How to Groom a Bullmastiff
Helpful Step By Step Guide 

by Ken Alden

When learning how to groom a Bullmastiff not only is there a lot of dog to groom, there's also lots of body parts needed grooming! They need their coats brushed and bathed, ears cleaned of dirt, nails trimmed, and teeth brushed. Yet, you'll want to follow guidelines set in place specifically for Bullmastiffs.

How To Groom A Bullmastiff...

• Brush him every day and bathe him every few months
• Clean his ears weekly with wipes or vet-approved solutions
• Trim his nails with a nail grinder rather than a clipper
• Bathe him with gentle shampoo for a healthy coat
• Brush his teeth and give him dental treats for healthy gums

It’s a lot of work caring for a dog, especially a large dog like a Bullmastiff, but the task of doing so can be made much easier by following our helpful guidelines shown below...

Pro-tip: Ever try lifting a Bullmastiff? Their weight can hurt not only your back but their joints when they hop down from cars, sofas or even your bed. To protect your back and theirs check out the best Mastiff ramps on Amazon.com now.

How Often Should A Bullmastiff Be Groomed?

The Bullmastiff isn’t exactly a high-maintenance dog when it comes to grooming, but it might seem like you’re grooming him fairly often. You should be able to get away with bringing your Bullmastiff to the groomer every eight weeks or so. 

However, that really depends on how rough and tumble your Bullmastiff is. If he tends to come home covered in dirt or mud, you might be bringing him to the groomer even more often. The best way to extend the time between grooming visits is by brushing him daily.

What we’ve done with this Bullmastiff grooming guide is to not only give direction in how to groom, but also product recommendations to make the job safer and easier for all involved.

So let’s start by learning how to groom a Bullmastiff from the top down…

How To Clean Bullmastiff Ears

You love your Bullmastiff’s adorable floppy ears, but did you know that they make him even more prone to ear infections? That’s because it’s much easier for dirt or bacteria to become lodged deep into your Bullmastiff’s ear canal.

When bacteria or ear mites make themselves home in your Bullmastiff’s ear canals, he’s going to be extremely uncomfortable. You’ll likely notice an odd odor coming from his ears, the leaking of discharge, and an intense amount of scratching.

Bullmastiff Ear Cleaning: A Step-By-Step Guide

You want to be careful when it comes to cleaning your Bullmastiff’s ears. Using Q-tips to dig out bacteria and dirt might only push the harmful debris deeper into your Bullmastiff’s ear canal, which can make the condition even worse. To ensure you’re doing things properly, follow this quick guide: 

1. The first step is prevention. Keep a close eye on your Bullmastiff’s ears and check them weekly for signs of infection (i.e., Redness, itchiness, smell, discharge). Once you notice ear cleaning is needed, move on to the next step. 
2. Get a vet-approved ear cleaning solution or ear wipes.
3. When using a solution, squeeze it directly into your Bullmastiff’s ear canal and then rub the base of each ear for 30+ seconds. This allows the solution to seep in before you eventually wipe away the excess.

Wipes are the easiest solution. Just take a wipe and rub off any dirt that’s sitting on your Bullmastiff’s ears. Keep wiping until the dirt is completely gone and doesn’t show up on the wipes any longer.

Best Bullmastiff Ear Cleaners & Wipes…
A Few Recommendations

ZYMOX Pet Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone is designed to intensely clean your Bullmastiff’s ear canals. This product is most useful in fighting off current ear infections, whether they’re viral, bacterial, or yeast. Rest assured, this product is vet-trusted.

PetMD Ear Wipes are perfect for maintaining your Bullmastiff’s ear health. The infused aloe and eucalyptus give these wipes a pleasant smell and a soothing interaction. Just rub the wipe on your Bullmastiff’s ears, and you’ll be getting rid of dirt, wax, and bacteria.

Your Bullmastiffs Gums And Teeth

A lot of dogs have dental issues. Though they’re common, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t that severe. So, it’s best that you start brushing your Bullmastiff’s teeth as soon as possible, as it’s a difficult task to introduce later in life. 

