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The Full Bullmastiff Description

The Bullmastiff is a level headed, steady dog. He gets along well with other family pets and loves children. He is brave and protective. He saves his deep bark for really important matters. He is large and strong, so early obedience training is a must. As a puppy, his chewing needs are big too.

Did you know?

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.

A mature adult male will average 26 inches and 120 pounds.

So you want to own a Bullmastiff?

Maintaining such traits as alertness, wariness of strangers, strength, and agility, the Bullmastiff needs a firm loving home and is not a dog for the fragile or timid.

Indicative Breed Standard

General Appearance

Powerful build, symmetrical, showing great strength, but not cumbersome; sound and active.

Characteristics

Powerful, enduring, active and reliable.

Temperament

High-spirited, alert and faithful.

Head and Skull

Skull large and square, viewed from every angle, fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. Circumference of skull may equal height of dog measured at top of shoulder; broad and deep with well filled cheeks. Pronounced stop. 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 and cut off square, forming right angle with upper line of face, and at same time proportionate with skull. Under-jaw broad to end. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils; flat, neither pointed nor turned up in profile. Flews not pendulous, never hanging below level of lower jaw.

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.

Mouth

Level desired but slightly undershot allowed but not preferred. Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even and well placed.

Neck

Well arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to skull in circumference.

Forequarters

Chest, wide and deep, well let down between forelegs, with deep brisket. Shoulders muscular, sloping and powerful, not overloaded. Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned, set wide apart, presenting a straight front. Pasterns straight and strong.

Body

Back short and straight, giving compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs highly undesirable.

Hindquarters

Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flank. Hindlegs strong and muscular, with well developed second thighs, denoting power and activity, not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent. Cowhocks highly undesirable.

Feet

Well arched, cat-like, with rounded toes, pads hard. Dark toenails desirable. Splayed feet highly undesirable.

Tail

Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching to hocks, carried straight or curved, but not hound-fashion. Crank tails highly undesirable.

Gait/Movement

Movement indicates power and sense of purpose. When moving straight neither front nor hindlegs 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

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

Height at shoulder: dogs: 64-69 cms (25-27 ins); bitches 61-66 cm (24-26 ins). Weight: dogs: 50-59 kgs (110-130 lbs); bitches: 41-50 kgs (90-110 lbs).