If you’re pondering whether there is a better choice between the male and the female Bullmastiff, you’ve come to the right article. Although both genders are affectionate guard dogs, they still have some differences!
Male Bullmastiffs are powerful guard dogs known for their large build. These dogs are playful and more submissive than females. Meanwhile, female Bullmastiffs are serious family protectors that are more focused and alert than males. However, they can be more aggressive towards strangers.
In this guide, we will make a thorough comparison between the male and female Bullmastiff. To find out which gender is better suited to be the next addition to your family, keep reading until the end!
Physical Differences
Male Bullmastiffs
In terms of physical appearance, there is not a lot of difference between the male and the female Bullmastiff. These muscular dogs look very similar apart from their sexual organs, height, and weight differences.
Just like most dog breeds, the male Bullmastiff is slightly larger than the female Bullmastiff. When fully grown, they are usually taller by an inch or two than their female counterparts, standing around 25 to 27 inches in height.
The male Bullmastiff is also heavier, weighing between 110 and 130 pounds. This may be something to consider for some people who may have difficulties handling a heavier dog.
As they are larger than female Bullmastiffs, males also have heavier bone structures. Hence, they must be properly cared for and closely monitored by owners to avoid illnesses and injuries.
Similar to females, they also carry the breed’s strong facial features and natural black tongues.
Female Bullmastiffs
The female Bullmastiff usually grows to a height of about 24 to 26 inches. As they are comparatively smaller than their male counterparts, they appear to have a softer and more feminine look.
Although a little smaller, these extra-large canines are still powerfully built, and their smaller stature does not diminish their strength. They are capable of tackling any home intruder, just like the male Bullmastiff.
They are also lighter than their male counterparts by about ten pounds, usually weighing around 110 to 120 pounds upon reaching maturity.
Their lighter build may likely contribute to their more graceful movement inside the home compared to the male Bullmastiff, who tends to be a bit clumsy.
The less-dense bone structure of the female Bullmastiff also needs proper care and nourishment, similar to the male Bullmastiff.
Temperamental Differences
Male Bullmastiffs
Male Bullmastiffs mature slower than female Bullmastiffs. They usually reach maturity at age three or four. As such, you can expect them to be more playful, hyperactive, and careless for a longer period of time.
They will always be eager for playtime, and their excitement can sometimes lead to playful biting. This can pose a problem for households with small children, so careful supervision is needed to avoid unwanted incidents.
And as compared to the female Bullmastiff, the male Bullmastiff can be more clingy and prone to seek attention from loved ones, preferring to interact with them more rather than spend time alone.
In terms of dealing with strangers, male Bullmastiffs can be quite aggressive, although their female counterparts tend to be more aggressive than them.
Female Bullmastiffs
Maturity for the female Bullmastiff occurs earlier in contrast to the male Bullmastiff. Usually, when a female Bullmastiff turns two, she has already left her puppy-like antics behind, becoming more serious, careful, and calm.
Her mother-like protective nature kicks in, and unlike the male Bullmastiff, she will be more gentle with play and can be safely left alone with children.
Due to their maturity, female Bullmastiffs are also more sensitive to their loved ones’ emotions, unlike their male counterparts.
They can easily sense when a family member is feeling down and will try to cheer them up or give them space.
When it comes to interacting with strangers, the female Bullmastiff is inclined to be more aggressive than the male Bullmastiff due to her innate drive to protect family members.
Watch this video to see the difference between male and female Bullmastiff when it comes to guarding:
Behavior and Training
Male Bullmastiffs
Behavior-wise, male Bullmastiffs are distinct from female Bullmastiffs in how they react to their surroundings and respond to training.
Usually, an unneutered male Bullmastiff will likely exhibit aggressive behavior towards other male dogs due to an increased testosterone level. They are also likely to urinate occasionally as a way of marking their territory.
And due to their desire to find a mate, male Bullmastiffs can be prone to roam when off-leash, more so than their unspayed female counterparts. Because of this, you should consider having your male Bullmastiff neutered.
Likewise, consistency in training is still a must to avert negative behavior and reinforce positive ones, which can be more challenging for the male Bullmastiff as their playful attitude can make them less focused on learning.
Their stubbornness is also another hindrance to successful training, a trait they share with the female Bullmastiff.
But because they are more submissive than the females, they are bound to respond well, especially with positive reinforcement.
Female Bullmastiffs
Female Bullmastiffs are more composed in terms of their behavior as they react to people and surroundings more maturely.
More serious, gentle, and attentive, the protective mother-like instincts are particularly heightened during the heat cycle of intact female Bullmastiffs. This happens twice a year and lasts for about two to three weeks.
During this time, aside from vaginal discharge, intact female Bullmastiffs will exhibit a range of behaviors that include urine marking and roaming, similar to, though not as much as, unneutered male Bullmastiffs.
To eliminate unwanted hormonal-related behaviors, spaying is recommended for sexually mature female Bullmastiffs. Aside from that, owners must also be consistent with their training and guidance.
