The Mastiff Shepherd, also more commonly know as the Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix, is a mixed breed dog developed in the last few decades. This interesting mixed breed combines the Bullmastiff and the German Shepherd dog together.
This of course, creates a very large dog that will be loveable, a great companion, and slightly stubborn at times. Your dog will enjoy exercise and playing with its owners. Are you still intrigued? If so, keep reading on to learn more about the Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix.
Bullmastiff German Shepherd Mix History
The Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix is a relatively new mixed breed that doesn’t have much of a backstory. We are unsure about when the first Mastiff Shepherd mix was created. So we will dive deeper into the history of the separate parent breeds.
Bullmastiff
It is not exactly pinpointed where the Bullmastiff breed is from, but it is said to have come from somewhere in central Asia. This dog breed was first seen thousands of years ago and eventually spread throughout the middle east and the Mediterranean.
The Greeks used this dog breed in battle to fight foreign enemies. This dog breed was also seen during the medieval period when it used to guard homes and other estates from intruders. The dog would alert someone that somebody was coming.
You can even see the Mastiff dog breed in English history used in dogfighting until it got outlawed. The breed made its way here in the United States and was accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1933.
German Shepherd
As you already know, the German Shepherd originated in Germany, where it was used for a variety of different jobs. One of the most prominent jobs was herding sheep. A man named Max von Stephanitz is credited for refining the breed and making it what it is today.
He dedicated his life to the breed showing the German Shepherd and refining it to make it perfect. This dog breed went from farm helper to police and military dog. We have seen this dog breed throughout history during the world wars.
Now you can find the German Shepherd around the world. It was accepted into the American Kennel Club in the early 1900s. Many households today have or have had a German Shepherd. These dogs perform a lot of jobs today that are necessary for the safety of so many people.
German Shepherd Bullmastiff Appearance
Appearance of any mixed dog breed varies based on the parents and what genes your puppy takes from which dog. Most likely tour mix will have a mostly tan coat with a darker face and a black muzzle.
This will be a rather large mixed breed as both the German Shepherd and the Bullmastiff tend to be medium to large dog breeds.
The ears can either be slightly erect or drop down to the sides of the face. The body of this mix will be large and muscular. You will notice your dog has large paws, even as a puppy.
Your dog’s coat coloring will vary based on the traits it takes from the parent breeds you got the puppy from. You will find a list of colors that your dog may come in below.
Mastiff Shepherd Temperament
The way you train and socialize your dog will ultimately affect your dog’s temperament. Even with you training your dog to have a good temperament, each dog will vary.
This dog may be big, but it is a gentle giant. This dog will capture your heart with its lovable personality, its loyal nature, and offer you great companionship. Now all these things don’t mean that your dog won’t be stubborn from time to time because it can.
Bullmastiff German Shepherd Mix Coat
The coat of your Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix will be very thick and dense. It can range from medium to long in length. If your mix takes on more traits from the German Shepherd parent, the coat could be slightly longer.
This dog breed will shed a lot, so be aware if you have mild allergies to dogs. You can stay up on the shedding if you frequently groom your dog.
The coat can come in a few varieties of colors. Your mix may have one dominant color or a mix of two or more. You will see the coat color options below.
What Colors Do They Come In?
This mix can have the following color options in its coat. Keep in mind that your dog can have more than one color.
- Black
- Tan
- Brown
- Brindle
- Gray
- Silver
Your German Shepherd Bullmastiff mix will have a typical black nose with brown eyes.
German Shepherd Bullmastiff Mix Size
It is time to discuss the size of your Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix. As you know, both of these dog breeds are quite large, so you can imagine how big this mix will be.
A Bullmastiff can weigh between 110 to 130 pounds in weight, while the German Shepherd can weigh between 66 to 90 pounds in weight.
Your mix will most likely be bigger than the German Shepherd parent but smaller than the BullMastiff. Your dog could weigh between 70 to 115 pounds in weight. Of course, there will be variety from dog to dog.
Mastiff Shepherd Health Problems
Every dog breed will have some sort of health concern to be aware of. Thankfully mixed breeds tend to have a lot less than purebred breeds because those health conditions get bred out. Below are some common health issues that you mix may possibly inherit.
Hip Dysplasia – Most dog owners have heard of hip dysplasia as it is a common condition where the hip bones and the leg bone do not correctly align together. This can cause a lot of pain for your dog, especially if they rub together.
Osteochondrosis Dissecans – This usually occurs in bigger dogs when the puppy grows way too fast, and the body ends up inflammation in the cartilage. This will usually affect your dog’s shoulders but can be present in other joints such as around the knees or hip bones.
Bloat – Bloat is another common condition that happens when your large dog breed eats too fast and the stomach twists and turns, causing bloat. Bloat is very serious and can cause death if you are not careful.
Joint Problems – Bigger dogs can be prone to getting more joint issues than smaller dogs. This can occur if your dog already has a history of hip dysplasia. This can also just occur because the parent breeds of this mix have a history of joint issues. A veterinarian can help maintain your dog’s condition.
Life Expectancy of a Mastiff Shepherd
Life expectancy is another thing that can be very challenging to determine with mixed breed dogs. The average life span of a german shepherd is 9 to 13 years. The life span of a Bullmastiff can be between 8 to 10 years.
With that information, we can estimate that the Mastiff Shepherd can live between 8 to 13 years.
