Bullmastiff

FCI standard Nº 157

Origin
Great Britain
Group
Group 2 Pinscher and Schnauzer Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs
Section
Section 2.1 Molossoid breeds, Mastiff Type
Working
Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI
Saturday 23 April 1955
Publication of the official valid standard
Thursday 10 August 2023
Last update
Monday 11 September 2023
En français, cette race se dit
Bullmastiff
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar
Bullmastiff
En español, esta raza se dice
Bullmastiff
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd
Bullmastiff

Usage

Watchdog.

Brief historical summary

The Bullmastiff evolved from the Old English Mastiff and the Bulldog. Primarily used as a guard dog and, in olden times, to help the gamekeeper in the apprehension of poachers. The Bullmastiff is intelligent and observant; he is totally reliable both physically and mentally and can quickly assess a situation. His bravery and courage and defending against intruders is legendary.

General appearance

Powerful build, symmetrical, showing great strength, but not cumbersome; sound and active.

Behaviour / temperament

Powerful; enduring, active and reliable. High-spirited, alert and faithful.

Head

Cranial region

Skull
Skull large and square, viewed from every angle, fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. Broad and deep. 
Stop
Pronounced.

Facial region

Nose
Well opened nostrils. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils; flat neither pointed nor turned up in profile.
Muzzle
Muzzle short; distance from tip of nose to stop approximately one-third of length from tip of nose to centre of occiput, broad under eyes and sustaining nearly same width to end of nose; blunt an cut off square, forming right angle with upper line of face, and at same time proportionate with skull.
Lips
Flews not pendulous, never hanging below level of lower jaw.
Jaws and teeth
Under-jaw broad to end. Level (Pincer bite, edge to edge) desired but slightly undershot allowed but not preferred. Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even and well placed.
Cheeks
Well filled.
Eyes
Dark or hazel, of medium size, set apart the width of muzzle with furrow between. Light or yellow eyes highly undesirable.
Ears
V-shaped, folded forward, set on wide and high, level of occiput giving square appearance to skull which is most important. Small and deeper in colour than body. Point of ear level with eye when alert. Rose ears highly undesirable.

Neck

Well arched, moderate length, very muscular and almost equal to skull in circumference.

Body

Back
Short and straight, giving compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs highly undesirable.
Loin
Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flank.
Chest
Chest, wide and deep, well let down between forelegs, with deep brisket.

Tail

Set high, strong at root and tapering, reaching to hocks, carried straight or curved, but not hound fashion. Crank tails highly undesirable.

Limbs

Forequarters

Generality
Forelegs set wide apart, presenting a straight front.
Shoulders
Shoulders muscular, sloping and powerful, not overloaded.
Upper arm
Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned.
Pastern
Pasterns straight and strong.

Hindquarters

Generality
Hind legs strong and muscular.
Lower thigh
Well developed lower thighs, denoting power and activity, not cumbersome.
Hock
Moderately bent. Cow hocks highly undesirable.

Feet

Well arched, cat-like, with rounded toes, pads hard. Dark toenails desirable. Splayed feet highly undesirable.

Gait and movement

Movement indicates power and sense of purpose. When moving straight neither front nor hind legs should cross or plait, right front and left rear leg rising and falling at same time. A firm backline unimpaired by powerful thrust from hindlegs denoting a balanced and harmonious movement.

Coat

Hair
Short and hard, weather-resistant, lying flat to body. Long, silky or woolly coats highly undesirable.
Colour
Any shade of brindle, fawn or red; colour to be pure and clear. A slight white marking on chest permissible. Other white markings undesirable. Black muzzle essential, toning off towards eyes, with dark markings around eyes contributing to expression.

Size and weight

Height at withers
Males 64 - 69 cms, females 61 - 66 cms.
Weight
Males 50 - 59 kgs, females 41 - 50 kgs.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

 Aggressive or overly shy.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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