Size

OVERVIEW THE ESSENCE OF THE MASTINO STANDARD JUDGING MORE INFO HISTORY

THE STANDARD: Size, Proportion, Substance

The Standard Says:

A stocky heavy-boned dog, massive in substance, rectangular in proportion. Length of body is 10% - 15% greater than the height. Height: Dogs: 26 - 31 inches, bitches: 24 - 29 inches. Average weight of mature Dogs--150 pounds; Bitches--110 pounds, but greater weight is usual and preferable as long as correct proportions and function are maintained.

Disqualification: Absence of massiveness

Commentary

The FCI standard states that the length of the body is 10% greater than the height, and the maximum height is 29..5 inches with a 1 inch leeway allowed. In creating the AKC standard, we had to be able to answer the questions: what if the dog's proportions are longer or shorter than the ideal..What is preferred? What if the dog is taller or shorter than the ideal? What should the judge do?

Well, the FCI standard is that the dog should be rectangular, and the Italians state that if there is a variance, it is better to be a little too long in body, than a little too tall in proportion. So, we state that the length of body should be 10-15% longer than the height to emphasize that desire. Remember, it's not a fault if the dog is square, but it's not correct. And given a choice of two equal dogs, pick the one that is more rectangular.

However, if the dog that clearly has the best Wrinkle, the best Head and the best Mass is slightly square instead of rectangular, pick the dog with the best WHaM factor!

This is a Mastiff, so the dog must be large. Again, the FCI standard, which of course uses centimeters, allows a height of 27" to 29.5" (for males) and 25" to 27.5" (for females) with a 1" variance either way. In translating this to the AKC, we simply enter the maximum and minimum expected heights. What do you do if the dog is outside these limits? Well, this is a Mastiff, so it is certainly very much less acceptable if the dog is small. Even with the appropriate Wrinkle and Head and to a degree the right Mass, if the height isn't there, it's hard for a dog to generate the appropriate emotional impact.

At the same time, this is not the Mastiff (English). The Neapolitan Mastiff is a massive beast, but it gets its mass from bone and body not its height, and it generates its emotional impact by virtue of its wrinkles and impressive head not its height. The Mastiff's standard states that it should be no shorter than 29". Our standard states that the Mastino should be no taller than 30". What do you do if the dog is larger than the maximum height? Well, it's not correct if it is. But if the dog is in correct proportion, with correct Wrinkle, Head, and Mass, it could certainly be an acceptable choice. (bearing in mind, of course, that a properly massive mastino taller than 30" would be a truly incredible sight indeed!)

Regarding weight, the standard gives average weight for the breed. Many dogs weigh more than the average. Many less. There are no scales in the ring. And anyway, it's not really important what the actual weight of the dog is. It is more important what the dog looks like it weighs.

NOTE THE DISQUALIFICATION FOR LACK OF MASS.

It is so important to us that the dogs have Mass, be Massive, and appear Massive that a dog with a lack of Mass should be eliminated from the show ring. They are not proper Mastini.

Click NEXT to see the "Head" topic

Click PREV to return to the "General Appearance" topic