NEW ZEALAND KENNEL CLUB OFFICIAL BULLMASTIFF BREED STANDARD |
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CHARACTERISTICS:
The temperament of the Bullmastiff combines high spirits, reliability, activity,
endurance and alertness. GENERAL
APPEARANCE:
The Bullmastiff is a powerfully built, symmetrical dog, showing great strength,
but not cumbersome. Head
and Skull: The
skull should be large and square, viewed from every 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 should be approximately one-third of the length from the
tip of the 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. Under jaw 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 apart 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 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 ears to be penalised. Mouth:
Mouth
to be level, slight undershot allowed, but not preferred. Canine teeth large and
set wide apart, other teeth strong, even and well-placed. Irregularity of teeth
a fault. Neck:
Well-arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to the skull in
circumference. Forequarters:
Chest,
wide and deep, well set down between forelegs, with deep brisket. Shoulders
muscular sloping and powerful, 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 flank. 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 root and tapering, reaching to the hocks, carried 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 chest permissible but not desirable. Other white markings a
fault. A dark muzzle is essential, toning off towards the eyes, with dark
markings around the eyes, giving expression. Dark toenails desirable. Weight
and Size:
Dogs: Should be 49.8 - 58.9 kg
(110 - 130 lb.) in weight. Bitches: Should be 40.8 - 49.8 kg (90 - 110
lb.) in weight. It must be borne in mind that
size must be proportionate with weight and soundness and activity is most
essential. Note: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. |
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