Tough-yet-sweet. That is how one can describe a Bullmastiff. For those who fancy their dogs to be huge yet loyal and loving and not cumbersome, the Bullmastiff is a great choice.
Bullmastiffs grow to a size of 25 to 27 inches and can weigh between 100 and 130 lb. Their coat is short and dense and does not need too much brushing. Brindle, red, and fawn are the typical colors seen in the breed.
Temperament-wise, Bullmastiffs are calm, loyal, and sweet-natured dogs but they also have a lot of power. That is why you must train them or else they can go wild on you. Bullmastiffs are generally known to be good with kids and other dogs/housepets but you have to socialize and desensitize your puppy from an early age.
As far as large dog breeds go, the Bullmastiff is ranked 51st in the AKC’s list of popular dogs. This has led to an increased interest in the breed – mainly to be kept as house pets although most people want a Bullmastiff to perform the duties of a guard dog or a watchdog.
We must not forget that the massive Bullmastiff was bred in England in the 1800s by gamekeepers to protect their game from poachers. Fanciers created the Bullmastiff by crossing a mastiff with a bulldog. This gives the Bullmastiff the power that mastiffs and bulldogs are so popular for. But that trait also means that Bullmastiffs tend to have a heightened prey drive. Therefore, firm training and handling are a must for the Bullmastiff.
If you can commit to extensive rigorous training while fulfilling all of your pet’s basic needs, then get ready to welcome the loyal and loving Bullmastiff into your heart and your home.
This guide will tell you exactly how we have arrived at these costs.
How Much Does a Bullmastiff Cost?
Now that you’ve decided that it is the right time to buy a Bullmastiff, it is time to do some research. Shortlist several breeders that breed Bullmastiffs and if possible visit their kennels. Most reputed breeders charge between $1000 and $2000 for a single Bullmastiff puppy.
Some breeders keep show-quality pets and they may charge more for them. Here are some factors that can impact a puppy’s price:
Lineage
Reputed breeders often have show-winning dogs. Sometimes, they pay stud fees to other breeders for getting their dogs to mate with their bitches. These puppy litters are naturally priced higher than average.
Pedigree
If your potential puppy comes from parents that have registration papers or pedigree bloodlines, then too the price will be higher.
Efforts taken by the breeder
Sometimes, breeders spend time and effort training the puppies and socializing them. Often, they subject their dogs to health checks and get them certified to rule out genetic diseases. These things cost them money and time. Naturally, they recover these costs from their buyers.
Coat colors and markings
The Brindle-colored Bullmastiff is usually in huge demand and is supposed to be the most popular coat color in the breed. These pups tend to sometimes cost nearly $3000.
Adoption fees
If you want to save money, try adopting a Bullmastiff. Most adoption centers charge a minimum fee of $50. Sometimes, they may have spayed/neutered the dog and dewormed and vaccinated it. Then the cost can go up to $500.
| The minimum price of a Bullmastiff puppy | $1000 |
| The maximum price of a pedigree Bullmastiff puppy | $3000 |
| Median price | $2000 |
| Adoption costs | $50-$500 |
The Cost of Basic Supplies for Bullmastiffs
Large breed puppies like the Bullmastiff pups have different requirements compared to the small and medium puppies. Not only do they need special diets; they also need larger and sturdier toys, bowls, beds, and crates. Here are some essentials to buy for your Bullmastiff before you bring it home from the breeder.
Collars and leashes
Select a leather or soft nylon collar with ID tags. Leashes should also be soft on your hand. If your pet pulls a lot on its walks, select a harness or a chain pinch collar. These should cost around $30-$50.
Bowls
Your pup needs large food and water bowls as it will be eating several meals a day. Select non-skid stainless steel or ceramic bowls. Avoid plastic bowls as they tend to develop cracks that can cause bacterial growth. Good bowls cost around $12 each. You need at least 3 bowls.
Toys
Select durable, tough rubberized toys that your massive pup won’t be able to tear apart. Make sure the toys are BPA-free and non-toxic. You also need teething toys to soothe your puppy’s gums during its teething phase. We also recommend ultra-durable Kong toys that you fill up with treats to keep your pet occupied for several hours. The total cost is around $50.
