Mastiff Breed Standards
Comparison Chart

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

History / Origin and Purpose:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard) UKC: History: The giant Mastiff may have originated in Asia but England has been considered its adopted country for nearly 2,000 years. The breed has a long history as a fighting dog, protector of the home, and for use against other animals and as a weapon in war. In America, the breed is now noted as a devoted family pet and may still serve as a protector mainly by its imposing size. The Mastiff was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1948. KC: (Not indicated in Standard) FCI: ORIGIN : Great Britain UTILIZATION : Watch and security dog.
General Appearance / Characteristics:	CKC: Large, massive, symmetrical, and well-knit frame. A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. AKC: 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. UKC: General Appearance The Mastiff is large and massive with a well-knit frame, yet symmetrical, from any angle, in appearance. Characteristics The breed exhibits a unique combination of grandeur, good nature, and courage and docility. KC: Head, in general outline, giving a square appearance when viewed from any point. Breadth greatly desired; in ratio to length of whole head and face as 2 : 3. Body massive, broad, deep, long, powerfully built, on legs wide apart and squarely set. Muscles sharply defined. Size a great desideratum, if combined with quality. Height and substance important if both points are proportionately combined. Characteristics Large, massive, powerful, symmetrical, well knit frame. A combination of grandeur and courage. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Temperament:	CKC: (As indicated under "General Appearance" in Standard.) A combination of grandeur and good nature, courage and docility. AKC: 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. UKC: (As indicated under "Characteristics" in the UKC Standard.) The breed exhibits a unique combination of grandeur, good nature, and courage and docility. KC: Calm, affectionate to owners, but capable of guarding. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Size:	CKC: Dogs, minimum 30 inches (76 cm) at the shoulder; bitches, minimum 27-1/2 inches (70 cm) at the shoulder. AKC: 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 UKC: Males — minimum of 30" measured at the shoulder. Females — minimum of 27½" measured at the shoulder. KC: (Not indicated in Standard) FCI: (Not indicated in Standard)
Coat and Colour:	CKC: Outer coat moderately coarse. Undercoat dense, short, and close lying. Colour apricot, silver fawn or dark fawn-brindle. Fawn-brindle should have fawn as a background colour which should be completely covered with very dark stripes. In any case, muzzle, ears, and nose must be dark in colour, the blacker the better, with similar colour tone around the orbits, extending upwards between them. AKC: 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. UKC: Coat The outer coat is moderately coarse. The undercoat is dense, short and close-lying. Color Acceptable colors include silver fawn, dark fawn-brindle and apricot. Fawn-brindle always has fawn as a background color completely covered with very dark stripes. In all cases, the muzzle, ears and nose must be dark in color. Disqualification: Albinism. KC: Coat Short and close-lying, but not too fine over shoulders, neck and back. Colour Apricot-fawn, silver-fawn, fawn, or dark fawn-brindle. In any case, muzzle, ears and nose should be black with black around orbits, and extending upwards between them. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Head:	CKC: Head — In general outline giving a massive appearance when viewed from any angle. Breadth greatly to be desired. Skull: broad and somewhat rounded 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 centre of the forehead. This extends from between the eyes to halfway up the skull. 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 underjaw. Underjaw broad to the end and slightly rounded. Lips diverging at obtuse angles with the septum and sufficiently pendulous so as to show a modified square profile. Muzzle dark in colour, the blacker the better. 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 tip of nose to stop is equal to one-half the distance between the stop and the occiput. Circumference of muzzle (measured midway between the eyes and nose) to that of the head (measured before the ears) as 3 is to 5. Nose: broad and always dark in colour, the blacker the better, with spread, flat nostrils (not pointed or turned up) in profile. Mouth: canine teeth healthy, powerful and wide apart. Scissors bite preferred but a moderately undershot jaw permissible providing the teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed. Eyes: set wide apart, medium in size, never too prominent. Expression alert but kindly. The stop between the eyes well marked but not too abrupt. Colour of eyes brown, the darker the better and showing no haw. Ears: small, 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 colour, the blacker the better, conforming to the colour of the muzzle. AKC: 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. UKC: Head and Skull The head gives a massive appearance from any angle. The skull is broad and somewhat rounded between the ears. The forehead is slightly curved, showing wrinkles which are more distinctive when the dog is at attention. The brows are moderately raised. The muscles of the temple are well-developed; the muscles of the cheek are extremely powerful. The arch across the skull is a flattened curve with a furrow up the center of the forehead which extends from between the eyes to half-way up the skull. The face and muzzle are blunt and cut off square, and the muzzle is broad under the eyes. Under the jaw it is broad to the end and slightly rounded. The stop is well marked, but is not too abrupt. The distance from the nose to stop is equal to one-half the distance between the stop and the occiput. The muzzle is dark in color. EARS -- The ears are small, V-shaped, rounded at the tips, set widely apart at the highest points on the side of the skull. The leather is moderately thin. The ears lie close to the head, and are dark in color, the darker the better, conforming to the muzzle color. EYES -- The eyes are set wide apart and of medium size, but never too prominent; showing no haw. They are brown in color, the darker being preferred. NOSE -- The nose is broad and always dark, the blacker the better, with wide, flat nostrils. TEETH -- A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. A moderately undershot bite