 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Bullmastiff Breed Origins
| · The known history of the Bullmastiff begins about the year 1860 in England. It is probable that the story of the breed is really centuries old, but proof is difficult.· The Bullmastiff was bred to be a gamekeeper's guard dog who could track quietly, cover short distances quickly, and pin and hold poachers. He is now primarily a family companion with a calm, dependable disposition.· Maintaining such traits as alertness, wariness of strangers, strength, and agility, the Bullmastiff needs a firm loving home and and a family. |
The Breed Standard
General Appearance : 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.
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.
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.
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.
| Copyright © 2004 Des Orchisbel Bullmastiffs tous droits réservés *** All rights reserved |