Bed
Provide a comfortable bed for your Bullmastiff to sleep in. If your pup is an aggressive chewer, select a ballistic, nylon, or leather bed that promises durability. Good-quality beds for large dog breeds can cost between $50 and $100.
| Item | Cost |
| Collars and leashes | $30-$50 |
| Bed and crate | $50 to $150 |
| Toys and dental chews | $50 |
| Food and water bowls | $30 |
| Poop bags | $10 |
| Grooming kit – shampoo, brush, ear cleaner, toothbrush, and toothpaste | $30 |
Bullmastiff Dog Training Costs
Sometimes, you can train your dog at home on your own by getting some tips from YouTube videos or books. At other times, you may need professional dog trainers to eliminate bad behaviors.
There are different types of dog training and they all cost differently. So answering the question: how much does Bullmastiff dog training cost – depends on the kind of training you choose.
On average, dog trainers charge between $30 and $80 per class for group training. The benefit of group training is that your Bullmastiff puppy will also get to interact with other puppies.
Individual training or private training is usually costlier – it can require spending between $45 and $120 per session. You also have dog obedience training schools that have weekly packages. You might spend between $200-$400 per week on these.
Then there is Bootcamp training. In this, your Bullmastiff will reside at the trainer’s facility/home and learn potty training, basic commands, and also specific training needs. This is even more expensive than obedience training and could cost between $500 and $1250 per week.
Places like PetCo and PetSmart offer weekly training packages. Some of these cost up to $110 per week. You could find some discounts or coupons that can save you some money on these programs. Both training places are great based on their online reviews.
| Group training (cost per class) | $30-$80 per class with the average being $50 |
| Private obedience school (cost per session) | $45.00 to $120 |
| Dog boot camp (cost per day) | weekly about $500 to $1250 |
| Minimum online training program price | $99.00 |
| YouTube videos | $0.00 |
Dog Food Costs for Bullmastiffs
How much the food for your Bullmastiff costs will vary based on many things: your pet’s age, the brand of food you feed it, the type of treats you provide, your pet’s activity levels, and also the type of food.
It is best to feed your puppy the same food that it was eating at the breeder’s home. This is important to maintain its digestive system and prevent stressing it further. For an adult Bullmastiff, you have several options when it comes to selecting the food. You can speak to your vet and select a good commercial diet (wet or dry) or you can choose to feed homemade meals. All this will decide how much you spend on your pet’s food.
In the United States, you can choose commercial dog foods that fall into three categories: cheap (up to $1.5 per pound), mid-range (from $1.5 to $2.5 per pound), and expensive (above $2/pound).
In general, kibble or dry dog food is cheaper than wet or canned food. Freeze-dried or dehydrated food is also an option. You can also choose the raw or BARF diet that consists of raw meat cuts obtained directly from the butcher. In general, though, a raw or BARF diet for dogs costs the owners more in terms of money as well as time.
Your adult Bullmastiff needs at least 2 meals per day. You need to feed nearly 6 to 7 cups of kibble per day to your adult Bullmastiff. Taper this based on its activity levels. Your puppy Bullmastiff will need almost 8 cups of dry dog food per day. You can divide this into 3-4 smaller meals.
Most adult Bullmastiff owners spend between $60 and $150 per month on good-quality dog food.
| Type of food | Monthly quantity needed | Cost per month |
| Premium dry food | 40- 50 lb. | $60 to $150 |
| Premium wet food | 200 lb. | $150 to $200 |
| Freeze-dried food | 40lb. | $300 |
| Raw food | 50 to 75 lb. | $175 |
| Dog treats | $30 to $55 |
Best Dog Food For Bullmastiffs – Cost Comparison
Bullmastiffs are a giant breed and they need food rich in protein and healthy carbohydrates. They also need essential fatty acids to maintain the skin barrier as well as their joint health.
To select the best food for your Bullmastiff, you can get recommendations from your breeder, other Bullmastiff owners, and also your vet. You can also select food based on your dog’s age, activity levels, and specific health needs.
For example, Bullmastiff puppies need a large-breed puppy food with DHA, EPA, calcium, and protein. An adult Bullmastiff will need food to maintain its weight. Remember: Bullmastiffs are prone to weight gain and can quickly become obese if you do not feed them the right food and maintain their exercise levels.
