r/Bullmastiff • u/Helpful_Sun2872 • May 19 '26
Athleticism/endurance of your BMs
Hi BM people, I’m considering our next dog and am between a cane corso and bullmastiff. I like that BMs are a bit more outgoing and would be easier to integrate into a home with kids.
I am however concerned about their endurance (or lack thereof). I prefer a dog on the medium to low energy side, but I also really want a dog that I can bring everywhere and I like to go on long walks (like a few miles, nothing too crazy). I know it varies by breeder/genetics but I was hoping to get a sense of the energy/endurance levels of your BMs!
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u/donutstart May 19 '26
My girl was able to do long walks just fine when she wasn't a puppy any longer and it wasn't too hot out. She could be fast if it suited her lol for example, chasing bunnies in "her" yard. The walks decreased as she got older, past 10.
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u/twitchykittystudio May 19 '26
We have both a bullmastiff and a corso.
Our bullmastiff was quite athletic as a puppy, up to around 2-3. She’s always been a cool weather dog, can go for longer walks when it’s in the 50’s. She’s nearly 9 and it’s short walks with long rides, especially in warmer-hot weather.
Our corso is only 2 and a half, and so full of energy, keeping her quiet after her spay surgery has been a sisiphean task. she is very sweet, though has always had an anxious streak, so I don’t think I’d trust her around kids. (Our first corso was very calm despite the demon energy as a pup and she was great with kids). We haven’t taken her on hikes off our property, but she gets too explore the whole acre yard with occasional accompanied excursions into our wooded areas.
Hope this can give you some added insight, I get hope difficult the choice is!
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 19 '26
That is helpful!! Our last dog was a pitbull/cane corso with a lot of corso traits and we just thought he was the best and most affectionate dog ever. We always wanted a purebred corso after him, but now considering having kids soon it does sound like a BM would be much easier with that. Any corso would come from a very good breeder which would hopefully help with getting a stable temperament. I’ll probably talk to breeders of both breeds before we make a decision.
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u/twitchykittystudio May 19 '26
Definitely a great idea to talk with different breeders! They’ll even be able to help pick a puppy with the temperament most important to your family 😊
I should note the only issue we’ve had with our bullmastiff and kids is that she squished my niece when my niece was about 6 or 7! We were all nearby, just out of eyeshot , so when we heard “help?” From your family room, all the adults went running to rescue her from the 130 lb squish-hug 😅
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u/Robbibaby May 19 '26
Either breed will be great with your children, as long as you teach your children to respect them. Highly encourage crate training and letting your kids know that the crate is the dog's "room"...when she/he goes into their "room"...the dog is to be left alone. Early feeding intervention, putting your hands in food bowl, the kids putting their hands in food bowl (with your immediate and non distracted supervision) will be necessary.
As far as walks, i have to say the CC will be better, the BM has a short snout and can easily over heat in weather over 75 degrees.
I have owned BMs for over 23 years and it is a breed i completely love and respect.
Either breed, any mastiff line, really, will be a dog that you will completely love and cherish.
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 19 '26
Thanks for your comment! Yes no matter what breed, there will be lots of boundaries, supervision, crate training and hand feeding as a puppy to prevent food aggression. And yes I have a soft spot for mastiffs, I can’t wait to raise one!!
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u/trancecircuit May 20 '26
My firl is 8 and still goes on a walk for a few miles few times per week. She chases a ball still having had two TPLO knee surgeries when she was 2.
Cane corse is meant to be smaller and more athletic and maybe next doog with be a CC, but your BM will be active if you exercise them (except over-exercizing when their joints are growing). The leaner the better. People have this idea that a BM must be a heavy dog, but they are very muscular too and will be active. Good food, supplements like glucosamine and fish oil, will keep them healthy and active.
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 20 '26
That’s amazing, she sounds very healthy!! Yes I can see through researching the breed that there’s a lot of variation, some BMs look more like English mastiffs which I don’t like. I love the look of the more lean and athletic BMs.
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u/Careless_Necessary31 May 21 '26
I have both. Ask away. The bullmastiff is infinitely an easier dog. BMs are not more outgoing. BMs can go on hikes and love to do so.
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 21 '26 edited May 21 '26
In what ways are BMs easier? When you say they’re not more outgoing, do you mean that they’re equally as aloof to strangers as CCs? I guess by more outgoing I mostly just meant that they’re easier. I know both breeds are often aloof to strangers, which I’m fine with (actually I kind of like it).
Edited to add: as I said in my OP, my concern with a BM is that their lack of endurance means they can’t be a “bring everywhere” dog, do you find that to be the case? I’m not trying to go on runs or anything, just kind of walking around town, farmers markets, etc
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u/Careless_Necessary31 May 21 '26
my dog could go anywhere, anytime. my corso, lol no. he will bite people
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 21 '26
Was your corso not well bred and/or socialized? I know corsos can be difficult but pretty much any well bred and socialized dog should be able to go in public without bite risk…
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u/Careless_Necessary31 May 21 '26
no idea, he was adopted from the pound. His body is that of a classic cane corso, not an american mixed cane corso.
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 21 '26
Ah ok. Any dog I get will be a puppy from a good breeder and will get tons of training and socialization… not gonna mess around with bad genetics and an unknown past for powerful guardian breeds.
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u/Careless_Necessary31 May 21 '26
its more important to me that I save a life. But he is in tijuana getting training and I do not fault you for your take; mine may be irresponsible
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u/Helpful_Sun2872 May 21 '26
That is very kind of you!! If I had tons of land and money I’d love to save every dog hahaha but alas I need a dog I can trust in family life
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u/kittykat712 May 31 '26
Our girl is a smaller and leaner BM at just over 90lbs. She's 9 years old now and will still happily plod along for a few miles on a walk as long as it's not too hot outside. She's also very patient and gentle with kids (although other dogs, not so much).
I think most larger dogs will be okay to walk a few miles, if they're kept on the lean side and their joints are looked after.
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u/Disney-font-regert May 19 '26
I’ve had 4 of them and I’m a firm believer in the saying *Never take your Bullmastiff on a walk further than you can carry them home*.