And because they are more mature, training the female Bullmastiff is a little less challenging as compared to their male counterpart.
They can be keener on learning commands, but because of their controlling nature, they may tend to be less submissive than the males. Nevertheless, firm leadership and positive reinforcement will help to reaffirm proper behavior.
Health Differences
Male Bullmastiffs
Although both genders are predisposed to the same health issues, such as lymphoma, elbow and hip dysplasia, cardiomyopathy, bloat, and kidney disease, some illnesses are only common to male Bullmastiffs.
Intact males are at a higher risk of developing health issues such as an enlarged prostate, which causes painful and difficult urination. In some cases, male Bullmastiffs affected by this disease even experience bloody urine.
As this disease is commonly related to excessive hormone levels, neutering is a recommended preventive measure and effective treatment.
Another health problem of the intact male Bullmastiff that can be prevented through neuter surgery is testicular cancer, which usually occurs in their senior years.
When this happens, the affected testicle appears larger than normal and has a firm and painful mass that can be noticeably felt.
Other signs of this disease are loss of appetite, stomach pain, hair loss, and a dark pigment on the skin.
Female Bullmastiffs
Female Bullmastiffs are also at risk of developing certain health issues, especially intact ones.
An unspayed female Bullmastiff can develop pyometra, a life-threatening condition caused by an infection due to the formation of excess tissue in the uterus.
Another severe illness of intact female Bullmastiffs is ovarian cancer. This can be difficult to detect and would need a physical examination and blood test to be properly diagnosed.
Spaying is considered the best preventive option for these diseases. When compared to the neuter procedure of a male Bullmastiff, spaying can be more expensive. Luckily, there are options to save on the cost of this surgery.
Meanwhile, female Bullmastiffs who have recently given birth are susceptible to illnesses such as metritis and mastitis.
Metritis is a bacterial infection that results in the inflammation of the uterus and can further lead to blood infection. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, fever, loss of appetite, and depression.
Mastitis, on the other hand, occurs when the mammary glands of female Bullmastiffs get infected. While primarily a bacterial infection, fungal infections can also sometimes occur.
With Other Dogs and Pets
Male Bullmastiffs
Bullmastiffs, in general, do not get along with other dogs and pets. Male Bullmastiffs, in particular, tend to be aggressive toward dogs of the same sex due to their strong territorial nature.
Their high prey drive also prevents them from living harmoniously with cats and other small animals. The same is true for female Bullmastiffs.
However, this does not mean that they cannot do well with other pets inside the home. Proper training and early socialization enable the male Bullmastiff to be more at ease and learn how to properly interact with other pets.
Female Bullmastiffs
Female Bullmastiffs, though possessing a strong protective instinct, can be more social with other dogs and pets if they are trained and socialized with them early on.
As the female Bullmastiff gets familiarized with other dogs and pets inside the home, she begins to view them as part of the family she needs to protect.
And unlike the male Bullmastiff, who tends to be territorial, she may take a different approach and assume the mother role for the other dogs and pets, especially younger ones.
To illustrate further, a breeder colleague of mine who focuses on Bullmastiffs also breeds Pekingese and French Bulldogs. He lets his female Bullmastiffs loose in a huge playpen daily, along with the other smaller breeds. Despite its overpowering size, it plays gently and never gets aggressive with its fellow dogs.
This is also primarily due to the socialization he conducts for his Bullmastiffs as young puppies.
With Children
Male Bullmastiffs
As male Bullmastiffs tend to be more playful and crave attention more than female Bullmastiffs, they are great playmates for older children. Their carefree nature and eagerness to play bring added joy to playtime.
However, their clumsiness and overexcitement can sometimes lead to accidents; thus, it is not advised to leave them unmonitored, especially if there are young children in the household.
Training and encouraging your male Bullmastiff to play gently while at the same time teaching your kids not to play rough around your male Bullmastiff greatly helps in avoiding unwanted incidents.
Female Bullmastiffs
The more sensitive, careful, and serious female Bullmastiff is a more suitable playmate for young children. Owners can feel more at ease leaving children alone with them.
As the female Bullmastiff tends to take on a nurturing role, she is more gentle and calm around them. Often, she even acts like a mother controlling and taming her puppies.
Although she is patient and tolerant, makes sure that children are aware of how to behave around the female Bullmastiff. Similar to the male Bullmastiff, they must not be provoked and disturbed, especially when sleeping.
Pros and Cons of Male and Female Bullmastiffs
Male Bullmastiffs
Having a male Bullmastiff has its pros and cons. One advantage is their strong inclination and ability to protect your home from potential intruders.
As a guardian of the home, they will always be on full alert and fearlessly face anything that threatens the safety of your home. As such, they also make better watchdogs as they are keen on protecting the property.
Another advantage is their more submissive nature than females, which not only makes up for their less focused attitude but also enables them to cooperate with training and obey commands.
At the same time, their playful energy and eagerness for attention also make family bonding time more lively.
But, while they are jolly and playful, it can sometimes lead to accidents as they tend to be clumsy and careless. Thus, interaction with children must always be supervised.
