Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog.

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Bullmastiff Versus Canaan Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Bullmastiff and for the Canaan Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Bullmastiff or the Canaan Dog.

Bullmastiff versus Canaan Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bullmastiff is a giant-sized dog while the Canaan Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bullmastiff belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Canaan Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Bullmastiff versus Canaan Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bullmastiff to the Canaan Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog

Factor Bullmastiff Canaan Dog
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Weight 100 to 130 pounds 35 to 55 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Life Span 8 to 10 years 12 to 15 years
Average Lifespan 9.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2230 $600
Price Range $1500 – $3000 $600 – $600
Temperament Score 80.1 percent 62.5 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Kidney Disease
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bullmastiff in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Canaan Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Bullmastiff is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Canaan Dog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Canaan Dog is a better pet than the Bullmastiff. So, you should get the Canaan Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog

    Below is a list of where the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are most different:

    • Bullmastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
    • Bullmastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments. However, Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.
    • Bullmastiffs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Canaan Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Bullmastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly. However, Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
    • Bullmastiffs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Canaan Dogs do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Bullmastiffs gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them. However, Canaan Dogs are not prone to gaining weight easily.

    The Similarities Between the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog

    The Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are most similar:

    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Bullmastiff versus Canaan Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog.

    Bullmastiffs weigh 100 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Bullmastiffs are 24 to 27 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Canaan Dogs weigh 35 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Canaan Dogs are 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Bullmastiff versus Canaan Dog

    The lifespan of Bullmastiffs is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Bullmastiffs is 9.0 years.

    The lifespan of Canaan Dogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Canaan Dogs is 13.5 years.

    Canaan Dogs live longer than Bullmastiffs.

    Temperament of the Canaan Dog Versus the Bullmastiff

    The Bullmastiff has a better temperament than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Bullmastiff is 80.1 percent while the temperament score for the Canaan Dog is 62.5 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 80.1 percent, the Bullmastiff has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 62.5 percent, the Canaan Dog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog by measuring the temperaments of 151 Bullmastiffs and 8 Canaan Dogs.

    Price of Bullmastiff versus Price of Canaan Dog

    The average price of the Bullmastiff puppy is $2230. The price of the Bullmastiff typically ranges from $1500 – $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 94 Bullmastiff puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Canaan Dog puppy is $600. The price of the Canaan Dog typically ranges from $600 – $600. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Canaan Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Bullmastiff is more expensive than the Canaan Dog.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Bullmastiff and Canaan Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Bullmastiff puppies or how many Canaan Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bullmastiffs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Bullmastiffs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Canaan Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Bullmastiff puppy or the Canaan Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Health Problems of Bullmastiff versus Health Problems of Canaan Dog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Bullmastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Canaan Dog.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bullmastiff than for the Canaan Dog.

    6 health tests are recommended for Bullmastiff while 5 tests are recommended for the Canaan Dog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bullmastiffs and in Canaan Dogs.

    Bullmastiff Health Problems

    Bullmastiffs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bullmastiff puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Bullmastiff puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bullmastiff breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bullmastiffs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Kidney Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bullmastiffs here.

    Canaan Dog Health Problems

    Canaan Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Canaan Dog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Canaan Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Canaan Dog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Canaan Dogs for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Canaan Dogs here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bullmastiff versus Canaan Dog

    Bullmastiffs do not like to be left alone.

    Canaan Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Do Bullmastiffs shed more than Canaan Dogs?

    Bullmastiffs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Canaan Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Bullmastiff or the Canaan Dog

    Bullmastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Canaan Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bullmastiff or the Canaan Dog?

    Bullmastiffs are very easy to groom.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Bullmastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Canaan Dog?

    Bullmastiffs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Canaan Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Bullmastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Canaan Dogs?

    Bullmastiffs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Canaan Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Bullmastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bullmastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Canaan Dogs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bullmastiff vs. Canaan Dog

    Bullmastiffs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Canaan Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Bullmastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Canaan Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bullmastiffs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Canaan Dogs can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bullmastiff or the Canaan Dog?

    Bullmastiffs get along very well with other dogs.

    Canaan Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Bullmastiffs good family dogs? What about Canaan Dogs?

    Bullmastiffs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Canaan Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Bullmastiffs and Canaan Dogs?

    Bullmastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Canaan Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Is the Bullmastiff Easier to Train than the Canaan Dog?

    Bullmastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Canaan Dogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Bullmastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Canaan Dog?

    Bullmastiffs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Canaan Dogs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bullmastiff or the Canaan Dog?

    Bullmastiffs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Canaan Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bullmastiff versus Canaan Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Bullmastiff and the Canaan Dog better suits you and your family.