Page 17 - ShowSight Presents - The Mastiff

JUDGING THE
ENGLISH MASTIFF
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 dimensions while maintaining a proportionally powerful structure. A good evaluation considers positive qualities of type and sound- ness with equal weight. The height of the dog should come from the depth of body rather than from the length of leg. Proportion is rectangular, the length of the dog from the fore chest to rump is somewhat longer than the height at the withers. As the name Mastiff denotes, the dog should be massive, heavy boned, with a powerful structure. Great depth and breadth is desirable.
The head in general outline giving a massive appearance when viewed from any angle. Breadth greatly desired, eyes set wide apart, medium in size, color the darker the better. Ears should be v-shaped, small and in proportion to the head. Skull is broad and somewhat flat between the ears. Forehead slightly curved with a furrow up the center of the forehead, showing marked wrinkles which are particularly distinctive when at attention. The brows are superciliary ridges moderately raised. The propor- tion of the head is 1:2—one (1) for the muzzle [tip of nose to stop] and two (2) for the skull [stop to occiput]. The muzzle is short and broad with only a slight taper to the end of the nose. Black mask, colored the blacker the better. Scissors bite is preferred but a moderately undershot jaw should not be faulted providing the teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed. It should be noted that judges should examine the occlusion of the mouth to ensure a wry mouth is not present.
The Mastiff is not a “head breed”, it is a working breed. Their gait denotes power and strength. The rear legs should have drive, while the fore- legs should track smoothly with good
by DIANE COLLINGS & TONI HYLAND
246 • SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2017
“Minting”, a famous dog from the past.
“THE MASTIFF IS A LARGE, MASSIVE, SYMMETRICAL DOG WITH
A WELL-KNIT FRAME.”
CH Beaufort, an English champion.