (your house)

Bullmastiff is classified in dog shows in the Working group- they helped to catch the poachers. This dog is large, powerful, but also very blache.

YOUR HOME:

  1. Bullmastiff needs LARGE ground to roam around.
  2. LARGE kennel to sleep in.
  3. They eat a LARGE amount of food
  4. As a puppy they need special food – Large breed puppy food until the age of 8 - 12 months
  5. LARGE food bowl and water bowl
  6. Choker, chain, leach etc. for training, exercise and socializing.

YOUR FAMILY SET UP:

  1. Do you have kids – what age is your kids?
  2. Do you have any other pets?
  3. Will the dog be alone during the day because you are at work.
  4. Do you have time to train this dog?

Not one of the above mentioned is any problem as both parties stick to the rules (owner and dog)

  1. Kids must learn to respect the dog as much as the dog needs to respect the kid. No teasing is allowed. Pulling of ears etc. The dog is not allowed to chew on the kids hands etc.
  2. I, myself have got, ducks, geese, rabbit, cats etc. The same rule above applies to the other pets. Learn your puppy to respect other pets. Little puppies, especially when they are teething like to chew. They do not realize how sore they bite. So, the puppy must have enough chew toys for him to play with and his attention must be distracted immediately when he do something wrong with, something he may chew. Bullmastiff is fast learners in a positive way. Yelling at the dog makes him excited because he thinks you are excited.
  3. Bullmastiff is not a dog who likes to be left alone. They love people’s attention and they love to be close to their family members.
  4. ANY large breed dog/ all dogs need to be obedience trained. More so the large breed dogs. These dogs has got such power and if you do not have control over him, you are going to be one very unhappy dog owner and the dog is going to be one unhappy dog. This is one point I feel very strong about. These dogs must be obedience trained.

PRO'S / CON'S
1. The gentle giant / 1. Need large space to roam
2. Not a aggressive dog / 2 Want's company
3. Very protective of family / 3.Need to be feed a special food
4.Easy to train / 4. Slobbers all over you when you least wanted it.
5. Love kids, family and friends / 5. Need to be trained, exercise and socialized
6.Only need to be brush on a regular basis / 6.Average life span is +- 8-10years
7.Bullmastiff own you, you don't / 7.Genetic problems - HD + cancer
own a bullmastiff

Relative to the future cost of nutrition, medical care and training the initial price of the Bullmastiff is in significant. But the cost can climb rapidly if you do not buy your pup from a reputable breeder. Food, obedience training, tick and flea treatment and all medical treatment is much more expensive.

I treat all my dogs on a specific date (1st of each month) with Frontline. Yes it is expensive but treating and loosing a beloved Bullie because of Billary. More expensive. They do damage their livers every time they get Billary.

I also would like to suggest to microchip your dog. Your local Vet can do it. If anything happens. You are in a better position to find your beloved dog back I micro chipped a puppy in USA with SA microchip. They could read the chip in USA. So these chips is international

Contented – happy and loveable!

Isabella, Dinky and Anya

In my next issue I will discuss the different Breed Standards before we are going to look at a puppy and buying a puppy.

Any comments, questions etc. is welcome.

I have completed my course as a Dog Behaviorist – any problems please contact me.

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Magda Ledoux

+27824122397

+27118511273

KUSA member Kennel Union of South Africa

BMCN member Bullmastiff Club Netherlands

SWBC member South West Bullmastiff Club USA

BMCAus member Bullmastiff Club Australia

ABA member America Bullmastiff Association

ABC member Animal Behaviour Consultancy

HAIG member Human Animal Interaction Group