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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 favoured.
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 colour 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.
According to the AKC
Approved February 8, 1992
Effective March 31, 1992
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