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Bullmastiff
Working
Group
Breed Standard
General
Appearance
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great
strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but active. The
foundation breeding was 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The breed was
developed in England by gamekeepers for protection against
poachers.
Size, Proportion,
Substance
Size--Dogs, 25 to 27 inches at the
withers, and 110 to 130 pounds weight. Bitches, 24 to 26 inches at
the withers, and 100 to 120 pounds weight. Other things being equal, the
more substantial dog within these limits is favored.
Proportion--The length from tip of breastbone to rear of thigh
exceeds the height from withers to ground only slightly, resulting in a
nearly square
appearance.
Head
Expression--Keen, alert, and
intelligent. Eyes Dark and of medium size. Ears--V-shaped
and carried close to the cheeks, set on wide and high, level with occiput
and cheeks, giving a square appearance to the skull; darker in color than
the body and medium in size. Skull Large, with a fair amount of
wrinkle when alert; broad, with cheeks well developed. Forehead flat.
Stop--Moderate. Muzzle--Broad and deep; its length, in
comparison with that of the entire head, approximately as 1 is to 3. Lack
of foreface with nostrils set on top of muzzle is a reversion to the
Bulldog and is very undesirable. A dark muzzle is preferable.
Nose--Black, with nostrils large and broad. Flews--Not too
pendulous. Bite--Preferably level or slightly undershot. Canine
teeth large and set wide apart.
Neck, Topline,
Body
Neck--Slightly arched, of moderate length, very
muscular, and almost equal in circumference to the skull.
Topline--Straight and level between withers and loin.
Body--Compact. Chest wide and deep, with ribs well sprung and well
set down between the forelegs. Back--Short, giving the impression
of a well balanced dog. Loin--Wide, muscular, and slightly arched,
with fair depth of flank. Tail--Set on high, strong at the root,
and tapering to the hocks. It may be straight or curved, but never carried
hound
fashion.
Forequarters
Shoulders--muscular but
not loaded, and slightly sloping. Forelegs--straight, well boned,
and set well apart; elbows turned neither in nor out. Pasterns
straight, feet of medium size, with round toes well arched. Pads
thick and tough, nails black.
Hindquarters
Broad and
muscular, with well developed second thigh denoting power, but not
cumbersome. Moderate angulation at hocks. Cowhocks and splay feet are
serious faults.
Coat
Short and dense, giving
good weather protection.
Color
Red, fawn, or brindle.
Except for a very small white spot on the chest, white marking is
considered a fault.
Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful.
When viewed from the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the
dog's moderate angulation. Back remains level and firm. Coming and going,
the dog moves in a straight line. Feet tend to converge under the body,
without crossing over, as speed increases. There is no twisting in or out
at the joints.
Temperament
Fearless and confident yet
docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to
please required in a dependable family companion and
protector.
Approved February 8, 1992
Effective March
31, 1992
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