Bullmastiff
Price range: $1,500-$3,200
Common health issues: Hip and elbow dysplasia, cardiac disease
Additional expense: Obedience training
Bred by combining the Old English Bulldog (now extinct) and Mastiff, the breed was originally developed by English landowners to stop poachers. The Bullmastiff’s job was to track intruders and hold them in place (without biting) until a groundskeeper came by.
This dog is calm and loyal and very protective of family. A large dog, standing 24 to 27 inches and weighing 100 to 130 pounds, it looks intimidating, but once it knows its place in the family, it is both a gentle and docile pet, and a fearless protector. It has a short, dense coat that requires little maintenance. It needs a moderate amount of exercise, and like other large dogs, requires obedience training.