Select food that contains natural or organic ingredients. Generally, look for foods made in the USA. Avoid foods with grains like wheat, soy, and corn – these are just fillers and your Bullmastiff does not need them. Good dog foods are generally ones with real protein as the first ingredient.
Here are some options:
| Name | Features | Cost |
| Royal Canin Size Health Nutrition Large Puppy Dry Dog Food
|
Specially formulated for puppies of a large breed. Encourages bone health. Builds immune system. Optimum kibbe size. | $2.47/lb. |
| AvoDerm Natural Large Breed Dry Dog Food | Made with chondroitin and glucosamine for joint support. Also maintains skin and coat barrier | $2/lb. |
| Hill’s Science Diet Large Breed Dog Food | Contains high-quality protein, formulated with chondroitin and glucosamine for joint support. Omegas promote skin health | $2.47/lb. |
Medical Costs for the Bullmastiff Dog
Most puppy owners spend almost $500 on medical costs alone in their pet’s first year. Puppy vaccinations cost between $75 and $100 at most veterinary practices. These immunizations are very important to protect your Bullmastiff from diseases such as rabies, parvovirus, parainfluenza, etc.
The following table shows the age of the puppy and vaccinations to give with their costs.
| Name of the vaccine | Age of puppy | Cost |
| Distemper | At least 3 doses to be given between 6 and 16 weeks of age. (2 doses to be given 3-4 weeks apart) | $15 to $25 |
| Parvovirus | Same as above | |
| Adenovirus, type 1 (CAV-1, canine hepatitis) | An intranasal vaccine may be boostered at one year. Your Cavalier will also need a booster at 1 year after completing the initial series, then again, every 3 years. | $15-$50 |
| Adenovirus, type 2 (CAV-2, kennel cough) | Between 6 weeks to 16 weeks, at least 3 doses. | $15-$50 |
| Rabies 1 and 3 years | Can be given as early as 3 months of age. States have laws about this core vaccine | $35 to $50 |
| Parainfluenza | Administered at 6-8 weeks of age, then every 3-4 weeks until 12-14 weeks old. Depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation, a booster may be needed after a year and re-vaccination every 3 years. | $15-$35 |
| Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) | 2 doses of injection or one dose of intranasal vaccine given based on manufacturer recommendation | $15-$50 |
| Lyme disease | Given at 9 weeks and repeated after 2-4 weeks | $20-$40 |
| Leptospirosis | 2 doses at least 2-4 weeks apart. First dose is around 8 weeks. | $15-$35 |
You must also opt for flea and tick prevention. This can cost between $40 and $200 per year depending on the medicine you select. Also, you could spend on shampoos, flea-tick powders, sprays, collars, and spot treatments. Remember: these costs are much lower than the cost of treating a pet should it acquire any of the diseases spread by ticks and fleas.
You may also discuss deworming with your vet. Heartworm prevention costs around $24 to $120. Deworming can cost between $8 and $50 for a three-month supply.
In the first year that your Bullmastiff is with you, you may want to get it neutered or spayed. This surgery costs around $100-$400 with spaying costing more than neutering. The surgery is important to prevent certain cancers in your dog.
If you take your Bullmastiff to the vet for a routine checkup, you could spend between $40-$200 based on the area you live in and the vet. Some complete checkups with bloodwork can cost up to $600.
Emergency surgery can cost up to $1000 and hospitalizations in most cities are $500 and upwards per night. Fractures can cost almost $300-$500 to fix. A simple bout of diarrhea can cost between $190 and $300. Ear infections can cost around $75 to $250. A dental cleaning can cost around $200-$400.
The following table shows these costs:
| Name | Cost |
| Flea and tick prevention | $40-$200 per year |
| Deworming | $8 and $55 for 3-months |
| Spaying/neutering | $100-$400 |
| Dental cleaning | $200-$400 |
| Fractures | From $200 |
| Emergency surgery | From $1000 |
| X-rays | From $150 |
| Hospitalization | From $500 per day |
| Ultrasound | From $300 |
Health Issues Commonly Seen in Bullmastiffs
Like most purebred Bullmastiffs, some health issues are seen in the breed. However, you can greatly minimize this risk by buying your Bullmastiff from a reputed breeder. These conduct health checks on the parent dogs to prevent genetic issues from being passed on to the progeny.