So, what are the benefits of brushing your dog’s teeth? The most important is the removal of tartar and plaque. Each of these can contribute to mouth infections and tooth decay down the line. Yet, you can also try cleaning your dog’s teeth with dental toys and treats.  

Bullmastiff Teeth Cleaning: A Step-By-Step Guide

Cleaning your Bullmastiff’s teeth is a scary prospect: what if your dog accidentally bites down? 

Fortunately, it’s not as bad as you might think. Use this quick guide to ensure you’re cleaning your dog’s teeth correctly. 

1. If you’re planning to go the toothbrush route, you’re going to need a soft-bristled dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste (usually flavored like beef). You might even want to use a finger toothbrush if you’re willing to stick your fingers in a Bullmastiff’s mouth.
2. After choosing your toothpaste, the first thing you should do is let your dog get used to the taste of the dog toothpaste. 
3. When he starts to enjoy the taste, gently massage the bristles into his teeth and gums one at a time. Do this until all teeth and gums have been cleaned. 

You can also opt for dental treats or bones as well. These are designed to force your dog to chew on a hard object for a long period of time, meaning extra scraping of your Bullmastiff’s tartar and plaque. 

Best Bullmastiff Dental Products…A Few Recommendations

The Arm & Hammer Dog Dental Care Fresh Breath Kit for Dogs is a solid toothbrush kit. It comes with a soft-bristled dog toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, and some vanilla ginger-flavored toothpaste. Plus, the added baking powder in the toothpaste will do wonders for your dog’s teeth.

Pedigree DENTASTIX Treats for Large Dogs is a mildly hard stick chew that your Bullmastiff will spend a little time working on. When chewed, these treats are designed to dig deep into the gum line while also scraping excess tartar and plaque from your Bullmastiff’s teeth. 

Bathing Your Bullmastiff

It’s safe to say that the Bullmastiff does shed a lot. That means you’re likely vacuuming up a ton of hair and dead skin cells every time you clean the house. One of the best ways to limit the shedding in your home is by bathing your Bullmastiff frequently.

If your Bullmastiff likes to run around outside and get muddy, you might be bathing him on a weekly basis. Otherwise, every eight weeks or so is fine. The bonus? You can be sure that bathing will keep your Bullmastiff’s skin and coat looking clean and smelling fresh at all times. how to groom a bullmastiff

Bullmastiff Bathing: A Step-By-Step Guide

The process of bathing your Bullmastiff is generally pretty simple. You’re going to need a brush, a bucket of water, and some dog shampoo.

1. The first thing you’re going to do is brush your Bullmastiff’s coat and get rid of any excess hair that’s still hanging on. 
2. After that, you can begin to slowly pour warm water onto his coat from the neck all the way to his tail.
3. Lather in some shampoo and get all the nooks and crannies that tend to accumulate a lot of dirt. 
4. Then, rinse him down with a bucket of water and make sure that there’s no shampoo left on him.

Getting water in your Bullmastiff’s ear puts him at a higher risk for an ear infection, so make sure you’re wiping his face down with a damp cloth to get rid of any gook. You should only be working from the neck down when bathing your Bullmastiff.

Best Shampoos For Bullmastiffs…A Few Recommendations

HONEYDEW Dog Shampoo for Dry Itchy Skin is made mostly of oatmeal, which is really gentle on your Bullmastiff’s skin. It’s even better if your Bullmastiff tends to get itchy or develop dry skin in the cold winter months. It smells fresh and will leave his coat looking brand new.

Fresh 'n Clean Scented Shampoo is as basic as it comes for dog shampoos. The first benefit is that it comes in a 32-ounce bottle that’ll surely last you months with your Bullmastiff. This product is also loaded with vitamin E and aloe for better moisturization and texture to his coat.

