Page 42 - ShowSight Presents The Bullmastiff

The efficiently moving Bullmastiff trav- els in a straight line with the minimum amount of energy, legs converging under the body as speed increases. Length of stride of the dog is an important consider- ation. For any breed of dog, the fewer steps required to cover a given distance, the less energy is required. With the Bullmastiff’s moderate angles and compact body, the motion should be deliberate and power- ful, but not fast. A Bullmastiff is a working dog that patrolled huge estates all night, hundreds of acres, not small courtyards,
so tight feet, proper moderate angulation, well let down strong hocks, firm backs, sound shoulders and heavy hindquarters were as important as the instinct to guard.
Appropriately compact Bullmastiffs are more capable of quick and sudden move- ment and can better make sudden change in speed and direction and maintain bal- ance and grace than a long dog. This form following function is closely related to body type and the job the Bullmastiff was bred to do: to be able to penetrate thick- ets and dense underbrush, to be agile to maneuver around, over and under vari- ous obstacles, with the ability to move swiftly and gingerly. A dog can be mov- ing in the show ring with less style than its competitors but be moving correctly. The first structural issue is the very impor- tant requirement that the Bullmastiff is nearly square, the squareness which defines breed type.
Temperament
Please do not reward a Bullmastiff with its tail between its legs. To quote Richard Beauchamp from his book, Solving the Mysteries of Breed Type, “Everything in the Bullmastiff standard assures us of a dog that will stand its ground and protect at all costs. Stalwart but effectively mobile, the antithesis of what we look for in the lightning-rod sighthounds. A Bullmastiff’s
stance and attitude tell us exactly what we need to know about the Bullmastiff in this respect.” Temperament is the quintessen- tial barometer of breed type: “Fearless and confident yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required in a dependable family companion and protector.” Too often we see Bullmastiffs with tails between their legs. This attitude should not be rewarded. Bullmastiffs should be stable, confident, bold and courageous. They should be a dis- cerning guard dog and know the difference between an intruder and the UPS man. Aggressive behavior toward any person should never be tolerated in the show ring. Aggressive behavior toward other dogs is not the same as aggression toward people and should only be penalized if out of con- trol. A Bullmastiff with its tail between its legs is afraid, whether or not temporary, it should not be rewarded in the show ring on that day. Please do not confuse a gay tail with attitude. “Set on high. It may be straight or curved, but never carried hound fashion.” A tail carried over the back is veryincorrect.
Health and Condition
Bullmastiffs should have good coats pro- viding them adequate protection against the weather elements and the ground cover. A double coat is ideal, but the coat
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2014 • 193