The Standard The temperament of the bullmastiff combines high spirits. reliability, activity, endurance and alertness.
General appearance:
The Bullmastiff is a powerfully built and symmetrical dog, showing
great strength but not cumbersome.
Head and skull:
'The skull should be large and square when viewed from any angle,
with fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. The
circumference of the skull may equal the height of the dog measured
at the top of the shoulder; it should be broad, and deep with
good cheeks. The muzzle short, the distance from the tip of the
nose to the stop shall be approximately one third of the distance
from the tip of nose to the centre of the occiput, broad under
the eyes and nearly parallel in width to the end of the nose;
blunt and cut off square, forming a right angle with the upper
line of the face, and at the same time proportionate with the
skull. Underjaw broad to the end. Nose broad with widely spreading
nostrils when viewed from the front; flat not pointed or turned
up in profile. Flews not pendulous, and not hanging below the
level of the bottom of the lower jaw. Stop definite.
Eyes:
Dark or hazel, and of medium size, set aside the width of the
muzzle with furrow between. Light. or yellow eyes a fault.
Ears:
V shaped, or folded back, set on wide and high, level with the
occiput, giving a square appearance to the skull, which is most
important. They should be small and deeper in colour than the
body, and the point of the ear should be level with the eye when
alert. Rose cars to be penalised.
Mouth:
Mouth to be level, slightly undershot allowed, but not preferred.
Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even
and well placed. Irregularity of teeth is a fault
Neck:
Well arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to
the skull in circumference.
Forequarters:
Chest wide, deep, well set down between the forelegs, with deep
brisket. Shoulders muscular, sloping and powerful, but not overloaded.
Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned and set wide apart,
presenting a straight front. Pasterns straight and strong.
Body:
Back short and straight, giving a compact carriage, but not so
short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs a fault.
Hindquarters:
Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flanks. Hindlegs strong
and muscular with well developed second thighs, denoting power
and activity, but not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent. Cow hocks
a fault.
Feet:
Not large, with rounded toes, well arched (cat feet), pads hard.
Splay feet a fault.
Tail:
Set high, strong at the root and tapering, reaching to the hocks,
straight or curved, but not hound fashion. Crank tails a fault.
Coat:
Short and hard giving weather protection, lying flat to the body.
A tendency to long, silky or woolly coats to be penalised.
Colour:
Any shade of brindle, fawn or red, but the colour to be pure and
clear. A slight white marking on the chest is permissible but
not desirable. Other white markings a fault. A dark muzzle is
essential, toning off towards the eye, with dark markings around
the eyes giving expression. Dark toenails desirable.
Weight and Size:
Dogs should be 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder and 110 to 130
pounds in weight. Bitches should be 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder,
and 90 to 110 pounds in weight. It must be borne in mind that
size must be proportionate with weight, and soundness and activity
are most essential.
Gait:
The movement should indicate power and a sense of purpose. When
moving straight, neither front nor hind legs should cross, or
plait. The right front and left rear leg rising and falling at
the same time. A firm backline unimpaired by the powerful thrust
from the hindlegs should be maintained denoting a balanced and
harmonious movement.