In 1985 I started my search for a dog that would fit our family lifestyle. At that time we had young children so we had to take temperament and versatility into consideration. The Bullmastiff was on the top of the list. Our first time out to a dog show to look at them I knew they were the dog for us.

We set out in search of our first one and soon brought home “Marble” our first brindle girl from Brodmere lines. We’ve been hooked ever since. She taught us a lot about the breed and was best buddy to our kids. She went to obedience classes with me every Wednesday night for 10 years. She worked in Agility and eventually decided she was not going to sit on the side lines while the youngsters played fly ball and she did that too with much enthusiasm. At 10 years old I retired her and she stayed home while other dogs went with me to classes. She never had a medical problem and she was as solid as a rock in temperament. Always a good sport in class when other dogs would come up to her or some puppy would chew on her. Only 1 time in her life that she ever broke her down stay was when my obedience partner was attacked by an Old English Sheepdog. Marble jumped up and knocked that dog with her body and held it down until we could get control of it for the owner. Then she calmly walked back to her place and lay down. Marble lived to be 12 years old with never a health or a temperament problem.

We have had several dogs since and have always enjoyed them but Marble was as special as they come.

Now that our kids have grown and gone they too have Bullmastiffs in their families.

In 2006 we decided that we would like to add a smaller dog to our gang. We got our first French Bulldog from Mary Kaiser of Madaka Bullmastiffs and French Bulldogs.

We have named her Beryl (Madaka’s Beryl of Fun) and she is certainly causing a stir.

We will always have Bullmastiffs in our lives.

Karen & Steve Stark

SageHill Bullmastiffs & French Bulldogs