Information on AKC Mastiff Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Mastiff
One of the biggest dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club, the massive Mastiff loves being around people and is known to bond closely with his ‘family.’ A combination of grandeur and good nature as well as courage and docility, he was bred in England and used as a watchdog for more than two thousand years. The breed’s short coat can be fawn, apricot or brindle.
A Look Back
As early as 3000 B.C., drawings on Egyptian monuments depict typical Mastiffs. Later, even Caesar noticed the fearless, strong Mastiff as it fought alongside the British soldiers in 55 B.C. Impressed by the breed’s courage, he brought a group of them back to Rome and forced them to take part in bull baiting, lion fighting and fights with human gladiators. Later, the Mastiff became popular with the peasants in England, where the dogs were used to keep wolves and other dangerous predators under control as well to as protect the home.
Right Breed for You?
The Mastiff is a powerful yet gentle and loyal companion, but because of his size and need for space, he is best suited for country or suburban life. The breed requires light exercise and minimal grooming.
If you are considering purchasing a Mastiff puppy, learn more here.
- Working Group; AKC recognized in 1885.
- Minimum height of 30 inches tall at the shoulder for males and 27 ½ inches tall for females.
- Guard dog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Mastiff Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Mastiff is a large, massive, symmetrical dog with a well-knit frame. The
impression is one of grandeur and dignity. Dogs are more massive throughout.
Bitches should not be faulted for being somewhat smaller in all dimensions while
maintaining a proportionally powerful structure. A good evaluation considers
positive qualities of type and soundness with equal weight.
Size, Proposition, Substance
Size--Dogs, minimum, 30 inches at the shoulder. Bitches, minimum,
27½ inches at the shoulder. Fault--Dogs or bitches below the
minimum standard. The farther below standard, the greater the fault. Proportion--Rectangular, the length of the dog from forechest to
rump is somewhat longer than the height at the withers. The height of the
dog should come from depth of body rather than from length of leg. Substance--Massive, heavy boned, with a powerful muscle structure.
Great depth and breadth desirable. Fault--Lack of substance or slab
sided.
Head
In general outline giving a massive appearance when viewed from any angle.
Breadth greatly desired. Eyes set wide apart, medium in size, never too prominent. Expression
alert but kindly. Color of eyes brown, the darker the better, and showing
no haw. Light eyes or a predatory expression is undesirable. Ears
small in proportion to the skull, V-shaped, rounded at the tips. Leather
moderately thin, set widely apart at the highest points on the sides of
the skull continuing the outline across the summit. They should lie close
to the cheeks when in repose. Ears dark in color, the blacker the better,
conforming to the color of the muzzle. Skull broad and somewhat flattened between the ears, forehead slightly
curved, showing marked wrinkles which are particularly distinctive when
at attention. Brows (superciliary ridges) moderately raised. Muscles of
the temples well developed, those of the cheeks extremely powerful. Arch
across the skull a flattened curve with a furrow up the center of the forehead.
This extends from between the eyes to halfway up the skull. The stop
between the eyes well marked but not too abrupt. Muzzle should be half the length of the skull, thus dividing the head into
three parts-one for the foreface and two for the skull. In other words,
the distance from the tip of the nose to stop is equal to one-half the distance
between the stop and the occiput. Circumference of the muzzle (measured
midway between the eyes and nose) to that of the head (measured before the
ears) is as 3 is to 5. Muzzle short, broad under the eyes and running nearly equal in width
to the end of the nose. Truncated, i.e. blunt and cut off square, thus forming
a right angle with the upper line of the face. Of great depth from the point
of the nose to the underjaw. Underjaw broad to the end and slightly rounded.
Muzzle dark in color, the blacker the better. Fault snipiness of the muzzle. Nose broad and always dark in color, the blacker the better, with spread
flat nostrils (not pointed or turned up) in profile. Lips diverging at
obtuse angles with the septum and sufficiently pendulous so as to show a modified
square profile. Canine Teeth healthy and wide apart. Jaws powerful. Scissors
bite preferred, but a moderately undershot jaw should not be faulted providing
the teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck powerful, very muscular, slightly arched, and of medium length.
The neck gradually increases in circumference as it approaches the shoulder.
Neck moderately "dry" (not showing an excess of loose skin). Topline--In
profile the topline should be straight, level, and firm, not swaybacked, roached,
or dropping off sharply behind the high point of the rump. Chest wide, deep, rounded, and well let down between the forelegs,
extending at least to the elbow. Forechest should be deep and well defined
with the breastbone extending in front of the foremost point of the shoulders.
Ribs well rounded. False ribs deep and well set back. Underline--There
should be a reasonable, but not exaggerated, tuck-up. Back muscular, powerful,
and straight. When viewed from the rear, there should be a slight rounding
over the rump. Loins wide and muscular.
Tail set on moderately high and reaching to the hocks or a little below.
Wide at the root, tapering to the end, hanging straight in repose, forming a
slight curve, but never over the back when the dog is in motion.
Forequarters
Shoulders moderately sloping, powerful and muscular, with no tendency
to looseness. Degree of front angulation to match correct rear angulation. Legs
straight, strong and set wide apart, heavy boned. Elbows parallel to
body. Pasterns strong and bent only slightly. Feet large, round,
and compact with well arched toes. Black nails preferred.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters broad, wide and muscular. Second thighs well developed,
leading to a strong hock joint. Stifle joint is moderately angulated
matching the front. Rear legs are wide apart and parallel when viewed
from the rear. When the portion of the leg below the hock is correctly "set
back" and stands perpendicular to the ground, a plumb line dropped from
the rearmost point of the hindquarters will pass in front of the foot. This
rules out straight hocks, and since stifle angulation varies with hock angulation,
it also rules out insufficiently angulated stifles. Fault--Straight stifles.
Coat
Outer coat straight, coarse, and of moderately short length. Undercoat dense,
short, and close lying. Coat should not be so long as to produce "fringe"
on the belly, tail, or hind legs. Fault Long or wavy coat.
Color
Fawn, apricot, or brindle. Brindle should have fawn or apricot as a background
color which should be completely covered with very dark stripes. Muzzle,
ears, and nose must be dark in color, the blacker the better, with similar
color tone around the eye orbits and extending upward between them. A small
patch of white on the chest is permitted.
Faults--Excessive white on the chest or white on any other part of the
body. Mask, ears, or nose lacking dark pigment.
Gait
The gait denotes power and strength. The rear legs should have drive, while
the forelegs should track smoothly with good reach. In motion, the legs move
straight forward; as the dog's speed increases from a walk to a trot, the feet
move in toward the center line of the body to maintain balance.
Temperament
A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. Dignity, rather
than gaiety, is the Mastiff's correct demeanor. Judges should not condone shyness
or viciousness. Conversely, judges should also beware of putting a premium on
showiness.
Approved November 12, 1991
Effective December 31, 1991
