If you’re the proud owner of a bullmastiff, then you want them to look and feel their best. Learning how to groom a bullmastiff, French mastiff, or other short-haired mastiff breed isn’t difficult because these big lovable dogs are pretty low maintenance in the grooming department, but they still need regular care.
Bathing, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning, and toe nail trimming are a few of the essentials to help them stay healthy and fit.
In this blog post, we will give you 5 quick tips for grooming your bullmastiff into the debonair dog you know and love. Keep your mastiff looking their best with these easy tips!
Bathing your Bullmastiff
You can give your mastiff a bath every six to eight weeks depending on how active they are and how attracted they are to mud puddles. With a short, densely coated breed, like the Bull mastiff regular bathing is essential to minimize shedding and to maintain healthy skin and coat.
Before giving your bullmastiff a bath it’s a good idea to give them a quick “blowout” with a hair dryer and brush to remove any loose hair, doggy dandruff, or dead skin particles.
If you have a rambunctious bullmastiff, then you know that bathing them can be a bit of a challenge. They are notoriously difficult to bathe, and if you’re not careful, you can end up getting soaked yourself. However, there are a few tricks that you can use to make the process a little easier.
First, it’s important to choose the right shampoo. There are special shampoos designed for Mastiffs that will be gentle on their skin and won’t strip away the natural oils that keep their coat healthy.
Second, start by wetting down your dog with warm water. Be sure to avoid getting any water in their ears or eyes. Once they’re wet, apply the shampoo and work it into a good lather. Rinse thoroughly and repeat if necessary.
Third, use a high-quality dog hair dryer to blow them dry. Start from the head and work your way down, using a low heat setting to avoid burning their skin.
Bullmastiffs are prone to tartar buildup and plaque, so it’s important to clean their teeth regularly. You can either use a commercial toothpaste or make your own using baking soda and water.
Brushing Their Fur
Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that brushing is an essential part of maintaining a shnazzy good looking coat. Not only does it help to remove dirt and debris, but it also helps to stimulate blood flow and distribute the natural oils that keep their skin and coat healthy.
Regular brushing can also help reduce the piles of short little hairs over everything in your home from your shedmaster mastiff, but it’s also a good bonding time with your pup. And they usually love a good brushing massage.
For owners of short-haired breeds, like the mastiff, this process is relatively straightforward.
Here are a few tips for successfully brushing a bullmastiff’s coat:
- Brush in the direction of the hair growth.
- Brush their coat regularly, preferably daily but at least once a week. This helps get rid of loose hair, dead skin, and helps limit odor.
- Choose the right brush. Bristle brushes are best for cleaning and shining the coat of a short-haired mastiff. While most bullmastiffs are short hair a recessive gene can result in a long haired mastiff. In that case a pin brush or slicker brush will help with de-tangling. Your dog might also love a grooming glove because it’s effective at removing loose hair and it gives them a nice massage.
Checking Their Teeth and Gums
As any dog owner knows, it is important to keep up with your pet’s dental hygiene. This is not only for the sake of their health, but also for your own sanity (nobody likes stinky doggy breath!).
For bullmastiffs in particular, it is important to check their teeth and gums regularly and to brush their teeth at least once a week. Fortunately, this is easy to do at home with a toothbrush designed specifically for dogs.
Just be sure to use toothpaste that is safe for pets – human toothpaste can be harmful to dogs if swallowed. With regular brushing, you can help keep your bullmastiff’s teeth and gums healthy – and your own nose happy!
Cleaning Their Ears
If you’re the owner of a beautiful bullmastiff, then you already know they require lots of hugs. But they also need a good “manscaping” now and then.
One area that is often overlooked is the ears. It’s important to keep them clean to prevent infections. The good news is that cleaning your Bullmastiff’s ears is relatively easy. All you need is some dog-safe ear cleaner and a soft cloth.
First, apply the cleaner to the cloth and then gently wipe the inside of your dog’s ear. Be careful not to go too deep – you don’t want to damage their delicate eardrum.
Once you’ve wiped away any dirt or wax, simply use a dry cloth to remove any residual cleaner. With regular cleaning, you can help keep your bullmastiff’s ears healthy and infection-free.
Trimming Their Nails
As any dog owner knows, trimming a dog’s nails is an important part of maintaining their health. Not only does it keep their nails from getting too long, but it also helps to prevent pain and infection, and deep scratches to your wood floors and furniture.
However, trimming a bullmastiff’s nails can be a challenge due to their size and strength. The best way to approach the task is to have someone hold the dog while you gently clip the nails with a pair of scissors or nail trimmers. It’s important to avoid cutting too deeply, as this can cause bleeding and pain.
Once all of the nails have been trimmed, you can file them to smooth any sharp edges. With a little patience and practice, you can keep your bullmastiff’s nails healthy and looking sharp. (not the pointy kind the debonair kind)
Exercising a Mastiff to Keep Them Healthy and Fit!
While not strictly a grooming tip, exercise is important for your pooch. Bullmastiffs are big, powerful dogs that were originally bred for hunting and guarding. However, these days they are more likely to be found lounging on the couch than working hard in the field.
While it’s true that bullmastiffs don’t require as much exercise as some other breeds, they still need to get enough activity to stay healthy and fit. A daily walk is a good way to start, but bullmastiffs also enjoy playing fetch, going for hikes, and even swimming.
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Exercising not only helps to keep your bullmastiff’s weight under control, but it also helps to strengthen their muscles and bones, improve their joint health, and promote a healthy heart and lungs. In short, it’s good for them all around!
In conclusion, taking care of your bullmastiff’s grooming needs is not difficult, but learning how to groom a bullmastiff does require a bit of patience and some basic knowledge. With a little time and effort, you can keep your dog looking and feeling their best.
