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.
If you are interested in a
Bullmastiff Puppy:
See our
PUPPIES FOR SALE
or use our
FREE PUPPY FINDER program.
