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Effective March 31, 1992
General Appearance
That of a symmetrical animal, showing great
strength, endurance, and alertness; powerfully built but active. The foundation
breeding was 60% Mastiff and 40% Bulldog. The breed was developed in England
by gamekeepers for protection against poachers.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--Dogs, 25 to 27 inches at the withers,
and 110 to 130 pounds weight. Bitches, 24 to 26 inches at the withers,
and 100 to 120 pounds weight. Other things being equal, the more substantial
dog within these limits is favored. Proportion--The length from tip of
breastbone to rear of thigh exceeds the height from withers to ground only
slightly, resulting in a nearly square appearance.
Head
Expression--Keen, alert, and intelligent.
Eyes Dark and of medium size. Ears--V-shaped and carried close to the cheeks,
set on wide and high, level with occiput and cheeks, giving a square appearance
to the skull; darker in color than the body and medium in size. Skull Large,
with a fair amount of wrinkle when alert; broad, with cheeks well developed.
Forehead flat. Stop--Moderate. Muzzle--Broad and deep; its length, in comparison
with that of the entire head, approximately as 1 is to 3. Lack of foreface
with nostrils set on top of muzzle is a reversion to the Bulldog and is
very undesirable. A dark muzzle is preferable. Nose--Black, with nostrils
large and broad. Flews--Not too pendulous. Bite--Preferably level or slightly
undershot. Canine teeth large and set wide apart.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck--Slightly arched, of moderate length,
very muscular, and almost equal in circumference to the skull. Topline--Straight
and level between withers and loin. Body--Compact. Chest wide and deep,
with ribs well sprung and well set down between the forelegs. Back--Short,
giving the impression of a well balanced dog. Loin--Wide, muscular, and
slightly arched, with fair depth of flank. Tail--Set on high, strong at
the root, and tapering to the hocks. It may be straight or curved, but
never carried hound fashion.
Forequarters
Shoulders--muscular but not loaded, and slightly
sloping. Forelegs--straight, well boned, and set well apart; elbows turned
neither in nor out. Pasterns straight, feet of medium size, with round
toes well arched. Pads thick and tough, nails black.
Hindquarters
Broad and muscular, with well developed second
thigh denoting power, but not cumbersome. Moderate angulation at hocks.
Cowhocks and splay feet are serious faults.
Coat
Short and dense, giving good weather protection.
Color
Red, fawn, or brindle. Except for a very small
white spot on the chest, white marking is considered a fault.
Gait
Free, smooth, and powerful. When viewed from
the side, reach and drive indicate maximum use of the dog's moderate angulation.
Back remains level and firm. Coming and going, the dog moves in a straight
line. Feet tend to converge under the body, without crossing over, as speed
increases. There is no twisting in or out at the joints.
Temperament
Fearless and confident yet docile. The dog
combines the reliability, intelligence, and willingness to please required
in a dependable family companion and protector.
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