Standard Poodle vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison

The Poodle is the national dog of France, and there they are known as the duck dog. The breed actually originated as a duck hunter in Germany. It was known as ‘Pudelin’ which means splashing in water.

The dog has always had a crisp, curly coat to protect it from the elements. It is classified as a non-sporting dog. Soon the French became aware of what a fine dog it was and it became sought after among the elite in France.

It has been known for at least 400 years. While it is still not sure precisely from which country it comes, the poodle is a descendant of the French Water Dog which is now extinct.

The Old English Mastiff as well as the Bulldog are the breeds behind the Bull Mastiff. The Bullmastiff was originally developed in England around the 1860’s. Gamekeepers in England wanted a large, brave, robust dog which could help with keeping poachers away from their large estates which kept game.

As these large estates dwindled, so did the need for the services of the Bullmastiff and later they were simply bred to be family companions. As more Old English Mastiffs were bred, the dog became lighter, so that light tan or fawn became the preferred color.

The breed was officially recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1924, and the American Kennel Club in 1933.

The Standard Poodle is a medium-sized dog that stands between 35 and 40cm in height and weighs between 20 - 27 kg. The coat of the standard poodle is curly and medium length and it comes in a range of different colors – black, brown, cream, apricot or white.

The ears are medium shaped and floppy and the tail is most times docked to half its length. The muzzle is fairly long and the eyes are brown and alert.

Temperament:

Standard Poodles are full of the joys of living and they are friendly, fun, playful dogs. They love playing games with the children and they make excellent family dogs.

He is quite feisty and stubborn and will require training and socialization. He is smart and is in fact, one of the most trainable of all the dog breeds.

They can adapt to life in the city or the countryside but he will need to be exercised wherever he is. The Standard Poodle isn’t aggressive but he can still make a good watchdog.

Bullmastiffs are large, brachycephalic dogs, and heights are between 61 and 68cm and the dog weight anything between 41 – 59kg. While it isn’t particularly tall, the dog is thickly set with a deep chest and strong, muscular legs. The Bull Mastiff has a powerful build and plenty of strength with an imposing look on his face. He is a powerful, active breed with a short coat which is also weather resistant and can be any shade of fawn, red or brindle.

The dog has a black muzzle and the skull is large and square. The ears are set high and are short and floppy. The tail was once docked, giving the dog an even more distinctive, powerful appearance, but these days, due to regulations, the tail is left long.

Temperament

The Bullmastiff is a loyal, devoted, fearless, protective dog. When he belongs to a human family, he becomes a companion but a fierce protector too, being a territorial dog. They love being with their family and can be good with children too, and even other pets, but proper training and socialization will be important. They aren’t aggressive around strangers, though he does make a wonderful guard dog.

He is intelligent and stubborn and if you don’t want him becoming destructive, even though he is a low-energy dog, you will need to exercise him and walk him every day.

Poodles are clever, easy to train and capable of living well in the city or in the countryside.

They’re adaptable dogs too which makes them excellent family pets. They’re active and social so when you bring one into your home, you’re going to know he is there.

He wants to be involved in every aspect of your life, bonding with all members of the family, loving to spend time with each one.

He is an all-rounder and will also be a great watchdog. Loving and loyal, the Standard Poodle is ready to become your ideal pet and companion.

Contrary to his formidable looks, the Bullmastiff is a gentle, affectionate pet when he has been properly socialized. He is a great pet for families and will guard them with his life. He is loyal and devoted but can be somewhat aloof, particularly with strangers.

He isn’t a highly energetic dog and he is more or less low maintenance and easy-going. Feed him correctly, give him a nice, warm sleeping spot to call his own and give him attention like he deserves as a family member. The Bullmastiff will reward you by being a solid and devoted companion.

The Standard Poodle doesn’t have many health issues to worry about and he can live to a ripe old age of 15 or so if he is looked after well.

However, he can succumb to some of the common dog diseases there are – eye problems, skin allergies, bloat and ear infections.

Allergies:

Allergies in dogs can be caused by pollen, insects, food, and medicines. These allergies can all cause terrible itching, scratching, watery eyes, skin inflammation, and pain.

The ears, underarms, groin and around the eyes are often affected. It can make your pet most miserable. Your dog will have to get to the vet to relieve him of his discomfort and the vet will want a medical history to find out what is causing the problem.

The Bullmastiff is a generally healthy breed, but even so, the breed is known for having to contend with certain health issues. He doesn’t have a particularly long life span either and can live to be about 10, ll or 12 years of age. Some of the more common illnesses to look out for include -

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a condition where the thighbone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint. The troublesome part is that it can lead to arthritis, pain and lameness for your pet.

Bloat:

This is a worrisome, life-threatening condition for a dog, particularly for large, deep-chested dogs such as your Bullmastiff. Instead of feeding your Mastiff one large meal, it is recommended to feed him 2 smaller meals. Bloat occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and twists, restricting the normal return of blood to the heart.

Grooming:

The Standard Poodle will require regular brushing even though it is a low- or non-shedding breed. The curls can become matted. Some poodle owners choose to have their poodles professionally groomed and clipped.

The nails will need to be trimmed.

The teeth will also need to be checked if the dog will allow you to look inside his mouth. A bad, oozing tooth can cause all kinds of medical problems.

Because of the floppy ears, check inside the ears for dirt and wax buildup and signs of redness and a possible ear infection. If you don’t like to probe inside your dog’s ears or mouth, professional dog groomers will do this for you.

Exercise:

Your poodle is an active dog and he will need regular daily exercise. Chase him on the lawn, throw a ball for him, hide away from him and let him find you. He will also love daily walks.

Diet:

Just like with any other dog, your Standard Poodle needs good, nutritional food to remain healthy. Some of the commercially manufactured dog foods you get are bad for a dog as they don’t have natural ingredients and are devoid of vitamins and minerals.

They’re certainly a convenient way to feed a dog, but try and go for the ones that are wholesome for your pet.

Home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables is a good choice as it is healthy and won’t cause your dog to battle with digestive problems. Avoid spicy, exotic foods and things such as popcorn, onion, peanuts, and chocolate.

Make sure your Standard Poodle always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available.

Grooming for Health and Happiness

The Bullmastiff has a short dense coat which is looked upon as low-maintenance. He will require a brushing twice a week, being a light to average shedder. He is a dog that tends to drool quite a bit so you may need to wipe away slobber from time to time. Because his face has wrinkles, check the creases to ensure they remain free of dirt and food particles to ward off infection.

Check his ears at the same time, brush his teeth at least twice a week with special dog-toothpaste and brush and keep the nails trimmed.

Diet:

Your large Bullmastiff will require high-quality commercial dog food but he will also need some home-made food in between such as rice, vegetables and meat. He is a large dog and will have to get an intake of raw meat too. Dogs denied raw meat can end up with skin problems as well as other health issues.It is better to feel your Bullmastiff smaller meals than to give him one large meal which he scoffs down quickly. Smaller meals will help prevent the most dangerous illness known as Bloat.

Ensure he has a steady supply of fresh, cool water.