MASTIFFS 25 



has the sides of the lips protruding. Its aspect is sullen, its- 

 bark loud and terrific, and it appears in every way formed 

 to guard property entrusted to its care, and as a yard dog it 

 is most valuable, as its power and courage are so great. 



A mastiff should never be kept on the chain ; it makes 

 him surly and ill-tempered. 



The points of a mastiff are : the head massive and 

 dignified-looking ; a broad flat forehead ; cheeks promi- 

 nent ; muzzle broad and square, and not too long ; ears 

 small, fine, and pendent, lying close to the cheek ; eyes 

 smallish, with intelligent mild expression, colour of them 

 hazel : face short and not tapering towards the point of 

 the nose ; teeth level, flews deep ; neck strong and mus- 

 cular ; body strong and moderately long, with deep broad 

 chest ; loins broad and . powerful ; legs straight ; feet 

 small, round, and close ; tail long and strong, and should 

 be carried high when the dog is excited ; shoulders and 

 thighs very muscular and well set on ; coat fine and close. 

 The favourite colour is fawn with black points ; next to 

 this comes brindle, then red with black points. The 

 points signify the muzzle, mask, and face. 



The height is from 29 to 31 inches at the shoulder ; 

 females are two or three inches lower. A dog standing 

 29 to 32 inches should weigh from 120 lbs. to 160 lbs. 



The remarkable power and courage of this breed make 

 him essentially fit to be the dog of the keeper when 

 possessing a good temper, which is a most necessary point, 

 as a savage mastiff is a most dangerous animal. Dalziel, 

 in his ' British Dogs,' speaking of mastiffs, says : ' In 

 general appearance the mastiff is noble and dignified, and 

 the magnanimous expression of his countenance bespeaks 

 consciousness of power governed by a noble and courageous 

 nature. There are mastiffs with sinister and scowling 

 faces, but these will rarely be found to possess the gran- 

 deur of form that distinguishes the breed, and are often 

 cross-bred. But instances of a surly and dangerous dis- 

 position will show themselves in otherwise good and pure 

 dogs, and when this is the case they become a positive 



