1. The Head (Value 20)

1. The head (value 20) is broad, full, and flat in its general character; but this flatness is made up of two gentle swells with a furrow between, as well shown in the portrait of Governor. Eyebrows well marked but not high. Jaws square in outline and broad, moderately long, and without flews; for though the upper lip is full, it should by no means be pendulous, which formation only exists when there is a cross of the bloodhound.

2. The Eyes (Value 5)

2. The eyes (value 5) are small and somewhat sunken, but mild in expression, and without the sad and solemn look exhibited by the bloodhound. They are generally hazel or brown.

3. The Ears (Value 5)

3. The ears (value 5) should be small and pendant, lying close to the cheek, without the slightest approach to a fold, which indicates the bloodhound cross. They should be set well back, and should be vine-shaped, neither lobular nor houndlike.

4. The Muzzle (Value 5)

4. The muzzle (value 5) must be short, with level teeth and square at the nose. The flews should be distinctly marked so as to make the square distinctly pronounced; but they must not be pendulous to anything like the same degree as is exhibited by the bloodhound. A slight projection of the lower teeth may be overlooked.

5. The Neck (Value 5)

5. The neck (value 5) is muscular, and of sufficient length to avoid loss of symmetry. There is a well-marked prominence at its junction with the head. No throatiness should be allowed, as it indicates the bloodhound cross.

6. The Shoulders And Chest (Value 10)

6. The shoulders and chest (value 10) must be taken together, as with a full development of the latter there is generally a slight want of obliquity in the former. The girth is, however, the important point, and it should always be at least one-third greater than the height. Thus a dog 82in. high should girth 41 1/2in. In such a case the shoulders are apt to be rather short, but they must in any event be well clothed with muscle.

7. Legs And Feet (Value 10)

Both these important organs are too apt to be defective in the mastiff, owing greatly to the confinement in which he is usually reared from generation to generation. The consequence is that, however well a puppy is treated, even if left at full liberty, his feet are often weak and flat, his legs small in bone and bent at the knees, he has frequently cat-hams, and a gallop is quite beyond his powers. Hence, these points should be specially attended to in estimating the merits of any individual. The desideratum for the feet is that of the cat - round, with the knuckles well up. A dew-claw is often met with behind, but it is not considered important either way.

8. The Loin (Value 10)

8. The loin (value 10) must be wide and deep, and should girth nearly as much as the height at the shoulder. The back ribs being apt to be short, a nipped loin is often met with, but it takes away greatly from the strength of the back.

9. Size And Symmetry (Value 15)

From the general selection of this breed as a guard for his master, size is all-important, and a dog ought to be at least 29in. or 30in. high to be considered perfect, while any increase on this, if combined with symmetry, is to be counted in his favour. Bitches are usually about 2in. less than the dogs of the same litter. Few breeds are more symmetrical in their proportions when the best specimens are examined.

10. The Colour (Value 5)

10. The colour (value 5) is regarded as of some considerable importance by mastiff breeders, most of whom now confine themselves to a stone fawn, with black muzzle and ear tips. It is, however, indisputable that the brindle is a true mastiff colour, and if we take Mr. Lukey's breed as the foundation of most of our strains, and as his dog Wallace was of that colour, the question is at once settled. Capt. Garnier thinks that a cross of brindle is necessary to keep up the black points; but I scarcely think this can be correct, for the black is well marked in the Lyme Hall strain, as well as in Mr. Kingdon's crosses, none of which are derived from brindled sires or dams. Nor is it the case in greyhounds, in which black muzzles occur in certain red and fawn strains without a brindled or black cross, whereas they are absent in others, although even a black sire or dam has been used, as in the case of Effort and The Brewer, descended from a long line of fawns, although crossed with the Bedlamite black in their dam Hopmarket. Sometimes white is shown on the face, but this is certainly a defect, though not a great one. A white star on the breast, or a few white toes, may be passed over.

Red, with black muzzle is admitted, but not admired.

11. The Coat (Value 5)

11. The coat (value 5) must be fine and short, even on the tail, which, however, may be allowed to be a little more rough than the body.

12. The Tail (Value 5)

12. The tail (value 5) is long and strong at the root, without any curl or twist, but carried high when the dog is excited, not otherwise.

The following are the dimensions, in inches, of Mr. Lukey's Governor, whose portrait illustrates this article: Height at shoulder, 33in.; length, nose to tip of tail, 86; girth, 40; girth round loin, 31; round fore leg, l0 3/4; round thigh, 22; round head before ears, 28; skull, 9 1/2; muzzle, 5 1/2 -conjoined, 15; ears, 7 1/2. Weight, 1801b. His pedigree is as follows:-