General Appearance
The Mastiff is a large, massive, symmetrical dog with a
well-knit frame. The impression is one of grandeur and
dignity. Males are more massive throughout. Females 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--Males, minimum, 30 inches at the shoulder.
Females, minimum, 27½ inches at the shoulder. Fault--Males
or females 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