Their eagerness for attention also means having to spend a lot of time with them to keep them happy. People with busy schedules might have a difficult time satisfying their constant need for quality time.
Males can also be aggressive with other animals and dogs, especially those of the same sex. If there are other dogs and pets in the household, early socialization and training must be done.
Additionally, male Bullmastiffs can be prone to exhibiting several hormonal behaviors, such as roaming and territory marking, particularly intact ones.
Let’s take a look at the summary of the pros and cons of a male Bullmastiff in the table below:
| Pros | Cons |
| Excellent guardian of the home | Likely to be clumsy and careless |
| A better watchdog | Cannot be left alone with children |
| Tends to be more submissive | Can be aggressive with other animals |
| Jolly and playful | Needs constant attention |
| Welcomes and craves attention | Prone to several hormonal behaviors and health issues, especially if unneutered |
Female Bullmastiffs
As with male Bullmastiffs, there are also pros and cons to having a female Bullmastiff.
A female Bullmastiff is protective of its family by nature; therefore, families benefit from experiencing the motherly protection of the female Bullmastiff.
In addition, the gentleness of female Bullmastiffs when interacting with kids is a trait that reassures parents that they can be reliably left with kids.
Moreover, as female Bullmastiffs reach maturity earlier, training them will be easier because they are more focused.
Females are also sensitive and less needy when it comes to attention. They can distinguish when it is time to play and when to give owners their needed space. Likewise, they can happily manage without constant attention.
While there are advantages to having a female Bullmastiff, they also have traits that can be difficult for owners to handle.
For one, their tendency to take control makes them less submissive at times. Female Bullmastiffs also tend to be more aggressive because of their strong desire to protect loved ones.
In addition, an unspayed female needs additional care and clean-up, especially during its heat cycle.
Below is the summary of the pros and cons of owning a female Bullmastiff:
| Pros | Cons |
| Primarily a protector of the family | Can be less submissive |
| Can be left unsupervised with children | Tend to be more aggressive |
| Matures earlier | Need extra care during their heat cycle |
| Sensitive to loved ones’ emotions | Susceptible to hormonal behaviors and health problems |
| Less needy for attention | Can be self-serving at times |
Should You Get a Male or Female Bullmastiff?
If you need to ensure the safety of your home, then you should get a male Bullmastiff. Their primary guarding concern is the home property, and you can count on them to safeguard it competently.
If you also prefer a very jolly, lively, and playful Bullmastiff, males are a better match for you. Family bonding sessions will always be upbeat and exciting.
Also, if you enjoy showering constant attention and affection on pets, then a male Bullmastiff is a better choice for you. The love and attention you send their way will always be welcomed and reciprocated.
However, if you are looking for a protector of family members, then you should choose a female Bullmastiff. Their maturity and motherly instincts enable them to lovingly protect loved ones.
Likewise, if you have young children at home, a female Bullmastiff is a better option for you as they are more careful and gentle around children.
They require less attention to be happy, too, which is better suited to individuals and families with busy schedules.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. As you decide between the male and female Bullmastiff, remember to carefully consider which gender is a better fit with the kind of lifestyle you and your family lead.
All things considered, both male and female Bullmastiffs make great pets. Just consider dealing with reputable breeders to get the best puppies. So long as you can afford the cost of owning one, you won’t regret getting either.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Male or Female Bullmastiffs Calmer?
Due to their ability to mature faster than males, female Bullmastiffs are likely to be calmer and are more severe than males. They tend to be less playful and leave their hyper puppy energy once they reach the age of two.
Male Bullmastiffs, on the other hand, tend to mature slower and may still be very active and highly excitable until they turn three or four.
Are Male or Female Bullmastiffs More Affectionate?
As male Bullmastiffs crave attention more, they are perceived as more affectionate than female Bullmastiffs.
Female Bullmastiffs are affectionate, too but express it differently than males. As they are more sensitive to reading loved ones’ emotions, females respond more based on what they think their loved ones need to be happy.
Are Male or Female Bullmastiffs Easier to Train?
Due to their maturity, female Bullmastiffs are easier to train. They are more focused and attentive to learning which allows them to grasp commands easily.
It may take a little more patience to train a male Bullmastiff due to their less serious attitude. But as long as there is consistency and positive reinforcement, training can always be met with success.
Final Thoughts
Both the male and female Bullmastiffs are dependable, fearless, and powerful guardians. Their deep devotion and loyalty toward loved ones make them truly admirable and reliable family companions.
Choosing one over the other can seem tricky for potential owners, and you may even begin to wonder if there is a better gender between the two.
But as we have learned through this guide, there really is no better Bullmastiff gender.
It is essentially not a question of which is better but, rather, which is a more suitable family addition for your lifestyle.
Carefully weigh the pros and cons and faithfully commit to your responsibilities as the owner of the male or female Bullmastiff once you have reached a fitting decision.
Have you picked which Bullmastiff is a better match for you? Share your thoughts about male and female Bullmastiffs in the comments section below!
