Bullmastiff Breed Standard
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but active. The foundation breeding was 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The breed was developed in England by gamekeepers for protection against poachers.
Size,
Proportion, Substance
Size--Dogs, 25 to 27 inches at the withers, and
110 to 130 pounds weight. Bitches, 24 to 26 inches at the withers,
and 100 to 120 pounds weight. Other things being equal, the more
substantial dog within these limits is favored. Proportion--The
length from tip of breastbone to rear of thigh exceeds the height
from withers to ground only slightly, resulting in a nearly square
appearance.
Head
Expression--Keen, alert, and intelligent. Eyes
Dark and of medium size. Ears--V-shaped and carried close
to the cheeks, set on wide and high, level with occiput and cheeks,
giving a square appearance to the skull; darker in color than the
body and medium in size. Skull Large, with a fair amount
of wrinkle when alert; broad, with cheeks well developed. Forehead
flat. Stop--Moderate. Muzzle--Broad and deep;
its length, in comparison with that of the entire head,
approximately as 1 is to 3. Lack of foreface with nostrils set on
top of muzzle is a reversion to the Bulldog and is very
undesirable. A dark muzzle is preferable. Nose--Black,
with nostrils large and broad. Flews--Not too pendulous. Bite--Preferably
level or slightly undershot. Canine teeth large and set wide
apart.
Neck,
Topline, Body
Neck--Slightly arched, of moderate length, very muscular, and
almost equal in circumference to the skull. Topline--Straight and
level between withers and loin. Body--Compact. Chest wide and deep,
with ribs well sprung and well set down between the forelegs.
Back--Short, giving the impression of a well balanced dog.
Loin--Wide, muscular, and slightly arched, with fair depth of
flank. Tail--Set on high, strong at the root, and tapering to the
hocks. It may be straight or curved, but never carried hound
fashion.
Forequarters
Shoulders--muscular but not loaded, and slightly sloping.
Forelegs--straight, well boned, and set well apart; elbows turned
neither in nor out. Pasterns straight, feet of medium size, with
round toes well arched. Pads thick and tough, nails black.
Hindquarters
Broad and muscular, with well developed second thigh denoting
power, but not cumbersome. Moderate angulation at hocks. Cowhocks
and splay feet are serious faults.
Coat
Short and dense, giving good weather protection.
Color
Red, fawn, or brindle. Except for a very small white spot on the
chest, white marking is considered a fault.
Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from the side, reach and
drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate angulation. Back
remains level and firm. Coming and going, the dog moves in a
straight line. Feet tend to converge under the body, without
crossing over, as speed increases. There is no twisting in or out
at the joints.
Temperament
Fearless and confident yet docile. The dog combines the
reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a
dependable family companion and protector.
Approved
February 8, 1992
Effective March 31, 1992