GENERAL APPEARANCE
Well boned, large, muscular and strongly built. Body slightly longer than height at withers. Majestic bearing, with noble expression.
CHARACTERISTICS
Loose fitting skin over body and head, not to be excessive, with a double dewlap.
TEMPERAMENT
Steady, devoted, loyal and vigilant. Slightly aloof.
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 : 70 - 75 cms Weight : 75 to 95 kgs for males and 65 - 75 kgs for females. Some tolerance allowed.
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.
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