Bullmastiff - Breed Standard
Origin
Great Britain.
Date of publication of the official valid standard
13.10.2010
Utilization
Watchdog
FCI-Classification
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs.
Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds, Mastiff Type. Without working trial.
Brief historical summary
The Bullmastiff evolved from the Old English Mastiff and the Bulldog. Primarily used as a guard dog and, in olden times, to help the gamekeeper in the apprehension of poachers. The Bullmastiff is intelligent and observant; he is totally reliable both physically and mentally and can quickly assess a situation. His bravery and courage and defending against intruders is legendary.
General appearance
Powerful build, symmetrical, showing great strength, but not cumbersome; sound and active.
Behaviour and temperament
Powerful; enduring, active and reliable. High-spirited, alert and faithful.
Head
Cranial region
Skull
Skull large and square, viewed from every angle, fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. Broad and deep.
Stop
Pronounced
Facial region
Nose: Well opened nostrils. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils; flat neither pointed nor turned up in profile.
Muzzle
Muzzle short; distance from tip of nose to stop approximately one - third of length from tip of nose to centre of occiput, broad under eyes and sustaining nearly same width to end of nose; blunt an cut off square, forming right angle with upper line of face, and at same time proportionate with skull.
Lips
Flews not pendulous, never hanging below level of lower jaw.
Jaws / Teeth
Under-jaw broad to end. Level (Pincer bite, edge to edge) desired but slightly undershot allowed but not preferred. Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even and well placed.
Cheeks
Well filled.
Eyes
Dark or hazel, of medium size, set apart the width of muzzle with furrow between. Light or yellow eyes highly undesirable.
Ears
V-shaped, folded back, set on wide and high, level of occiput giving square appearance to skull which is most important. Small and deeper in colour than body. Point of ear level with eye when alert. Rose ears highly undesirable.
Neck
Well arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to skull in circumference.
Body
Back
Short and straight, giving compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs highly undesirable.
Loin
Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flank.
Chest
Chest, wide and deep, well let down between forelegs, with deep brisket.
Tail
Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching to hocks, carried straight or curved, but not hound fashion. Crank tails highly undesirable.
Limbs
Forequarters
General appearance
Forelegs set wide apart, presenting a straight front.
Shoulder
Shoulders muscular, sloping and powerful, not overloaded.
Forearm
Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned.
Metacarpus (Pastern)
Pasterns straight and strong.
Forefeet
Well arched, cat-like, with rounded toes, pads hard. Dark toenails desirable. Splayed feet highly undesirable.
Hindquarters
General appearance
Hind legs strong and muscular.
Lowerthigh
Well developed lower thighs, denoting power and activity, not cumbersome.
Hock joint
Moderately bent. Cow hocks highly undesirable.
Hind feet
Well arched, cat - like, with rounded toes, pads hard. Dark toenails desirable. Splayed feet highly undesirable.
Gait / 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 hindlegs denoting a balanced and harmonious movement.
Coat
Hair
Short and hard, weather-resistant, lying flat to body. Long, silky or woolly coats highly undesirable.
Colour
Any shade of brindle, fawn or red; colour to be pure and clear. A slight white marking on chest permissible. Other white markings undesirable. Black muzzle essential, toning off towards eyes, with dark markings around eyes contributing to expression.
Size and weight
Height at the withers
Males: 64 - 69 cms
Females: 61 - 66 cms
Weight
Males: 50 - 59 kgs
Females: 41 -50 kgs
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degreeand its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.
Disqualifying faults
- Aggressive or overly shy.
- Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
N.B.
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.