Working with Bullmastiffs and families over the years, I’ve developed a straightforward, repeatable protocol I use whenever children and a large, powerful dog are learning to live and play together. This is designed to keep everyone safe, build trust on both sides, and teach children the skills...
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Training
I’ve spent decades living with Bullmastiffs who think the backyard is a giant...
Health
I’ve treated my fair share of garden-related injuries over the years —...
Training
I’ve worked with Bullmastiffs my whole life, and I’ve seen the tension that...
Nutrition
I’ve dealt with more than a few puzzling skin rashes, chronic ear infections...
Crate training a Bullmastiff doesn’t have to be a battle of wills. Over the years with my own dogs and the rescue cases I’ve taken in, I’ve learned that the right timing, the right crate setup, and a few comfort-minded tricks can turn a crate...
I’ve worked with a lot of Bullmastiffs who worried when left alone — from nervous rescue dogs that trembled at the sound of keys, to pets who paced and scratched at doors. Over the years I’ve found the most effective approach combines targeted...
When you’re raising a working Bullmastiff — whether he’s a family guardian, a scent-detection trainee, or a farm helper — nutrition is never an afterthought. Over the years with Shadowguard Bullmastiffs I’ve fed many diets, worked...
Summer in the UK means long walks, muddy fields and, for some of my Bullmastiffs, an increased risk of hot spots. Over the years at Shadowguard Bullmastiffs, I’ve learned that a few simple, consistent habits prevent many painful flare-ups — and...
Road trips and dog shows are two of my favorite ways to spend time with my Bullmastiffs, but both demand preparation — and a reliable emergency kit is non-negotiable. Over years of breeding, training and rescuing Bullmastiffs, I’ve learned that...
I’ve worked with senior Bullmastiffs for decades, and few things are more important — and more delicate — than keeping an older mastiff moving without worsening joint pain. Over the years at Shadowguard Bullmastiffs I’ve guided owners,...
Bringing a new Bullmastiff into a home that already has cats and small dogs can be one of the most rewarding — and nerve-racking — experiences you’ll go through as an owner. Over the years I’ve introduced several of my own Bullmastiffs to...
I spend a lot of time watching Bullmastiffs — in my kennel, at rescue, and in homes where I help new owners settle in. Over the years I’ve learned that understanding a Bullmastiff’s body language is one of the quickest ways to build trust and...
Bullmastiffs are wonderfully affectionate, but those generous rolls of skin—especially around the face, neck and tail—require regular attention. Over the years I’ve learned that a small, consistent routine prevents a lot of heartache: fewer...
I’ll never forget the first time I suspected bloat in one of my Bullmastiffs. It was late at night, he was restless, pacing between the kitchen and the bedroom, standing with a strange, uncomfortable posture, and then began to retch without...