|
"Mastiff", sometimes
referred to as the “English Mastiff” or the
“Old English Mastiff”.
Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Mastiff is a large, massive, symmetrical dog with a well-knit
frame. The impression is one of grandeur and dignity. Dogs are more
massive throughout. Bitches should not be faulted for being somewhat
smaller in all dimensions while maintaining a proportionally
powerful structure. A good evaluation considers positive qualities
of type and soundness with equal weight.
Size, Proposition, Substance
Size--Dogs, minimum, 30 inches at the shoulder. Bitches,
minimum, 27½ inches at the shoulder. Fault--Dogs or bitches
below the minimum standard. The farther below standard, the greater
the fault.
Proportion--Rectangular, the length of the dog from forechest to
rump is somewhat longer than the height at the withers. The height
of the dog should come from depth of body rather than from length of
leg.
Substance--Massive, heavy boned, with a powerful muscle
structure. Great depth and breadth desirable. Fault--Lack of
substance or slab sided.
Head
In general outline giving a massive appearance when viewed from any
angle. Breadth greatly desired.
Eyes set wide apart, medium in size, never too prominent.
Expression alert but kindly. Color of eyes brown, the darker the
better, and showing no haw. Light eyes or a predatory expression is
undesirable. Ears small in proportion to the skull, V-shaped,
rounded at the tips. Leather moderately thin, set widely apart at
the highest points on the sides of the skull continuing the outline
across the summit. They should lie close to the cheeks when in
repose. Ears dark in color, the blacker the better, conforming to
the color of the muzzle.
Skull broad and somewhat flattened between the ears, forehead
slightly curved, showing marked wrinkles which are particularly
distinctive when at attention. Brows (superciliary ridges)
moderately raised. Muscles of the temples well developed, those of
the cheeks extremely powerful. Arch across the skull a flattened
curve with a furrow up the center of the forehead. This extends from
between the eyes to halfway up the skull. The stop between
the eyes well marked but not too abrupt.
Muzzle should be half the length of the skull, thus dividing the
head into three parts-one for the foreface and two for the skull. In
other words, the distance from the tip of the nose to stop is equal
to one-half the distance between the stop and the occiput.
Circumference of the muzzle (measured midway between the eyes and
nose) to that of the head (measured before the ears) is as 3 is to
5. Muzzle short, broad under the eyes and running nearly
equal in width to the end of the nose. Truncated, i.e. blunt and cut
off square, thus forming a right angle with the upper line of the
face. Of great depth from the point of the nose to the underjaw.
Underjaw broad to the end and slightly rounded. Muzzle dark in
color, the blacker the better. Fault snipiness of the muzzle.
Nose broad and always dark in color, the blacker the better,
with spread flat nostrils (not pointed or turned up) in profile.
Lips diverging at obtuse angles with the septum and sufficiently
pendulous so as to show a modified square profile. Canine Teeth
healthy and wide apart. Jaws powerful. Scissors bite preferred, but
a moderately undershot jaw should not be faulted providing the teeth
are not visible when the mouth is closed.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck powerful, very muscular, slightly arched, and of medium
length. The neck gradually increases in circumference as it
approaches the shoulder. Neck moderately "dry" (not showing an
excess of loose skin). Topline--In profile the topline should
be straight, level, and firm, not swaybacked, roached, or dropping
off sharply behind the high point of the rump. Chest wide,
deep, rounded, and well let down between the forelegs, extending at
least to the elbow. Forechest should be deep and well defined with
the breastbone extending in front of the foremost point of the
shoulders. Ribs well rounded. False ribs deep and well set back.
Underline--There should be a reasonable, but not exaggerated,
tuck-up. Back muscular, powerful, and straight. When viewed from the
rear, there should be a slight rounding over the rump. Loins
wide and muscular.
Tail set on moderately high and reaching to the hocks or a
little below. Wide at the root, tapering to the end, hanging
straight in repose, forming a slight curve, but never over the back
when the dog is in motion.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately sloping, powerful and muscular, with no
tendency to looseness. Degree of front angulation to match correct
rear angulation. Legs straight, strong and set wide apart,
heavy boned. Elbows parallel to body. Pasterns strong
and bent only slightly. Feet large, round, and compact with
well arched toes. Black nails preferred.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters broad, wide and muscular. Second thighs
well developed, leading to a strong hock joint. Stifle joint
is moderately angulated matching the front. Rear legs are
wide apart and parallel when viewed from the rear. When the portion
of the leg below the hock is correctly "set back" and stands
perpendicular to the ground, a plumb line dropped from the rearmost
point of the hindquarters will pass in front of the foot. This rules
out straight hocks, and since stifle angulation varies with hock
angulation, it also rules out insufficiently angulated stifles.
Fault--Straight stifles.
Coat
Outer coat straight, coarse, and of moderately short length.
Undercoat dense, short, and close lying. Coat should not be so long
as to produce "fringe" on the belly, tail, or hind legs. Fault
Long or wavy coat.
Color
Fawn, apricot, or brindle. Brindle should have fawn or apricot as a
background color which should be completely covered with very dark
stripes. Muzzle, ears, and nose must be dark in color, the blacker
the better, with similar color tone around the eye orbits and
extending upward between them. A small patch of white on the chest
is permitted.
Faults--Excessive white on the chest or white on any other
part of the body. Mask, ears, or nose lacking dark pigment.
Gait
The gait denotes power and strength. The rear legs should have
drive, while the forelegs should track smoothly with good reach. In
motion, the legs move straight forward; as the dog's speed increases
from a walk to a trot, the feet move in toward the center line of
the body to maintain balance.
Temperament
A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility.
Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor.
Judges should not condone shyness or viciousness. Conversely, judges
should also beware of putting a premium on showiness.
Approved November 12, 1991
Effective December 31, 1991
|
