What is a Bullmastiff?
In the early 19th century, English gamekeepers created this noble breed by crossing the Bulldog with the Mastiff to obtain fleet-footed, powerful dogs, known as night dogs, for protection against poachers.  These dogs combined tremendous physical strength and guarding instinct with an affectionate disposition and devotion to their master.

Fleetness of foot and the instinct to pursue have remained definite characteristics of the Bullmastiff.  Because they are so powerful, it is essential that they be trained early not to jump on people.  They are most intelligent and easily obedience trained; however, a Bullmastiff has a definite mind of his own.  His independence of spirit make your relationship with him more of a working partnership than the conventional dog/master association which some people might expect.

He will give you and your family boundless love and devotion, but he will retain a portion of himself as a free spirit, capable of making his own decisions and acting on them.  Your children will be his charges, to protect and love; but they must respect him, and not be allowed to torment or tease him.  The Bullmastiff asks only to be made as much a part of the family as possible.  He will reward such treatment with a devotion and genuine friendship which is not exceeded in any other breed.
 
Banstock Beginnings
In a partnership that began in the early 1970’s with Louise Sanders under the Bandog prefix, we operated a very successful kennel for more than ten years.  We were the only kennel to boast two multi-best in show Bullmastiffs, Ch. Huck’s Last Hurrah of Bandog and Ch. Bandog’s Crawdaddy Gumbo, the top-winning Bullmastiff in the history of the breed with 37 all breed bests in show and 11 specialty wins.  Both “Freddie” and “Waldo” were owned and shown by Wayne and Jean Boyd, Rivergroves Kennels.

Upon the termination of the partnership, and the subsequent retirement of Louise Sanders, I established the Banstock line and am continuing the same thoughtful and selective breeding program, perpetuating the ethics, integrity and breeding philosophy I maintained when in the highly successful partnership as Bandog Bullmastiffs.
 
A successful partnership was recently formed with Mike & Michele McGovern of Highpoint Bullmastiffs, where we continually strive to breed quality Bullmastiffs that exemplify the bullmastiff breed standard, Bullmastiffs with outstanding temperament and consistent health clearances.
 
Banstock is Proud of ...
In almost forty years of selective line-breeding, we have produced more than 100 American and Canadian champions, Westminster winners, multiple group-winners and multiple best in show winners, Ch. Avonlea Storybook Goodfella, #1 Bullmastiff  1997, Ch. Huck’s Last Hurrah of Bandog, #1 Bullmastiff 1978, and Ch. Bandog’s Crawdaddy Gumbo, the top winning Bullmastiff in the history of the breed, #2 dog all breeds, and #1 Bullmastiff 1980-1986. 
 
We have to our credit 16 top-producing dogs and bitches, over fifty specialty and supported entry wins and the numbers continue to rise.  BIS BISS Banstock Captain Jack ROM OFA, was #2 Bullmastiff in 2002, a multiple group winner, specialty and best in show winner, owned by Katie and Gary Zigmond.
 
In 2005 and 2006 Mike and Michele McGovern (with co-owner Pat Jasinski) campaigned the highly successful dog BISS Ch. Banstock Bruno of the Northeast ROM OFA.  Bruno is a multiple best in specialty and multiple group winner and a is Top-Producing Sire in 2007.
 
 
Member of:
American Bullmastiff Association (current Gazette columnist)
Newtown Kennel Club (Board of Directors)
Baystate Bullmastiff Club
Hudson River Valley Hound Association (Vice President)
American Dog Show Judges
Dog Judges Association of America
Connecticut Dog Judges (Coordinator)