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Illustration
Of The Basic Structure Of The Mastiff
The illustrated diagram above Courtesy Of Donna Dick, is provided for your reference.
Excerpts From
The
AKC Mastiff Standard
Click Here To Read The
Complete Official AKC Mastiff Standard
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.
Size- -Dogs, minimum, 30 inches at the shoulder. Bitches,
minimum, 27½ inches at the shoulder. Proportion
- Rectangular, the length of the dog from fore-chest to rump is somewhat
longer than the height at the withers.
Substance
- Massive, heavy boned, with a powerful muscle structure. Great depth
and breadth desirable.
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. Muzzle - dark in color, the blacker the better.
Nose - broad and always dark in color, the blacker
the better, with spread flat nostrils (not pointed or turned up) in
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 -powerful, very muscular, slightly arched, and of
medium length. 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. Underline-There
should be a reasonable, but not exaggerated, tuck-up. Back
-muscular, powerful, and straight. 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.
Shoulders - moderately sloping, powerful and muscular,
with no tendency to looseness.
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
preferred.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility.
Dignity, rather than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor.
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