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With an intriguing combination of Bulldog and Mastiff, the Bullmastiff is a singularly unique breed. Your typical Bullmastiff is courageous when working, which was catching poachers in England long ago. One question you might have if you are considering a Bullmastiff as a pet is whether this large, muscular breed sheds a lot. The answer is that, on the whole, Bullmastiffs shed moderately and, for the most part, don’t make a noticeable mess from falling fur.
You may have several more questions about their coat, the maintenance it demands, and whether grooming a Bullmastiff takes a lot or a little effort. All the answers will be answered below, as well as tips and advice about grooming a Bullmastiff. Read on to discover them all and learn more about this delightful dog.
When Do Bullmastiffs Shed the Most?
Your typical Bullmastiff sheds moderately throughout the ear, with no discernible difference in spring (to lose a winter coat) or fall (to grow that coat back). The fact is, Bullmastiffs shed so little daily that you might not even notice it. That’s especially true if you brush your pet regularly.
How Many Times a Week Should You Brush a Bullmastiff?
One of the best traits of the Bullmastiff, at least physically, is that their coats are incredibly dense and highly water resistant. Dog grooming experts recommend brushing a Bullmastiff twice a week with what’s known as a slicker brush, a brush with short, very fine, and dense bristles. For a Bullmastiff, a large, slicker brush is necessary, and one with a flexible rubber handle will make brushing your pet easier.
Do Bullmastiffs Need Regular Baths?
We mentioned how Bullmastiffs have dense coats that are nearly waterproof. However, one way to make a mess of these fine and easy-maintenance coats is to bathe your Bullmastiff too often. Bathing robs their fur of valuable oils and can inflame their delicate skin. It’s best to bathe your Bullmastiff about once every 6 weeks, give or take a few days. Further, if your Bullmastiff isn’t a highly active dog, once every 8 to 10 weeks should be fine.
There are a lot of pet shampoos on the market, but not all of them will keep your pet's skin and coat happy and healthy. The Hepper Pet Shampoo products are pH balanced and made with natural, safe ingredients like soothing oatmeal and aloe vera. Our shampoos will keep your pet clean, smelling fresh, and fully moisturized! The hardest part is deciding whether to get to traditional shampoo or the rinse-free version! Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the right option for your pet’s next bath!
| Image | Product | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
For Bathing
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Hepper Colloidal Oatmeal Pet Shampoo |
|
Check Price |
For Between Baths
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Hepper Waterless No Rinse Pet Shampoo |
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Check Price |
The 5 Benefits of Brushing Your Bullmastiff’s Coat
You might think brushing your Bullmastiff’s coat is good for reducing fur around your home and not much else. However, several benefits of brushing go far beyond decreasing the fur-made mess in your home. Some of the best benefits of brushing your Bullmastiff include the following:
1. Brushing Distributes the Oil on Your Dog’s Coat
When you brush them, the oil on your dog’s skin is spread around; it nourishes its hair and keeps it from drying out. Brushing also moisturizes your Bullmastiff’s skin and hair for the same reason.
2. Brushing Stimulates Blood Flow
When brushing your Bullmastiff, the movement on its fur and skin stimulates the blood and helps it circulate better. It will give your pup a shiny coat and keep its skin healthy and pink.
3. Brushing Prevents Knots and Keeps Matting Under Control
Even though their coats are dense, if you don’t brush your Bullmastiff once or twice a week, their fur can still get knotted and matted. That’s the last thing you want because getting mats out of a Bullmastiff’s hair will not be easy or fun.
4. You’ll Reduce the Amount of Fur Shed Inside Your Home
They don’t shed a lot, but if you brush your Bullmastiff regularly, you can reduce the amount of fur flying around your home to the bare minimum. If you’re not a fan of fur, brushing your Bullmastiff twice weekly is essential.
5. Brushing Is a Fantastic Way to Bond with Your Dog
Brushing your dog is a great way to spend some “quality time” with your Bullmastiff and create a stronger bond between you. This, in our opinion, is probably the best reason to regularly brush your canine companion, especially as socialization reduces their aggressiveness and prey drive.
Are Bullmastiffs High Maintenance Dogs?
Bullmastiffs are low-maintenance dogs in most ways. Their coats, as we now know, are short, dense, and don’t shed a lot. Like any dog, however, you must take good care of their teeth, trim their nails, and closely watch their ears.
You might be surprised to know that these large dogs don’t need an excessive amount of exercise and can easily adapt to living in a small home or apartment. Also, Bullmastiffs have fewer problems with separation anxiety, bark very little, and have fewer genetic health issues. Bullmastiffs are low-maintenance dogs, although it should be noted that they have a very high prey drive and are quite territorial.
Are Bullmastiffs Hypoallergenic?
In a word, no, Bullmastiffs are not hypoallergenic. Indeed, no dog breed is truly 100% hypoallergenic, although the Poodle is a good example of one that comes close. Bullmastiffs have fur, not hair, and shed moderately.
If you have allergies to dog dander, you will likely have an allergic reaction to a Bullmastiff, unfortunately. Not only that, but since they’re a large breed and have more fur, Bullmastiffs make more dander.
How to Stop a Bullmastiff From Shedding a Lot
The most effective way to prevent your Bullmastiff from shedding a lot in your home is to brush them twice a week. Since their fur never gets very long, it rarely needs trimming. A good brushing with a slicker brush outside should be all you need to do to keep the inside of your home (mostly) fur-free.
Which Breeds Shed the Least?
Although they’re good dogs and make fine pets, Bullmastiffs still shed and thus can cause allergic reactions. The dogs on the list below, however, shed much less and cause fewer reactions:
Final Thoughts
Bullmastiffs shed, but they don’t shed nearly as much as some dogs. That’s good news because, as large dogs, if they shed a lot, your house would quickly become a fur-filled mess! With a Bullmastiff, you won’t have to worry about that, however, and you’ll worry even less if you brush them once or twice a week.
A Bullmastiff would be a great choice if you don’t suffer from dog allergies and want a large, powerful, lovable dog that only sheds a little. They are low-maintenance dogs that don’t leave their fur all over the place and demand very little in the way of heavy grooming. Just be aware that Bullmastiffs need a lot of socialization if you want them to get along with everyone, including your other pets. Adopting it as a puppy is highly recommended.
Featured Image Credit: Michael J Magee, Shutterstock