is permissible providing the teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed. KC: Head and Skull — Skull broad between ears, forehead flat, but wrinkled when attention is excited. Brows (superciliary ridges) slightly raised. Muscles of temples and cheeks (temporal and masseter) well developed. Arch across skull of a rounded, flattened curve, with depression up centre of forehead from median line between eyes, to halfway up sagittal suture. Face or muzzle short, broad under eyes, and keeping nearly parallel in width to end of nose; truncated, i.e. blunt and cut off squarely, thus forming a right angle with upper line of face, of great depth from point of nose to under-jaw. Under-jaw broad to end. Nose broad, with widely spreading nostrils when viewed from front, flat (not pointed or turned up) in profile. Lips diverging at obtuse angles with septum, and slightly pendulous so as to show a square profile. Length of muzzle to whole head and face as 1 : 3. Circumference of muzzle (measured mid-way between eyes and nose) to that of head (measured before the ears) as 3 : 5. Eyes Small, wide apart, divided by at least space of two eyes. Stop between eyes well marked but not too abrupt. Colour hazel brown, darker the better, showing no haw. Ears Small, thin to touch, wide apart, set on at highest points of sides of skull, so as to continue outline across summit, and lying flat and close to cheeks when in repose. Mouth Canine teeth healthy; powerful and wide apart; incisors level, or lower projecting beyond upper but never so much as to become visible when mouth is closed. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Neck:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard.) AKC: 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). UKC: The slightly-arched, powerful, very muscular neck is of medium length and does not show any excess of loose skin. There is a gradual increase in the circumference of the neck as it approaches the shoulder. KC: Slightly arched, moderately long, very muscular, and measuring in circumference about 2.5-5 cms (1-2 ins) less than skull before ears. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Body:	CKC: Back muscular, powerful, and straight. Chest (Same as AKC Standard) Forechest should be deep and well defined. Ribs extremely well rounded. False ribs deep and well set back. Loins wide and muscular, slightly rounded over the rump. There should be a reasonable, but not exaggerated, cut-up. AKC: 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. UKC: The back is muscular, straight and powerful. It is wide and muscular at the loins and slightly rounded over the rump. The chest is well-rounded, wide and well let down, extending to the elbows. The ribs are extremely well-rounded. The "false" ribs (11th and 12th) are deep and well set back. The slightly sloping shoulders are heavy and muscular, with no tendency to be loose. KC: Chest wide, deep and well let down between forelegs. Ribs arched and well rounded. False ribs deep and well set back to hips. Girth one-third more than height at shoulder. Back and loins wide and muscular; flat and very wide in bitch, slightly arched in dog. Great depth of flanks. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Forequarters:	CKC: Shoulder slightly sloping, heavy and muscular. No tendency to looseness of shoulders. Legs straight, strong and set wide apart, heavy bones. Elbows (Same as AKC Standard) Pasterns (Same as AKC Standard). AKC: 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. UKC: FORELEGS -- The forelegs are straight and strong, set wide apart and heavy-boned. The elbows are parallel to body. The pasterns are strong and only slightly bent. KC: Shoulder and arm slightly sloping, heavy and muscular. Legs straight, strong and set wide apart; bones being large. Elbows square. Pasterns upright. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Hindquarters:	CKC: Hindquarters broad, wide and muscular. Second thighs well developed, hocks set back, wide apart and parallel when viewed from the rear. AKC: 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. UKC: The hindquarters are broad and muscular. HIND LEGS -- The second thighs are well-developed. The hocks are set back and parallel when viewed from rear. KC: Broad, wide and muscular, with well developed second thighs, hocks bent, wide apart, and quite squarely set when standing or walking. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Feet:	CKC: Feet heavy, round and compact with well-arched toes. Black nails preferred. AKC: Feet large, round, and compact with well arched toes. Black nails preferred. UKC: The feet are heavy, rounded and compact with well arched toes. Black nails are preferred. KC: Large and round. Toes well arched. Nails black. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Tail:	CKC: (Same as AKC Standard) 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 dog is in action. AKC: 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. UKC: The tail is set moderately high and reaching to or little below the hock, tapering to the end and forming a slight curve, but never carried over the back when dog is in action. It is wide at the root and tapers to the end. KC: Set on high, and reaching to hocks, or a little below them, wide at its root and tapering to end, hanging straight in repose, but forming a curve with end pointing upwards, but not over back, when dog is excited. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Gait:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard) AKC: 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. UKC: The gait projects the evidence of great power and strength. The rear legs have drive. The forelegs track smoothly with good reach. As speed increases, the dog single tracks. KC: Powerful, easy extension. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Faults:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard) AKC: Dogs or bitches below the minimum standard. The farther below standard, the greater the fault. Lack of substance or slab sided. Snipiness of the muzzle. Hindquarters: Straight stifles. Long or wavy coat. Excessive white on the chest or white on any other part of the body. Mask, ears, or nose lacking dark pigment. UKC: (Not indicated in Standard) KC: 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 upon the health and welfare of the dog. Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. FCI: (Same as KC Standard)
Disqualifications:	CKC: (Not indicated in Standard) AKC: (Not indicated in Standard) UKC: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism. KC: (Not indicated in Standard) FCI:

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