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At the beginning of the 20th century, Bullmastiff-like dogs were used in Britain by gamekeepers and estate owners when they needed protection against poachers or trespassing criminals.
They were then known as "Keepers Night Dogs"
Their function was to intercept poachers and hold them down until the gamekeeper arrived. The dogs were mostly brindle in those days in order to be less visible at night.
The Bullmastiffs were descended from Mastiffs and Bulldogs of those days; some of who had been used for bear and bull baiting before it was banned in the 1830's. They were large, strong dogs known for their fearlessness. It was only in 1924 that the British Kennel Club formally recognised the Bullmastiff as a distinct breed. The breed was registered in the USA and Canada in the 1930's. The colours bred were brindle, red and fawn, as they are today. Bullmastiffs in those days generally had longer muzzles with less masking and looser backs.
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