THE ENGLISH MASTIFF. 209 



The head is massive in all directions, but should be specially 

 flat, and free from bloodhound dome or occipital protuberance. 

 There is, however, a slight furrow down the middle, as will.be 

 seen in the head of " Wallace." Brows sharp but low. 



Eyes. — These are small, and not at all prominent, but they 

 must not show the sunken setting of the bloodhound type, and 

 on no account " the sealing wax " or red " haw." The expression 

 though grand is mild, and without sourness. In colour they are 

 brown of various shades. 



The ears must be small and pendant, tolerably close to the 

 cheeks, but not so much so as if of larger dimensions. There 

 must be no folds in them, but one even vine-shaped flap of carti- 

 lage, covered with smooth skin and short, soft hair. 



The muzzle is of average length, cut square at the end, with level 

 teeth ; but many good dogs have a slight protuberance of the 

 lower ones, and this should not be considered a defect. There 

 should be a full lip above and below, but no absolute flew. 



The neck is very muscular, and turned with elegance, consider- 

 ing its massive proportions. At its junction with the head there 

 is a prominence as in the pointer, but no large occipital protuber- 

 ance as in the bloodhound. No throatiness or dewlap is permis- 

 sible. 



Shoulders and chest. — Massive proportions, which are essential 

 in this breed, necessitate a full chest, and with this the shoulders 

 cannot be very oblique ; but they must be full of muscle to make 

 up for this deficiency. 



Legs and feet. — This dog being generally chained up, his 

 feet and legs suffer accordingly, and in most cases there is a defi- 

 ciency in them. A great many otherwise fine mastiffs are complete 

 cripples in their hind-quarters, and not much better before. Flat 

 splay feet accompany these defects, which should be penalised 



