Bullmastiff vs Rottweiler

A Bullmastiff
Photo: Maja Dumat
A Rottweiler
Photo: Fabian Roudra Baroi

Side by side

Bullmastiff
Rottweiler
Adult weight
Males 50–59 kg (110–130 lb); females 41–50 kg (90–110 lb)1
Males 43–54 kg (95–119 lb); females 37–46.4 kg (82–102 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 5,321, middle 50%)2
Lifespan
Median 10.2 years3
Median 10.6 years3
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
Group
Pinschers & molossoids5
Pinschers & molossoids6
Coat
Short coat5
Coat of medium length6
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Health
Blood-vessel cancer of the skin (far more likely); Inward-rolling eyelid (far more likely)7,8
Bone cancer (far more likely); Elbow joint disease (much more likely)9,10
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog

Which suits you

Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Bullmastiff sheds through the year, the Rottweiler moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Rottweiler needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Bullmastiff needs a brush once a week.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Bullmastiff: decides for itself; Rottweiler: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on intelligence (Bullmastiff: easy-going, simple routines; Rottweiler: learns readily, likes games).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 50 kg (110 lb) for the Bullmastiff and 45 kg (99 lb) for the Rottweiler.
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: a lap or leaning dog.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Bullmastiff
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

Bullmastiffs are calm, steady and devoted to their household, and reserved and watchful with strangers.

Rottweiler
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant

By temperament the Rottweiler is calm, self-assured and watchful. It is devoted to its own household but reserved with strangers.

The Bullmastiff page →The Rottweiler page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Bullmastiff
Rottweiler
Activity
Differs
Happy with modest walks
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Differs
Easy-going, simple routines
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Bullmastiff
Rottweiler
Affection
A lap or leaning dog
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Bullmastiff
Rottweiler
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour11. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home12,13.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 48 kg.
Bullmastiff
Rottweiler
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More comparisons

Compare the Bullmastiff with
Doberman Pinscher vs RottweilerGerman Shepherd vs RottweilerCane Corso vs RottweilerDogue de Bordeaux vs RottweilerBelgian Malinois vs RottweilerAmerican Pit Bull Terrier vs RottweilerAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·