Bullmastiff

Bred for English gamekeepers to pin poachers, the Bullmastiff is the most compact giant here and the easiest to fit into an ordinary house, with a short coat and modest exercise needs. It is still around 50 kg of strong-willed guardian that dislikes heat and can be intolerant of other dogs, and joints are a weak point: about a quarter of screened dogs show hip dysplasia. Life expectancy is about 10 years, with lymphoma a known breed risk.