Here are some common health issues in Bullmastiffs:
Hip problems
Hip and elbow dysplasia are the most commonly seen issues in the breed. You can overcome these by buying a healthy dog from a healthy litter. The cost of treating hip issues can run into thousands of dollars – especially if your pet needs surgery.
Cancer
As your Bullmastiff gets older, get it checked regularly to detect any lumps and bumps. Five of the most common cancers affecting dogs are mast cell tumor, melanoma, bone cancer, hemangiosarcoma, and lymphoma. The cost of radiation therapy can run into thousands of dollars.
Eye issues
Some of the common eye issues in Bullmastiffs are PRA or progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts. Cataracts need expensive surgery to treat and tests and other forms of treatment can run into the range of $3000.
Should You Buy Pet Insurance for Your Bullmastiff?
Dog health insurance plans can protect your friend and could cover many major and minor healthcare expenses. It is always better to buy pet insurance as it can guarantee you peace of mind and can cover surgery, hospitalization, and prescription drugs as well.
Many top-rated pet insurance plans cover hereditary conditions as well as routine and preventive costs. This can guarantee you peace of mind and also keep your out-of-pocket expenses very low.
The cost of pet insurance will vary greatly depending on your city, your Bullmastiff’s age, and also the company you select. It is better to get several quotes from top-rated pet insurance companies and also understand each coverage so you can select a plan that suits you best.
Here is a table showing different pet insurance companies, their features, and approximate/monthly costs.
| Name of Insurance Company | Cost | Pros | Cons |
| HealthyPaws | $39/month | Processes most claims in 2 days. Allows you to visit any US-licensed vet/clinic | Plans do not cover prescription diets and behavioral modification. |
| Pumpkin | $50-$80 a month | Almost 90% reimbursement with most policies. Their customer portal is user-friendly. | More expensive than other insurance companies |
| FIGO | $1.50/day | No upper limit for coverage, freedom to visit any vet | Premium increases as your pet ages |
Additional Costs of Bullmastiff Ownership
The above expenses may not come for every Bullmastiff owner. However, every pet parent must be prepared for certain surprise costs or unexpected costs as well. Typically, you could incur the following costs:
Pet care when you travel
It may not be possible for you to take your Bullmastiff with you everywhere you go. Dog boarding averages around $35 a night although some pet hostels tend to charge more for larger dog breeds.
You could consider hiring a pet-sitter to watch your pet. Most sitters charge between $40 and $75 per day but this can change based on the duties involved.
Pet walking services
Depending on your lifestyle and schedule, you may want to hire a dog walker to walk your Bullmastiff at least two times a day. Most dog walkers charge $20 per walk but this can change based on your area and the dates you select.
Pet deposit fee
If you rent your home, your landlord may ask you for pet deposit fees of up to $200 to $500 per year.
Microchipping and registration
A microchip is a small chip enclosed in a tiny capsule as small as a grain of rice. Your vet will insert this into your pet’s skin. Don’t worry: this is a painless procedure and it usually costs between $20 and $60. Microchips can help owners find their lost/stolen dogs. There is also a one-time activation fee of around $20 for registering your pet on the national database.
Key Takeaways – How Much Does a Bullmastiff Cost?
There are several costs to consider before you bring your Bullmastiff home.
If you opt to buy your puppy from a breeder, prepare to spend around $1000-$2000. Some breeders may even charge up to $3000 for certain traits and coat colors. If you adopt an older dog, then the fees can range from $50-$500.
In the first year, you could spend anywhere between $100 and $1000 on basic supplies depending on whether you stick to the basics or go all out and splurge. Regardless of whether you buy or adopt, you need to consider your pet’s reproductive status. If you do not plan to breed your dog or enter it for shows, then you may have to shell out between $100 and $400 for de-sexing surgery. This can bring the first-year cost of owning a Bullmastiff to nearly $2500 to $4000.
Annually, you need to spend on healthy food and treats, dental chews, basic or routine medical expenses, parasite and heartworm prevention, and poop bags. You’d also spend on pet insurance. This can bring your annual cost of raising a Bullmastiff to $1000 to $1750.
Bullmastiffs live for 8-10 years. This can bring the total or lifetime cost of Bullmastiff ownership from $8000 to $20,000.
Remember: these are just estimates. The exact answer to how much Bullmastiff costs will vary based on where you live and also your style of pet parenting.
