Page 39 - ShowSight Presents The Bullmastiff

JUDGING THE BULLMASTIFF
Imagine nineteenth-century England before industrializa- tion. Picture a rural, agrarian society composed of large feudal estates surrounded by small ten- ant farms. Think of the game-
keeper, whose duty was to prevent the desperate and determined poacher from illegally taking the wild game that roamed the landowner’s property. And envision a large, powerful and agile dog, as dark as night, with the ability to sneak up on the poacher unaware, knock him to the ground, and hold him without harm until the gamekeeper arrived the next morning. This “gamekeeper’s night dog,” fearless yet not ferocious, was the predecessor of today’s Bullmastiff.
Twenty-first-century America bears little resemblance to the English country- side of two centuries ago. The Bullmastiff, which arrived in the US during the first half of the twentieth century, has adapted easily to his new environment and duties. Without an estate to roam and protect, the Bullmastiff has evolved into a reliable family guardian and pet. Yet he retains the courage, intelligence, discrimination, as well as the independent spirit, of his formidable ancestors.
Walking into the Bullmastiff specials ring should be an impressive sight, your first sense of the breed as a symmetri- cal nearly-square dog, showing great strength, endurance, and alertness; pow- erfully built and active. They are a work- ing breed and should be sound struc- turally and moving in all directions, balanced front to rear, with heavy hind- quarters, depth of body with pro ster- num and good bone-to-body proportion. Silhouette is the first thing we see when looking over the lineup, and along with correct head type (cube on cube), sound- ness moving and structurally, tempera- ment and health, all should be included 188 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2014
in your order of priority. The physical examination of the breed should not be unlike any other working breed. “What you see, is what you get” and a curso- ry hands-on examination is sufficient. However, don’t stoop down in front to examine the head or stare at a Bullmas- tiff. No need to check for full dentition, and a perfunctory look at the bite will suffice. Grossly undershot, overshot and wry bites are serious faults but can be eas- ily observed in your quick mouth exam. Discourage any barking in your ring, as this could incite aggressive behavior in your entry and don’t overcrowd the ring, allow sufficient space between entries, particularly between dogs. Bullmastiffs are generally well behaved and even the owner-handler has a capable hand when showing this breed. The breed is usually friendly with wagging tails and over- zealous puppy behavior. They can be guarded with strangers, but should never
lack confidence or shy away from the judge, or not recover quickly if startled by loud noises.
But what makes the Bullmastiff a less popular choice in the Working Group or Best in Show ring? Not a ‘sexy’ breed, the Bullmastiff might be less understood and not as flashy as other dogs in the final line- up. As a serious working breed, although their silhouette would suggest a “look of eagles” their gait is not and should not be flashy but rather a more powerful, delib- erate breed-appropriate gait, not tremen- dous reach and drive. With their breed- appropriate side gait, many lack the showy attitude of other working breeds and with correct head type might be less commonly understood, which in turn can shake a judge’s confidence in awarding the pres- tigious honor. A rectangular Bullmastiff, with heavy pigment and a level bite does not make a great Bullmastiff, only a generic dog. Perhaps these dogs may achieve their
By Helene Nietsch