Caring For Your Bullmastiffs Coat

The Bullmastiff’s coat is easy to care for, but they do shed a lot, and dead skin cells seem to build up pretty quickly. Even if you’re keeping up-to-date on brushing and bathing, shedding might give your Bullmastiff’s coat a rather patchy appearance.

So, it’s time to add some coat care supplements to his daily diet. These supplements help new hair to grow nicely and evenly and leave your Bullmastiff’s coat looking pretty neat. 

Bullmastiff Coat Care: A Step-By-Step Guide

Caring for your Bullmastiff’s coat is an important task. If you don’t do the proper grooming tasks at regular integrals, you’re going to be dealing with a dirty, knot-infested mess. how to groom a bullmastiff

To help you avoid that problem, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to care for your Bullmastiff’s coat:

1. Regularly inspect your dog’s hair for potential issues. These can include insects like ticks or fleas, or dandruff, which can be indicative of skin infections or parasitic infestations. 
2. Regularly brush your dog’s hair. When you brush your Bullmastiff’s hair, you’re removing dead hair and preventing it from matting. This is crucial, because too much matting can cause your dog significant pain and possibly even cause heart problems. 
3. Bathe your dog every month. While inspections and brushing can remove insects and dead hair, it won’t keep your dog’s fur and skin clean. To accomplish that, you’ll need to give them regular baths using special doggy shampoo. 

Pro-tip: Bullmastiff's (and their owners) love dog crates…and for good reasons. Crates keep dogs from mischief while you're away, are perfect for house training, for traveling by car, and provide the dog a place to de-stress. Check out the best Mastiff crates on Amazon.com now.

Best Bullmastiff Coat Care Supplements…
A Few Recommendations

Zesty Paws Omega 3 Alaskan Fish Oil Chew Treats are loaded with EPA and DHA fatty acids, both of which target your Bullmastiff’s skin and coat. In just a few short weeks, your Bullmastiff’s coat should be noticeably smoother and less flaky. But, since your Bullmastiff is on the bigger side, you’ll have to be feeding him three or more a day to see the benefits. 

Zesty Paws Pure Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for Dogs & Cats actually comes in a liquid form designed to be mixed with your Bullmastiff’s favorite food (dry or wet). The bonus is that you won’t have any treat residue or crumbs left on the floor when your Bullmastiff is done going to town on them. This product is practically pure salmon oil, meaning a ton of omega fatty acids.

Brushing Your Bullmastiff

The Bullmastiff has a pretty short coat, but it does seem to always be shedding. No matter where you look in your house, there’s hair - on the couch, on the carpet, somehow embedded deep into your clothes, everywhere.

So, you want a tool that can help dig out those pesky loose hairs from your Bullmastiff’s coat, so it doesn’t end up all around the house. Daily brushing is a great start to keeping your pal's skin and coat free of dead hair and skin cells.

Bullmastiff Brushing: A Step-By-Step Guide

When it comes to brushing your Bullmastiff, don’t be surprised if he isn’t too happy about the whole ordeal. To make it easier, you can follow this short guide to properly brushing your pup:

1. First, try to calm your Bullmastiff down using treats and affection. Once your dog seems comfortable, you can begin brushing. 
   
2. Brush in a methodical fashion down the dog’s fur. Make sure you brush every part of the dog’s fur so that no sections of hair are missed. 
3. If you encounter any particularly tough clumps of hair, don’t pull until they come out. It can be tempting to work a clump until the hair breaks off, but this can cause your dog a lot of pain. Instead, you should gently brush to slowly work out the knot. And if your dog indicates that it’s in pain, leave it be and move on. 
4. If your dog’s hair is particularly tough to brush, consider hiring a groomer. Some dogs who have gone months or years without brushing might have coats that are too tangled for a normal brush to tackle. If this is the case, you need to consider hiring a professional to handle it. 
   
   

Now that the guide is out of the way, here are a few tips on choosing the right brush:

• Bristle brushes have a lot more bristles, meaning they’re great for getting rid of a lot of hair. This is a great option when it’s shedding season.
• Pin brushes have fewer bristles and don’t provide all that much benefit. However, your Bullmastiff might find the sensation soothing, and they’re great for getting rid of dead hair and skin cells that are merely sitting on top of your Bullmastiff’s coat.
  
