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.
Approved February 8, 1992
Effective March 31, 1992
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