Mastiff Breed Standard
Working Group
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 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