  

Best Bullmastiff Brushes…A Few Recommendations

The Safari by Coastal Dual-Sided Shedding Blade has a pretty funky blade design, but it’s absolutely perfect for large breed dogs like your Bullmastiff. Just gently brush it through your Bullmastiff’s coat, and you’ll be able to remove any loose hair that’s refusing to budge. how to groom a bullmastiff

The Pet Neat Pet Grooming Brush is designed to remove up to 95% of your Bullmastiff’s loose hair and dead skin cells. This slicker brush is great for reducing your Bullmastiff’s shedding habit while also leaving his coat looking shiny and well-groomed. 

The DELOMO Pet Grooming Glove is the perfect solution for the Bullmastiff that has a love-hate relationship with regular brushes. Just put this rubber glove onto your hand and gently run your hand through your Bullmastiff’s coat. And, he won’t even know you’re brushing him.

How To Cut Bullmastiff Nails

There are actually plenty of dangers of allowing your Bullmastiff’s nails to grow too long. He might not be able to keep his traction on smooth surfaces like hardwood floors and might even permanently damage the structure of his foot.

In every dog’s nails, there’s what’s called a “quick.” This is where the blood vessel and nerve meet and are easily seen in dogs with clear nails. Since your Bullmsatiff’s nails are black, you won’t be able to see the quick or where to trim, meaning grinding is the best option. 

Bullmastiff Nail Trimming: A Step-By-Step Guide

Grinding is great for several reasons. The most important is that you can easily trim your Bullmastiff’s nails, so they’re smooth all the way around without accidentally clipping his quick.

You’re going to want to grind your dog’s nails every six weeks or so, but you might be able to extend the time between grindings if your dog walks on rough surfaces like concrete or asphalt when on his walks, which might naturally grind his nails.

A nail grinder is basically like an automatic nail file that’s cylindrical and spins quickly. They usually have a small opening that provides just enough room to squeeze your dog’s nail into. 

Here’s a quick guide on how to trim your Bullmastiff’s nails:

1. Make sure your dog is calm before starting the process. Pet them and give them treats to soothe them before proceeding. 
2. Get the nail grinder ready. 
3. Start off at a slow speed and allow your Bullmastiff to get used to the sound and the feeling. 
4. Hold an individual nail into the nail grinder’s opening and shave the nail from all angles.

Since your Bullmastiff is pretty large, you might want another person’s help to keep him still. 

Best Nail Trimmers For Bullmastiffs…A Few Recommendations

The Casfuy Dog Nail Grinder comes in two speeds and with a diamond bit for incredibly smooth nails in less time. What you’ll like even more is how quiet this grinder is, so long gone are the days when your Bullmastiff runs off at the sound of getting his nails done. Once the battery is low, just attach it to the charging port.

The Belita Amy Dog Nail Grinder is convenient and affordable. It has an impressive battery life of up to eight hours and has two different running speeds dependent on how tough your Bullmastiff’s nails are. The device is also easy to charge with its plug-in USB charger and works great on dogs of any size!

How To Groom A Bullmastiff...Final Thoughts

It’s not easy grooming a dog, let alone a huge dog like the Bullmastiff. But, the more you stay up to date on grooming, the healthier your Bullmastiff will be and the fewer health issues he’ll experience.

Here are some key things to remember...

• Use a pin brush or bristle brush to get rid of any loose hair from your Bullmastiff’s coat.
• Keep up to date with teeth cleanings to avoid mouth infections.
• Clean your Bullmastiff’s ears to reduce the likelihood of ear infections or ear mites.
• Give your Bullmastiff a bath using a gentle shampoo that won’t irritate the skin.
• Trim your Bullmastiff’s nails to make it easy for him to get around.
  
  

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I’m Ken Alden. This website
is a labor of love from years of research and personal experiences with Mastiffs.

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