Living Conditions
Keep in mind this is a rather large dog, which means it will not be very comfortable living in small spaces such as apartments or condos. A single-family home with a yard for your dog to run around is preferred.
In the ways of feeding, this mix will need quite a lot of food per day. This will require a lot of food each month which can get quite costly if you are on a tight budget. It is very important to consider these things before you purchase a dog that way, you know what you are getting into.
The Mastiff Shepherd mix also has a lot of exercise needs. This high-energy dog will need you to devote a lot of time each day to giving it exercise. If you cannot accommodate that or have a busy work schedule, then this may not be the dog breed for you.
Bullmastiff German Shepherd Mix Exercise
Since this is a rather large mixed dog breed, it is important to give your dog adequate exercise to get rid of that pent-up energy. Your dog will need between 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day. You can give your dog exercise in a variety of ways, such as through walks, runs, playing at the dog park, or just playing with your dog with toys.
It is very important to exercise your Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix to ensure that your dog does not become overweight. This mix can get overweight easily if you are not providing daily exercise and feeding your dog the correct amount of food.
If your dog suffers from joint pain or even suffers from a condition like hip dysplasia, exercise can actually help relieve the pain of that condition.
Bullmastiff German Shepherd Mix Feeding
Food requirements for your dog are based on the weight of your Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix. If your dog is larger than another, it may need more food. So it is very important to know the weight of your dog.
Your dog will likely need to feed your dog between three to three and a half cups of high-quality dog food. When your dog is a puppy, it is important to feed your dog large breed puppy formula until after it is a year old.
Then you can switch to a large dog breed adult dog food. It is very important to calculate the correct amount of food to feed your dog because this mix can get obese easy if overfed.
If you have given your dog all its daily amount of food and still want to give your dog a treat, have it be a healthy one. Some examples of healthy dog treats are wheatgrass and banana chips. These can be given to your dog in moderation during training or on top of your dog’s food for a snack.
German Shepherd Bullmastiff Grooming
The Mastiff Shepherd is known to either have a medium-length coat or a long coat. This coat will shed a lot and even more when it’s shedding season. To help contain some of the shedding your dog is having, you can daily brush your dog’s coat.
You will notice the loose dead hairs getting tapped in the brush and not in your carpet or floor. If your German Shepherd Bullmastiff mix has a long coat, it will likely have a very dense undercoat. This undercoat will also shed, so you can use an undercoat rake to take some of that shedding out.
Keep in mind that the Bullmastiff parent gets extra oils on its skin and hairs, so if your dog gets more traits for the Bullmastiff, then you may have to bathe your dog more frequently.
Make sure you choose a shampoo and conditioner from our article. We recommend the best products for you. When bathing your dog, check the body over for any sores or area that need to be cleaned, such as the ears.
Also, if your dog gets infested with ticks or fleas, you should have your dog on a flea medication to take care of that.
Mastiff Shepherd Training
It is always a great idea to begin training your dog at an early age. Puppies are very intelligent and eager to learn at a young age, as an adult dog can begin to get very stubborn. It is also important that you establish that dominance between you and your dog. Dogs listen better to commands when they know you are in charge.
During training, it would also be wise to socialize your dog to different things such as noises, other animals, other dogs, and even children. This will teach your dog not to be scared around these things. Some breeders take the time to actually start doing this while the puppies are still in their care.
Dogs love to be praised and rewarded, so giving your dog a treat when it performs a command is essential for them to know you approve of what it is doing. You can purchase commercial treats, or you can also give your dog something as simple as Cheerios.
Bullmastiff German Shepherd Mix Puppies
Before getting a Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix puppy, you need to find a reputable breeder that breeds these two dog breeds together. Stay away from pet stores and puppy mills that are known for selling designer dog mixed breeds.
Ask the breeder questions that concern you, like breeding practices, health, and overall wellbeing of the dogs. Since this is a mixed breed, it isn’t as expensive as other dog breeds around. You can expect to pay between $450 to $1,200 for a Bullmastiff German Shepherd mix puppy.
Bullmastiff German Shepherd Mix Litter Size
Litter size is another thing that can be very difficult to determine. Both of the parent dog breeds are very large, so they will have a lot of puppies in a litter. The Bullmastiff dog breed typically has on average 8 puppies in a litter.
German Shepherds can also have around 6 to 8 puppies in a litter but have been known to have more in some cases.
So you can expect this mix to have between 8 to 10 puppies in a litter. Just remember that each dog is different, so you may get more or even less.
FAQ
What Do you Call a German Shepherd Mastiff Mix?
There is one name that the German Shepherd Mastiff mix is commonly called, and that is the Mastiff Shepherd
Key Takeaways
Below is a summary of this article and key things you will want to remember about the Mastiff Shepherd:
- This is a very large mix breed that will need plenty of space to roam around.
- Ideally, you would want to accommodate your dog in a home instead of an apartment building.
- They are quite affordable than other mixed breeds.
- Make sure you take your dog to veterinarian appointments to ensure your dog does not develop any underlying health conditions.
- These are loyal companions that can be used to aid you in working, therapy, or just as a friendly companion.
- Based your dog’s daily food requirement off of its weight. Make sure you do not overfeed your dog.
- This mix will need between 60 to 90 minutes of exercise each day.
Close relatives of the Mastiff Shepherd
Here are some dog breeds that are very similar to the Mastiff Shepherd:
