B. MCOA / AKC Mastiff Conformation Standard
Description
This article is from the Mastiffs Breed FAQ, by mmcbee@access.mountain.net (Mike McBee) with numerous contributions by others.
B. MCOA / AKC Mastiff Conformation Standard
OFFICIAL STANDARD FOR THE MASTIFF
General Appearance
The Mastiff is a large, massive, symmetrical dog with a well-knit
frame. The impression is one of grandeur and dignity. Dogs are
more massive throughout. Bitches should not be faulted for being
somewhat smaller in all dimensions while maintaining a
proportionally powerful structure. A good evaluation considers
positive qualities of type and soundness with equal weight.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size - Dogs, minimum, 30 inches at the shoulder. Bitches,
minimum, 27-1/2 inches at the shoulder. Fault-Dogs or bitches
below the minimum standard. The farther below standard, the
greater the fault.
Proportion - Rectangular, the length of the dog from forechest
to rump is somewhat longer than the height at the withers. The
height of the dog should come from depth of body rather than from
length of leg.
Substance - Massive, heavy boned, with a powerful muscle
structure. Great depth and breadth desirable. Fault-Lack of
substance or slab sided.
Head
In general outline giving a massive appearance when viewed from
any angle. Breadth greatly desired.
Eyes - set wide apart, medium in size, never too prominent.
Expression alert but kindly. Color of eyes brown, the darker the
better, and showing no haw. Light eyes or a predatory expression
is undesirable.
Ears - small in proportion to the skull, V-shaped, rounded at
the tips. Leather moderately thin, set widely apart at the highest
points on the sides of the skull continuing the outline across the
summit. They should lie close to the cheeks when in repose. Ears
dark in color, the blacker the better, conforming to the color of
the muzzle.
Skull - broad and somewhat flattened between the ears, forehead
slightly curved, showing marked wrinkles which are particularly
distinctive when at attention. Brows (superciliary ridges)
moderately raised. Muscles of the temples well developed, those of
the cheeks extremely powerful. Arch across the skull a flattened
curve with a furrow up the center of the forehead. This extends
from between the eyes to halfway up the skull. The stop between
the eyes well marked but not too abrupt. Muzzle should be half the
length of the skull, thus dividing the head into three parts-one
for the foreface and two for the skull. In other words, the
distance from the tip of the nose to stop is equal to one-half the
distance between the stop and the occiput. Circumference of the
muzzle (measured midway between the eyes and nose) to that of the
head (measured before the ears) is as 3 is to 5.
Muzzle - short, broad under the eyes and running nearly equal in
width to the end of the nose. Truncated, i.e. blunt and cut off
square, thus forming a right angle with the upper line of the
face. Of great depth from the point of the nose to the underjaw.
Underjaw broad to the end and slightly rounded. Muzzle dark in
color, the blacker the better. Fault-snipiness of the muzzle.
Nose - broad and always dark in color, the blacker the better,
with spread flat nostrils (not pointed or turned up) in profile.
Lips - diverging at obtuse angles with the septum and
sufficiently pendulous so as to show a modified square profile.
Canine Teeth - healthy and wide apart. Jaws powerful. Scissors
bite preferred, but a moderately undershot jaw should not be
faulted providing the teeth are not visible when the mouth is
closed.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck - powerful, very muscular, slightly arched, and of medium
length. The neck gradually increases in circumference as it
approaches the shoulder. Neck moderately "dry" (not showing an
excess of loose skin).
Topline -In profile the topline should be straight, level, and
firm, not swaybacked, roached, or dropping off sharply behind the
high point of the rump.
Chest - wide, deep, rounded, and well let down between the
forelegs, extending at least to the elbow. Forechest should be
deep and well defined with the breastbone extending in front of
the foremost point of the shoulders. Ribs well rounded. False ribs
deep and well set back.
Underline - There should be a reasonable, but not exaggerated,
tuck-up.
Back - muscular, powerful, and straight. When viewed from the
rear, there should be a slight rounding over the rump.
Loins - wide and muscular.
Tail - set on moderately high and reaching to the hocks or a
little below. Wide at the root, tapering to the end, hanging
straight in repose, forming a slight curve, but never over the
back when the dog is in motion.
Forequarters
Shoulders - moderately sloping, powerful and muscular, with no
tendency to looseness. Degree of front angulation to match correct
rear angulation.
Legs - straight, strong and set wide apart, heavy boned.
Elbows - parallel to body.
Pasterns - strong and bent only slightly.
Feet - large, round, and compact with well arched toes. Black
nails.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters - broad, wide and muscular.
Second thighs - well developed, leading to a strong hock joint.
Stifle joint - is moderately angulated matching the front.
Rear legs - are wide apart and parallel when viewed from the
rear. When the portion of the leg below the hock is correctly "set
back" and stands perpendicular to the ground, a plumb line dropped
from the rearmost point of the hindquarters will pass in front of
the foot. This rules out straight hocks, and since stifle
angulation varies with hock angulation, it also rules out
insufficiently angulated stifles. Fault-Straight stifles.
Coat
Outer coat straight, coarse, and of moderately short length.
Undercoat dense, short, and close lying. Coat should not be so
long as to produce "fringe" on the belly, tail, or hind legs.
Fault-Long or wavy coat.
Color
Fawn, apricot, or brindle. Brindle should have fawn or apricot as
a background color which should be completely covered with very
dark stripes. Muzzle, ears, and nose must be dark in color, the
blacker the better, with similar color tone around the eye orbits
and extending upward between them. A small patch of white on the
chest is permitted. Faults-Excessive white on the chest or white
on any other part of the body. Mask, ears, or nose lacking dark
pigment.
Gait
The gait denotes power and strength. The rear legs should have
drive, while the forelegs should track smoothly with good reach.
In motion, the legs move straight forward; as the dog's speed
increases from a walk to a trot, the feet move in toward the
center line of the body to maintain balance.
Temperament
A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility.
Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor.
Judges should not condone shyness or viciousness. Conversely,
judges should also beware of putting a premium on showiness.
Approved November 12, 1991
Effective December 31, 1991
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