Bullmastiff is Power Full Dogs
Here it is the phenotype that is being discussed. Does the dog look like a Bullmastiff? Are these words sufficient for the Judge appraising the dog to conjure up a picture and to form an opinion as to the requirements for a good Bullmastiff? In my opinion this single sentence could vaguely describe just about all the breeds in the Working Group and is hopelessly inadequate in describing the Bullmastiff.
The American Kennel Club Breed Standard and the Canadian Kennel Club Breed Standard are much more specific, and perhaps it is time that the KUSA Breed Standard be revised and likewise include more detail.
Gilbert & Brown refer to type being “the opinion of the observer”. In other words the Judge, in reference to judging in the breed show ring, is doing more than picking a winner. He or she is actually determining the breed phenotype instead of the breeders doing this, and to do this correctly, needs more than just a few vague words. If the Judge is ill informed about the breed because the Standard is lacking in detail, it can be disastrous for the breed.
Gilbert & Brown refer to type being “the opinion of the observer”. In other words the Judge, in reference to judging in the breed show ring, is doing more than picking a winner. He or she is actually determining the breed phenotype instead of the breeders doing this, and to do this correctly, needs more than just a few vague words. If the Judge is ill informed about the breed because the Standard is lacking in detail, it can be disastrous for the breed.
Bullmastiff Powerful, enduring, active and reliable
Is the dog mentally and physically equipped to perform those functions for which it was designed originally? These attributes as pertaining to the Bullmastiff are difficult to judge in a show ring.
Powerful: This is a subjective component decided by the Judge’s interpretation of the word “powerful” in relation to the look of the dog. The Judge can only assume the dog is powerful because the Breed Standard says he must be. There is nothing against which to test this power. Enduring: Some people may interpret endurance as being able to gait round and round the ring effortlessly. That is - the peak of physical fitness. However endurance in a Bullmastiff is also being able to sit or stay for hours in any kind of weather, day or night, awaiting orders to complete a task. Bullmastiffs have incredible patience.
Reliable: The Bullmastiff should be totally trustworthy whether guarding and defending or socialising and loving. These are remarkable achievements for any dog.
Temperament
Does this mean that a dog that does not show these features in the Breed Show Ring has a “bad temperament?” Bill Walkey describes the Bullmastiff as a “steady stable animal, completely lacking in
excitability” and the American Kennel Club Breed Standard uses the following words “Fearless and confidant yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence and willingness to please required in a dependable family companion and protector.” So little has been written about the Bullmastiff’s temperament, but I feel we need more than just three words to describe this wonderful dog’s temperament.
excitability” and the American Kennel Club Breed Standard uses the following words “Fearless and confidant yet docile. The dog combines the reliability, intelligence and willingness to please required in a dependable family companion and protector.” So little has been written about the Bullmastiff’s temperament, but I feel we need more than just three words to describe this wonderful dog’s temperament.
Skull large and square, viewed from every angle, fair wrinkle when interested but not when in repose. Circumference of skull may equal height of dog measured at top of shoulder; broad and deep with well filled cheeks. Pronounced stop. Muzzle short; distance from tip of nose to stop approximately one-third length from tip of nose to centre of occiput, broad under eyes and sustaining nearly same width to end of nose; blunt and cut off square, forming right angle with upper line of face, and at the same time proportionate with skull. Under-jaw broad to end. Nose broad with widely spreading nostrils; flat, neither pointed nor turned up in profile. Flews not pendulous, never hanging below level of lower jaw.
The question here is why did the Bullmastiff’s head have to be large and square? To find the answer let us go to the dog’s original function to “down and hold” the poacher. The poacher had everything to lose, including his life, so he was prepared to fight with anything and everything at his disposal, including his feet, sticks, clubs and stones. The dog had to be able to withstand this onslaught without losing his senses. What better then than a “fortified” square box? The square muzzle attached to the head being another “fortified” square box and the steep attachment (the stop) in between the two, another part of the excellent construction, with excellent frontal vision for the dog yet another great advantage.
The strong well-muscled broad cheeks were to enable the dog to hold his prey without tiring, as were the broad nostrils for breathing. The neat flews of course short and well out of the way of the grip. For practical as well as aesthetic purposes the flews, eye rims and nose should be a dark colour bordering on black. This colour prevents sunburn and insect attraction and the sun’s rays are also not reflected into the dog’s eyes.
