HEAD AND SKULL

Head large with broad short skull, broad across cheeks. Head proportion: skull length two thirds, to muzzle one third. Skull flat and parallel to topline of muzzle. Well-pronounced, definite stop, nose should not protrude beyond vertical line of muzzle. Nose large with well open nostrils. Lips fleshy and thick. The upper lips form inverted ‘v’ when viewed from the front. Muzzle deep and square when viewed from the front, with deep flews. Head has loose skin forming wrinkles and folds but without excess.

 

EYES

Clean eyes, set forward, well apart, rather rounded. Rims fairly tight without excessive haw. Rim pigmentation to tone with nose colour. Free from obvious eye problems.

 

EARS

Small for size of head, set forward, high and well apart. Triangular, hanging flat towards cheeks but not reaching beyond line of throat.

 

MOUTH

Scissor bite i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Teeth white and regular. Strong well developed jaws.

 

NECK

Short, stocky, very muscular, dewlap from lower jaw reaching mid-point of neck.

 

FOREQUARTERS

Shoulder long, slightly sloping with well developed and definite muscle. Elbows not too close to body to allow very free action. Pasterns slightly sloping, legs vertical when viewed from front.

 

BODY

Longer than height at withers. Broad, well muscled chest, ribcage reaching at least to elbow. Ribs long and well sprung. Topline straight, slightly lower than withers, line of belly parallel to topline.

 

HINDQUARTERS

Broad loin, well let into backline, slightly rounded with well developed muscle. Croup broad, muscular, with slight slope. Thighs long, broad, moderate stifle, powerful hocks. Dewclaws (single or double) removed.

 

FEET

Oval; close, arched toes. Pads thick, hard and dark coloured. Nails curved, strong and dark. Hindfeet slightly smaller than front.

 

TAIL

Thick at root, set on slightly lower than topline. Tapering towards tip. Customarily docked by one third length. Never carried up or over back but may be carried level with topline when moving.

 

GAIT/MOVEMENT

Slow, free, bear-like. Slow trot, long steps covering ground well. Rarely gallops.

 

COAT

Short, dense, even, fine, hard texture, with good sheen. No fringe.

 

COLOUR

Preferred black, blue, all shades of grey, brown varying from fawn to red. Brindling on either of the latter colours. Small star on chest and white on toes permissible. Pigmentation to tone with coat colours.

 

SIZE

Height : 65 - 75 cms (25½ - 29½ ins)
Weight : 50 - 70 kgs (110 - 154 lbs)
Some tolerance allowed. Bitches somewhat less.

 

FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on health & welfare of the dog.

 

NOTE

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Kennel Club 3/94