A BREEDER'S PERSPECTIVE OF THE MASTIFF CLUB OF AMERICA, INC. BREED STANDARD

For every breed, the American Kennel Club holds a breed standard of excellence that is written by the breed's parent club and represents the ideal dog of that breed. This standard is what breeders try to conform to when producing a litter of puppies. A common phrase in the world of dogs is "form follows function". This means that the conformation of the dog should directly relate to what the breed was originally intended to be used for.

If we look at the American Standard for the English Mastiff, we can see that the first words are, "The Mastiff is a Large, Massive, Symmetrical dog". The history of the Mastiff breed tells us that the dog was used for many purposes including, but not limited to hunting bear, and guarding the estate. Hence, a Large dog was preferred. The Male Mastiff should be a minimum of 30 inches tall, and the Female 27 1/2. If the Mastiff fails to meet the minimum height requirements, then the Mastiff looses its Grand appearance. However Height alone should not be used to determine size, nor should weight. The shorter Mastiff that gains it's mass from being overweight is as incorrect as the taller dog that has no substance. A Mastiff needs to be Massive throughout, with size coming from depth and breadth of chest, massive bone, and great muscle. The Mastiff that is but 24 inches tall and grossly overweight does not properly fit the standard. Conversely, the dogs that derive their height from length of leg alone also are incorrect. Both tend to loose the distinctive MASSIVE appearance that is to make the Mastiff what the Breed is intended to be the giant among dogs.

Mastiffs are to have a distinctive Head type, again Massive and square. The Mastiff of yesteryear as a guard dog was to be a deterrent to those who would cause harm, by his appearance and presence alone. The head, face and expression of the Mastiff should convey alertness, but gentleness toward family. The Jaws are to be powerful, again going back to the hunting dog of ancient history.

When we view the ideal Mastiff, as described in the standard, all parts should be balanced and blend smoothly together. A powerful muscular neck should blend nicely with a strong broad topline. The shoulder should flow into a broad and massive chest, and great bone in the forelegs. Again strength and power in a dog that in the days of old would bring down a bear.

As we approach the hindquarters of the Mastiff, the standard states "...Hindquarters Broad and wide ..." a dog with great breadth of chest, but lacking in width of rear would in fact be unbalanced. When hunting , and lunging at his quarry, he would be apt to loose his balance, and then fall victim to his prey. A dog with the Massive rear to match the front would be able to maintain his balance when attacking, and not only support his own weight, but propel it forward in an attack.

Further, the standard says "...moderately angled stifles..." The Mastiff gait should have "...power and strength..." and the "...rear legs should have drive..." The greater the angulation in the leg of a dog, the greater the ability for speed. The movement of the Mastiff is not to be speedy, but Powerful. The moderate angulation allows the leg to remain under the dog, and give the strength of movement necessary to carry such a massive frame. A mastiff with great angulation has the ability to move at a greater speed but can tend to loose the power in his stride.The standard states "...as the speed increases from a walk to a trot, the feet move to the center line of the body to maintain balance." Again moderate angulation as opposed to heavy angulation make this possible.

The coat of the mastiff is to be "...moderately short length. Undercoat dense, short and close lying..." A dense undercoat allows protection from the claws of the prey, as well as the brush and terrain that a Mastiff of old would be subject to. However a long wavy coat is incorrect.

The color may be fawn, apricot or brindle. If any white is present, it should be no more than a small white patch on the chest, but no white is preferred. The Mastiff as a guard dog was meant to be invisible in the dark, the black mask and the small dark eye would help make this possible. Of course during these days, the brindle color, "...fawn or apricot as a background color, and completely covered with very dark stripes " would be preferred to further "Hide" the large dog from would be intruders and poachers.

Once again if we go back to the original purpose of the Mastiff we can see where we derive the correct temperament from, and why it is so necessary. The Mastiff is to be safe and gentle around family and friends. The presence alone is to be a deterrent to threats. Gentle with children, but protective of them when they are in danger. A loving and kind beast who would lay down his life in time of danger... thus..."Grandeur and good nature, courage and docility."

So when we look at the Mastiff, his purpose and uses, we can see that there was a reason for the breed to evolve into the type of animal described in the standard. If we want to maintain the breed as it was intended to be, breeders must adhere to this standard and not create the dog that is fashionable today, but rather continue to produce the dog that it was intended to be for centuries.

Read About The Author "Mary Louise Owens"