Page 193 - Showsight April 2013

When you approach the DDB for
examination he should appear calm and
self assured. Males typically have a domi-
nant nature, particularly toward other
male dogs. They should be courageous and
balanced in their attitude toward strang-
ers. They should not exhibit aggressiveness
unless threatened.
The head of the DDB would be dif-
ficult to evaluate based purely on the
lengthy description of its components and
proportions included the Breed Standard.
Visualization is necessary when it comes
to evaluating the head and expression of
the DDB.
The following are some of the impor-
tant characteristics of the DDB head:
• Trapezoid shape when viewed
from above
• Very pronounced stop and well
developed brow
• Eyes – Oval set well apart, color
blends with coat
• Ears – relatively small, set rather high,
should reach to corner of eye but
should not more than cover the eye
• Well developed cheeks
• Symmetrical wrinkles on muzzle
• Thick pendulous lips but not
extreme
• Jaws – Undershot with obvious
chin mark
• The nose should be slightly set
back from the muzzle
• Muzzle should measure between ¼
and ⅓ the total length of the head
• Upper and lower lip contact forms
an inverse, wide V when viewed
from the front.
In examining the DDB, you may bring
the ear forward to see if the tip reaches
the corner of the eye, but does not reach
beyond the eye (in mature dogs). Look
in the mouth from the front to verify the
undershot condition, alignment of the
incisors, and wide space between lower
canines. Check from the sides to look for
complete dentition. In the case of a some-
what extreme undershot condition, manip-
ulate the lips to ensure they are hanging
naturally and they cover the teeth.
Working your way back from the head,
there is a noticeable indent at the junction
of the head and neck. Feel your way back
along the neck. It should be broad, cylin-
drical and muscular. Its circumference
should be nearly equal to that of the head.
The neck merges smoothly with the heav-
ily muscled shoulders. At the deepest point
of the chest, you should ensure it is firm
muscle rather than loose skin that consti-
tutes its depth.
The forechest is broad and powerful.
The back is solid and broad; withers are
well marked and the loin is broad and rath-
er short. Remember that the body length
to height proportion is just off square at
11/10. The coat should be soft and short,
and the skin, thick and sufficiently loose
fitting. The croup slopes moderately down
to the base of the tail. Feel the thick base
of the tail to ensure there are no fused ver-
tebrae. The tail should hang loosely and
straight, and not extend below the hock.
The hindquarters are muscular and wide,
but not as wide as the shoulders. Because
of the heavy muscling in the shoulders and
hindquarters, and the well sprung ribs, you
will see each part distinctly when viewing
from above.
For the down and back, one breed spe-
cific focus should be on a strong push from
the rear; a good balance of push from the
rear and pull from the powerful front of
the dog. On the return the forearms will
incline inwards, especially in dogs with a
particularly broad chest. The movement
of the DDB has been described as simi-
lar to that of a lion because it is powerful
and low-to-the-ground, yet quite easy and
graceful for his size and mass.
When viewing the DDB in the free
stand from the front, note the distinctive
DDB expression; the convex lower line of
the chest; and the allowable inclination of
the forearms and slight bend outward of
the pastern and feet due to the breadth of
the chest. The feet should be strong, with
tight toes.
“VIsUAlIzATION Is NEcEssARy wHEN IT cOmEs TO
EVAlUATING THE HEAD AND EXpREssION Of THE DDB.”
ShowSight Magazine, April 2013 • 193