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 fore chest 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 snippiness 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
|
|
|
|
Description |
The
Old English Mastiff is one of the heaviest breeds; a male Mastiff can
exceed 200 pounds. This dog is very massive, powerful and muscular. The
head is heavy and square with a short muzzle. There is a black mask
around the eyes and nose no matter what the general coat
color. The eyes are small, dark, and hazel. The small ears should also
be dark-colored. The teeth should meet in a scissors or slightly
undershot bite. The tail is set quite high, tapers to the tip, and
reaches to the hocks. The short coat comes in golden fawn, light fawn,
brindle, silver, tiger, and apricot and is easy to groom. In the
eighteenth century it was described as follows:
"As a lion is to a cat, so is a mastiff compared to a dog." |
|
Temperament |
Originally valued for their abilities as a fierce guard and fighting dog, today's Mastiff is a gentle giant. It is a self-confident, watchful, and patient dog who is gentle-natured towards his family. Intelligent and dignified. It rarely barks, but it is in its nature to defend its territory and family. Calm, steady and docile, this dog is normally excellent with children, (not recommend for toddlers though, because of their great size). Good natured, but very large and heavy. Responds well to gentle, patient training. This breed loves to please and needs lots of companionship. The Mastiff's dominance varies widely depending on the lineage. They can be aloof with strangers or fairly friendly. Do not hit a Mastiff or you are asking for it! A born guard dog, brave and loyal. When strangers visit, it is likely to refuse to let them in unless they are accepted by its handler. The Mastiff generally holds intruders at bay rather than attacking. Protection training is unnecessary for this naturally protective breed. It is very possessive of home, family and car. It may be combative with other dogs if not very well socialized as a puppy, so extra effort should be given to socialize a Mastiff puppy. If properly socialized it will get along well with other dogs. The Mastiff tends to drool, wheeze and snore loudly. They can be somewhat difficult to train. |
|
Height, Weight |
Height:
Dogs from 30 inches (76cm)
Bitches from 27 inches (69cm) Weight: Dogs about 160 pounds (72kg) Bitches about 150 pounds (68kg) |
|
Health Problems |
Beware of hip dysplasia. As these dogs are prone to bloat, feed two or three small meals a day, instead of one large one. Also prone to CHD, gastric torsion, ectropion, PPM, vaginal hyperplasia, elbow dysplasia and PRA. Occasionally seen is cardiomyopathy. |
|
Living Conditions |
The Mastiff will do okay in an apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are relatively inactive indoors and a small yard will do. |
|
Exercise |
Mastiffs are inclined to be lazy but they will keep fitter and happier if given regular exercise. They should always be leashed in public. |
|
Life Expectancy |
About 10-12 years. |
|
Grooming |
The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush and wipe over with a piece of toweling or chamois for a gleaming finish. Bathe or dry shampoo when necessary. This breed is an average shedder. |
|
Origin |
Found in Britain as early as the Roman invasion, the Noble Old English Mastiff was probably brought to that island by Phoenician traders as early as the 6th century BC. Since then, the Mastiff has been used as an arena gladiator by the Romans, in the bloody sport of bull, bear and dog combat, and as a sheep guardian, bodyguard, protector, and companion. A Mastiff came to America on the Mayflower and subsequently other dogs were imported. By the end of World War II, Mastiffs were almost extinct in England. However, with fresh imports from the United States and Canada, the breed is once again well established in today's England. Some of the Mastiff's talents include: watchdogging, guarding, police work, military work, search & rescue, and weight pulling. |
|
Group |
Mastiff, AKC Working |
|
Recognition |
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR |
Sources :http://www.mastiff.org, http://www.dogbreedinfo.com