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Bullmastiff
Utility
CHARACTERISTICS:
The temperament of the Bullmastiff combines
high spirits, reliability, activity, endurance and alertness.
GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Bullmastiff is a powerfully built, symmetrical dog, showing
great strength, but not cumbersome.
Head and Skull:
The skull should be large and square, viewed from every angle, with
fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. The circumference
of the skull may equal the height of the dog measured at the top
of the shoulder; it should be broad and deep with good cheeks. The
muzzle short, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop
should be approximately one-third of the length from the tip of
the nose to the centre of the occiput, broad under the eyes and
nearly parallel in width to the end of the nose; blunt and cut off
square, forming a right-angle with the upper line of the face, and
at the same time proportionate with the skull. Under jaw broad to
the end. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils when viewed from
the front; flat, not pointed or turned up in profile. Flews not
pendulous, and not hanging below the level of the bottom of the
lower jaw. Stop definite.
Eyes:
Dark or hazel, and of medium size, set apart the width of the muzzle
with furrow between. Light or yellow eyes a fault.
Ears:
V-shaped, or folded back, set on wide and high, level with occiput,
giving a square appearance to the skull, which is most important.
They should be small and deeper in colour than the body, and the
point of the ear should be level with the eye when alert. Rose ears
to be penalised.
Mouth:
Mouth to be level, slight undershot allowed, but not preferred.
Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even
and well-placed. Irregularity of teeth a fault.
Neck:
Well-arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to
the skull in circumference.
Forequarters:
Chest, wide and deep, well set down between forelegs, with deep
brisket. Shoulders muscular sloping and powerful, not overloaded.
Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned and set wide apart, presenting
a straight front. Pasterns straight and strong.
Body:
Back short and straight, giving a compact carriage, but not so short
as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs a fault.
Hindquarters:
Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flank. Hindlegs strong
and muscular, with well developed second thighs, denoting power
and activity, but not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent. Cow-hocks
a fault.
Feet:
Not large, with rounded toes, well-arched (cat feet), pads hard.
Splay feet a fault.
Tail:
Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching to the hocks, carried
straight or curved, but not hound fashion. Crank tails a fault.
Coat:
Short and hard, giving weather protection,
lying flat to the body. A tendency to long silky or woolly coats to
be penalised.
Colour:
Any shade of brindle, fawn or red, but the colour to be pure and
clear. A slight white marking on chest permissible but not desirable.
Other white markings a fault. A dark muzzle is essential, toning
off towards the eyes, with dark markings around the eyes, giving
expression. Dark toenails desirable.
Movement:
Movement indicates power and sense of purpose. When moving straight
neither front nor hind legs should cross or plait, right front and
left rear leg rising and falling at same time. A firm backline unimpaired
by powerful thrust from hind legs denoting a balanced and harmonious
movement.
Weight and Size:
Dogs: Should be 63.5 - 68.5 cm (25
- 27 in) at shoulder, and 49.8 - 58.9 kg (110 to 130 lb) in weight.
Bitches: Should be 60.9 - 68.5 cm (24 - 26 in) at the shoulder and
40.8 - 49.8 kg (90 - 110 lb) in weight. It must be borne in mind
that size must be proportionate with weight and soundness and activity
is most essential.
Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended
into the scrotum.
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