The New Zealand Kennel Club Bullmastiff Breed Standard:

Characteristics:

The temperament of the Bullmastiff combines high spirits, reliability, activity, endurance and alertness.

General Appearance:

The Bullmastiff is a powerfully built, symmetrical dog, showing great strength, but not cumbersome.

Head & Skull:

The skull should be large and square, viewed from every angle, with fair wrinkle when interested, but not when in repose. The circumference of the skull may equal the height of the dog measured at the top of the shoulder; it should be broad and deep with good cheeks. The muzzle short, the distance from the tip of the nose to the stop should be approximately one-third of the length from the tip of the nose to the center of the occiput, broad under the eyes and nearly parallel in width to the end of the nose; blunt and cut off square, forming a right-angle with the upper line of the face, and at the same time proportionate with the skull. Underjaw broad to the front; flat not pointed or turned up in profile. Flews not pendulous, and not hanging below the level of the bottom of the lower jaw. Stop definite.

Eyes:

Dark or Hazel, of medium size, set apart the width of the muzzle with furrow between. Light or yellow eyes a fault.

Ears:

V-Shaped or folded back, set on wide and high, level with occiput, giving a square appearance to the skull, which is important. They should be small and level with the eye when alert. Rose ears penalised.

Mouth:

Mouth to be level, slight undershot allowed, but not preferred. Canine teeth large and set wide apart, other teeth strong, even and well placed. Irregularity of teeth a fault.

Neck:

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

Forequarters:

Chest, wide and deep, well set down between forelegs, with deep brisket. Shoulders muscular sloping and powerful, not overloaded. Forelegs powerful and straight, well boned and set wide apart, presenting a straight front. Pasterns straight and strong.

Body:

Back short and straight, giving a compact carriage, but not so short as to interfere with activity. Roach and sway backs a fault.

Hindquarters:

Loins wide and muscular with fair depth of flank. Hind legs strong and muscular, with well developed second thighs, denoting power and activity, but not cumbersome. Hocks moderately bent. Cow hocks a fault.

Feet:

Not large, with rounded toes, well-arched (cat feet), pads hard. Splay feet a fault.

Tail:

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

Coat:

Short and hard, giving weather protection, lying flat to the body. A tendency to long, silky or woolly coats to be penalised.

Colour:

Any shade of brindle, fawn or red, but the colour is to be pure and clear. A slight white marking on the chest permissible, but not desirable. Other white markings a fault. A dark muzzle is essential, toning off towards the eyes, with dark markings around the eyes giving expression. Dark toenails desirable.

Weight & Size:

Dogs should be 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder, and 110 to 130 lb in weight. Bitches should be 24 to 26 inches at the shoulder and 90 to 110 lb in weight. It must be borne in mind that the size be proportionate with weight, and soundness and activity most essential.

Note:

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

 

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